GE Appliances
Safety Instructions
Proper installation . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Owner’s Manual &
Installation Instructions
Installation Instructions
PNSF39Z01
Drain connections . . . . . . . . . .7, 8
Important recommendations . .4
Installation instructions . . . . . .4-6
Planning and location . . . . . . . . .5
Programming the control . . . . . .9
Sanitizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Specifications and
dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Step-by-step instructions . . . .7-11
Tools and materials required . .5
Unpacking and inspection . . . . .4
Operating Instructions, Tips
Breaking a salt bridge . . . . . . . .13
Cleaning nozzle and
venturi assembly . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Electronic Diagnostics . . . . . . .18
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-17
Regenerating the system . .19, 20
Water softener system . . . . .12-21
Care and Cleaning
Salt storage level and
refilling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Cleaning out iron . . . . . . . . . . .22
Troubleshooting Tips . . .23-25
Customer Service
Appliance registration . . . .27, 28
Important phone
numbers . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover
Parts list/catalog . . . . . . . . .29, 32
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
215C1044P012 49-50051 4-00 JR 7220978
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of
electric shock, property damage or personal injury.
WARNING!
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
■ Check and comply with your state and local
■
The water softening system works on 24 volt-60 Hz
electrical power only. Be sure to use only the
included transformer.
codes. You must follow these guidelines.
■Use care when handling the water softening
system. Do not turn upside down, drop, drag,
or set on sharp protrusions.
■Keep the salt hole cover in place on the softener
unless servicing the unit or refilling with salt.
■Water softening systems using sodium chloride
(salt) for regeneration add sodium to the water.
Persons on sodium restricted diets should consider
the added sodium as part of their overall intake.
Potassium chloride can be used as an alternative
to sodium chloride.
WARNING:
Do not use with water
that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown
quality without adequate disinfection before or
after the system.
PROPER INSTALLATION
This water softening system must be properly installed and located in accordance with the Installation
Instructions before it is used.
■Install or store where it will not be exposed to
temperatures below freezing or exposed to any
type of weather. Water freezing in the system will
break it. Do not attempt to treat water over 100°F.
■
The water softening system requires a minimum
water flow of three gallons per minute at the inlet.
Maximum allowable inlet water pressure is 125 psi.
If daytime pressure is over 80 psi, nighttime
pressure may exceed the maximum. Use a pressure
reducing valve to reduce the flow if necessary.
■Do not install in direct sunlight. Excessive sun
heat may cause distortion or other damage to
non-metallic parts.
■
Softener resins may degrade in the presence
of chlorine above 1 ppm. If you have chlorine
in excess of this amount, you may experience less
life of the resin. In these conditions, you may wish
to consider purchasing a GE point-of-entry
household filtration system with a chlorine
reducing filter. Contact the GE Answer Center at
1-800-626-2000 for more information.
■Properly ground to conform with all governing
codes and ordinances.
■Use only lead-free solder and flux for all sweat-
solder connections, as required by state and
federal codes.
WARNING:
Discard all unused parts
and packaging material after installation. Small
parts remaining after the installation could be a
choke hazard.
READ AND FOLLOW THIS SAFETY INFORMATION CAREFULLY.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
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Installation instructions.
CAUTION: Certain plumbing skills are needed for installation. If you are unsure about any
part of the installation of this product, consult a professional plumber.
Unpacking and Inspection
Be sure to check the entire softener for any shipping damage or parts loss. Also note damage
to the shipping cartons. Contact the transportation company for all damage and loss claims.
The manufacturer is not responsible for damages in transit.
Small parts, needed to install the softener, are on a skin-packed cardboard piece. To avoid loss
of the small parts, keep them on the skin-pack until you are ready to use them.
Important Installation Recommendations
Read entire manual. Failure to follow all guidelines and rules could cause personal injury or
property damage.
• Before you begin installation, read these Installation Instructions completely. Then, obtain
all the materials and tools you will need to make the installation. Failure to properly install
the softener voids the warranty.
• Check local codes. The installation must conform to them.
• In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Plumbing Code 248 CMR shall be adhered to. Consult with
your licensed plumber.
• Use only lead-free solder and flux for all sweat-solder connections, as required by state and
federal codes.
• 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.
• Use care when handling the softener. Do not turn upside down, drop, drag, or set on
sharp protrusions.
• Maximum allowable inlet water pressure is 125 psi. If daytime pressure is over 80 psi,
nighttime pressure may exceed the maximum. Use a pressure reducing valve if necessary.
(Adding a pressure reducing valve may reduce the flow.)
• The softener works on 24 volt-60 Hz electrical power only. Be sure to use the included
transformer. Be sure the electric outlet and transformer are in an inside location to protect
from wet weather.
• See Where to Install the Softener section for more details.
WARNING: Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality
without adequate disinfection before or after the system. The water should be tested
periodically to verify that the system is performing satisfactorily.
Small parts remaining after the installation could be a choke hazard. Discard safely.
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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 galvanized? What is the pipe size?
WARNING: Use only lead-free solder and flux to prevent lead poisoning.
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 below to help you prepare.
Where to Install the Softener
• Place the softener as close as possible to a sewer drain, or other acceptable drain point or
standpipe.
• It is recommended to keep outside faucets on hard water to save soft water and salt.
• Do not install the softener in a place where it could freeze. Freeze damage is not covered by
the warranty.
• Do not install the softener where it would block access to the water heater or access to the
main water shutoff.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Keep the softener out of direct sunlight. The sun’s heat may distort non-metallic parts and may
damage the electronics.
Tools and Materials Required for Installation
• In and out fittings included with the softener are 3/4″ (nominal) copper sweat tubes.
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.
• 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.
• Use copper, brass or galvanized pipe and fittings. Some codes may also allow CPVC
plastic pipes.
• If additional drain hose is needed for valve and salt tank drains, this can be ordered from
GE Parts at 800.626.2002.
• Clean nugget or pellet water softener salt is needed to fill the brine tank, see Step 8 in the
Step-by-Step Installation Instructions.
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