Care And Cleaning - GE GXSHC40N Owner's Manual And Installation Instructions

Care and cleaning

ADJUSTING YOUR WATER HARDNESS
The blend adjusting knob (Figure 15) 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 16).
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 16) 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 Out
Pull
Handle
Stem
Softener
Valve Outlet
Diverted Hard
Water (Controlled
by blend adjusting
knob)
Figure 15
BYPASS POSITION
Hard Water Out
Push
Handle
Figure 16
CAUTION
softener is 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.
25
Hard Water In
Blend Adjusting
Knob
Softener
Turn counterclockwise
Valve Inlet
to increase hardness
of treated water
(clockwise to decrease
hardness)
Hard 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