GE GXSF31E Owner's Manual & Installation Instructions page 4

Installation instructions.
4
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 lead-free
solder and flux to prevent lead poisoning.
Where to Install the Softener
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Place the softener as close as possible to a
sewer drain, or other acceptable drain point
or standpipe.
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It is recommended to keep outside faucets
on hard water to save soft water and salt.
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Do not install the softener in a place where it
could freeze. Freeze damage is not covered by
the warranty.
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Do not install the softener where it would
block access to the water heater or access to
the main water shutoff.
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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.
Tools and Materials Required for Installation
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In and out fittings included with the softener
are 3/4" (nominal) copper sweat tubes.
You should maintain the same, or larger,
pipe size as the water supply pipe, up to the
softener inlet and outlet.
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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.
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Use copper, brass or galvanized pipe and
fittings. Some codes may also allow CPVC
plastic pipes.
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 illustration
on page 5 to help you prepare.
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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.
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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.
Outdoor installation is not recommended, and
voids the warranty.
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Keep the softener out of direct sunlight.
The sun's heat may distort non-metallic
parts and may damage the electronics.
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If additional drain hose is needed for valve
and salt tank drains, it can be ordered from
GE Parts at 800.626.2002.
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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.
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Clean nugget or pellet water softener salt is
needed to fill the brine tank, see Step 8 in
the Step-by-Step Installation Instructions.