Plan How You Will Install the Softener
You must first decide how to run in and out pipes to the softener. Look at the house main water pipe at the point where you will connect the softener. Is the pipe soldered copper, glued plastic, or threaded galvanized? What is the pipe size?
WARNING: Use only
See Typical Installation Illustration, Fig.1. Use this as a guide when planning your particular installation. Be sure to direct the incoming hard water supply to the softener valve inlet fitting. The valve is marked IN and OUT. See below to help you prepare.
Where to Install the Softener
•Place the softener as close as possible to a sewer drain, or other acceptable drain point or standpipe.
•It is recommended to keep outside faucets on hard water to save soft water and salt.
•Do not install the softener in a place where it could freeze. Freeze damage is not covered by the warranty.
•Do not install the softener where it would block access to the water heater or access to the main water shutoff.
•Put the softener in a place where water damage is least likely to occur if a leak develops. The manufacturer will not repair or pay for water damage.
•A 120 volt electric outlet is needed to plug in the included transformer. The softener has a 10 foot power cable. If the outlet is remote (up to 100 feet), use 18 gauge wire to connect. Be sure the electric outlet and transformer are in an inside location, to protect from wet weather. Be sure the outlet
is unswitched to prevent accidental shutoff.
•If installing in an outside location, you must take the steps necessary to assure the softener, installation plumbing, wiring, etc., are as well protected from the elements (sunlight, rain, wind, heat, cold), contamination, vandalism, etc., as when installed indoors.
•Keep the softener out of direct sunlight. The sun’s heat may distort
Tools and Materials Required for Installation
•In and out fittings included with the softener are 3⁄4″ (nominal) copper sweat tubes. To maintain full valve flow, 1″ pipes to and from the softener fittings are recommended. You should maintain the same, or larger, pipe size as the water supply pipe, up to the softener inlet and outlet.
•Use the included bypass valve to install the softener. The bypass valve allows you to turn off water to the softener for servicing, but still have water in the house pipes. The in and out fittings referred to above connect to the bypass valve with the included nuts and washers.
•Use copper, brass or galvanized pipe and fittings. Some codes may also allow CPVC plastic pipes.
•If additional drain hose is needed for valve and salt tank drains, it can be ordered from GE Parts at 800.626.2002.
•If a rigid valve drain is needed to comply with plumbing codes, you can buy the parts needed to connect a 1/2″ copper tubing or plastic pipe drain.
•Clean nugget or pellet water softener salt is needed to fill the brine tank, see Step 8 in the
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