Kenmore 625348702, 625348302, 625348202 Owner’s Manual
OWNERS
..-MANUAL
MODEL NOS.
625.348202
MEDIUM CAPACITY
-, ._|
625.348302
.HIGH CAPA CIIT-_Y
625.348702
EXTRA HIGH
CAPACITY
CAUTION
Read All Safety
Guides Before
You Start to
Install Your
Softener
Kenmore
-- HOW TO INSTALL
-- HOW IT WORKS-
- CARE OF --
-- SPECIFICATIONS -
-- REPAIR PARTS--
SAVE THIS MANUAL
PRINTED IN U S A
l TABLE OF CONTENTS /
PAGE NO. PAGE NO
Safety Guides ................................ 3
Before You Install ......................... 3-5
Tools and Materials Needed ................. 4
Plans to Install Your Softener ............. 5-8
Sweat Soldering Tips ........................ 7
Step by Step Guides to install Softener .. 9-14
WARRANTY /
SEARS RESIDENTIAL AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENER
FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON WATER SOFTENER
For one year from the date of purchase, when this water softener is installed and
maintained in accordance with our instructions. Sears will repair, free of charge, defects
in material or workmanship in this water softener.
FULL TEN YEAR WARRANTY AGAINST LEAKS
For ten years from the date of purchase. Sears will furnish and install a new current
model water softener tank or salt storage drum. free of charge, if either the tank or drum
develop a leak.
TO OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE, SIMPLY CONTACT THE NEAREST
SEARS SERVICE CENTER THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. THIS WAR-
RANTY APPLIES ONLY WHILE THIS PRODUCT IS IN USE IN THE UNITED
STATES.
Setting the Timer .......................... 1,
How Your Softener Works .............. 15-1
"Fine-Tuning'" Your Softener ........... 18-2:
Care of Your Softener ................... 23-2:
Dimensions and Specifications ............ 2_
Repair Parts ............................. 27-3
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights
which vary from state to state.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Dept. 698/731A, Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60684
If you want your water softener professionally installed, talk to your Sears Salesperson who will ar-
range a prompt, quality installation by Sears Authorized Installers.
SEARS INSTALLATION POLICY
All installation labor arranged by Sears shall be
performed in a neat, workmanlike manner in
accordance with generally accepted trade prac-
tices.Further,all installations shall comply with all
local laws. codes, regulations and ordinances.
Customer shall also be protected, during installa-
tion, by insurance relating to Property Damage,
Workman's Compensation and Public Liability.
SEARS INSTALLATION WARRANTY
In addition to any warranty extended to you or
the Sears merchandise involved, which warran
ty becomes effective the date the merchandis_
is installed, should the workmanship of an!
Sears arranged installation prove faulty withir
one year, Sears will, upon notice from you
cause such faults to be corrected at no addi
tional cost to you.
• Read all steps, guides and rules carefully
before installing and using your new water
softener. Follow all steps exactly to correctly
install. Failure to follow them could cause
personal injury or property damage. Read-
ing this book will also help you to get all of the
benefits from your water softener.
• Your water softener will remove hardness
minerals and "clear water" iron from water,
up to the limits shown on page 26. It will not
remove other types of iron, acids, tastes and
odors, etc. It will not purify polluted water or
make it safe to drink.
When you see this sign in the book, • something could be damaged, or someone hurt, if the guide
is not followed exactly.
Check with your local public works depart-
ment for plumbing, electric and sanitation
codes. You must follow their guides as you
install your softener.
• Protect the softener and piping from freez-
ing. Damage from freezing voids the softener
warranty.
• Be sure the electric outlet for the softener
is grounded the right way to protect the
user from injury or possibly fatal shock.
BEFORE YOU START TO
HELPFUL INFORMATION
if you know little about plumbing skills, we sug-
gest you get a book on the subject. There are
many good books for do-it-yourselfers on the
basics of plumbing. You can get a low cost book
from Sears Plumbing and Heating departments
that will help you. Some basic sweat soldering
tips are on page 7 of this manual.
WATER SYSTEM TESTS
HAS YOUR WATER SUPPLY HAD A
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS? Sears has many kinds
of water treating units (see page 4) to correct
different water problems. To know the kind
and size of unit you need, you must first know
what elements are in your house water supply.
A chemical analysis shows the type and
amounts of elements in water. If your water
needs analysis, call or write your nearest
Sears store for help.
CHECK YOUR WATER PRESSURE-- For your
softener to work right, a water pressure of no
lower than 20 pounds per square inch (psi) is
needed in the house water pipes. The highest
A pressure allowed in the water pipes is 120 psi. If
pressure iS over 120 psi. buy and install a pres-
sure reducing valve in the water inlet pipe to the
softener. NOTE: If water pressure during the
day is 100 psi or more, pressure during the
night may go over 120 psi.
if you have a well water system, look at the
pressure gauge to find the water pressure. Call
your local water department if you have city
water. They will tell you what the water
pressure is where you live.
CHECK YOUR WATER FLOW RATE - A water
flow of at least 3 gallons per minute is needed.
A lower flow will keep your softenerfrom work-
ing as well as it should. To make an easy
check of your flow rate, do the following. You
will need a 1 gallon container (can, jar, pail,
etc.).
1. Fully open 2 cold water faucets close to the
point water enters the house.
2. With both faucets open, fill the gallon con-
tainer at 1 faucet while looking at a watch or
clock to see how many seconds it takes.
3. Empty the container and go the second
faucet (be sure BOTH faucets are still on).
Fill the gallon container at the second
faucet and see how many seconds it takes.
4. Turn off both faucets. Now add the number
of seconds it took to fill the container at
both faucets.
.
A total of 90 seconds, or less, means the
3
system flow rate is good.
• BEFORE YOU START TO I L YOUR SOFTENER
I
I
FACTS AND FIGURES TO KEEP
Fill in the blanks below and keep this book in
safe place so you always have these facts.
Water Softener Model No.!"
Serial Number
Date Installed
Water Hardness Grains Per Gallon
Iron Content Parts Per Million
"pH Taste And/Or Odor
Water Pressure __ Pounds/Square Inch
Water Flow Rate ____ Gallons Per Minute
t'Get from the rating decal on the softener.
"The acidity or alkalinity measure of water
WHERE TO PUT THE SOFTENER
Think of the following points as you choose a
place to put your softener. (See Fig. 1).
• Place as close as possible to the pressure
tank (well water) or water meter (city water).
= Place as close as possible to a water drain
such as a floor drain, laundry tub, sump or
standpipe.
• • Connect to the house main water pipe BEFORE
THE WATER HEATER. Temperature of water
going through the softener must not be more
than 120 F (49 C).
= Keep your outside faucets on hard water to
save soft water and salt.
• o DO NOT install in a place where the
softener could freeze. Freeze damage
voids the warranty by Sears, Roebuck and
Co. (See page 24.)
A#b
Keep the softener out of direct sunlight. The
sun's heat can melt plastic parts.
•e
Put the softener in a place water damage is
least likely to occur if it develops a leak. Sears
or the manufacturer will not repair or pay for
water damage.
TOOLS, PIPE, FITTINGS
AND OTHER MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED
TO know what tools and materials you will need.
you must first decide how tO run in and out pipes
to the softener. Look at your house main water
pipe at the point you wilt connect the softener, is the
pipe soldered copper, glued plastic, or threaded
galvanized or brass? What is the pipe size?
Now look at the common plans for in and out
piping on pages 6 and 8. Select the drawing
best for you and use it as a guide to plan what
materials you will need. As you plan your in
and out piping, keep in mind the following
check list. Then get all the materials you will
need.
THE PROPER ORDER TO INSTALL WATER TREATING EQUIPMENT
(Shows sequence of equipment only _ seldom, if ever would all items be needed)
kit_'ken_ Ut htom_
Sediment or_:_--*.,_ softener the Taste & O0or Filte after
Taste & O_or_ he sot ener he Neu rahzer before an _ tl wile _ |_'_ .
ri ' outs=detaacets II
C_!.Df_et Always put the Iron Filter before _he
I I r, ,rooFlI,erefc / I
,ot-.tl.,t_-=l ? ', ', _ _Ir _ _ _ LJ IL-.,,_,.,.._,
I L ] t , I I I I I I ! ICsrtridgeFilter f
/ Water \ \ \ location) _=ter
_ /. _ Softener ' , " -_ _'t'
Taste & -" Auto. Neutcal- Auto. Solution
Odor Iron |zing Clarifying Dispensing System
T_k RemovRI Tank Tamk
Filter Tank FilteT Filter
4 Filter
IoE o.oYousT..TTo You.so o.o.
CONTINUED FROMPAGE4
In and out pipes to the softener must be at
least 3/4 in. size. Some local codes may tell
you to use no less than 1 in. pipe size.
_/ Use copper, brass, or galvanized pipe and
fittings• Some codes may also allow OPVC
plastic pipe.
_/ Copper and galvanized pipe corrode fast
when connected together.
k/ You can buy adaptors to go from a copper or
threaded main water pipe to CPVC in and out
pipe.
x/ Sears has kits and bypass valves you can buy
to help make installing your softener easier.
•,/ ALWAYS install a bypass valve or valves.
Either use 3 shut-off valves, or 1 of Sears
special valves. Bypass valves let you turn off
water to the softener, but still have water in
the house pipes.
For electric hook-up you may need a
grounding adaptor plug and a length of
copper wire (See page 13).
TOOLS NEEDED: -common and cross
point (Phillips) screw drivers, slip-joint pliers
and a taoe measure or rule. ALSO...
• .. for SOLDERED COPPER- tubing cutter,
propane torch, solid-core solde[, paste flux,
emery cloth, sandpaper or steel wool.
.... for THREADED PiPE - hacksaw or pipe
cutter, pipe wrenches, pipe threading tool,
pipe joint compound.
•.. for OPVC PLASTIC- hacksaw, adjustable
wrench, solvent cement, fine emery cJoth.
_/ Drain hose (7/16 in. inside diameter) is
needed for valve and salt tank drains. See
steps 9 and 10 on page 11. You can buy
flexible hose at most Sears stores or through
Sears catalog.
If a rigid valve drain is needed to comply
with plumbing codes, Sears has a copper
drain kit (See page 11) to change the
softener to a 1/= in. copper tubing drain.
DRAW THE PLANS FOR YOUR IN ,AND OUT
PIPING HERE. BE SURE 1"0 FOLLOW GUIDES
LISTEDABOVF-_CLUDE ALLPIPE FITTINGS
AND ACCESSORIES YOU WILL USE. MAKE A Outlet
U ST OFALL MATERIALS YOU NEED AND BUY
THEM BEFORE YOU BEGIN "TO INSTALL THE '_L.
SOFTENER 41'
I
5
IN AND OUT PLUMBING USING
A 3 VALVE BYPASS
Tee (2)
/ Outsi_e
_ ,-..._ _Faucet
! Water _ _
IN AND OUT PLUMBING USING
A 3 VALVE BYPASS AND SEARS
SPECIAL FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR KIT
90• Elbow(2) OutsideFaucets
IN AND OUT PLUMBING
USING SEARS SPECIAL PLASTIC
BYPASS VALVE
eter . i
S°ftWa_" i _ 90* Elbow(2)
J,_._;;er,2
(Raw Water/nD) e
S ut-o
I Shut-off Valves
, _ oui ,.
OUT Connector{2) _ = _1.not _included
tN r_ zq- tube "_with
i, , ----_ oo,,e,_-_oe"''s°".°.'
oo,,., ou,,.t
FLEXIBLE CONNECTORS !_ BYPASS VALVE (Plastic) [] BYPASS VALVE (Brass)
Allows easy hook up even ff pipes One, easy working valve takes the place of 3 separate valves.
are not exactly aligned.
USING SEARS SPECIAL FLEXIBLE
CONNECTOR KIT AND PLASTIC
Soft Water : ,_
" ube included _,_
_'trite1 SOFTENER-_ inlet Inlet
SEARS KITS AND VALVES TO MAKE INSTALLING YOUR SOFTENER EASIER
Sears Stock No. 42-3437 Sears Stock No, 42-3436
IN AND OUT PLUMBING
BYPASS VALVE cede
90"Elbow(2) _..:_deF_'_
IN AND OUT PLUMBING
USING SEARS SPECIAL BRASS
BYPASS VALVE
90=Elbow(4) O'J_'s_de
CROSS-OVER
Use if water supply flows from the left.
IncluOe single or 3 valve bypass,
_MainWaterPi_e
Outsi<l e
Fauce t
T (Raw Water Ir_)
ter Pipe
IN
OUT_
o=,.t t,_L) VALVE
SOFTENER • Inlet
,_
=!
OUT IN
Out_e_ 1
";O._._.'S,n,e.
o
SWEAT SOLDERING TIPS /
I
MEASURING PIPE LENGTHS: Always be sure
to include the length of pipe that goes inside the
fitting, On 3/4 in. pipe, this length is about 3/4 in.
CUTTING PIPE:-Turn the pipe cutter back and
forth around the outside of the pipe. Tighten the
pipe cutter slowly with each turn until all the way
through the pipe. To keep from crushing or dis-
torting the pipe, do not tighten the cutter too
much at a time. File burrs from cut ends.
CLEAN PIPE AND FITTING SOLDERING SUR-
FACES: With emery cloth, fine sandpaper or
steel wool, clean the end of the pipe and inside of
the fitting. Clean surfaces until they shine. Do
not grind off too much material, making the fit
too loose.
Let soldered joints cool slowly. Sudden cooling
can crack or weaken the solder.
SOLDERING: Light the torch and set to a
moderate flame. Move the flame over and
around the joint to heat pipe and fitting. In a
short time, touch the end of the solder wire to
the lip of the fitting. DO NOT PLACE SOLDER
IN THE FLAME. The solder will melt and draw
into the connection when the pipe and fitting
are at the right temperature. Run the solder
around the lip until the joint is full. Do not over-
fill as solder will run into and harden inside the
fitting. Being careful not to touch the pipe with
your hands, make a quick swipe around the
joint with a cloth to take off excess solder.
solOer
clean surfaces !
thoroughly
i
CHECK THE FIT: Push the pipe into the fitting as
far as it will go. Use some force to slip together,
but do not hammer or pound. If too tight, clean
surfaces until fit is good.
PUT ON PASTE FLUX: Freely apply paste flux on
both cleaned surfaces. Place pipe into the fitting
and turn to spread the paste around.
BEFORE SOLDERING, READ THESE SAFETY
GUIDES.
• Keep torch flame away from walls, the water
softener, and other materials that will burn.
• Do not touch newly soldered pipe with your
hands.
Wrap nearby, already soldered joints with a wet
cloth so solder does not melt.
l/
For a good sweat solder joint, the pipe and fitting
must not have any water inside them, Water,
when heated by the torch, weakens the solder
and often the joint will leak. If you can not keep
the inside of the pipe dry, wad up a piece of bread
into s ball. After putting paste flux on both the
pipe and fitting, place the bread wad into the pipe
and poke in several inches. Put the pipe and
fitting together and solder. The bread absorbs
moisture while you are soldering. When the
water is turned on, the bread dissolves and is
flushed out an open faucet.
LEAKING CONNECTIONS: You can try to
reheat and resolder a leaking joint, but it's usu-
ally best to start over. Turn off the water, reheat
and take the pipe and fitting apart. Take off all old
solder, cleaning down to the copper surface,
Apply new paste flux and solder again.
7
I
IN AND OUT PLUMBING USING
A 3 VALVE BYPASS
Unions
OUTLET
-" x 3/4" reClucer
• SOFTENER
INLET
FaUCets
IN AND OUT PLUMBING USING
! A 3 VALVE BYPASS AND SEARS
I SPECIAL FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR KIT
wator I
SEARS KITS AND VALVES TO MAKE INSTALUNG YOUR SOFTENER EASIER
[]FLEXIBLE CONNECTORS
Allows easy hook up, even if pipes are not exactly aligned.
IN AND OUT PLUMBING USING SEARS
SPECIAL FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR KIT
AND PLASTIC BYPASS VALVE
IN AND OUT PLUMBING
USING SEARS SPEC AL PLASTIC
Tee (2) Union Faucets
Shut-off
Valves
One, easy workingvalve takes the place of 3 separate valves.
Outsioe
tN
OUT 1" x 3/4" reducer
B BYPASS VALVE
Sears Stock No. 42-3437
BYPASS VALVE
90=Elbow(2)
unions OffSet for
clearance
Oul
IN
CROSS-OVER
Use if water supply flows from the left,
Include single or 3 valve bypass,
OUTLET _i_
._. _ v,J.VE
SOFTENER "_F._IN LE. T
Pi_e ater
OUT!ET !
_ _ % INLET
8
Close the shut-off valve on the house main
• ]. water pipe, near the water meter or pres-
sure tank, to turn off the water.
Shut off the gas or electric supply to the
• 2. water heater.
INSTALLING INLET SCREEN,
AND THE INLET AND OUTLET
ADAPTORS
Open the highest and lowest water faucets
I"i
• _. in your house to let water drain from the
pipes. Close faucets after water has
drained.
4. If not already done, remove all cardboard or
plastic packing pieces from inside the
softener. Take the bag with small parts.
Remove parts and lay out neatly so you can
find them when needed.
INSTALL THE INLET SCREEN, AND THE
5, INLET AND OUTLET ADAPTORS OR
SEARS BYPASS VALVE, STOCK NO.
42-3437.
a. INLET SCREEN - The inlet screen (Fig. 4 or 5)
is with the small parts bag items. This screen,
put in the softener valve inlet, stops dirt and
other sediments from getting inside the
softener. To install it, put it into the valve inlet
with the pointed end facing outward, toward in
coming water.
b. INLET AND OUTLET ADAPTORS (Do not use
if you will install the bypass valve) - Push the
adaptors into the valve inlet and outlet ports
(Fig. 4) as far as they will go. Both adaptors are
the same and fit either valve port. SNAPTHE 2
LARGE HOLDING CLIPS INTO PLACE, FROM
THE TOP DOWN AS SHOWN. BE SURE THEY
SNAP FIRMLY INTO PLACE SO THE ADAP-
TORS CAN NOT PULL OUT.
INLET I / ./"
-"'_ Screen
tn4et #
Adaptors
INSTALLING INLET SCREEN
AND BYPASS VALVE
\, / _ _ _'/ RemoveInner
•"_-_-./ .//O-Ring Seals
Bypass Valve _
Stock No, 42-3437
BYPASS VALVE TURNED
DOWNWARD
UPSIDE DOWN TO
CONNECT TO FLOOR
O_UT LEVEL PLUMBING
IN
3 VALVE
c. BYPASS VALVE, STOCK NO. 42-3437 - If the
bypass valve has 4 o-ring seals on it, remove
the inner one on both sides (Fig. 5). Push the
bypass valve into the softener valve as far as it
will go (Fig. 5 or 6). SNAP THE 2 LARGE
HOLDING CLIPS INTO PLACE, FROM THE
TOP DOWN AS SHOWN. BE SURE THEY
SNAP FIRMLY IN PLACE SO THE BYPASS
VALVE CAN NOT PULL OUT.
IF YOU DO NOT USE SEARS BYPASS VALVE, STOCK NO. 42-3437, DO STEP 6. IF YOU DID INSTALL
THIS BYPASS VALVE, SKIP STEP 6 AND GO TO STEP 7°
9
t STEP BY STEP GUIDES TO I ALLYOUR SOFTENER
INSTALLING 3 VALVE BYPASS, OR SEARS
6, BYPASS VALVE, STOCK NO. 42-3436, AND
PIPES (FIG. 7)
Cut the house main water pipe where you will
connect the softener. Loosely put together
pipe, fittings, and the 3 valves or Sears special
bypass valve. Place valve(s) within easy reach.
Look at your plan drawing on page 5.
IMPORTANT:WHEN LOOKING ATTHE FRONT
OF THE SOFTENER, THE INLET iS ON THE
RIGHT SIDE. IF WATER IN YOUR HOUSE MAIN
WATER PIPE RUNS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, BE
SURE TO USE A "CROSS-OVER" AS SHOWN
IN FiG. 2 AND 3.
If all pipe, fittings and valves fit together good,
tighten all threaded joints (use pipe dope on out-
side threads), or solder following tips on page 7.
MOVE SOFTENER INTO PLACE
. Move the softener into place. Be sure the
surface it sets on is level and smooth. If
needed, put a piece of 3/4" plywood, at least 18"
square, under the tank. Then put a spacer under
the plywood to level the softener.
SINGLE VALVE BYPASS
_ 42-3436
ITo
Softener
Inlet
Inlet and Outlet
Adaptors
BYPASS VALVES
3-VALVE BYPASS
Stock No.
_To
Softener
Inlet
CONNECT THE SOFTENER -- SOLDER
ft
0. COPPER OR CPVC PIPE
(Refer to your plan drawing on page 5, and to
page 6.)
• Read the important note above. Then put the
gaskets, tubes and nuts shown in FIG. 8, or the
flexible connectors (Sears kit), onto the softener
or bypass valve.
• Measure, cut and put all pipe and fittings
together up to the main water pipe, or to the
bypass valve (s) you installed in step 6 above.
• When all piping fits together good, solder (or
glue CPVC) all joints following tips on page 7.
• CAUTLON: BEFORE SOLDERING, DISCON-
NECT NUTS (FIG. 8) AT THE SOFTENER OR
BYPASS VALVE. THIS WILL STOP THE HEAT,
CAUSED BY THE SOLDERING, FROM GOING
INTO THE SOFTENER VALVE AND MELTING
PLASTIC PARTS. After plumbing cools, put nuts
back on and tighten.
CONNECT THE SOFTENER -- THREADED
8, PIPE.
(Refer to your plan drawing on page 5, and to
page 8)
• Read the important note above, left. Then mea-
sure, cut, thread and put together pipe and fit-
tings from the softener (or bypass valve) up to
the main water pipe, or to the bypass valves
installed in step 6.
• Include union fittings or flexible connectors
(Sears kit).
• Cut pipe lengths exact for correct aligning,
and to prevent putting weight on the valve. Use
pipe dope or teflon tape on all outside threads.
• CAUTION: BE VERY CAREFULWHEN PUT-
TING PIPE FITTINGS ONTO THE PLASTIC
THREADS OF THE SOFTENER ADAPTORS OR
THE BYPASS VALVE. DO NOT CROSS-THREAD.
DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.
10
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