Care And Cleaning - GE GXSF23Z01 Owner's Manual

About the water softener system.
Care and cleaning of the water softening system.
10
Service: Manually Advanced Regeneration Check
This check verifies proper operation of the valve motor, brine tank fill, brine draw, regeneration
flow rates and other controller functions. First, make the initial checks and the Manually Initiated
Electronic Diagnostics.
NOTE: The face plate display must show a steady time (not flashing).
Press the TOUCH or HOLD button and hold in for three seconds. RECHARGE NOW begins to
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flash as the water softening system enters the fill cycle of regeneration. Remove the brinewell
cover and, using a flashlight, observe fill water entering the brine tank.
If water does not enter the tank, look for an obstructed nozzle, venturi, fill flow plug, brine
tubing, or brine valve riser pipe. See Care and cleaning of the water softener system section.
After observing fill, press the TOUCH or HOLD button to move the water softening system into
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brining. A slow flow of water to the drain will begin. Verify brine draw from the brine tank by
shining a flashlight into the brinewell and observing a noticeable drop in the liquid level
over an extended period of time.
NOTE: Be sure a salt bridge is not preventing water from contacting salt. See Care and cleaning of
the water softening system section.
If the water softening system does not draw brine, check:
nozzle and/or venturi dirty or defective.
nozzle and venturi not seated properly on gasket.
restricted drain (check drain fitting and hose).
defective nozzle and venturi seal.
other inner valve defect (rotor seal, rotor & disc, wave washer, etc.).
NOTE: If water system pressure is low, an elevated drain hose may cause back pressure, stopping
brine draw.
Again, press the TOUCH or HOLD button to move the water softening system into backwash.
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Look for a fast flow of water from the drain hose.
A slow flow indicates a plugged top distributor, backwash flow plug, or drain hose.
Press the TOUCH or HOLD button to move the water softening system into fast rinse. Again
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look for a fast drain flow. Allow the water softening system to rinse for a few minutes to flush
out any brine that may remain in the resin tank from the brining cycle test.
To return the water softening system to service, press the TOUCH or HOLD button.
5
Checking the Salt Storage Level and Refilling
Brine (salt dissolved in water) is needed for
each and every regeneration. The water for
making brine is metered into the salt storage
area by the water softening system valve and
control. However, you must keep the tank at
least 1/3 to 1/2 full of salt.
When to refill with salt: Check the salt level a
few weeks after you install the water softening
system and every week after that. Refill when
the brine tank is from 1/3 to 1/2 full. Never
allow the water softening system to use all the
salt before you refill it. Without salt, you will
soon have hard water.
Use clean water softening salts only, at least
99.5% pure. NUGGET, PELLET or coarse
SOLAR salts are recommended. Do not use
rock, block, granulated or ice cream-making
salts. They contain dirt and sediments, or
mush and cake, and will create maintenance
problems.
Keep the salt hole cover in place on the softener
unless servicing the unit or refilling with salt.
CAUTION: Water softening salt with iron-
removing additives: Some salts have an
additive to help the water softening system
handle iron in the water supply. Although
this additive may help to keep the water
softening system resin clean, it may also
release corrosive fumes that weaken and
shorten the life of some water softening
system parts. Do not use salt with iron-
removing additives.