GE GXSF31E Step-by-step installation instructions, Install Bypass Valve

Step-by-step installation instructions.

■Turn off the gas or electric supply to the water heater, in the possibility that the water Fig. 3A heater may be drained while draining pipes.

■Turn off the water supply to pipes to be cut and drain the house water pipes.

■Open both hot and cold faucets at the lowest location possible.

NOTE: For easier installation, remove the top cover. Release 2 clips at rear of the cover.	Drain
Rotate cover forward and lift up.
	Fitting
1. INSTALL BYPASS VALVE
• Remove plastic shipping plug and wire from valve outlet.

NOTE: Be sure the turbine and	Turbine
support are firmly in place in the	Valve outlet
valve outlet. Blow into the valve
port and observe the turbine	Turbine shaft
for free rotation.
	and support	Fig. 3B

•Push the bypass valve (lubricate o-ring seals with silicone grease) into both ports of

the valve as shown in Fig. 3A.	SIDE
	VIEW

•Snap the 2 large plastic clips in place, from the top, down as shown in Figures 3A and 3B. Be sure they snap into place. Pull on the bypass valve to make sure it is held securely in place.

2.MOVE THE SOFTENER ASSEMBLY INTO INSTALLATION POSITION

Be sure the installation surface is level and smooth. Sharp objects under the tank may puncture it. If needed, place the tank on a section of 3/4″ thick (minimum) plywood. Then, place shims under the plywood as needed to level the softener.

3. PLUMB “IN” AND “OUT” PIPES TO AND FROM SOFTENER

CAUTION: Observe all of the following cautions as you connect inlet and	Fig. 3C
outlet plumbing. See illustrations on page 5.
• BE SURE INCOMING HARD WATER SUPPLY IS DIRECTED TO THE
SOFTENER VALVE INLET PORT. If house water flow is from the left, use a
plumbing crossover as shown in Fig. 1, page 5. If house water flows up from the
floor level, turn the bypass valve upside down as shown in Fig. 3C.

•If making a soldered copper installation, do all sweat soldering before connecting pipes to the bypass valve. Torch heat will damage plastic parts.

•When turning threaded pipe fittings onto plastic fittings, use care not to cross-thread.

•Use pipe joint compound on all external pipe threads.

		Clip
Inlet
	Outlet
O-ring seal goes into		Bypass
		valve
the outer groove only.

The clip snaps into the inner groove (see below).

Clip

END

VIEW

Valve body	Bypass valve
inlet or outlet	(push all the way in)

Turn bypass valve

upside down to connect to floor level plumbing

OUT

IN

• Support inlet and outlet plumbing in some manner (use pipe hangers) to keep the Fig. 4 weight off of the valve fittings.

4. CONNECT AND RUN THE VALVE DRAIN HOSE

•Use the provided drain hose (20′ length included) to attach to the valve drain

fitting. To keep water pressure from blowing the hose off, use a hose clamp to secure in place. Cut the necessary length and use the remainder in Step 5.

•Locate the other end of the hose at a suitable drain point (floor drain, sump, laundry tub, etc.) that terminates at the sewer. Check and comply with local codes.

IMPORTANT: If more drain hose is needed, it should be ordered from GE Parts at

800.626.2002. The water softener will not work if water cannot exit this hose during recharge.

• Tie or wire the hose in place at the drain point. High water pressure will cause it to

whip during the back-wash and fast rinse cycles of recharge. Also provide an air gap

of at least 11⁄2″ between the end of the hose and the drain point. An air gap prevents

possible siphoning of sewer water into the softener, if the sewer should “back-up.”

Valve drain hose

Clamp

Drain fitting on valve

Tie or wire hose in place

STANDPIPE

LAUNDRY TUB

SUMP

• If raising the drain hose overhead is required to get to the drain point, do not raise

higher than 8′ above the floor. Elevating the hose may cause a back-pressure that

could reduce brine draw during recharge.

11⁄2″ air gap

FLOOR DRAIN

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