GE GXSF31E 4A. Connecting a Rigid Valve Drain Tube, Install Grounding Clamp

4A. CONNECTING A RIGID VALVE DRAIN TUBE

To adapt a copper drain tube to the softener, use a hacksaw to cut the barbed end from the drain fitting as shown in Fig. 4A. Rotate the drain fitting so the cutting blade clears the valve housing to prevent damage to valve. Buy a compression fitting (1/4″ female pipe thread x 1/2″ O.D. tube) and needed tubing from your local hardware store.

5. INSTALL THE BRINE TANK OVERFLOW FITTINGS AND HOSE

• Insert the rubber grommet into the 3/4″ diameter hole in the brine tank sidewall as shown in

Fig. 5.

• Push the end of the hose adapter elbow into the grommet as shown in Fig. 5.

• Attach a length of hose (use remaining hose from Step 4) to the hose adapter elbow. Use a

hose clamp to hold it in place.

• Locate the other end of the hose at the drain point. DO NOT ELEVATE this hose higher than

Fig. 4A

1/4″

Clip Cut barbs

from drain fitting

NPT threads
Barbs	1/2″ O.D.
	copper tube
	(not furnished)

Compression fitting,

1/4″ NPT X 1/2″ O.D. tube (not furnished)

the elbow on the brine tank.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT TEE OVERFLOW HOSE TO VALVE DRAIN HOSE.

NOTE: This drain is for safety only. If the cabinet (brine tank) should over-fill with water, the excess is carried to the drain.

6. INSTALL GROUNDING CLAMP

DANGER: Failure to properly attach ground clamp could result in electrical shock. If plumbing is metal, to maintain electrical ground continuity in the house cold water piping, install the included ground clamp as shown in Fig. 6.

•Clean pipe with emery paper in the area where the clamp is to be installed.

•Install grounding clamps as shown, making sure clamps fit freely around pipe.

•Make sure lock washer is in place.

•Handtighten screw, then one more full turn with screwdriver.

NOTE: When replacing an existing softener, also replace grounding clamps.

If removing softener completely, hard-plumb the water line with same type of pipes as the original to assure plumbing integrity and ground continuity over the life of the home.

7.FLUSH PIPES, EXPEL AIR FROM SOFTENER AND TEST YOUR INSTALLATION FOR WATER LEAKS

CAUTION: To avoid water or air pressure damage to softener inner parts, be sure to do the following steps in exact order.

•Fully open 2 cold soft water faucets nearby the softener.

•Place bypass valve in “bypass” position by pushing the stem inward.

•Fully open the house main water pipe shutoff valve. Observe a steady flow from both faucets opened in step A, above.

•Place bypass valve in the “service” position EXACTLY as follows. KEEP SOFT WATER FAUCETS OPEN.

•SLOWLY pull or slide the valve stem (out) toward the service position, pausing several times to allow the softener to pressurize slowly.

•After about 3 minutes, open a HOT water faucet for 1 minute, or until all air is expelled, then close. NOTE: If water appears cloudy or has salty taste, allow to run for several more minutes, or until clear.

•Close all water faucets.

•Check your plumbing work for leaks and fix right away if any are found. Be sure to observe previous caution notes.

•Turn on the gas or electric supply to the water heater. Light the pilot, if applicable.

Fig. 5

Hose adapter

Hose clamp

Grommet

Do not connect to valve drain hose.

Overflow drain hose

To sewer drain

To valve inlet

Fig. 6

Ground Clamp

From valve outlet

8.ADD WATER AND SALT TO THE BRINE TANK

•Lift the salt hole cover. Add about 3 gallons of water into the tank. Do not add into the brinewell.

•Fill tank with NUGGET, PELLET or coarse SOLAR water softener salt with a purity of 99.5% or higher. Do not use rock, block, granulated and ice cream-making salts, or salt with iron-removing additives

(except for Diamond Crystal® Red•Out® brand salt). Maximum salt storage capacity is approximately 200 lbs. Keep the salt hole cover closed unless servicing the unit or refilling with salt.

NOTE: If the softener is installed in a humid basement or other damp area, it is better to fill the tank with less salt, more frequently. Eighty to 100 lbs. of salt will last for several months, depending on water hardness, family size and water softening system model.

9.CONNECT TO ELECTRICAL POWER

•If transformer wiring is not visible at the back of the control head, remove control cover. DO NOT PULL ON OR DISCONNECT WIRING. Locate the long wire with “U” shaped connectors on one end. Route this wire through the rear of the control housing.

•Fasten the 2 power cable lugs (“U” shaped connectors) to the 2 screws on the transformer, and tighten the screws. Then, plug the transformer into the electrical outlet.

•The softener works on 24 volt-60Hz electric power. The included transformer changes standard 120-volt AC house power to 24 volts. Plug the transformer into a 120-volt outlet only. Be sure the outlet is

always live so it can not be switched off by mistake.
• Replace the control cover.	7