Kenmore Ultra High-Efficiency Water Softener Owner's Manual
Use & Care Guide
®
Manual de Uso y Cuidado
English / Español
Model / Modelo No. 625.384200
Kenmore®
System tested and certified by NSF
International against NSF/ANSI Standard 44
for hardness reduction, efficiency and the
reduction of barium and radium 226/228,
and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 372.
Este sistema ha sido probado y certificado
por NSF International
según la norma NSF/ANSI 44
para la reducción de la dureza, eficiencia y
la reducción del bario y del radio 226/228,
y certificado según la norma NSF/ANSI 372.
Water Softener
with Ultra Flow Valve
Ablandador de Agua
con válvula de ultra flujo
Sears Brands Management Corporation
3333 Beverly Road
Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.
www.kenmorewater.com
www.kenmore.com
www.sears.com
P/N 7332872 (Rev. D 10/8/12)
Warranty
WARRANTY ON KENMORE WATER SOFTENER
ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON WATER SOFTENER
When installed, operated and maintained according to all instructions supplied with the product, if this
Kenmore appliance fails due to a defect in material and workmanship within one year from the date of purchase, call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®to arrange for free repair.
TEN YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY AGAINST LEAKS
When installed, operated and maintained according to all instructions supplied with the product, if the water
softener tank or salt storage drum develops a leak within ten years from the date of purchase,
call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®to arrange for free tank or drum replacement. After the first year you must pay an
initial trip charge.
All warranty coverage does not include water softener resin, which is an expendable item.
If this appliance is used for other than private family purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from
the date of purchase.
This warranty covers only defects in material and workmanship. Sears will NOT pay for:
1. A service technician to instruct the user in correct product installation, operation or maintenance.
2. A service technician to clean or maintain this product.
3. Damage to or failure of this product if it is not installed, operated or maintained according to the all
instructions supplied with the product.
4. Damage to or failure of this product resulting from accident, abuse, misuse or use for other than its intend-
ed purpose.
5. Damage to or failure of this product caused by the use of detergents, cleaners, chemicals or utensils other
than those recommended in all instructions supplied with the product.
6. Damage to or failure of parts or systems resulting from unauthorized modifications made to this product.
Disclaimer of implied warranties; limitation of remedies
Customer’s sole and exclusive remedy under this limited warranty shall be product repair as provided herein.
Implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, are limited to
one year or the shortest period allowed by law. Sears shall not be liable for incidental or consequential damages. Some states and provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, or limitation on the duration of implied warranties of merchantability or fitness, so these exclusions or
limitations may not apply to you.
This warranty applies only while this appliance is used in the United States or Canada.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to
state.
Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.
Questions? Call the Kenmore Water Line 1-800-426-9345 or visit www.kenmorewater.com
2
Table of Contents
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Safety Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Specifications & Performance Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Packing List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Plan Your Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Programming the Softener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
Sanitizing the Water Softener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Adding Salt to the Storage Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Controller Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-20
Care of Your Water Softener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Service Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-25
Exploded View & Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-29
Safety Guides
p Read all steps and guides 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 manual will also help you to get all the
benefits from your water softener.
p Your Kenmore water softener will remove hardness
minerals from water. This is measured in grains per
gallon (gpg). It will also remove some clear water
iron*. This is measured in parts per million (ppm).
See the specifications page for the maximum limits
of hardness and iron removal.
p A water softener will not improve other water prob-
lems such as acidity, tastes and odors, or iron other
than clear water iron.
p Do not attempt to use this product to make safe
drinking water from non-potable water sources. Do
not use the system on microbiologically unsafe water,
or water of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system.
p Check with your local public works department for
plumbing and sanitation codes. You must follow
their guides as you install the system. Follow your
local codes if they differ with guides in this manual.
In Massachusetts, plumbing code 248-CMR 3.00 and
10.00 shall be adhered to. Consult with a licensed
plumber.
* The capacity to reduce clear water iron is substantiated
by Water Quality Association test data.
p Use only lead-free solder and flux for all sweat-solder
connections, as required by federal codes, when
installing soldered copper plumbing.
p Use care when handling the water softener. Do not
turn upside down or drop.
p Avoid installing in direct sunlight. Excessive heat may
cause distortion or other damage to non-metallic parts.
p This water softener works on water pressures of 20 psi
(minimum) to 125 psi (maximum). If your house water
pressure is over the maximum, install a pressure reducing valve in the water supply pipe to the softener.
p Temperature of the water supply to the softener must be
between 40°F and 120°F. Do not install on hot water.
p If installing the water softener outdoors, do not locate
where it will be exposed to wet weather, direct sunlight
or extreme hot or cold temperatures.
p This softener works on 24 volt, 60 Hz electrical power
only, supplied by a direct plug-in transformer (included). Be sure to use the included transformer and plug
it into a nominal 120V, 60 cycle household outlet that
is properly protected by an overcurrent device such as
a circuit breaker or fuse. If transformer is replaced,
use only the authorized service, Class II, 24V 10VA
transformer.
p This water softener has a non-metallic valve system.
Installing it on metal plumbing will break electrical
continuity, which may interrupt grounding for the
home. You must restore electrical continuity in your
metal plumbing system (See Page 12).
European Directive 2002/96/EC requires all electrical and electronic
equipment to be disposed of according to Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) requirements. This directive or similar laws are in
place nationally and can vary from region to region. Please refer to your
state and local laws for proper disposal of this equipment.
Questions? Call the Kenmore Water Line 1-800-426-9345 or visit www.kenmorewater.com
3
Specifications & Performance Claims
This model is efficiency rated. The efficiency rating is valid only at the minimum salt dose. The softener has a
demand initiated regeneration (D.I.R) feature that complies with specific performance specifications intended to minimize the amount of regenerant brine and water used in its operation.
This softener has a rated softener efficiency of not less than 3,350 grains of total hardness exchange per pound of salt
(based on sodium chloride) and shall not deliver more salt than its listed rating or be operated at a sustained maximum service flow rate greater than its listed rating. This softener has been proven to deliver soft water for at least ten
continuous minutes at the rated service flow rate. The rated salt efficiency is measured by laboratory tests described
in NSF/ANSI Standard 44. These tests represent the maximum possible efficiency that the system can achieve.
Operational efficiency is the actual efficiency after the system has been installed. It is typically less than the rated
efficiency, due to individual application factors including water hardness, water usage, and other contaminants that
reduce a softener's capacity.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model No. 625.384200
Model Code 420
11,700 @ 2.3 lbs.
Rated Softening Capacity (Grains @ Salt Dose)
Rated Efficiency (Grains/Pound of Salt @ Minimum Salt Dose) 5,100 @ 2.3 lbs.
Water Used During Regeneration @ Minimum Salt Dose 2.4 gallons / 1,000 grains
Total Water Used Per Regeneration @ Maximum Salt Dose 36.3 gallons
Rated Service Flow Rate 9.0 gpm
Amount of High Capacity Ion Exchange Resin 1.11 cu. ft.
Pressure Drop at Rated Service Flow 11.8 psig
Water Supply Max. Hardness 120 gpg
Water Supply Max. Clear Water Iron 10 ppm*
Water Pressure Limits (minimum / maximum) 20 - 125 psi
Water Temperature Limits (minimum / maximum) 40 - 120 °F
Minimum Water Supply Flow Rate 3 gpm
Intermittent Flow @ 15 psi 10.6 gpm**
Maximum Drain Flow Rate 2.0 gpm
31,700 @ 8.8 lbs.
40,100 @ 15.1 lbs.
* Capacity to reduce clear water iron is substantiated by WQA test data. State of Wisconsin
requires additional treatment if water supply contains clear water iron exceeding 5 ppm.
** Intermittent flow rate does not represent the maximum service flow rate used for deter mining
the softener’s rated capacity and efficiency. Continuous operation at flow rates greater than
the service flow rate may affect capacity and efficiency performance.
This system conforms to NSF/ANSI Standard 44 for the specific performance claims as verified and substantiated by test data.
Variable Salt Dose: The salt dose is selected by the electronic controls at regeneration time
based on the amount needed.
PERFORMANCE CLAIMS
Contaminant Influent Challenge Level
Barium 10 ±10% mg/L 2.0 mg/L
Radium 226/228 25 pCi/L 5 pCi/L
Maximum Allowable
Product Water Level
Questions? Call the Kenmore Water Line 1-800-426-9345 or visit www.kenmorewater.com
4
17"
21"
48"
41-1/2"
IN - OUT
34"
3-3/4"
INOUT
FRONT VIEW SIDE VIEW
OUT
Dimensions
17”
3-3/4”
21”
IN
IN - OUT
48”
41-1/2”
34”
FRONT VIEW
SIDE VIEW
Figure 1
Questions? Call the Kenmore Water Line 1-800-426-9345 or visit www.kenmorewater.com
5
Packing List
The parts required to assemble and install the water
softener are included with the unit. Thoroughly check
the water softener for possible shipping damage and
parts loss. Also inspect and note any damage to the
shipping carton.
O-rings
Hose Clamps
Remove and discard (or recycle) all packing materials.
To avoid loss of small parts, we suggest you keep the
small parts in the parts bag until you are ready to use
them.
Small Parts
Drain HoseBypass Valve
Adaptor Elbow
Installation
Adaptors
Grommet
Clips
(including 1 spare)
Figure 2
Plan Your Installation
THE PROPER ORDER TO INSTALL WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT
(Shows sequence of equipment only - not all items are needed in all applications)
Cold Water
to House
Hot Water
to House
Water
Heater
= Always locate an Iron Filter UPSTREAM of the water softener.
= Locate a Central Water Filtration System UPSTREAM of the water softener on a chlorinated
water supply, or DOWNSTREAM of the water softener on a non-chlorinated water supply.
Water
Softener
Untreated Water to
Outside Faucets
Central
Water
Filtration
System
Iron
Filter
Sediment
Cartridge
Filter
Pressure
City Water Supply
Tank
Well Water Supply
Well
Pump
OR
Figure 3
Questions? Call the Kenmore Water Line 1-800-426-9345 or visit www.kenmorewater.com
6
Outside Faucet
(hard water)
Soft, cold water)
Plan Your Installation
TYPICAL INSTALLATION
Grounding wire must
connect metal pipes
Hard Water Line
Outside Faucet
(hard water)
to R.O. Faucet
Soft, hot water
Water
Heater
Soft Water Line
Shutoff
120V,
60 Hz
Water
Softener
Valve
Hard
Water
House
Floor
Drain
to
1-1/2”
Air Gap
Soft Water
to R.O.
System
R.O. Drain
Water
Meter
Reverse
Osmosis
System
R.O.
Storage
Tank
Main
Shutoff
Valve
Figure 4
WHERE TO INSTALL THE WATER SOFTENER
Review the following points before you choose a place
to put your softener:
1. Place as close as possible to, but always downstream
from, the pressure tank (well water) or water meter
(city water).
2. Place as close as possible to a water drain such as a
floor drain, laundry tub, sump or standpipe (See Fig.
4).
3. Connect to the house main water pipe UPSTREAM
OF THE WATER HEATER (See Fig. 3). The temperature of water going through the softener must not be
more than 120°F (49°C). Hot water will damage
inner softener parts. To reduce the risk of hot water
backup, piping between the softener and water
heater should be as long as possible.
4. Keep outside faucets on hard water to save soft
water and salt. See Fig. 4.
5. Do not install in a place where the softener could
freeze. Damage caused by freezing voids the warranty by Sears Brands Management Corporation.
6. Put the softener in a place where water damage is
least likely to occur if it develops a leak. Sears or
the manufacturer will not repair or pay for water
damage.
7. A grounded, 120V, 60 Hz. electrical outlet is needed
near the softener to plug in the transformer
(See Fig. 4). Be sure the outlet and transformer are
in an inside location, protected from wet weather.
Use a continuously “live” outlet, which cannot be
accidentally switched off.
8. When installing in an outside location, you must take
the steps necessary to assure the softener, installation
plumbing, and wiring, are protected from the elements, direct sunlight, contamination, vandalism, etc.
Questions? Call the Kenmore Water Line 1-800-426-9345 or visit www.kenmorewater.com
7
Plan Your Installation
CHECK YOUR WATER PRESSURE BEFORE INSTALLING
For your water softener to work properly, incoming
water pressure in your house pipes must be no lower
than 20 pounds per square inch (psi). The highest
allowable pressure is 125 psi. If pressure is above 125
psi, buy and install a pressure reducing valve in the
pipe supplying water to the softener’s inlet.
NOTE: If water pressure during the day is 100 psi or
more, pressure during the night may go above
125 psi.
Installation
INSTALL SINGLE BYPASS VALVE AND/OR THREADED INSTALLATION ADAPTORS
Complete the following steps to assemble the adaptors
and/or the included single bypass valve.
1. Close the shutoff valve on the house main water pipe,
near the water meter or pressure tank, to turn off the
water.
2. Shut off the gas or electric supply to the water
heater.
3. Open the highest and lowest water faucets in your
house. This will let water drain from the pipes.
Close faucets after water has drained.
4. Remove the top cover. Pull outward on the two tabs
to release top cover (see Fig. 5). The salt lid remains
attached to the top cover when removed. Set both
covers aside so they will not get scratched or broken.
Salt Lid
Top Cover
SINGLE BYPASS VALVE:
6. Lightly coat the o-rings with silicone grease and slide
them onto the bypass valve. Push the bypass valve
into the softener valve’s inlet and outlet ports as far
as it will go. Snap the two large holding clips into
place, from the top down as shown (see Fig. 8).
CAUTION: Be sure the clips snap firmly into place so
the bypass valve will not pull out.
INLET AND OUTLET THREADED ADAPTORS:
7. Lightly coat the o-rings with silicone grease and slide
them onto the installation adaptors. Push the adaptors into the valve inlet and outlet ports, or bypass
valve ports, as far as they will go. Both adaptors are
the same and fit either port. Snap the two large
holding clips into place, as shown (see Fig. 8).
CAUTION: Be sure the clips snap firmly into place so
the adaptors will not pull out.
Clips
Valve
Outlet
Threaded
Installation
Adaptors
Figure 5
O-Rings
5. Visually check and remove any foreign mate-
rials from the valve inlet and outlet ports (see
Fig. 6). Carefully remove the two large plastic
clips (you will use them). Check to be sure
the turbine and support are firmly in place
(see Fig. 7).
NOTE: If you will not install the included bypass
valve because you will have a 3-valve
bypass in your plumbing, skip step 6, but
perform step 7.
Valve Inlet
O-Rings
Clip
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8
Clip
Single
Bypass Valve
Figure 6
Installation
INSTALL SINGLE BYPASS VALVE (cont.)
Before installing the bypass valve and/or installation
adaptors, make sure that the turbine and support are
firmly in place inside the softener valve’s outlet port.
Turbine
Support
Valve Outlet Turbine
Figure 7
INSTALL HOLDING CLIPS
Bypass Valve or
Installation Adaptor
Plastic Clip
ASSEMBLE INLET AND OUTLET PLUMBING
Measure, cut (thread if needed) and put together all
pipe and fittings up to the main water pipe. Make sure
that the incoming water supply pipe goes to the valve
inlet side.
CAUTION: Never solder fittings while connected to
nonmetallic parts. Wait until soldered pipe
has cooled before connection. See Fig. 10.
CAUTION: Be careful when putting pipe fittings togeth-
er. Do not cross thread, and do not overtighten.
Main Water Pipe
Incoming
Hard
4. Solder.
NOTE: To be certain
that heat will not
travel down the pipe
and into the bypass
valve or installation
adaptors, wrap the
bottom of the pipe
and the bypass valve
with a wet rag.
Water
1. Cut pipe to
correct length
2. Solder. When
cool, do step 3.
Valve Inlet or Outlet
Plastic clip snaps
into groove in
bypass or adaptor
O-Ring
Figure 8
ALTERNATE BYPASS VALVE INSTALLATION
If connecting to floor
level plumbing, install
the bypass valve turned
downward, as shown.
OUT
IN
Figure 9
O-Ring
IN
3. Put threaded
adaptor into
bypass valve
port.
Clip
Figure 10
Questions? Call the Kenmore Water Line 1-800-426-9345 or visit www.kenmorewater.com
9
Installation
CONNECT THE VALVE DRAIN HOSE
Take a length of 3/8” inside diameter drain tubing
(supplied) and attach one end to the drain fitting (see
Fig. 11). Use a tube clamp from the parts bag to hold it
in place. Put the other end of the tubing over a floor
drain, into a laundry tub, standpipe, or other suitable
drain. Check your local codes.
Leave an air gap of about 1-1/ 2'' between the end of
the hose and the drain. This gap is needed so you
don’t get a backflow of sewer water into the softener.
Do not put the end of the hose into the drain or connect without the air gap.
Locate and support the hose so it does not kink or have
sharp bends. Secure the hose end so water pressure
does not cause the hose to “whip”. Tie or wire it in
place. Do not pinch the hose shut. The softener will
not work if this drain hose is pinched, plugged, closed
or restricted in any way. Direct drain flow down into
drain from drain line as flow could possibly overshoot
the drain cover.
Keep the hose lower than the drain fitting. In some
homes, to get to a drain you must raise the hose and
run it overhead. Do not raise the hose more than 8 feet
above the floor.
COPPER DRAIN TUBE: Local plumbing codes may
require the use a copper valve drain tube. A copper
tube is also best to use if running a drain line overhead.
To adapt a copper drain tube to the softener, purchase
a compression fitting (1/4'' female pipe threads x 1/2''
O.D. tube) and tubing from your local hardware store.
CONNECT SALT TANK OVERFLOW HOSE
1. Locate the rubber grommet, adaptor elbow and tube
clamp (see Fig. 11) that are in the parts bag.
2. Push the grommet into the hole in the salt tank wall
so that half is inside and half is outside.
3. Push the larger end of the adaptor into the grommet.
4. Push one end of a length of 3/8'' I.D. tubing (sup-
plied) onto the tube adaptor, using a tube clamp
from the parts bag to hold it in place.
5. Put the other end of the tubing over the floor drain.
IMPORTANT: Overflow water must run down by gravity
through the tubing. Do not raise the tubing higher than the adaptor (see Fig. 11).
IMPORTANT: Do not connect this hose to the valve
drain hose you just installed (see above).
Both drains must have a separate hose.
Grommet
NOTE: Drain Hose
(20 ft.) is included.
See also parts list.
Drain
Fitting
Tube
Clamp
Tube
Adaptor
Tube
Clamp
Salt Tank
Overflow Hose
Valve
Drain Hose
Tie or wire
tubing in
place
FLOOR DRAIN
Clip
1-1/2”
Air Gap
1/4 NPT
Threads
Cut barbs from drain fit-
ting (pull clip and remove
fitting from valve)
To drain
point other
than floor
drain.
Support tub-
ing in place
as needed.
SUBSTITUTING RIGID DRAIN LINE
Compression Fitting, 1/4 NPT x
Barbs
1/2” O.D. Tube (not supplied)
1/2” Outside
Diameter Copper
Tube (not supplied)
STANDPIPE
1-1/2”
Air Gap
1-1/2”
Air Gap
LAUNDRY TUB
Figure 11
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10
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