Care And Cleaning - GE GXMH31H00 Owner's Manual And Installation Instructions

Care and cleaning

ADJUSTING YOUR WATER HARDNESS
The blend adjusting knob (Figure 16) gives the
ability to finely adjust hardness of the treated
water leaving the water softener. If slightly harder
water is desired than is normally delivered by the
water softener, the blend adjusting knob can divert
a small stream of hard water and blend it with
the soft water entering the home. The amount
of water diverted is controlled by turning a blend
adjusting knob on the end cap of the valve stem.
NOTE: To get full performance from your water
softener leave blending valve in the factory
closed position.
To make adjustments to water hardness:
1. Hold bypass handle to keep the valve stem
from rotating (see Figure 16). Loosen hex nut
on blend adjustment knob by turning the hex
nut counterclockwise (see Figure 17).
2. TO INCREASE HARDNESS: With the
bypass in the service position (see Figure 16)
hold the handle to keep the valve stem from
rotating and turn the blend adjusting knob
counterclockwise up to 2 turns from the closed
position. It is recommended that adjustments
be made in quarter turn increments over
several weeks until the desired hardness is
achieved. NOTE: Once an adjustment is
made to the blend valve knob the change
in water hardness at the homes faucets or
shower heads may take several days to be
noticed. This delay is due to the large amounts
of already conditioned water in the pipes and
water heater that must be exchanged before
a change in hardness can be noticed. Have
the water tested to determine the actual water
hardness.
3. TO DECREASE HARDNESS: With the
bypass in the service position (see Figure
16) hold the handle to keep the valve stem
from rotating and turn the blend adjusting
knob clockwise. When the knob will not turn
anymore, hard water is no longer being blended
into the soft water.
4. Once the desired hardness is achieved tighten
the hex nut (see Figure 17) clockwise until it
comes in contact with the bypass stem.
NOTE: To meet the water softener performance
specifications and reduction of barium and
radium claims the adjustable hardness must be
kept in the "OFF" position. The off position is
achieved when the blend adjusting knob is fully
rotated clockwise until it stops.
SERVICE POSITION
(Normal Softener Operation)
Soft Water
Pull
Handle
Stem
Softener
Valve Outlet
Diverted Hard Water
(Controlled by blend
adjusting knob)
Figure 16
BYPASS POSITION
Hard Water
Push
Handle
Figure 17
CAUTION!
to be serviced or disconnected from the bypass
valve, the blend adjusting knob must be turned
all the way clockwise to close the diversion path
and prevent water leaking from the softener
valve inlet of the bypass.
23
Hard
Out
Water In
Blend Adjusting
Knob
Softener
Turn counterclockwise
Valve Inlet
to increase hard-
ness of treated water
(clockwise to decrease
hardness)
Hard
Out
Water In
Hex Nut
Turn clockwise to lock
blend adjusting knob
(counterclockwise to
unlock).
Blend Adjusting
Knob
If servicing water
softener, turn clockwise
as far as it will go.
If the water softener is