GE PNRV12ZBL01 User manual

PNRV12ZBL01
GE Appliances
GE Answer Center
®
800.626.2000
Owner’s Manual
7178901 Part No. 215C1002P004–1 Pub. No. 49-5802
Filtration System
Reverse Osmosis
Faucet
& Base
Tested and certified to ANSI/NSF
Standard 58 for TDS reduction.

Congratulations!
You Are Now Part of the GE Family.
Welcome to the GE family. We’re proud of
our quality products and we are committed
to providing dependable service. You’ll see
it in this easy-to-use Owner’s Manual and
you’ll hear it in the friendly voices of our
customer service department.
Best of all, you’ll experience these values
each time you use the water system. That’s
important, because your new system will be
part of your family for many years. And we
hope you will be part of ours for a long time
to come.
We thank you for buying GE. We
appreciate your purchase, and hope you
will continue to rely on us whenever you
need quality appliances for your home.
2
Important!
Staple sales slip or cancelled
check here.
Proof of the original purchase date
is needed to obtain service under
the warranty.
Write the model and serial numbers
here.
#
#
You can find them on the sump
bracket.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Information
GE & You,
A Service Partnership.
Inside you will find many
helpful hints on how to use and
maintain your water system
properly. Just a little preventive
care on your part can save you a
great deal of time and money
over the life of your system.
Read this Manual
Ask any GE appliance owner and they will
tell you we stand behind our products with
unmatched quality service. However, did
you know that most questions result from
simple problems that you can easily fix
yourself in just a few minutes? This
Owner’s Manual can tell you how.
You’ll find many answers to
common problems here.
If you review our chart of
Troubleshooting Tips first,
you may not need to call for
service at all.
Review the Section on
Troubleshooting Tips
If you do need service, you can
relax knowing help is only a
phone call away. A list of toll-free
customer service numbers is
included in the back section.
Or you can always call the
GE Answer Center®at
800.626.2000, 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
If You Need Service
Safety Information . . . . . . .4, 5
Specification Guidelines . . . . . .6
Operating Instructions . .7–11
Care and Cleaning . . . . . . .12–16
Troubleshooting Tips
Before You
Call For Service . . . . . . . . .17–19
Customer Service
Warranty Information . . . . . . .23
Service Telephone
Numbers . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover
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Safety InformationOperating InstructionsTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
4
For your safety, the information in this manual must be
followed to minimize the risk of property damage or
personal injury.
■Check with your state
and local public works
department for plumbing
and sanitation codes. You
must follow these guidelines
as you install the Reverse
Osmosis system.
Using
a qualified installer is
recommended.
■ If house water pressure is over
the maximum (125 pounds
per square inch), install a
pressure reducing valve in
the water supply line to the
Reverse Osmosis system.
■ Read the other limits (pH,
water hardness, etc.) in the
Specification Guidelines.
■ This product reduces fluoride
in drinking water. Please
consult your dentist if you
have questions.
WARNING: Do not use with
water that is microbiologically
unsafe or of unknown quality
without adequate disinfection
before or after the system, such
as single user wells, or other
non-public water systems not
regulated by federal or state
health and safety
requirements. The water
should be tested periodically
to verify that the system is
performing satisfactorily.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING!

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Information
This Reverse Osmosis system must be properly installed
and located in accordance with the Installation Instructions
before it is used. If you did not receive Installation
Instructions, you can receive one by calling us toll-free
at the GE Answer Center®800.626.2000.
PROPER INSTALLATION
■ 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.
■
Do not install on HOT WATER.
The temperature of the water
supply to the Reverse Osmosis
system must be between the
minimum of 40°F. to the
maximum of 100°F. See the
Specification Guidelines.
■ Do Not open the water
supply/saddle valve until
the pipes have been flushed.
WARNING: Discard all
unused parts and packaging
material after installation.
Small parts remaining after
the installation could be a
choke hazard.
■Sanitizing is recommended
upon installation of the
Reverse Osmosis system, and
after servicing inner parts. It
is important for the service
person to have clean hands
while handling inner parts of
the system. See the
Sanitizing
the Reverse Osmosis System
section.
5

Safety InformationOperating InstructionsTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
6
The system makes a good supply of drinking water each day.
How much it will make depends primarily on these things…
Feed water pressure—pounds per square inch (psi)
40–125
Feed water temperature limits—minimum/maximum degrees F.
40–100
Water quality
Maximum total dissolved solids (TDS)—parts per million (ppm)
2000
Maximum water hardness @ 6.9 pH—grains per gallon (gpg)
10
Maximum iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide
0
Chlorine in water supply
Allowable*
Feed water pH limits (pH)
4–10
Percent rejection of TDS, minimum (new membrane)**
92
*Chlorine removed (maximum of 2.0 ppm) by the Reverse Osmosis
prefilter…regular changing of the prefilter is required. Chlorine will
destroy the Reverse Osmosis membrane.
**Feed water at 50 psig and 77°F. with 750 ppm sodium chloride. Quality
water production, amount of waste water and percent rejection all vary
with changes in pressure, temperature and total dissolved solids.
On average you should expect your Reverse Osmosis system to be
able to deliver 12 gallons of product per day, as tested by Water Quality
Association Standard S-300. Output according to ANSI/NSF Standard 58
is 10 gallons per day.
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SPECIFICATION GUIDELINES.
Product – length 16″width 17″ depth 6″

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Information
7
About the reverse osmosis system.
The system is a REVERSE OSMOSIS filtration unit. Reverse osmosis is
a way of removing dissolved solids and organic matter from water by
passing it through a special membrane. The membrane separates
minerals and impurities from the water and they are flushed to the
drain. High quality product
water goes directly to the drinking water
faucet, or to the storage tank.
The system includes an electronic faucet assembly with an
integrated water testing feature. When water is taken from the
faucet, a green indicator light means removal is within the
specified limits.
Prefilters and postfilters are replaceable cartridges. The prefilter
removes up to 2.0 ppm (parts per million) of chlorine while also
filtering sediments. The postfilter removes any other undesirable
tastes and odors before you use the water.
High quality product water may have a different taste than what
you’re used to.
What the Reverse Osmosis System Will Do

Safety InformationOperating InstructionsTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
About the reverse osmosis system.
8
Prefilter —Water from the cold supply pipe enters the Reverse
Osmosis assembly and is directed to the prefilter cartridge.
The prefilter is a replaceable sediment cartridge with activated carbon in
its composition. The cartridge removes sand, silt, dirt, other sediments
and up to 2.0 ppm of chlorine from the feed water.
CHLORINE DESTROYS
THE REVERSE OSMOSIS MEMBRANE.
Filtered, clean, chlorine-free water
flows from the prefilter to the Reverse Osmosis membrane cartridge.
IMPORTANT: See prefilter in the Care and Cleaning section.
Storage Tank— The storage area holds up to 2.1 gallons of product
water. A diaphragm inside the tank keeps water pressurized, (when the
tank is full) for fast flow to the faucet when drinking water is needed.
Check Valve— A check valve is built into one end of the Reverse
Osmosis housing under the tee fitting. The check valve prevents a
backward flow of product water from the storage area. A backward flow
could cause rupture of the Reverse Osmosis membrane.
Shutoff Assembly— To conserve water, the drinking water system has
an automatic shutoff. When the storage tank has filled to capacity and
the drinking water faucet is closed, pressure closes the shutoff. Water
flow to the Reverse Osmosis housing is shut off until drinking water is
used again, and pressure drops in the Reverse Osmosis system.
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How the Reverse Osmosis system works
O-ring seal
Sump
Postfilter
cartridge
Inlet cover
O-ring end
U-pin
O-ring
RO cartridge
Turn sump this way to remove

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Information
Reverse Osmosis Cartridge— The cartridge, inside the Reverse
Osmosis housing, includes a tightly wound, special membrane. Water
is forced through the cartridge where the membrane removes the
dissolved solids and organic matter. High quality product water exits
the Reverse Osmosis housing and goes to the storage area. Reject
water, with the dissolved solids and organic matter, leaves the housing
and is discharged to the drain through 1⁄4″tubing.
Postfilter— After leaving the storage area, but before going to the
faucet, product water goes to the postfilter. The postfilter is also the
activated carbon type sediment filter. Any remaining tastes, odors,
or sediments are removed from product water. Clean, high quality
drinking water flows through the tubing and to the faucet. See the
Care and Cleaning section for location.
Flow Control— The flow control regulates flow through the Reverse
Osmosis cartridge to the required rate to get the desired quality of
product water. The control is located in the elbow fitting, at the Reverse
Osmosis housing drain port. A small, cone-shaped screen fits over the
front end of the flow control to help prevent plugging with drain water
sediments.
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5
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Compression nut
To drain
1/4″tubing
Flow control
Screen
Check valve tee
Drain elbow

Safety InformationOperating InstructionsTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
About the reverse osmosis system.
10
Faucet and Electronics— The countertop faucet
dispenses the filtered drinking water when opened. It
has a hand operated, spring loaded closed lever to
prevent waste. You can keep the faucet open by pushing
upward on the lever to lock it against the faucet spout.
To comply with plumbing codes, an air-gap is built into
the faucet drain water connection.
The electronic faucet provides an integrated water
quality tester. As water is taken from the faucet, the
indicator lights show how the Reverse Osmosis system is
operating to provide high quality drinking water.
Flashing Green Light— The Reverse Osmosis system
is providing you with higher quality drinking water.
Flashing Amber “FILTER” Light— The prefilter and
postfilter cartridges need replacing. See the
Care and
Cleaning
section.
Flashing Amber “RO” Light— The Reverse Osmosis
cartridge is no longer removing at least 75% of the
TDS from the supply water and needs replacement.
NOTE: Disregard initial or short periods of the flashing
“RO” light.
WHEN THE AMBER “RO” LIGHT FLASHES… Replace the
Reverse Osmosis cartridge, flow control and screen.
The Faucet and Indicator Lights
Countertop sink and base.
If the Reverse Osmosis Filtration System Is Connected to Your Icemaker
“Before you service the filter, change the filters, or purge the Reverse
Osmosis system, YOU MUST turn off the icemaker by raising the feeler
arm. Three hours after servicing your unit, lower the feeler arm to resume
icemaking.”

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Information
11
Purging the Reverse Osmosis System
Required upon installation and when the Reverse Osmosis
cartridge is replaced.
Make sure all tubing connections are tightened.
Open the tank shutoff valve. Turn on the water supply by slowly
opening the water supply/saddle valve to the Reverse Osmosis
system.
In about four hours, pressure will start to build in the Reverse
Osmosis system. At that time, carefully check all fittings and
tubing connections for any water leaks. Correct leaks if any
are found. Open the faucet to drain the storage tank.
CAUTION: The Reverse Osmosis cartridge contains a food grade
preservative that should be purged from the system before use. The
preservative will give product water an unpleasant taste and odor. After
the tank has filled (takes about four hours), open the system faucet until
the storage tank is empty.
After four of these drainings, the system is ready to make
product water for your use.
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RO SYSTEM
Battery holder
Storage tank
1/4″tubing, marked
WATER SUPPLY
Drain clamp
RO product water faucet
3/8″tubing x 27″, to
a 3/8″barb on faucet
Water supply/
saddle valve
Cold
Hot
Sink p-trap
Lead wire
connection
Electronic box
3/8″tubing, marked
FAUCET

Safety InformationOperating InstructionsTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
Care and cleaning of the reverse osmosis system.
12
Cartridge Replacement
To keep the system operating and making high quality drinking
water, the prefilter cartridge, the Reverse Osmosis cartridge and
postfilter cartridge need replacement at certain intervals. Use the
following information to
keep the Reverse Osmosis system properly
serviced and maintained.
When replacing cartridges you may lift the Reverse Osmosis
assembly from the mounting washers and lay it on the floor. You
can also remove the Reverse Osmosis housing by pulling it out of the
mounting clamps.
CAUTION: Before disconnecting…close the shutoff valve on the
storage tank, close the water supply/saddle valve and open the drinking
water faucet. Allow 30 seconds to one minute for pressure to relieve
through the system.
O-ring seal
Sump
Postfilter
cartridge
Inlet cover
O-ring end
U-pin
O-ring
RO cartridge
Turn sump this way
to remove
Pre/Post Filter Replacements FX12P Activated Carbon
RO Membrane Replacement FX12M Thin Film Polyamide
To obtain replacement filters, call GE Appliance Parts at 800-626-2002.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Information
13
Turn sump wrench tool
clockwise to remove cartridge
Prefilter and Postfilter Cartridges
CAUTION: —Feed water must have all chlorine removed (prefilter
removes up to 2.0 ppm). Chlorine will destroy the Reverse Osmosis
membrane cartridge.
You must replace the prefilter cartridge to protect the Reverse
Osmosis membrane from being destroyed by chlorine and/or from
plugging with sediments that are in the water supply.
To signal correct replacement interval, the amber “FILTER”
indicator light, on the electronic faucet base, will begin to flash
after six months, or 900 gallons of product water use, whichever
occurs first.
At the same time, replace the postfilter cartridge and the batteries
in the control box. Replacing the “AA” batteries resets the six
month or 900 gallon period, and assures proper operation of the
“RO” indicator light.
At least every six months or 900 gallons of Reverse Osmosis water
use…
Amber “FILTER” light flashes. Replace the prefilter
cartridge, postfilter cartridge and batteries in the electronic box.
WHEN THE AMBER “RO” LIGHT FLASHES… Replace the Reverse
Osmosis cartridge, flow control and screen.
Prefilter and Postfilter Cartridge Replacement
Replacing Cartridges… Turn the sump, using the sump wrench tool
provided, out of the filter head.
BE CAREFUL—THE SUMP IS FULL OF
WATER.
Remove and discard the used filter cartridge. Flush the sump
with fresh water and insert the new cartridge.
BE SURE THE LARGE
O-RING IS IN PLACE ON THE TOP OF THE SUMP AND LUBRICATED (USE
LUBRICANT APPROVED FOR USE ON POTABLE WATER SUPPLIES).
Turn
the sump, using the sump wrench, into the head and tighten securely.
Repeat this procedure on the other filter.

Safety InformationOperating InstructionsTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
Care and cleaning of the reverse osmosis system.
14
Reverse Osmosis Cartridge Replacement
NOTE: When replacing the Reverse Osmosis cartridge, also install a new
flow control.
It’s time to replace the Reverse Osmosis cartridge when the amber
“RO” light, on the faucet base, flashes continually while Reverse
Osmosis water is taken from the faucet.
Turn off the water supply by closing the water supply/saddle valve.
Remove the inlet cover from the housing. (Remove the retainer
ring and pull the u-pin.)
Use pliers to pull the cartridge from the housing.
NOTE: Follow instructions in Sanitizing the Reverse Osmosis system
section.
Install the new cartridge and flow control supplied, and replace
the inlet cover. Lightly lubricate the o-ring seal with clean
silicone grease.
Insert the u-pin and install the retainer ring.
Turn on the water supply and PURGE THE REVERSE
OSMOSIS CARTRIDGE. See the
Purging the Reverse Osmosis
System
section.
CAUTION: The Reverse Osmosis cartridge contains a food grade
preservative that should be purged from the system before use. The
preservative will give product water an unpleasant taste and odor. After
the tank has filled (takes about four hours), open the system faucet until
the storage tank is empty. After four of these drainings, the system is
ready to make product water for your use
.
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Battery Replacement
Always replace the four “AA” alkaline batteries in the control
box when changing the prefilter and postfilter cartridges. Good
batteries are needed to assure proper indicator light operation.
Weak batteries may give a false indication. Changing the batteries
also resets the six month or 900 gallon period.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Information
15
Flow Control and Screen for the Reverse Osmosis Cartridge
The flow control is vital for proper operation of the Reverse
Osmosis cartridge. The control keeps water flow through the
cartridge at the proper rate to obtain the best quality product water.
When servicing the Reverse Osmosis cartridge, it’s good practice to
check the flow control (and tubing to it) to make sure the small
tube and surrounding surfaces are clean and unrestricted. A small,
cone-shaped screen is located in front of the flow control to help
keep it clean. If the flow control should plug with foreign particles,
the Reverse Osmosis cartridge cannot discharge minerals and
impurities to the drain. If this should happen, it will only take a
short time for the cartridge to plug, making it useless.
CAUTION: To replace the screen, place the cone end into the
elbow cap. Then, carefully push it in using 1/4″tubing as a tool.
Do not force in farther after you feel resistance. Visually check to
be sure it is properly positioned.
After installing the flow control, tighten the nut by hand, then
another 1/4 to 1/2 turn with pliers.
DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN AND
DISTORT OR CRUSH THE TUBING AND FLOW CONTROL.
Compression nut
To drain
1/4″tubing
Flow control
Screen
Check valve tee
Drain elbow

Safety InformationOperating InstructionsTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
Care and cleaning of the reverse osmosis system.
16
Sanitizing the Reverse Osmosis System
SANITIZING is recommended upon installation of the
Reverse Osmosis system and after servicing inner parts .
It is important for the service person to clean their hands with
anti-bacterial soap before handling inner parts of the system.
CAUTION: Be sure to remove all cartridges as follows
before sanitizing. Chlorine will destroy all cartridges.
Be sure the water supply to the Reverse Osmosis system
is turned off and the Reverse Osmosis faucet is open.
Pull the u-pin and remove Reverse Osmosis housing
inlet cover. Remove (use pliers) the Reverse Osmosis
cartridge from the housing. Place the cartridge in a
clean plastic bag.
Replace the inlet cover and u-pin.
Remove the postfilter sump, using the sump wrench
tool provided, turning to the left. Take the cartridge
from the sump and place in the plastic bag. Replace the
sump and
tighten securely .
Remove the Prefilter sump and cartridge. Also place
this cartridge in the clean bag.
If needed, flush the prefilter sump with fresh water. Fill
with water to about 1″from the top. Add 1.0 ounce of
chlorine (ordinary 5.25% household bleach…Hilex,
Clorox, etc.) and mix in the water.
DO NOT ADD
CHLORINE FIRST
. Concentrated, it will attack plastics.
Carefully replace the sump, using the sump wrench, on
the prefilter head and tighten securely.
Open the tank shutoff valve and the water supply to the
Reverse Osmosis system. Open the Reverse Osmosis
faucet, locking the lever upward against the spout.
Allow water to circulate through the Reverse Osmosis
system until all bleach odor is gone.
When the bleach odor is gone, turn off the water supply
to the Reverse Osmosis system. Close the Reverse
Osmosis faucet after water flow stops.
Do steps 1-5 and 7, only replacing the cartridges.
BE SURE YOU HAVE CLEANED YOUR HANDS WITH ANTI-
BACTERIAL SOAP.
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Before you call for service…
Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Information
Troubleshooting Tips
Save time and money! Review the charts on the following pages
first and you may not need to call for service.
Problem Possible Causes What To Do
Sounds you might Running water from •This is normal.
hear the unit to a drain.
Water has air bubbles Air in system after •Will go away after it
and is cloudy installation. runs for a while.
Amber “FILTER” light Six months, or 900 •Replace the prefilter,
on the faucet base gallons of product water postfilter, and batteries in
is flashing usage has occured. This the electronic box.
is the maximum life of
the prefilter and postfilter.
Amber “RO” light The Reverse Osmosis •Replace the Reverse
flashing. Note: membrane is no Osmosis membrane
Disregard initial or longer removing the cartridge, flow
occasional short periods required amount of control and screen.
of this flashing light. total dissolved solids.
Water supply to the •Increase water pressure,
Reverse Osmosis precondition the water,
system not within etc., as needed to conform
specifications. before doing maintenance
on the Reverse Osmosis
system.
Reverse Osmosis •Replace the Reverse
membrane cartridge Osmosis membrane
expended. cartridge, flow control,
screen, prefilter,
postfilter and batteries
in the electronic box.
Indicator lights on faucet Faucet base lead wire not •Connect
base not working connected to electronic
box lead wire.
Battery pack not connected •Connect
to electronic box.
Batteries installed •Observe orientation
incorrectly or expended. markings on the holder
and install correctly.
Replace batteries if old.
Lead wires damaged. •Inspect and repair as
needed. 17

Troubleshooting Tips
Safety InformationOperating InstructionsTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
Before you call for service…
18
Problem Possible Causes What To Do
Chlorine taste and/or The ppm of chlorine in •If the water supply contains
odor in the Reverse your water supply exceeds more than 2.0 ppm of
Osmosis product water maximum limits and has chlorine, additional
destroyed the Reverse filtering of the water supply
Osmosis membrane. to the Reverse Osmosis
is needed. Correct this
condition before doing
maintenance on the
Reverse Osmosis system.
The prefilter is no longer •Replace the Reverse
removing chlorine from Osmosis membrane
the water supply. cartridge, control, screen,
prefilter, postfilter
and batteries in the
electronic box.
Other taste and/or High quality product water •This is normal.
odor may have a different taste
than what you’re used to.
Postfilter needs to be •Replace the postfilter.
changed. If taste and odor persist,
replace the prefilter,
Reverse Osmosis Reverse Osmosis
membrane cartridge membrane cartridge,
needs to be changed. flow control, screen
and batteries in the
electronic box.
Contamination in •Use sanitizing procedures.
product water storage. Replace the postfilter.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Information
19
Problem Possible Causes What To Do
Water leaking from Drain side of faucet •Inspect and eliminate
faucet airgap hole airgap (3/8″tubing) restriction of plug. Refer to
plugged, restricted or Installation Instructions for
incorrectly connected to proper drain connection.
the drain point.
System makes product This is normal. •Water flow rate will be
water too slowly lower than your regular
faucet.
Water supply to the •Increase water pressure,
Reverse Osmosis precondition the water,
system not within etc., as needed to conform
specifications. before doing maintenance
on the Reverse Osmosis
system.
Prefilter cartridge plugged •Replace the prefilter.
with sediments.
If rate does not increase,
replace the postfilter,
Reverse Osmosis Reverse Osmosis
membrane plugged membrane cartridge,
with sediments. flow control, screen
and batteries in the
electronic box.

Safety InformationOperating InstructionsTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
Notes
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