Kenmore 625.3484400 User manual

_ARS
OWNER'S
MANUAL
MODEL NOS.
625.3484400
High Capacity DIR
625.3484500
High Capacity DIR
Caution:
Read and Follow
All Safety Rules and
Operating Instructions
Before First Use of
This Product.
If you have questions when
installing, operating or main-
taining your softener, and
when setting the timer, call
this toll-free number...
1-800-426-9345
SAVE THIS MANUAL
Kenrnor'e
Water Softeners
Warranty
Start Up /Setting Timer
How It Works
Care Of
Specifications
Repair Parts
Use plastic bag and tie provided, to hang manuals nearby
the softener for future reference.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 USA
PRINTED IN U.S.A.

WARRANTY
I]
SEARS RESIDENTIAL WATER SOFTENER
FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON WATER SOFTENER
For one year from the date of purchase, when this water softener is installed and maintained
in accordance with our instructions, Sears will repair, free of charge, defects in material or
workmanship in this water softener.
FULL TEN YEAR WARRANTY AGAINST LEAKS
For ten years from the date of purchase, Sears will furnish and install a new current model
water softener tank or salt storage drum, free of charge, if either the tank or drum develop
a leak.
TO OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE, SIMPLY CONTACT THE NEAREST SEARS SER-
VICE CENTER THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. This warranty applies only while
this product is in use in the United States.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from
state to state.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., D/817 WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
If you want your water softener professionally installed, talk to your Sears Salesman. He will arrange for a
prompt, quality installation by Sears Authorized Installers.
SEARS INSTALLATION POLICY
All installation labor arranged by Sears shall be
perfbrmed in a neat, workmanlike manner in
accordance with generally accepted trade practic-
es. Ful_her, all installations shall comply with all
local laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
Customer shall also be protected, during installa-
tion, by insurance relating to Property Damage,
Workman's Compensation and Public Liability.
SEARS INSTALLATION WARRANTY
In addition to any warranty extended to you on the
Sears merchandise involved, which warranty
becomes effective the date the merchandise is
installed, should the workmanship of any Sears
arranged installation prove faulty within one year,
Sears will, upon notice from you, cause such faults
to be corrected at no additional cost to you.
FACTS AND FIGURES TO KEEP
Fill in the blanks below and keep this book in a safe
place so you always have these facts.
Water Softener Model No.l-
Serial Number
Date Installed
Water Hardness
Iron Content
*pH
Water Pressure
Water Flow Rate
Grains Per Gallon
Parts Per Million
Taste And/Or Odor
Pounds/Square Inch
Gallons Per Minute
1-The model number is on the rating decal, located
on the rim, under the salt hole cover.
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I 1
PAGE
NO.
SECTION 1SOFTENER START UP
A. SAFETY GUIDES
B. CHECK LIST OF STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES TO INSTALL
C. PROGRAM THE TIMER
D. SANITIZING THE WATER SOFTENER
E. FILL THE STORAGE TANK WITH SALT
4
5
6-7
8
9
SECTION 2 HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
A. FACE PLATE TIMER FEATURES 10
B. SOFT WATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION 11-13
SECTION 3CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
A. SALT: REFILLING STORAGE TANK, SALT BRIDGE
B. KEEPING THE WATER SOFTENER CLEAN
C. KEEP THE SOFTENER FROM FREEZING
D. HELPFUL HINTS CHECKLIST
14
15
16
17
SECTION 4 OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
A. DIMENSIONS/SPECIFICATIONS 18
SECTION 5 SERVICE TECH INFORMATION
A. TROUBLESHOOTING
B. ROTARY VALVE SERVICE
C. WATER FLOW THROUGH THE SOFTENER VALVE
19-22
23
24-26
SECTION 6 REPAIR PARTS 29-31
3

SECTION 1 WATER SOFTENER START-UP
1A. SAFETY GUIDES
•Read all steps, guides and rules carefully be-
fore installing and using your new water softener.
Follow all steps exactly to correctly install. Fail-
ure to follow them could cause personal injury or
property damage. Reading this book will also
help you to get all of the benefits from your water
softener.
•Your water softener will remove hardness min-
erals and "clear water" iron from water, up to the
limits shown on page 18. It will not remove other
types of iron, acids, tastes and odors, etc. It will
not purify polluted water or make it safe to drink.
•Protect the softener and piping from freezing.
Damage from freezing voids the softener warran-
ty. See page 16.
CAUTIONS
PLEASE READ AND COMPLY WITH THE FOL-
LOWING GUIDES TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO
THE SOFTENER OR OTHER PROPERTY,
PERSONAL INJURY, OR POSSIBLE FATAL
SHOCK.
•THIS SOFTENER WORKS ON 24 VOLTS
ONLY. BE SURE TO USE THE TRANSFORMER
INCLUDED, AND PLUG IT INTO A 120V OUT-
LET.
•Unplug the transformer right away if the
power cable should become damaged or
frayed. Make repairs before plugging back
into the power outlet.
•Always unplug the softener from electrical
power before removing outer valve covers.
4

SECTION 1 WATER SOFTENER START-UP
I I
lB. CHECK LIST OF ALL STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES TO INSTALL
Refer to the Installation Manual, pmx no. 7141417,
for step-by-step guides.
To be sure you have done all the steps to install the
softener, read the following list. Page numbers
referred to are in the Installation Manual.
_/' Is the house water flow going INTO the soften-
er valve INLET? Trace piping to be sure. See
pages 10 and 11.
_/' Is the plumbing bypass valve (or 3 valves) set
for SERVICE? See page 18.
_/' Is the valve drain hose connected the right
way, and without sharp bends or kinks that
could stop or reduce water flow? See page 16.
_/' Is the softener power cable connected to the
transformer, and is the transformer plugged
into an inside, 120V-60Hz electrical outlet?
See page 20.
_/' Be sure to restart the water heater. See page 20.
i
brass
INLET
I j
3-valve J _[
Bypass (_' _
Valves Ii
plastic
_(i\g_,.<A
Water
Heater
5

SECTION 1 WATER SOFTENER START-UP
lC. PROGRAM THE TIMER
Display
\k
t 1
,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,
ON/OFF - HOLD button
DOWN
UP button button
IIIII I
\
SELECT button
(RECHARGETONIGHT- NOW)
When the transformer is plugged in, the model
code SR21 shows in the face plate display for a few
seconds, followed by a test number (example:
$3.0). After the test number, 12:00 AM begins to
flash. PRESENT TIME and RECHARGE TONIGHT
show at the bottom of the display.
ICODE 530
IPRESENT TIME
NOTE:
IfSR- - flashes in the display, press the UP {_tton
(FIG. 1) until SR21 does show. Then press the
SELECT button to display the flashing 12:00 AM. If
other than SR21 shows, when the transformer is
plugged in, please see page 1"7 to reset.
SOUND "BEEPER": A "beeper" sounds while
pressing buttons for timer set-up. One beep
signals a change in the face plate display.
Repeated beeps means the timer will not accept a
change from the button you have pressed, telling
you to use another button. For example, in setting
the hardness (step 2), the beeper sounds repeat-
edly when the display reaches 1 using the DOWN
button, or the highest hardness setting using the
UP button.
1. SET PRESENT TIME OF DAY:
NOTE:
If the words PRESENT TIME do not show in the
display, press the SELECTbutton (FIG. 1) until
they do.
• Press the [] UP/DOWN [] buttons to set the
present time. Press UP to move the display ahead;
press DOWN to move the time backward.
If the present time is between
noon and midnight, be sure PM ..,-_:i,,._....
st] O VV"S. PRESENT TIME
If" the present time is between PRESENT:;':_'_TIME......
midnight and noon,be sure AM ''=" "" '
shows.
NOTE:
Each press of the UP or DOWN buttons changes
the time by 1 minute. Pressing and holding the
buttons changes the time 32 minutes each second.
6

SECTION 1 WATER SOFTENER START-UP
lC. PROGRAM THE TIMER
2. SET WATER HARDNESS NUMBER:
• Press the SELECT button once to display 15
(flashing) and HARDNESS.
The grains per gallon (gpg)
hardness of your water supply is
on your water analysis report. Be
sure to enter water test results on
page 2, for future reference.
Id_ r
HARDNESS
NOTE:
If your water supply contains iron, compensate for
it by adding to the water hardness number. Fol"
example, assume your mater is 15 gpg hard al_d
contains 2 ppm iron. Add 5 to the hardness
number fi)r each 1 ppm o/'h>l_. In this example,
you u:ould use 25 for rour hardness numbe_:
15 gpg hardness
2 ppm iron x5 = 10 +10
(times) 25 HARDNESS NUMBER
• Press the {_UP/DOWN {_buttons to set your
water hardness number in the display. The
DOWN button moves the display to 1. The UP
button moves the display to the highest setting
(see maximum setting for your model in the
specifications).
NOTE:
Each press of the UP/DOWN button changes the
display by 1 between 1 and 25. Between 25 and
the highest number, the display changes 5 at a
time...25, 30, 35, etc. Continuous pressure on the
UP or DOWN button changes the display twice
each second.
3. SET RECHARGE (REGENERATION) TIME:
• Press the SELECT button once to display 2:00
AM (flashing) and RECHARGE TIME.
At the 2:00 AM RECHARGE TIME
setting, the softener begins re-
generation (see pages 11 and 12)
at 2:00 AiM,ending no later than
4:00 AM. This is a good time in
most households because water
is not being used (see AI_TO-
MATIC BYPASS, page 13).
_r. l.qedu_ql ""1
=l ill e-"
RECHARGE TIME j
If a different RECHARGE TIME setting would be
better ti)r your household, do the fi)llowing.
• Press the [] UP/DOWN {_ buttons tO set the
desired RECHARGE starting hour. Be sure to
observe the AM-PM as you did when setting the
time of day.
NOTE:
Each press of the UP/DOWN buttons changes the
display 1 hour. Continuous pressure on the UP or
DOWN button changes the display twice each
second.
• Press the SELECT button once again, to
return the present time (steady) of day and
RECHARGE TONIGHT in the display.
_.i__ !
7..J" | ),_, PM
RECHARGE TONIGHT
IF YOU NEED HELP PROGRAMMING THE TIMER, CALL TOLL FREE, NUMBER 1-800- 426- 9345.
SEE PAGE 10 FOR OTHER FACE PLATE TIMER FEATURES.
7

SECTION 1 WATER SOFTENER START-UP
1D. SANITIZING THE WATER SOFTENER
Care is taken at the factory tO keel) your water
softener clean and sanitary. Materials used to
make the softener will not infect or contaminate
your water supply, and will not cause bacteria to
form or grow. However, during shipping, storage,
installing and operating, bacteria could get into
the softener. For this reason, sanitizing as follows
is suggested q) when installing.
1. Lift the salt hole cover and use a pail or hose to
fill the salt storage tank with at least 3 gallons of
water.
2. Remove the brinewell cover (FIG. 2) and pour
about 3/4 ounce of common 5.25% household
bleach (Clorox, Linco, BoPeep, White Sail, Eagle,
etc.) in the softener brinewen.
3. Press the ON/OFF-HOLD button and holdjbr3
seconds to start a recharge. This first recharge does
several things.
-- It draws the bleach into and through the
softener to sanitize it.
--It fills the salt tank to the water level
needed.
-- It gets all the air out of the resin tank.
-- It makes the resin bed (see page 11) ready
for service.
NOTES:
This recharge takes about 2 hours.
You can sanitize the softener with or with-
out salt in the storage tank.
ADD WATER
Salt Hole
Cover
hose
Water,
About 3 Gallons
Brinewell
Cover
remove and add
about 3/4 oz. bleach)
BrinewelI
q) Recommended by the Water Quality Associa-
tion. On some water supplies, the water softener
may need periodic disinfecting. Sanitize with or
without salt in the storage tank.
8

SECTION 1 WATER SOFTENER START-UP
1E. FILL THE STORAGE TANK WITH SALT
Brine (salt dissolved in wate 0 is needed fbr each
and every regeneration. The water for making
brine is metered into the salt storage tank by the
softener. However, you must keep the tank filled
with salt.
Fill the tank with NUGGET or PELLET water
softener salt. DO NOT use rock salts, as they have
dirt and sediments that will stop the softener from
working.
Before filling, be sure the brinewell cover is in
place on the top of the brinewen. Salt storage
capacity is shown on page 18.
NOTE:
In humid areas, it is best to fill the storage tank
half-full, and to refill it more often. Salt bridging
(see page 14) occurs i-ilorc often when conditions
are humid.
WATER SOFTENING SALT WITH IRON REMOV-
ING ADDITIVES -- Some salts have an additive to
hel I) the softener handle iron in the water supply.
Although this additive may help to keep the
softener resin clean, it may also release corrosive
fumes that will weaken and shorten the life of
some softener parts.
ADD SALT
J
\
Brinewell
Cover
SODIUM INFORMATION: Water softeners using
sodium chloride for regeneration add sodium to
the water. Persons who are on sodium restricted
diets should consider the added sodium as part of
their overan sodium intake.
For example, if your water supply is 15 grains
hard, you would have to drink 3 quarts of softened
water to consume 335 milligrams of sodium. That
is equivalent to eating 2-1/2 slices of white bread.
Persons who arc concerned about their drinking
water should consider a Sears Drinking Water
System that will remove or reduce in excess of
90% of the sodium and other drinking water
contaminants.
YOU HAVE NOW FINISHED THE WATER SOFTENER START-UP. AFTER THE SANITIZING RECHARGE,
ON PAGE 8, THE SOFTENER WILL BE GIVING YOI_ SOFT WATER.
9

SECTION 2 HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
2A. FACE PLATE TIMER FEATURES
EXTRA RECHARGE
Sometimes, a manually stmxed regeneration (re-
charge) may be desired, o1" needed. Two exam-
pies arc:
-- You have used more water than usual (guests
visiting) and you may run out of soft water before
the next timer started regeneration.
-- You did not refill the softener with salt before it
was gone.
You can start a regeneration right away, or you can
set the timer to regenerate at the next 2:00 AM (or
other preset recharge time). Do the following.
RECHARGENOW
• Press the ON/OFF--HOLD button and bold
j'or .3 secol_ds. RECHARGE l
NOW begins tO flash in the 31 !_m ldisplay, and the softener en- "ECUARGE
ters the fill cycle of regenera-
tion right away. This regeneration will last for
about 2 hours. Then, you will have soft water
again.
RECHARGETONIGHT
• Press and release (do not hold) the ON/
OFF-HOLD button. RE- ]
CHARGE TONIGHT flashes _._'"j_-q!_pMt/
in the display, and the soften- RECHARGEI"ONIGItTJ
er begins regeneration at the
next preset recharge time. Press and release
the ON/OFF-HOLD button once more if you
decide to cancel the regeneration, and RE-
CHARGE TONIGHT.
PROGRAM MEMORY
If electrical power to the softener goes off, the
time display is blank but the face plate timer keeps
the correct time for about 6 hours. When electrical
power comes on again, you have to reset the
present time only if the display is flashing. The
HARDNESS and RECHARGE TIME never require
resetting unless a change is desired.
Even if the timer is incorrect after a long power
outage, the softener works as it should to keel)
you water soft. However, regenerations may occur
at the wrong time of day until you reset the timer
to the correct time of day.
ERROR CODE
An error code could appear in the face plate
display if a problem occurs in the softener
electronics. If you see an error code instead of the
time of day, please call you local Sears Service
Department for service.
IF YOU NEED HELP ON THE USE OF THE TIMER FEATURES, CALL TOLL FREE,
NUMBER 1-800- 426-9345.
10

SECTION 2 HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
I
2B. SOFTWATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION
SERVICE
When the softener is giving you soft water, it is
called "Service". During service, hard water comes
from the house main water pipe into the softener.
Inside the softener resin tank is a bed made up of
thousands of tiny, plastic resin beads (FIG. 4). As
hard water passes through the bed, each bead
attracts and holds the hardness minerals. This is
called ion-exchanging. It is much like a magnet
attracting and holding metals. Water without the
hardness minerals (soft water) flows out of the
softener and into the house soft water pipes.
After a period of time, the resin beads become
coated with hardness minerals and they have to be
cleaned. This cleaning is called regeneration or
recharge. Regeneration is started at 2:00 a.m. by
the electronic timer (see page 13). It takes place in
5 stages or cycles. These are:
[] FILL [] BACKWASH
[] BRINING [] FAST RINSE
[] BRINE RINSE
WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN SERVICE
Hard Water
IN
Soft Water
OUT
Resin
Salt Storage
Tank
..-.-- Resin Bed
REGENERATION
E]FILL: Salt, dissolved in water, is called brine.
Brine is needed to clean the hardness minerals
from the resin beads. To make the brine, water
flows into the salt storage area during the fill stage
as shown in FIG. 5. Fill cycle length depends on
how much soft water making capacity you have
used since the last regeneration. As you use more
watec fill time increases so more brine is made.
The greater amount of brine cleans more hardness
minerals from the resin bed.
WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN FILL
Hard Water
IN
Salt
11

SECTION 2 HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
2B. SOFT WATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION
[_BRINING: During brining, the brine is moved
from the salt storage area, into the resin tank.
Inside the resin tank, brine cleans hardness
minerals from the resin beads and they are
discharged out the drain. How much brine is
needed to clean the resin depends on:
-- the amount of resin in the softener,
-- how fast the brine goes through the bed.
The nozzle and venturi (FIG. 6) make suction to
take brine fi'om the salt tank and put it into the
resin tank. They keel) the brine flow down to a
very slow rate to get the best resin cleaning with
the least salt.
[] BRINE RINSE:After all of the brine goes into the
resin tank, the brine valve closes. Water keeps
flowing the same way it did during brining except
the brine flow has stopped. Hardness minerals
and brine flush from the resin tank to the drain.
Brining and brine rinse together vary in length of
time they take, relative to the fill cycle length.
WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN BRINING AND
BRINE RINSE
Hard Water
IN
Hard Water.
Nozzle Drain
Venturi
Brine Valve
Brine
[] BACKWASH:During backwash, water flows I_P
through the resin tank (FIG. 7) at a fast rate to flush
iron minerals, dirt and sediments from the bed and
to the drain. The bed lifts and expands fbr good
cleaning.
WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN BACKWASH
Hard Water
IN
Hard Water
BYPASS
Drain
bed
and expa
_FAST RINSE: Backwash is followed by a fast
flow of water down through the resin tank. The
fast flow packs the resin bed and gets it ready for
return to service (FIG. 8).
After fast rinse, the softener returns to service.
Hard water goes into the resin tank where the
resin bed again takes out the hardness minerals.
Soft water goes to the house soft water pipes.
WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN FAST RINSE
Hard Water
IN
Soft Wafer
12

SECTION 2 HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
J
2B. SOFT WATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION
AUTOMATIC BYPASS
During the brining, brine rinse and backwash
cycles of regeneration, HARD water goes through
the softener valve and to the house pipes. If a
faucet is opened, hard water is there fbr your
needs. However, you should not use HOT water, if
possible, because the water heater will refill with
hard water. The softener regenerates from 2:00
AM to about 4:00 AM, (you can change this time...
see page 7), a time when not much water is used.
If you get up early in the morning and you can
hear the softener regenerating, change the time
setting. Set the recharge time to 12:00 AM or 1:00
AM (page 7). Then regeneration will start and end
that much earlier and your water heater will not
refill with hard water if a hot faucet is opened.
ELECTRONICS
Two main parts of the softener's electronics are []
a WATER METER, and [] a COMPUTER.
[] WATER METER -- The water meter is in the
softener valve outlet. As water flows through the
meter, it sends electric pulses to the computer. The
computer changes the pulses to a measure in
gallons of water.
[] COMPUTER -- The computer is pml of the
circuit board. It is programmed to know the
softener's capacity (how many grains of hardness
minerals it will take out of the water before a
regeneration is needed). When starting the
softener, page 7, you set it for the grains per gallon
(gpg) hardness of the water.
To find aregeneration pattern best for your needs,
the computer uses: (1) water usage from the
meter, (2) hardness setting, (3) softener capacity,
and (4) time since the last regeneration. The
computer always adjusts this pattern to your water
using habits. It works to provide you with soft
water fbr the longest time, at the most efficient salt
usage.
Softening capacity is used as hard water goes
through the softener and hardness minerals are
removed. When the computer determines that
only enough capacity remains to provide soft
water up to the next regeneration starting time
(2:00 AM, or as otherwise set), it will schedule a
regeneration. RECI_IARGETONIGI_ITdisplays until
the regeneration begins. When the regeneration
begins, TONIGHT goes off and RECHARGE NOW
flashes during the 2 hour regeneration.
13

SECTION 3 CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
I ]
3A. SALT...REFILLING STORAGE TANK/BREAKING ASALT BRIDGE
WHEN TO REFILL WITH SALT: Check the salt
level a few weeks after you install the softener and
every week after that. Refill when the storage
tank is about 1/3 full. Never let the softener use
all the salt beff)re refilling. Without salt, you will
soon have hard water.
IMPORTANT:
You will have a loss in softening capacity and
may get partly hard water if less than 10
inches of salt is in the storage tank.
PLEASE SEE PAGE 9 FOR SALT FILLING DIRECTIONS.
SALT BRIDGE
Sometimes, a hard crust or salt bridge forms in the
salt storage tank. It is usually caused by high
humidity or the wrong kind of salt. When the salt
bridges, an empty space forms between the water
and salt. Then salt will not dissolve (melt) in the
water to make brine. Without brine, the resin bed
does not regenerate and you will have hard water.
If the storage tank is full of salt, it is hard to tell if
you have a salt bridge. Salt is loose on top, but the
bridge is under it. The following is the best way to
check for a salt bridge.
Salt should be loose all the way to the bottom of
the tank. Hold a broom handle, or like tool, up to
the softener as shown in FIG. 9. Make a pencil
mark on the handle, 1" or 2" below the top height
of the rim, as shown. Then, carefully push it
straight down into the salt. If a hard object is felt
before the pencil mark gets to the top of the tank,
it's most likely a salt bridge. Carefully push into the
bridge in a few places to break it. Do not try to
break the salt bridge by pounding on the
outside of the salt tank. You may damage it.
If the wrong kind of salt made the bridge, take it
out. Then fill the tank with nugget or pellet salt
only.
SALT BRIDGE
push tool into salt
bridge to break
Broom Handle Salt
Salt Bridge
__ _ _ _ Water Level
14

SECTION 3 CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
3B. KEEPING THE WATER SOFTENER CLEAN
COVERS
To keep your new Sears water softener looking
nice, apply a coat of paste wax and repeat once a
year. When dusty, wipe it with a damp cloth to
keep it sparkling.
NOTE:
Never use cleaners having ammonia or abrasives.
They may scratch and dull the surface.
NOZZLE AND VENTURI
A clean nozzle and venturi (FIG. 10) is a must for
the softener to work right. This small unit moves
brine fi'om the salt storage tank to the resin tank
during regeneration. If it becomes plugged with
sand, silt, dirt, etc., the softener will not work and
you will get haM water.
To get to the nozzle and venturi, remove the
softener top cover. Be sure the softener is in
service cycle (no water pressure at nozzle and
venturi). Then, holding the housing tightly with 1
hand, turn the cap off. DO NOT LOSE THE IARGE
O-RING SEAL. Lift out the screen support and
screen, then the nozzle and venturi. Wash and
rinse the parts in warm water until clean. If
needed, use a sman brush to remove iron or dirt.
Also check and clean the gasket.
Carefully replace all l)m_s in the correct order.
Lubricate the o-ring seal with silicone grease or
Vaseline and place in position. Install and tighten
the cap, by hand only. Do not over-tighten and
break the cap or housing.
CLEANING THE NOZZLE & VEN-
TURI
Cap __
O-Ring _ I(_
Screen __
Support
Screen
Nozzle & _O
Venluri
Gasket
*Flow Plug
(HVDC) _
Nozz. & Vent.
Housing
*INSTALL WITH
NUMBERED SIDE UP
CONCAVE SIDE DOWN.
IRON FROM THE RESIN BED
Your water softener takes hardness minerals
(calcium and magnesium) out of the water. Also, it
can control some "clear water" iron. See maximum
allowed in the specifications on page 18. With
clear water iron, water from a faucet is clear when
first put into a glass. After 15 to 30 minutes, the
water begins to cloud or turn rust colored. A water
softener WILLNOT remove any iron which makes
the water cloudy or rusty as it comes from the
faucet (called red water iron). To take red water
iron out of water, or over the maximum of clear
water iron, an iron filter or other equipment is
needed. Your local Sears store has trained people
to help you with iron water problems.
If your water supply has clear water iron, even
though less than the maxinmm allowed, regular
resin bed cleaning is needed. Sears has resin bed
cleaner, Stock No. 42-34426 for this. Clean the bed
at least every 6 months. Ifiron shows up in the soft
water before 6 months, clean more often. Printed
instructions are on the resin bed cleaner bottle.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CLEANING AND MAINTAINING YOUR SOFTENER, CALL TOLL
FREE, NUMBER 1-800-426-9345.
15

SECTION 3 CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
3C. KEEP THE SOFTENER FROM FREEZING
If the softener is installed where it could freeze
(summer cabin, lake home, etc.), you must drain
all water from it to stop possible freeze damage.
To drain the softener:
1. Close the shut-off valve on the house main
water pipe, near the water meter or pressure
tank.
2. Open a faucet in the soft water pipes to vent
pressure in the softener.
o
o
If a single bypass valve is installed, move the
stem into bypass. See FIG. 12 on page 18. In a
3-valve bypass system, close the inlet and
outlet valve and open the bypass valve. If you
want water in the house pipes again, reopen
the shut-off valve on the main water pipe.
Unplug the transformer at the wall outlet.
Remove the salt hole cover and the main
cover. Take off both drain hoses.
o
o
Carefully remove the large holding clips at the
softener inlet and outlet (see Key No. 61, on
page 30). Separate the softener from the
adaptors or bypass valve.
Remove the brinewen cover and disconnect
the brine valve tubing at the nozzle and venturi
assembly (see page 23). Lift the brine valve out
of the brinewell. Tip the brine valve upside
down to drain out water.
o
o
DRAIN WATER FROM THE
SOFTENER
Drain Wood Block
Looking at FIG. 11, lay a piece of 2 inch thick
board near the floor drain. Move the softener
close to the drain. SLOWIX and CAREFULIX
tip it over until the rim rests on the wood block
with the inlet and outlet over the drain. Do not
allow the softener's weight to rest on the
inlet and outlet fittings or they will break.
Tip the bottom of the softener up a few inches
and hold until all water has drained. Leave the
softener laying like this until you are ready to
use it. Plug the inlet and outlet with rags to
keep dim bugs, etc. out.
16

SECTION 3 CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
3D. HELPFUL HINTS CHECKLIST
... TO HELP YOU SAVE MONEY
If your water softener fails tO work, make the following easy checks. Often, you will find what's wrong
yourself and you won't have to call and wait for service. If, after making the checks, your softener still does
not work right, call your Sears Service Department, or call toll free, number 1-800-426-9345 for telephone
assistance.
NOTE:
Also read ERROR CODE, page 10. If an error code is trot dispIayed, press and bold the SELECTbutton until
(example: 000- -) shows in the display. Then, press SELECTagain and bold until an SR code appears. It
must show SR21. If any other SRnumber shows, the softener computer is working on incorrect input and
would probably be the cause of the problem. To set SR21, press either the UP {_)r DOWN {_utton. Then
press select to return a flashing 12:00 AM display, and reset the timer, page 6.
PROBLEM
NO SOFT WATER
WATER HARD SOMETIMES
CAUSE
No salt (or salt bridged) in the storage tank
Transfomer unplugged at the wall outlet, or
3ower cable leads loose, fuse blown, circuit
breaker popped, or circuit switched off.
Manual bypass valve(s) in bypass position
Dirty, plugged or damaged nozzle & venturi
Valve drain hose plugged
Hardness number setting too low
Using hot water when softener is regenerating
Increase in the grains of hardness in your
water supply
CORRECTION
Refill with salt, or break the salt bridge (page
14). Press ON/OFF-HOLD (RECHARGE
NOW) button and hold for 3 seconds to start
a regeneration (see page 10).
Check for loss of power due to any of these
and correct. With the power back on, look at
the time display and read PROGRAM
MEMORY, page 10.
Look at FIG. 12 on page 18. Move the stem
in a single valve to service. In a 3-valve
bypass, open the inlet and outlet valves, and
be sure to fully close the bypass valve.
Take apart and clean or replace damaged
parts (see page 15).
The drain hose must not have kinks, sharp
bends, or be raised too high above the
softener (see page 16 in your installation
manual).
Press and release the SELECT button until
HARDNESS shows in the display. Read the
hardness number in the display and be sure
the same grains per gallon number is shown
on your water analysis report. See page 7 to
reset. Press and release the SELECT
button until the present time shows in the
display.
Avoid using hot water during this time
because the water heater refills with hard
water (see Automatic Bypass, page 13).
Ask your Sears retail or catalog store for a
new water analysis. Then make a new
hardness number setting (page 7).
17

SECTION 4 OTHERTH,NGSTOKNOW
! !
4A. DIMENSIONS/SPECIFICATIONS
BYPASS VALVES
• z/t..
SINGLE-PLASTIC
PULL STEM
OUTWARD
FOR
SERVICE
Push
Inward
\_ For
/_ Bypass
SINGLE-BRASS
SH
Bypo,,'1 o
ISERVICE
3-VALVE
SERVICE
Close Bypass Valve
Open Inlet & Outlet Valves
BYPASS
Open Bypass Valve
Close Inlet & Outlet Valves
Outlet
Bypass
Valve
Inlet
Valve
A
F
/----- \
/
I
-_-B_
/
/•
J
C
[
E
INCHES CM
A Salt Tank Height 40-1/4 102.2
B Resin Tank Diameter (nominal) 8 20.3
C Resin Tank Height (nominal) 40 101.6
D Inlet-Outlet Height 41-1/2 105.4
E Overall Height 46 116.8
F1 Length 19-1/2 49.5
F2 Width 16-1/2 41.9
-- Distance between inlet-outlet 3-3/8 8.6
center lines
MODEL NO. 625.3484400 AND 625.3484500 TIMER SR CODE SR21
NOTE:
Please see the rating decal f_r water softener operating capacity, salt usage and service flow rate/pressure
loss perfbrmance specifications. Performance specifications are validated by the Water Quality Associa-
tion (WQA). The rating decal is located on the rim, under the salt hole cover (see page 28).
WATER SUPPLY TO WATER SOFTENER
MINIMUM WATER SYSTEM FLOW (gpm) 3
MINIMUM-MAXIMUM WATER PRESSURE (psi) 20-120
MAXIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE (°F) 120
MAXIMUM WATER HARDNESS (gpg) 90*
MAXMUM "CLEAR WATER" IRON (ppm) 5
SALT FOR WATER SOFTENER
TYPE OF SALT NEEDED Nugget/Pellet
ALTERNATE TYPE OF SALT Pure, evaporated, compacted
water softener salt
STORAGE CAPACITY (pounds) 200
OTHERS
TYPE OF ION EXCHANGE MATERIAL (resin) High Capacity
AMOUNT OF RESIN (cu.ft.) .77
REGENERATION (RECHARGE) CYCLE TIME (min.)
FILL 9-21
BRINING/BRINE RINSE 48-71
BACKWASH 7
FAST RINSE 3
TOTAL REGENERATION TIME 73-108
gpm =gallons per minute
gpg = grains per gallon psi = pounds per square inch ppm = parts per million
*Do not exceed this number when setting hardness in step 2,
page 7. The maximum setting available is 95.
18

SECTION 5 SERVICE TECH. INFORMATION
5A. TROUBLESHOOTING
Keep this manual with your water softener. If repairs are needed, the service technician must have
the information on the following pages. For telephone assistance, call toll free, 1-800-426-9345.
TRANSFORMER
24VAC
VAC
WIRING SCHEMATIC
wh
NC
O'_ POSITION SWITCH
O
NO
r
Display
{ }
ON/OFF - HOLD button
(RECHARGE TONIGHT - NOW)
DOWN
UP button button
Kenmor_
SELECT button
k_kte_ kn_
Wl_Dmmm4__
,J
ALWAYS MAKE THESE INITIAL CHECKS FIRST
1. I)oes the tilne (lisl?lay show the Colwect time of day?
2o
3.
4.
5.
- If display is [)lank, check power source to the
softener.
- If time is flashing, power was offfor over 6 hours. The
softener resurnes normal operation but regenerations
occur at the wrong tirne.
- If an error code (Example: En 03) shows in the time
plate display, go to A[ TOMATIC ELECTRONIC I)IAG-
NOSTICS.
Plumbing bypass valve(s) must be in Full Service
position.
The inlet an(] outlet pipes InLIStCoilnec[ tOtile softener
valve inlet and outlet respectively.
IS tile transforlller plugged into a "live", grounded wall
outlet, and is the po\\er cable fastened securely?
The xalve (]rain hose InklSt De free ()f kinks and sharp
bends, and not elevated over 8 ft. above the floor.
REMOVE THE TOP COVER AND SALT TANK COVER
6. Is there salt in the storage tank?
7. Is the brine tubing connected? (See water flo\_
diagrams).
8. Is the brine xalve float set right? (See page 22).
°Press the SELEC£ button 2 times to display fl:e hardness
setting. Be sure it is the correct setting for the
household's water supply. (Make a hardness test of the
raw water and compare with the hardness setting. Also
test a soft water sample to verify if a problem exists.)
Press SELE(71' twice more to return the time of day
display.
If you do not find the problem after inaking initial checks,
do tile M)U\q :2,tLINITIATEI) ELECIt\O: ,IC I)IAGNOSTICS,
and the MAN[ AL AI)VANCE REGENERATION CItECK.
19

SECTION 5 SERVICE TECH. INFORMATION
5A. TROUBLESHOOTING
AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS
The face plate computer has a self-diagnostic
function f_)r the electrical system (except input
power and water n__ete O. The __-__ n_
computer monitors the electronic _=_ j Wz-!
components and circuits f_)r cor-
rect operation. If a malfunction occurs, an error
code appears in the face plate display.
The chm_ below shows the error codes that couM
appear, and the possible defects for each code.
While an error code appears in the display, all face
plate buttons arc inoperable except the SELECT
button. The SELECT button remains operational
so the service person can make the MANUAL
INITIATE ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS to further
isolate the defect, and check the water meter.
CODE
Err 01
Err 02
Err 03
Err 04
Err 05
POSSIBLE DEFECT
MOST LIKELY -._" D, LESS LIKELY
motor inoperative /wiring harness or connection to switch /position switch /face plate
face plate
motor inoperative /face plate
face plate /position switch
face plate
PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING ERROR CODE FROM FACE PLATE: 1. ( nplug transformer 2. Correct defect 3. Plug-in
transformer 4. _,ait for 6 minutes. The error code will return if the defect was not corrected.
MANUAL INITIATED ELECTRONICS DIAG-
NOSTICS
°To enter diagnostics, press and hold the SE-
LECT button until 000 - - shows in the display.
UUU _p
-T--T,-or
WATER METER (A) SWITCH (B)
A° The first 3 digits indicate water meter opera-
tion as follows:
000 (sleady) Soft water not in use, and no
flow through the meter.
--OPEN A NEARBY SOFT WATER FAUCET--
000 to 199 (contil_ual) = R_:peats display for
each gallon of water passing through the me-
ter.
If you don't get a reading in the display, with the
faucet open, pull the sensor from the valve outlet
port. Pass a small magnet back and forth in fi'ont of
the sensor. You should get a reading in the display.
If you get a reading, unhook the h_ and oul
plumbing and check the turbine for binding.
B°
POSITION
SWITCH
VALVE
OL
SENSOR
RBINE
RBINE
SUPPORT AND
SHAFT
The letter (P) and dash (or dashes) indicate
POSITION switch operation. If the letter ap-
pears, the switch is closed. If the dash shows,
the switch is open.
Use the ON/OFF-HOLD (Recharge Now) but-
ton to manually advance the valve into each
cycle and check correct switch operation.
20