5
BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION
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WHERE TO INSTALL THE SOFTENER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S
Place the softener as close as possible to the
pressure tank (well system) or water meter (city
water).
S
Place the softener as close as possible to a floor
drain, or other acceptable drain point (laundry
tub, sump, standpipe, etc.).
S
Connect the softener to the main water supply
pipe BEFORE or AHEAD OF the water heater.
DO NOT RUN HOT WATER THROUGH THE
SOFTENER.
Temperature of water passing
through the softener must be less than 120
_
F
(49
_
C).
S
Keep outside faucets on hard water to save soft
water and salt.
S
Do not install the softener in a place where it
could freeze.
Damage caused by freezing is
not covered by the warranty.
S
Put the softener in a place water damage is least
likely to occur if a leak develops. The manufac-
turer will not repair or pay for water damage.
S
A 120 volt electric outlet, to plug the included
transformer into, is needed within 10 feet of the
softener. The transformer has an attached 10
foot power cable.
Be sure the electric outlet
and transformer are in an inside location, to
protect from wet weather.
S
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, contamination,
vandalism, etc., as when installed indoors.
S
Keep the softener out of direct sunlight.
The
sun’s heat may soften and distort plastic parts.
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TOOLS, PIPE and FITTINGS, OTHER MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED (see page 6) . . . . . . . .
G
Plastic inlet and outlet fittings included with the
softener allow water flow equivalent to 1” (nominal)
pipe.
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.
G
Use copper, brass, or galvanized pipe and fittings.
Some codes may also allow PVC plastic pipe.
G
ALWAYS install the included bypass valve,
or
3
shut-off valves. Bypass valves let you turn off water
to the softener for repairs if needed, but still have
water in the house pipes.
G
Drain hose (3/8” inside diameter) is needed for the
valve drain. See step 5 on page 8.
A 15’ length of
hose is included with some models.
G
If a rigid valve drain is needed, to comply with
plumbing codes, you can buy the parts needed (see
page 8) to connect a 1/2 in. copper tubing drain.
G
A length of 3/8” or 7/16” inside diameter hose is
needed for the salt tank drain.
A 7’ length of hose is
included with some models.
If a longer length is
needed, you can buy good quality, thick--wall, flex-
ible hose at most hardware stores or supply houses.
G
Nugget or pellet water softener salt is needed to fill
the brine tank (see page 9, 10 and 16).
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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
brass/galvanized? What is the pipe size?
Now look at the typical installation illustration on
page 6. Use it as a guide when planning your partic-
ular installation.
Be sure to direct raw, hard water
to the softener valve inlet fitting.
The valve is
marked IN and OUT.
