Whirlpool WHES45 Owner's Manual

Model WHES45

How to install, operate and maintain your Demand Controlled Water Softener

Do not return water softener to store

If you have questions or concerns when

installing, operating or maintaining your

softener, call our toll free number:

1--866--986--3223

Monday -- Friday, 8 am -- 9 pm EST

NSF International against NSF/ANSI Standard 44

System Tested and Certified by

forsoftenerperformance.

7281453 (Rev. A 12/28/05)

Product No. 8580422

Table o f Contents

Water Softener Safety 3..........................................................................

Before You Start 3...............................................................................

Inspect Shipment 4..............................................................................

Water Softener Dimensions 5.....................................................................

How a Water Softener Works 5....................................................................

Softening Cycle 5............................................................................

Regeneration Cycle 5.........................................................................

Water Conditioning Information 6..................................................................

Water Conditioning 6.........................................................................

Installation Requirements 8.......................................................................

Tools and Parts Needed 8.....................................................................

Location Requirements 8......................................................................

Air Gap Requirements 9......................................................................

Valve Drain Requirements 9...................................................................

Plan the Installation 10............................................................................

Inlet --- Outlet Plumbing Options 10..............................................................

Installation 11....................................................................................

Turn Off Water Supply 11.......................................................................

Move the Water Softener into Place 11...........................................................

Assemble Inlet and Outlet Plumbing 12..........................................................

Connect Inlet and Outlet Plumbing 12...........................................................

Install Valve Drain Hose 13.....................................................................

Connect Brine Tubing 13.......................................................................

Install Salt Storage Tank Overflow Elbow and Hose 14.............................................

Tes t f or Le a ks 14..............................................................................

Add Water and Salt to the Salt Storage Tank 15...................................................

Sanitize the Water Softener/Sanitize After Service 15...............................................

Plug In the Water Softener 15...................................................................

Program the Water Softener 16.....................................................................

Set Time of Day 16............................................................................

Set Water Hardness Number 17.................................................................

Start a Recharge 17...........................................................................

Customize Features/Options 18....................................................................

Recharge 18..................................................................................

Recharge Tonight 18...........................................................................

Po we r --- O u t a g e M e m o r y 18.....................................................................

Data Displays 19..............................................................................

Regeneration (Start) Time 20...................................................................

Maximum Days Between Regenerations 20.......................................................

Efficiency Mode 21............................................................................

Heavy Duty Backwash 21......................................................................

Set Model Code 22............................................................................

Set12or24HourClock 22.....................................................................

Gallons or Liters 23............................................................................

Routine Maintenance 24...........................................................................

Adding Salt 24................................................................................

Breaking A Salt Bridge 24......................................................................

Cleaning the Nozzle and Venturi 25..............................................................

Troubleshooting Guide 26.........................................................................

Automatic Electronic Diagnostics 27.............................................................

Manual Advance Diagnostics 27................................................................

Manual Advance Regeneration Check 29........................................................

Product Specifications 30..........................................................................

Performance Claims 30............................................................................

Variable Salt Dose 30..............................................................................

Wiring Schematic 31..............................................................................

Warranty 31......................................................................................

Softener Components 32..........................................................................

Water Softener Safety

For installations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Installation by a licensed plumber is required. Plumbing code 248--CMR of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must be used for installation.

For installations in the state of California: You must turn the Salt Efficiency Feature setting to ON. This may initiate more frequent recharges, however, it will operate at 4,000 grains per pound of salt or higher. To tur n on the Salt Efficiency Feature, follow the instructions in the “Salt Efficiency” section of this manual.

Before You Start

See “Location Requirements” section before installing water softener. Follow the installation instructions carefully. (Failure to install the water softener properly voids the

warranty.) Before you begin installation, read this entire manual. Then, obtain all the materials and tools you will need

to make the installation. Check local plumbing and electrical codes. Use only lead--free solder and flux for all sweat-solder connections, as require d by federal codes. Use care when handling the water softener. Do not turn upside down, drop, or set on sharp protrusions. Avoid installing in direct sunlight. Excessive sun heat may cause distortion or other damage to

non--metallic parts. The water softener requires a minimum water flow of 3 gallons per minute at the inlet. Maximum allowable

inlet water pressure is 125 psi. If daytime pressure is over 80 psi, nighttime pressure may exceed the maximum. Use a pressure reducing valve if necessary. (Adding a pressure re ducing valve may reduce the flow.) If your home is equipped wit h a back flow preventer, an expansion ta nk must be installed in accordance with local codes and laws.

The water 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.

This system is not intended to be used for treating water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system.

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 t o region. Please refer to your state and local laws for proper disposal of this equipment.

Inspect Shipment

The parts required to assemble and install the water softener are included with the water softener.

Ground clamp Single valve bypass 20 ft. drain hose

Hose adaptor Hose clamps Installation adaptors

Grommet Clips O--rings

Water hardness test strip

Thoroughly check the water softener for possible shipping damage and parts loss. Also inspect and note any damage to the shipping carton.

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.

Do not return the water softener to store.

If you have any questions, or there are missing parts or damage, please call 1 --- 8 6 6 --- 9 8 6 --- 3 2 2 3 , M o n d a y --- F r i d a y, 8 a m --- 9 p m E S T.

Before you call please have your model number, date of purchase, water conditions and number of people living in your home.

For future reference, enter the following information.

Model No. no

Code n

*Water hardness gpg

n on registration decal (located under salt hole cover) o on shipping carton

* A hardness test strip is provided with your water softener. ** Kits are available at retail hardware stores for testing water hardness and iron content. Some retail

stores will also test your water for a fee.

Serial No. no

Installation date

**Iron content ppm

Water Softener Dimensions

14”

3---7/8”

OUT

INLET

INLET -- OUTLET

50---3/8”

41---5/8”

11”

MODEL NOMINAL RESIN TANK SIZE

18”

39”

How a Water Softener Works

Softening Cycle

When the water softener is providing soft water, it is called “ service” or the “softening cycle”. During this cycle, hard water flows from the main water pipe in the household into the water softener. Inside the resin tank is a bed made up of thousands of tiny, plastic beads. As hard water passes through the bed, each bead attracts and holds the hardness minerals. Water without the hardness minerals (soft water) flows from the water softener to the rest of the house.

Regeneration Cycle

Eventually the beads become coated with calcium or magnesium ions. At this point, the water softener needs to replenish the beads with sodium ions. This process is called “regeneration”.

Regeneration occurs when the resin beads are washed with a strong salt water solution. The sodium forces the calcium and magnesium ions to be released where they are then dischargedas waste during the regeneration cycle. The beads are then ready to once again collect the hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) from the water. Regeneration consists of five cycles; brine fill, brining, brine rinse, backwash and fast rinse. The total time of the regeneration cycle is approximately two hours.

WHES45 10” DIA. X 40”

Water Conditioning Information

Water Conditioning

Water conditioning is the treatment of four general conditions. These are:

Hardness Iron

Acidity Sediments

1. Hardness is a term to describe the presence of calcium and magnesium minerals in water. A chemical analysis accurately measures the amount of minerals in grain weight. For example, one gallon of water with 5 grains per gallon (gpg) hardness has dissolved minerals, that if solidified, about equals the size of one ordinary aspirin tablet. One gallon of water, 25 gpg hard, has a mineral content equal in size to 5 aspirin tablets. Water hardness var ies greatly ac ross the country. It generally contains from 3 to 100 gpg.

Hardness minerals combine with soap to make a soap curd. The curd greatly reduces the cleaning action of soap. Precipitated hardness minerals form a crust on cooking utensils, appliances, and plumbing fixtures. Even the tastes of foods are affected. A water softener removes the hardness minerals to eliminate these effects, and others.

IMPORTANT: Water softeners using sodium chloride (salt) for regeneration add sodium to the water. Persons on sodium restricted diets should consider the added sodium as part of their overall intake.Water softeners using potassium chloride(salt)for regenerationadd potassium to the water. Persons on potassium restricted diets should consider the added potassium as pa rt of their overall intake.

Factor into your diet the amount of sodium or potassium shown below, based on your water hardness and consumption.

Sodium Added to Water from Cation Exchange Softening

Initial Water Hardness

Grains per Gallon Milligrams Na+/qt. Milligrams K+/qt.

1 7.5 12.75

5 37 62.9

6 44 74.8

7 52 88.4

8 60 102

9 68 115.6

10 75 127.5

15 112 190.4

20 150 255

30 225 382.5

40 300 510

Sodium added b y Cation

Exchange Softening of Water*

Potassium added by Cation

Exchange Softening of Water**

*If your water supply is 15 grains hard and you drank 3 quarts of softened water you would consume 335 milligrams of sodium. That is equivalent to eating 2--1/2 slices of white bread.

**One large banana, about 9 inches in length, has approximately 600 milligrams of potassium.

2. Iron in water can cause stains on clothing and plumbing fixtures. It can negatively affect the taste of food, drinking water, and other beverages. Iron in water is measured in parts per million (ppm). The total* ppm of iron, and type or types*, is determined by chemical analysis. Four different type s of iron in water are:

Ferrous (clear water),

Ferric (red water),

Bacterial and organically bound iron,

Colloidal and inorganically bound iron (ferr ous or ferric).

*Water may contain one or more of the four types of iron and any combination of these. Total iron is the sum of the contents.

Ferrous (clear water) iron is soluble and dissolves in water. This water softener will remove moderate amounts of this type of iron (see specifica tions). Ferrous (clear water) iron is usually detected by taking a sample of water in a clear bottle or glass. Immediately after taking, the sample is clear. As the water sample stands, it gradually clouds and turns slightly yellow or brown as air oxidizes the iron. This usually occurs in 15 to 30 minutes.

When using the softener to remove Ferrous (clear water) iron, add 5 grains to the hardness setting for every 1 ppm of Ferrous (clear water) iron. See “Set Water Hardness Number” section.

Ferric (red water), and bacterial and organically bound irons are insoluble. This water softener will not remove ferric or bacterial iron. This iron is visible immediately when drawn from a faucet because it has oxidized before reaching the home. It appears as small cloudy yellow, orange, or reddish suspended particles. After the water stands for a period of time, the particles settle to the bottom of the container. Generally these irons are removed from water by filtration. Chlorination is also recommended for bacterial iron.

Colloidal and inorganically bound iron is of ferric or ferrous form that will not filter or exchange out of water. This water softener will not remove colloidal iron. In some instances, treatment may improve colloidal iron water. Colloidal iron water usually has a yellow appearance when drawn. After standing for several hours, the color persists and the iron does not settle, but remains suspended in the water.

3. Acidity or acid water is caused by carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. This water softener will not improve an acid condition in water. Acid water can be corrosive to plumbing, plumbing fixtures, water heaters, and other water using appliances. In can also damage and cause premature failure of seals, diaphragms, etc., in water handling equipment.

A chemical analysis is needed to measure the degree of acidity in water. This is called the pH of water. Water testing below 6.9 pH is acidic. The lower the pH reading, the greater the acidity. A neutralizer filter or a chemical feed pump are usually recommended to treat acid water.

4. Sediment is fine, foreign material particles suspended in water. This water softener will not remove sediment. This material is most often clay or silt. Extreme amounts of sediment may give the water a cloudy appearance. A sediment filter installed ahead of the water softener normally corrects this situation.

Installation Requirements

Tools and Parts Needed

Assemble the required tools before starting installation. Read and follow the instructions provided with any tools listed here.

• Screwdriver • Tape Measure

• Pliers

If using Soldered Copper Pipe

• Tubing cutter • Lead--free solder and flux

• Propane torch • Emery cloth, sandpaper or steel wool

• Misc. copper pipe fittings

If using Threaded Pipe

• Pipe cutter or hacksaw • Pipe joint compound

• Threading tool • Misc. threaded pipe fittings

If using CPVC Plastic

• Pipe cutter • Solvent cement

• Hacksaw • Primer

• Adjustable wrench • Misc. CPVC pipe fittings

If using Other

• Other pipe and fittings suitable for potable water supply as required by piping system

manufacturer and loc al codes and/or ordinances.

Location Requirements

Consider all of the following when selecting an installation location for the water softener.

• Do not locate the water softener where freezing temperatures occur. Do not attempt to

treat water over 120_F. Freezing, or hot water damage voids the warranty.

• To condition all water in the home, install the water softener close to the water supply

inlet, and before all other plumbing connections, except outside water pipes. Outside faucets should remain on hard water to avoid wasting conditioned water and salt.

• A nearby drain is needed to carry away regeneration discharge (drain) water. Use a floor

drain, laundry tub, sump, standpipe, or other options (check your local codes). See “Air Gap Requirements” and “Valve Drain Requirements” sections.

• The water softener works on 24 volt 60 hz electrical power only, supplied by a direct

plug--in transformer (included). Provide an electrical outlet in accordance with NEC and local codes.

• Always install the water softener between the water heater and water inlet. Any other

installed water conditioning equipment should be installed between the water softener and the water inlet (see Figure 1).

cold to

water heater

water softener

optional

sediment

filter

city water supply

pressure tank

Figure 1

Air Gap Requirements

A drain is needed for regeneration discharge water. A floor drain, close to the water softener, is preferred. A laundry tub, standpipe, etc., are other drain options. Secure valve drain hose in place.

1---1/2” airgap

Figure 2

Valve Drain Requirements

Use the flexible drain hose, that is included, measure and cut to the length needed. Flexible drain hose is not allowed in all localities (check your plumbing codes). If local codes do not allow use of a flexible drain hose, a rigid valve drain run must be used. Buy a compression fitting (1/4 NPT x 1/2 in. minimum tube) and 1/2” tubing from your local hardware store. Then plumb a rigid drain as needed (see Figure

3).

NOTE: Avoid long drain hose runs, or elevating the hose more than 8’ above the floor. Make

the water softener valve drain as short and direct as possible.

drain hose

standpipe

well pump

1---1/2” airgap

well water supply

drain hose

1---1/2” airgap

laundry tubfloor drain

1/4” NPT thread

Figure 3

Barbs for 3/8” I.D. tubing

Hose clamp

Drain hose

Clip

1/4” NPT thread

barbs

Cut barbs from valve drain elbow (pull clip and remove drain valve elbow from valve)

Compression fitting 1/4 NPT x 1/2” O.D. tube (not provided)

1/2” outside diameter copper tube (not provided)

Plan the Installation

Inlet --- Outlet Plumbing Options

Always install either a single bypass valve (provided) or, if desired, parts for a 3 valve bypass system (not included) can be purchased and assembled, as shown in Figure 4. Bypass valves allow you to turn off water to the softener for maintenance if needed, but still have water in house pipes.

Single valve bypass

Use either:

• Copper pipe • Threaded pipe

• CPVC plastic pipe • Other pipe approved for use with potable water

pull out for

service/soft water

push in for bypass

Figure 4

outlet valve

water softener

3 valve bypass

bypass

valve

from

inlet valve

water softener

hard water

to outside faucets

water softener valve

direct plug ---in transformer

to timer

valve drain elbow

valve drain hose *

* Do not connect the water softener valve drain tubing to the salt storage tank overflow hose.

floor drain

conditioned water

clips

grounding clamp

outlet

inlet

overflow drain elbow

lubricated o --- r i n g

salt storage tank overflow hose *

To keep over floor drain, secure valve drain hose in place.

grounding clamp

1” pipe

1” NPT threaded sweat adaptor (not included)

1” NPT threaded adaptor

o---ring

single valve bypass

NOTE: See “Air Gap Requirements” section.

NOTE: Shown with salt hole cover and top cover removed.

Figure 5 (typical installation)

Installation

Turn Off Water Supply

1. Close the main water supply valve, near the well pump or water meter.

2. Open all faucets to drain all water from the house pipes.

NOTE: Be sure not to drain water from the water heater, as damage to the water heater

elements could result.

Move the Water Softener into Place

1. Move the water softener into desired location. Set it on a level surface. If needed, place the water softener on a section of plywood, a minimum of 3/4” thick. Then, shim under the plywood to level the water softener, see Figure 6.

IMPORTANT: Do not place shims directly under the salt storage tank. The weight of the tank,

when full of water and salt, may cause the tank to fracture at the shim.

Shim

Plywood

Figure 6 (if needed for leveling)

2. Visually check and remove any debris from the water softener valve inlet and outlet ports.

3. Remove and discard the yellow plug and make sure the turbine assembly spins freely in the “out” port of the va lve.

4. If not already done, put a light coating of silicone grease or petroleum jelly on the single valve bypass o-rings.

5. Push the single valve bypass into the softener valve as f ar as it will go. Snap the two large holding clips into place, from the top down as shown in Figure 7.

IMPORTANT: Be sure the clips snap firmly into place so the single valve bypass will not pull

out.

clip

channel

single valve bypass

outside diameter of water softener valve inlet and outlet

NOTE: Be sure all 3 tabs of the clip go through the matching holes on the water softener valve inlet or outlet, and fully into the channel on the single valve bypass.

correct assembly

clip

outside diameter of clip channel on single valve bypass

Figure 7

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