Kenmore 625.388170 User Manual
OWNER’S
MANUAL
MODEL NOS.
UltraSoft 175
625.388170
UltraSoft 180
625.388180
Caution:
Read and Follow
All Safety Rules and
Operating Instructions
Before First Use of
This Product.
If you have questions when
installing, operating or main
taining your softener, and
when setting the timer, call
this toll-free number...
1-800-426-9345
(M - F, 7 am - 8 pm, CST)
For repair or replacement
parts, call this toll-free num
ber...
1-800-366-7278
See back cover for other
Sears service numbers.
WWW. Ken more Wate r. com
SAVE THIS MANUAL
ICenfffore
Water Softeners
with Deluxe Valve
♦ Warranty
♦ Start Up / Setting Timer
♦ How It Works
♦ Care Of
♦ Specifications
♦ Repair Parts
Use the plastic bag and tie provided, to hang manuals
nearby the sotener for future reference.
-W.
Systems Tested and Certified by NSF International
against NSF/ANSI Standard 44for softener performance.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., 3333 Beverly Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 USA
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
7276539 (Rev. A 4/26/05)
w
SEARS RESIDENTIAL WATER SOFTENER
A
R
R
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.
A
For ten years from the date of purchase. Sears will furnish and install a new current
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If you want your water softener professionally installed, talk to your Sears Salesman. He will arrange for a
prompt, quality installation by Sears Authorized Installers.
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 warranty ap
plies only while this product is in use in the United States.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which
vary from state to state.
FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON WATER SOFTENER
FULL TEN YEAR WARRANTY AGAINST LEAKS
Sears, Roebuck and Co., D/817 WA, Hoffman Estates, !L 60179
SEARS INSTALLATION POLICY
All installation labor arranged by Sears shall be per
formed in a neat, workmanlike manner in accor
dance with generally accepted trade practices. Fur
ther, all installations shall comply with all local
laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances. Customer
shall also be protected, during installation, by insur
ance relating to Property Damage, Workman's
Compensation and Public Liability.
FACTS AND FIGURES TO KEEP
Fill in the blanks below and keep this book in a safe place so you always have
these facts.
Water Softener Model No.t
Serial Number______________________________________________________
Date Installed
Water Hardness_
Iron Content
pH
______________
Water Pressure
Water Flow Rate
t The model number is on the rating decal, located on the rim, under the salt hole cover.
______
____
___________________________________________
Taste And/Or Odor
_Pounds/Square Inch
In addition to any warranty extended to you on the
Sears merchandise involved, which warranty be
comes effective the date the merchandise in
installed, should the workmanship of any Sears ar
ranged installation prove faulty within one year.
Sears will, upon notice from you, cause such faults
to be corrected at no additional cost to you.
_Grains Per Gallon
Parts Per Million
Gallons Per Minute
SEARS INSTALLATION WARRANTY
salt hole cover.
J
rating decal
A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
__________________
. . ^
T
A
B
L
E
O
F
C
O
N
SECTION 1
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
SECTION 2
A.
B.
SECTION 3
A.
B.
C.
Safety Guides----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1-1
Check List of Step-By-Step Guides To Install
Program The Timer...................................................................... 1-3, 1-4
Sanitizing The Water Softener-------------------------------------------------- 1-5
Add Salt to the Storage Tank
Faceplate Timer Features-------------------------------------------------------- 2-1
Soft Water Service and Regeneration
Salt: Adding to Storage Tank / Salt Bridge
Keeping The Water Softener Clean
Protect The Water Softener From Freezing
WATER SOFTENER START UP PAGE NO.
..........................
---------------------------------------------------
HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
------------------------------
CARE OF YOUR WATER SOFTENER
-----------------------
-------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
1-2
1-6
2-2 to 2-5
3-1
3-2
3-3
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D.
SECTION 4
A.
SECTION 5
A.
B.
C.
SECTION 6
A.
B.
C.
Checklist (Not Getting Soft Water).......................................................... 3-4
Dimensions / Specifications
Troubleshooting--------------------------------------------------------- 5-1 to 5-4
Rotary Valve Service-------------------------------------------------------------- 5-5
Water Flow Through The Softener Valve................................. 5-6 to 5-8
Water Softener Complete-------------------------------------------------------- 6-1
Brine Valve Assembly............................................................................... 6-2
Valve Assembly............................................................................ 6-3, 6-4
ABOUT YOUR WATER SOFTENER
----------------------------------------------
SERVICE TECH. INFORMATION
REPAIR PARTS FOR WATER SOFTENER
4-p4-2
B
S
C
T
o
SECTION 1
WATER SOFTENER START UP
A. SAFETY GUIDES
▲ 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.
Reading this book will also help you to get all of the
benefits from your water softener.
A
Your water softener will remove hardness minerals
and “clear water” iron* from water, up to the iimits
shown on page 4-1. It will not remove other types of
iron, acids, tastes and odors, etc. It will not purify pol
luted water or make it safe to drink.
A
Protect the softener and piping from freezing. Dam
age from freezing voids the softener warranty. See
page 3-3.
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----------------------------
PLEASE READ AND COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING
GUIDES TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE SOFTENER
OR OTHER PROPERTY, PERSONAL INJURY, OR POS
SIBLE FATAL SHOCK.
A
THIS SOFTENER WORKS ON 24 VOLTS ONLY. BE
SURE TO USE ONLYTHE TRANSFORMER INCLUDED,
AND PLUG IT INTO A NOMINAL 120V, 60 CYCLE
HOUSEHOLD OUTLET THAT IS GROUNDED AND
PROPERLY PROTECTED BY AN OVERCURRENT DE
VICE SUCH AS A CIRCUIT BREAKER OR FUSE. IF
TRANSFORMER IS REPLACED, USE ONLY THE AU
THORIZED SERVICE, CLASS II, 24 VOLT, 10 VA
TRANSFORMER.
A
Unplug the transformer right away if the power
cable should become damaged or frayed. Make re
pairs, or replace transformer, before plugging back
into the power outlet.
A
Always unplug the softener from electrical power
before removing outer valve covers.
CAUTiONS ----------------------------------------
A
This system is not intended to be used for treating
water that is microbioiogicaily unsafe or of unknown
quality without adequate disinfection before or after
the system.
* The capacity to reduce clear water iron is substantiated
by WQA test data.
1 - 1
Problems, Questions? Call 1-800-426-9345 Kenmore Water Line
SECTION 1
WATER SOFTENER START UP
B. CHECK LIST OF gTEP-BY-STEP GUIDES TO INSTALL
To be sure you have done all the steps to install the
softener, read the following list. Refer to the Instal
lation Manual, part no. 7258997, for step-by-step
guides.
Page numbers referred to are in the Installation
Manual unless otherwise noted.
Is the house water flow going INTO the softener
valve INLET? Trace piping to be sure. See pages
2-4 and 2-5.
K' Is the plumbing bypass valve (or 3 valves) set for
SERVICE? Bypass valve(s) should always re
main in soft water service position. Position in
"bypass" only if needed for softener repairs. See
FIG. 14, page 4-1 of this manual.
Is the valve drain hose connected the right way,
and without sharp bends or kinks that could
stop or reduce water flow? See page 3-5 in the
installation manual.
Page numbers referred to are in the Installation
Manual unless otherwise noted.
Is the transformer plugged into an inside, al
ways live, grounded, 120V-60Hz electrical out
let? See pages 3-8 and 3-9 in the installation
manual, and the wiring schematic on page 5-1 of
this manual.
Be sure to restart the water heater. See page 3-9.
FIG. 1
3-valve
plastic
Bypass Va!ve(s)
California Efficiency Requirement
Your Kenmore Water Softener has a "High Effi
ciency" feature with an "ON" or "OFF" setting.
This softener setting is shipped in the "OFF"
position, which utilizes the maximum rated ca
pacity while most often achieving maximum salt
efficiencies. When installing this unit in the State
of California, you MUST turn this setting to the
"ON" position which may initiate more frequent
recharges, however it will operate at 4000 grains
per pound of salt or higher.
If you wish to turn the Salt Efficiency feature
"ON" (i|j icon will show in display), follow the
instructions in the Faceplate Timer Features, Sec
tion 2 of this manual.
NOTE: Codes in the state of Massachusetts require installation
by a licensed plumber. For installation, use plumbing code
248-CMR of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Problems, Questions? Call 1-800-426-9345 Kenmore Water Line
¿1
1 - 2
FIG. 2
SECTION 1
WATER SOFTENER START UP
C. program THE TIMER
display
Customer Assistance
PRESS FOR
TONIGHT
HOLD FOR
IMMEDIATE
RECHARGE button SELECT button DOWN button
1-800-426-9345
UP button
When the transformer is plugged in, a model code,
and a test number (example: Jl.O) show in the face
plate display for 4 seconds. Then, the words
SET
TIME show in the display along with a flashing
12:00 PM.
UltraSoft 175
To check the model code, unplug the transformer at
the wall outlet and plug in again, if other than SR25
or SR26 shows, see page 5-3 to reset.
SOUND "BEEPER": A "beeper" sounds while
pressing buttons for timer set-up. One beep signals
a change in the face plate display. Repeated beeps
mean the timer will not accept a change from the
button you have pressed, telling you to use another
button. For example, while setting the hardness
(step 2), the beeper sounds repeatedly when the dis
play reaches 1 using the DOWN button, or the high
est hardness setting using the UP button.
SET PRESENT TIME OF DAY
If the words SET TIME do not show in the display,
press the SELECT button (FIG. 2) until they do, or
see the previous notes.
■ Press the UP / DOWN buttons to set the present
time. Press UP to move the display ahead; press
DOWN to SET the time back.
If the present time is between
noon and midnight, be sure PM
shows.
Notes:
If
---------
shows in the display, press the UP 0 or
DOWN 0 button until SR25 or SR26 shows. Then,
press the SELECT button to set, and change to the
flashing SET TIME display.
Problems, Questions? Call 1-800-426-9345 Kenmore Water Line
If the present time is between
midnight and noon, be sure AM
shows.
Each press of the UP /DOWN buttons changes
the time by one minute. Lfolding the buttons in
changes the time rapidly.
1 - 3
SECTION 1
WATER SOFTENER START UP
C. program THE TIMER
SET WATER HARDNESS NUMBER
■ Press the SELECT button once again to display
the words SET HARDNESS and a flashing 25.
The grains per gallon (gpg) hard
ness of your water supply is on
your water analysis report. Be
sure to enter water test results on
page Aj for future reference.
If your water supply contains iron, compensate for
it by adding to the water hardness number. For ex
ample, assume your water is 20 gpg hard and contains 2
ppm iron. Add 5 to the hardness number for each 1 ppm
of iron. In this example, you would use 30 forr your hard
ness number.
20 gpg hardness
2 ppm iron X 5 - 10
(times)
■ Press the UP / DOWN buttons to set your water
hardness number in the display. The DOWN button
moves the display to 1. The UP button moves the
display to the highest setting (see maximum setting
for your model in the specifications).
Note:
Each press of the UP / DOWN button changes the
display by 1 between 1 and 25. Between 25 and the
highest number, the display changes 5 at a
time,. ,25,30, 35, etc. Holding the UP or DOWNbutton in changes the display twice each second.
SET RECHARGE (REGENERATION) TIME
H Press the SELECT button once again to display
the words SET RECHARGE TIME and a flashing
2:00 AM.
+10
30 HARDNESS NUMBER
SET
P5
water is not being used (see Automatic Bypass,
page 2- 4). If a different recharge time setting would
be better for your household, do the following.
■ Press the UP / DOWN buttons to set the desired
recharge starting hour. Be sure to observe the AMPM as you did when setting the present time of day.
Note:
Each press of the UP / DOWN buttons changes the
display 1 hour. Holding the buttons in changes the
display twice each second.
SET SALT LEVEL
■ Press the SELECT button once again to display
SET SALT LEVEL and a flashing 0 (zero). See Step E,
page 1-6, for instructions on adding salt to the salt
storage tank.
The face plate timer has a salt
monitor with an indicator light to
remind you to add salt to the stor
age tank.
Note:
You must set salt level each time salt is added to the
water softener.
■ To set this monitor system, lift the salt hole cover
and level the salt in the storage tank. The salt level
decal, on the brinewell inside the tank, has numbers
from 0 to 8. Observe the highest number the leveled
salt is at, or closest to. Press the UP / DOWN but
tons until the number corresponds with the salt lev
el number. At level 2 or below, the indicator LED
will flash. If you wish to turn this feature off, press
the DOWN button past 0, and the word "OFF"
flashes in the display.
SETSALTLEVEL
0
At the 2:00 AM recharge time set
ting, the softener begins regenera
tion (see pages 2-3 and 2-4) at
2:00 AM, ending no later than 4:30
AM. This is a good time in most households because
IF YOU NEED HELP PROGRAMMING THE TIMER, CALL TOLL FREE,
NUMBER 1-800-426-9345.
SEE PAGE 2-1 FOR OTHER FACE PLATE TIMER FEATURES.
Problems, Questions? Call 1-800-426-9345 Kenmore Water Line
■ Press the SELECT button once
again, to complete initial pro
gramming, and the correct time of
day will show in the display.
1 - 4
SECTION 1
WATER SOFTENER START UP
Care is taken at the factory to keep your water soft
ener clean and sanitary. Materials used to make the
softener will not infect or contaminate your water
supply, and will not cause bacteria to form or grow.
However, during shipping, storage, installing and
operating, bacteria could get into the softener. For
this reason, sanitizing as follows is suggested®
when installing.
■ I The first time you sanitize your softener, be sure
to do all steps in the installation manual, and on
pages 1-2, 1-3 and 1-4 of this manual first.
Note: Be certain the bypass valve is pulled out
to "service" position.
Lift the salt hole cover and use a pail to fill the
salt storage tank with 3 gallons of water.
Remove the brinewell cover (FIG. 3) and pour
about 3/4 ounce, or 1 to 2 tablespoons, of com
mon 5.25%, unscented, household bleach (Clorox, Linco, BoPeep, White Sail, Eagle, etc.) in the
softener brinewell. Replace the brinewell cover.
Press the RECHARGE button and hold for 3 se
conds to start a recharge. This first recharge does
several things.
FIG.3
• It draws the bleach into and through the softener
to sanitize it.
• It fills the salt tank to the water level needed.
• It gets all the air out of the resin tank.
• It prepares the resin bed (see page 2-3) for ser
vice and flushes residual chlorine from the soften
er.
Notes:
This recharge takes about 2-1/2 hours.
You can sanitize the softener ivith or without salt
in the storage tank.
' Recommended by the Water Quality Association. On some
water supplies, the water softener may need periodic
disinfecting.
1 - 5
Problems, Questions? Call 1-800-426-9345 Kenmore Water Line
SECTION 1
E. add salt to the storage tank
Brine (salt dissolved in water) is needed for each
and every regeneration. The water for making brine
is metered into the salt storage tank by the softener.
You must keep salt in the tank, but because the wa
ter softener is very efficient, it is not necessary to
keep it full. Especially in humid areas, it is best to
fill the storage tank one quarter to one half full, and
to refill it more often. Salt bridging (see page 3-1) oc
curs more often when conditions are humid.
Use NUGGET or PELLET water softener salt. DO
NOT use rock salts, as they have dirt and sediments
that will stop the softener from working.
Before adding salt, be sure the brinewell cover is in
place on the top of the brinewell.
If you choose Potassium Chloride (KCl) as a regen
erant, following these suggestions will help give
you years of maintenance free service.
WATER SOFTENER START UP
WATER SOFTENING SALT WITH IRON REMOV
ING ADDITIVES — Some salts have an additive to
help the softener handle iron in the water supply.
These salts may be used if your water supply has a
high iron content. It is recommended to use Sears
Resin Bed Cleaner 42- 34426, for periodic treatments
to keep your resin bed dean. This is available at
your local Sears store.
FIG. 4
1) Place only one bag of KCl in your softener at a
time (the salt storage tank should contain no more
than 60 pounds of KCl at any one time).
2) A softener using KCl should not be placed in
areas with temperature fluctuations and high hu
midity (KCl will harden in these environments and
may make the softener inoperable).
3) Check the brine tank and brine well (black tube in
salt storage tank) monthly. If hardening is present,
pour small amounts of warm water on hardened
areas until they loosen.
4) You must increase your hardness setting by 25%
to ensure continuous soft water as in example be
low.
Raw Water Hardenss
(grains per gallon)
5gPg
lOgPg
ISgpg
20gPg
25gpg
30gPg
35gpg
40gPg
+ 25%
Softener setting when
using KCl
7gpg
13gpg
19gPg
25gpg
32gpg
38 gpg
44 gpg
30 gpg
salt
storage
tank
brinewell
Sodium information: Water softeners using sodium
chloride for regeneration add sodium to the water.
Persons who are on sodium restricted diets should
consider the added sodium as part of their overall
sodium intake. For example, if your water supply is
15 grains hard, and you drank 3 quarts of softened
water, you would consume 335 milligrams of so
dium. That is equivalent to eating 2-1/2 slices of
white bread.
Persons who are concerned about their drinking
water should consider a Kenmore Drinking Water
System that will remove or reduce in excess of 90%
of the sodium and other drinking water contami
nants.
1 - 6
Problems, Questions? Call 1-800-426-9345 Kenmore Water Line
SECTION 2 HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
A. FACEPLATE TIMER FEATURES
^ EXTRA RECHARGE
S
c
T
Sometimes, a manually started
regeneration (recharge) may be
desired, or needed. Two exam
ples are:
- You have used more water than
usual (guests visiting) and you
may run out of soft water before
the next timer started regenera
tion.
- You did not refill the softener
with salt before it was gone. After
you refill with salt:
о
You can start a regeneration right
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^ RECHARGE NOW
Press the RECHARGE button and
hold for 3 seconds. The words RE
CHARGE NOW begin to flash in
the display, and the softener en
ters the fill cycle of regeneration right away. This re
generation will last for about 2 hours. Then, you will
have soft water again.
^ RECHARGE TONIGHT
Press and release (do not hold) the
RECHARGE button. RECHARGE
TONIGHT flashes in the display,
and the softener begins regenera
tion at the next preset recharge time. Press and re
lease the RECHARGE button once more if you de
cide to cancel the regeneration, and RECHARGE
TONIGHT will not flash in the display.
^ SET SALT LEVEL
To set this monitor system, lift the
salt hole cover and level the salt in
the storage tank. The salt level de
cal, on the brinewell inside the
tank, has numbers from 0 to 8.
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away, or you can set the timer to
regenerate at the next 2:00 AM (or
other preset recharge time). Do
the following.
RECHAR&E
NOW
3
3: l(
» m
SETSiLUEVEL
0
IF YOU NEED HELP PROGRAMMING THE TIMER, CALL TOLL FREE,
NUMBER 1-800-426-9345.
Observe the highest number the leveled salt is at, or
closest to. Press SELECT once to get to the Set Salt
Level screen. Now press the UP or DOWN buttons
until the number corresponds with the salt level
number. At level 2 or below, the indicator LED will
flash. If you wish to turn this feature off, press the
DOWN button past 0, and the word "OFF" flashes
in the display. Note: You must set salt level each
time salt is added to the water softener.
^ PROGRAM MEMORY
If electrical power to the softener goes off, the time
display is blank but the face plate timer keeps the
correct time for about 6 hours. When electrical pow
er comes on again, you have to reset the present
time
only if the display is flashing. The HARD
NESS, RECHARGE TIME and SALT LEVEL never
require resetting unless a change is desired. Even if
the timer is incorrect after a long power outage, the
softener works as it should to keep your water soft.
However, regenerations may occur at the wrong
time of day until you reset the timer to the correct
time of day.
^ EFFICIENCY MODE
When this feature is ON, the wa
ter softener will operate at salt ef
ficiencies of 4000 grains of hard
ness per pound of salt or higher.
(May recharge more often using
smaller salt dosage and less wa
ter). Installations in the state of
California require this setting to
be turned ON. This softener is shipped in the OFF
setting. To turn this setting to ON, press and hold the
SELECT button until the display shows 000- -. Then
press (do not hold) the SELECT button again. Use the
UP arrow to turn ON. Press SELECT to enter and re
turn to normal running screen. The efficiency icon
® will only be displayed when this feature is ON.
^ ERROR CODE
An error code could appear in the
face plate display if a problem oc
curs in the softener electronics. If
you see an error code instead of
the present time of day, turn to page 5-2 under
"Troubleshooting" to resolve the problem.
__________________________________
2j_l____________________________________
Problems, Questions? Call 1-800-426-9345 Kenmore Water Line
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