Kenmore 625.3484400 User manual

PRINTED IN U.S.A.
SAVE THIS MANUAL Use plastic bag and tie provided, to hang manuals nearby
the softener for future reference.
Water Softeners
◆Warranty
◆Start Up / Setting Timer
◆How It Works
◆Care Of
◆Specifications
◆Repair Parts
        
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

WARRANTY
2
SEARS RESIDENTIAL WATER SOFTENER
FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON WATER SOFTENER
Foroneyearfromthedateofpurchase,whenthiswatersoftenerisinstalledandmaintained
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.
Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayhaveotherrightswhichvaryfrom
state to state.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., D/817 WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
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SEARS INSTALLATION POLICY
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SEARS INSTALLATION WARRANTY
 ! ! & $!& %! ! &"  !
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!  ! !  !  ! ! &"
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.†
Serial Number
Date Installed
Water Hardness Grains Per Gallon
Iron Content Parts Per Million
*pH Taste And/Or Odor
Water Pressure Pounds/Square Inch
Water Flow Rate Gallons Per Minute
† The model number is on the rating decal, located
on the rim, under the salt hole cover.

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

WATER SOFTENER START-UP
SECTION 1
4
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
PLEASEREADANDCOMPLYWITHTHEFOL-
LOWING GUIDES TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO
THE SOFTENER OR OTHER PROPERTY,
PERSONAL INJURY, OR POSSIBLE FATAL
SHOCK.
▲THIS SOFTENER WORKS ON 24 VOLTS
ONLY.BESURETOUSETHETRANSFORMER
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.

WATER SOFTENER START-UP
SECTION 1
5
1B. CHECK LIST OF ALL STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES TO INSTALL
Refer to the Installation Manual, part no. 7141417,
for stepĆbyĆstep gui es.
To be sure you have one all the steps to install the
softener, rea the following list. Page numbers
referre to are in the  
✔Is the house water flow going INTO the softenĆ
er valve INLET? Trace piping to be sure. See
pages 10 an 11.
✔Is the plumbing bypass valve (or 3 valves) set
for SERVICE? See page 18.
✔Is the valve rain hose connecte the right
way, an without sharp ben s or kinks that
coul stop or re uce water flow? See page 16.
✔Is the softener power cable connecte to the
transformer, an is the transformer plugge
into   120VĆ60Hz electrical outlet?
See page 20.
✔Be sure to restart the water heater. See page 20. brass 3–valve
plastic
Bypass
Valves
Water
Heater

WATER SOFTENER START-UP
SECTION 1
6
1C. PROGRAM THE TIMER
FIG. 1
hen 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:
S3.0). After the test number, 12:00 AM begins to
flash. PRESENT TIME and RECHARGE TONIGHT
show at the bottom of the display.
NOTE:
If SR - - flashes in the display, press the UP button
(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 17 to reset.
SOUND BEEPER": A beeper" sounds while
pressing buttons for timer setĆup. 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 repeatĆ
edly when the display reaches 1 using the DO N
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 SELECT button (FIG. 1) until
they do.
■Press the UP/DO N buttons to set the
present time. Press UP to move the display ahead;
press DO N to move the time backward.
If the present time is between
noon and midnight, be sure PM
shows.
If the present time is between
midnight and noon, be sure AM
shows.
NOTE:
Each press of the UP or DO N buttons changes
the time by 1 minute. Pressing and holding the
buttons changes the time 32 minutes each second.

WATER SOFTENER START-UP
SECTION 1
7
1C. PROGRAM THE TIMER
2. SET WATER HARDNESS NUMBER:
■Press the SELECT button once to display 15
(flashing) and HA DNESS.
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.
NOTE:
If your water supply contains iron, compensate for
it by adding to the water hardness number. 
        
        
         
       
15 gpg hardness
2 ppm iron x 5 = 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 ECHA GE TIME.
At the 2:00 AM ECHA GE TIME
setting, the softener begins reĆ
generation (see pages 11 and 12)
at 2:00 AM, ending no later than
4:00 AM. This is a good time in
most households because water
is not being used (see AUTOĆ
MATIC BYPASS, page 13).
If a different ECHA GE TIME setting would be
better for your household, do the following.
■Press the UP/DOWN buttons to set the
desired ECHA GE starting hour. Be sure to
observe the AMĆPM 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
ECHA GE TONIGHT in the display.
IF YOU NEED HELP P OG AMMING THE TIME , CALL TOLL F EE, NUMBE 1-800- 426- 9345.
SEE PAGE 10 FO OTHE FACE PLATE TIME FEATU ES.

WATER SOFTENER START-UP
SECTION 1
8
1D. SANITIZING THE WATER SOFTENER
Care is taken at the fa tory to keep your water
softener lean and sanitary. Materials used to
make the softener will not infe t or ontaminate
your water supply, and will not ause ba teria to
form or grow. However, during shipping, storage,
installing and operating, ba teria ould get into
the softener. For this reason, sanitizing as follows
is suggested①when installing.
1. Lift the salt hole over and use a pail or hose to
fill the salt storage tank with at least 3 gallons of
water.
2. Remove the brinewell over (FIG. 2) and pour
about 3/4 oun e of ommon 5.25% household
blea h (Clorox, Lin o, BoPeep, White Sail, Eagle,
et .) in the softener brinewell.
3. Press the ON/OFFĆHOLD button and   
 to start a re harge. This first re harge does
several things.
Ċ It draws the blea h into and through the
softener to sanitize it.
Ċ It fills the salt tank to the water level
needed.
Ċ It gets all the air out of the resin tank.
Ċ It makes the resin bed (see page 11) ready
for servi e.
NOTES:
This re harge takes about 2 hours.
You can sanitize the softener   
 salt in the storage tank.
①Re ommended by the Water Quality Asso iaĆ
tion. On some water supplies, the water softener
may need periodi disinfe ting. Sanitize with or
without salt in the storage tank.
FIG. 2 ADD WATER
Water,
About 3 Gallons
Brinewell
Cover
(remove and add
about 3/4 oz. bleach)
Brinewell
hose
Salt Hole
Cover

WATER SOFTENER START-UP
SECTION 1
9
1E. FILL THE STORAGE TANK WITH SALT
Brine (salt dissolved in water) is needed for 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 brinewell. alt storage
capacity is shown on page 18.
NOTE:
In humid areas, it is best to fill the storage tank
halfĆfull, and to refill it more often. alt bridging
(see page 14) occurs more often when conditions
are humid.
WATER SOFTENING SALT WITH IRON REMOVĆ
ING ADDITIVES Ċ ome salts have an additive to
help 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.
FIG. 3 ADD SALT
ODIUM 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 overall 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 2Ć1/2 slices of white bread.
Persons who are concerned about their drinking
water should consider a ears Drinking Water
ystem that will remove or reduce in excess of
90% of the sodium and other drinking water
contaminants.
YOU HAVE NOW FINI HED THE WATER OFTENER TARTĆUP. AFTER THE ANITIZING RECHARGE,
ON PAGE 8, THE OFTENER WILL BE GIVING YOU OFT WATER.

HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
SECTION 2
10
2A. FACE PLATE TIMER FEATURES
EXTRA RECHARGE
Sometimes, a manually started regeneration (reĆ
charge) may be desired, or needed. Two examĆ
ples are:
-- 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.
RECHARGE NOW
■Press the ON/OFFĊHOLD button and 
   ECHA GE
NOW begins to flash in the
display, and the softener enĆ
ters the fill cycle of regeneraĆ
tion right away. This regeneration will last for
about 2 hours. Then, you will have soft water
again.
RECHARGE TONIGHT
■Press and release (do not hold) the ON/
OFFĆHOLD button. EĆ
CHA GE TONIGHT flashes
in the display, and the softenĆ
er begins regeneration at the
next preset recharge time. Press and release
the ON/OFFĆHOLD button once more if you
decide to cancel the regeneration, and EĆ
CHA GE 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
HA DNESS and ECHA GE 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 keep
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 TIME FEATU ES, CALL TOLL F EE,
NUMBE 1-800- 426-9345.

HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
SECTION 2
11
2B. SOFT WATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION
SERVICE
W en t e softener is giving you soft water, it is
called Service". During service, ard water comes
from t e ouse main water pipe into t e softener.
Inside t e softener resin tank is a bed made up of
t ousands of tiny, plastic resin beads (FIG. 4). As
ard water passes t roug t e bed, eac bead
attracts and olds t e ardness minerals. T is is
called ionĆexc anging. It is muc like a magnet
attracting and olding metals. Water wit out t e
ardness minerals (soft water) flows out of t e
softener and into t e ouse soft water pipes.
After a period of time, t e resin beads become
coated wit ardness minerals and t ey ave to be
cleaned. T is cleaning is called regeneration or
rec arge. Regeneration is started at 2:00 a.m. by
t e electronic timer (see page 13). It takes place in
5 stages or cycles. T ese are:
FILL
BRINING
BRINE RINSE
BACKWASH
FAST RINSE
1
2
3
4
5
FIG. 4 WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN SERVICE
REGENERATION
FILL: Salt, dissolved in water, is called brine.
Brine is needed to clean t e ardness minerals
from t e resin beads. To make t e brine, water
flows into t e salt storage area during t e fill stage
as s own in FIG. 5. Fill cycle lengt depends on
ow muc soft water making capacity you ave
used since t e last regeneration. As you use more
water, fill time increases so more brine is made.
T e greater amount of brine cleans more ardness
minerals from t e resin bed.
FIG. 5 WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN FILL

HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
SECTION 2
12
2B. SOFT WATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION
BRINING: During brining, th brin is mov d
from th salt storag ar a, into th r sin tank.
Insid th r sin tank, brin cl ans hardn ss
min rals from th r sin b ads and th y ar
discharg d out th drain. How much brin is
n d d to cl an th r sin d p nds on:
-- th amount of r sin in th soft n r,
-- how fast th brin go s through th b d.
Th nozzl and v nturi (FIG. 6) mak suction to
tak brin from th salt tank and put it into th
r sin tank. Th y k p th brin flow down to a
v ry slow rat to g t th b st r sin cl aning with
th l ast salt.
BRINE RINSE: Aft r all of th brin go s into th
r sin tank, th brin valv clos s. Wat r k ps
flowing th sam way it did during brining xc pt
th brin flow has stopp d. Hardn ss min rals
and brin flush from th r sin tank to th drain.
Brining and brin rins tog th r vary in l ngth of
tim th y tak , r lativ to th fill cycl l ngth.
FIG. 6 WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN BRINING AND
BRINE RINSE
BACKWASH: During backwash, wat r flows UP
through th r sin tank (FIG. 7) at a fast rat to flush
iron min rals, dirt and s dim nts from th b d and
to th drain. Th b d lifts and xpands for good
cl aning.
FIG. 7 WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN BACKWASH
FAST RINSE: Backwash is follow d by a fast
flow of wat r down through th r sin tank. Th
fast flow packs th r sin b d and g ts it r ady for
r turn to s rvic (FIG. 8).
Aft r fast rins , th soft n r r turns to s rvic .
Hard wat r go s into th r sin tank wh r th
r sin b d again tak s out th hardn ss min rals.
Soft wat r go s to th hous soft wat r pip s.
FIG. 8 WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN FAST RINSE

HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
SECTION 2
13
2B. SOFT WATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION
AUTOMATIC BYPASS
During the brining, brine rinse and ba kwash
y les of regeneration, HARD water goes through
the softener valve and to the house pipes. If a
fau et is opened, hard water is there for your
needs. However, you should not use HOT water, if
possible, be ause the water heater will refill with
hard water. The softener regenerates from 2:00
AM to about 4:00 AM, (you an hange this time...
see page 7), a time when not mu h water is used.
If you get up early in the morning and you an
hear the softener regenerating, hange the time
setting. Set the re harge time to 12:00 AM or 1:00
AM (page 7). Then regeneration will start and end
that mu h earlier and your water heater will not
refill with hard water if a hot fau et is opened.
ELECTRONICS
Two main parts of the softener's ele troni s are 
a WATER METER, and a COMPUTER.
WATER METER Ċ The water meter is in the
softener valve outlet. As water flows through the
meter, it sends ele tri pulses to the omputer. The
omputer hanges the pulses to a measure in
gallons of water.
COMPUTER Ċ The omputer is part of the
ir uit board. It is programmed to know the
softener's apa ity (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 a regeneration pattern best for your needs,
the omputer uses: (1) water usage from the
meter, (2) hardness setting, (3) softener apa ity,
and (4) time sin e the last regeneration. The
omputer always adjusts this pattern to your water
using habits. It works to provide you with soft
water for the longest time, at the most effi ient salt
usage.
Softening apa ity is used as hard water goes
through the softener and hardness minerals are
removed. When the omputer determines that
only enough apa ity remains to provide soft
water up to the next regeneration starting time
(2:00 AM, or as otherwise set), it will s hedule a
regeneration.   displays until
the regeneration begins. When the regeneration
begins, TONIGHT goes off and RECHARGE NOW
flashes during the 2 hour regeneration.

CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
SECTION 3
14
3A. SALT…REFILLING STORAGE TANK/BREAKING A SALT 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 before refillin . 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 brid e forms in the
salt stora e tank. It is usually caused by hi h
humidity or the wron kind of salt. When the salt
brid es, 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 re enerate and you will have hard water.
If the stora e tank is full of salt, it is hard to tell if
you have a salt brid e. Salt is loose on top, but the
brid e is under it. The followin is the best way to
check for a salt brid e.
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 hei ht
of the rim, as shown. Then, carefully push it
strai ht down into the salt. If a hard object is felt
before the pencil mark ets to the top of the tank,
it's most likely a salt brid e. Carefully push into the
brid e 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 wron kind of salt made the brid e, take it
out. Then fill the tank with nu et or pellet salt
only.
FIG. 9 SALT BRIDGE
Broom Handle
push tool into salt
bridge to break
Salt
Salt Bridge
Water Level
Pencil
Mark
1” – 2”

CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
SECTION 3
15
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 from 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 hard 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 LA GE
OĆ ING 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 small brush to remove iron or dirt.
Also check and clean the gasket.
Carefully replace all parts in the correct order.
Lubricate the oĆring seal with silicone grease or
Vaseline and place in position. Install and tighten
the cap, by hand only. Do not overĆtighten and
break the cap or housing.
FIG. 10 CLEANING THE NOZZLE & VEN-
TURI
*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 WILL NOT 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 maximum allowed, regular
resin bed cleaning is needed. Sears has resin bed
cleaner, Stock No. 42Ć34426 for this. Clean the bed
at least every 6 months. If iron 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 YOU SOFTENE , CALL TOLL
F EE, NUMBE 1-800-426-9345.

CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
SECTION 3
16
3C. KEEP THE SOFTENER FROM FREEZING
If the softener is installed where it could freeze
(summer ca in, lake home, etc.), you must drain
all water from it to stop possi le freeze damage.
To drain the softener:
1.Close the shutĆoff 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.
3.If a single ypass valve is installed, move the
stem into ypass. See FIG. 12 on page 18. In a
3Ćvalve ypass system, close the inlet and
outlet valve and open the ypass valve. If you
want water in the house pipes again, reopen
the shutĆoff valve on the main water pipe.
4.Unplug the transformer at the wall outlet.
Remove the salt hole cover and the main
cover. Take off oth drain hoses.
5.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 ypass valve.
6.Remove the rinewell cover and disconnect
the rine valve tu ing at the nozzle and venturi
assem ly (see page 23). Lift the rine valve out
of the rinewell. Tip the rine valve upside
down to drain out water.
FIG. 11 DRAIN WATER FROM THE
SOFTENER
7.Looking at FIG. 11, lay a piece of 2 inch thick
oard near the floor drain. Move the softener
close to the drain. SLOWLY and CAREFULLY
tip it over until the rim rests on the wood lock
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.
8.Tip the ottom 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 dirt, ugs, etc. out.

CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
SECTION 3
17
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  dispIayed, press and  the SELECT button until
(example: 000- -) shows in the display. Then, press SELECT again and  until an SR code appears. It
must show SR21. If any other SR number 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 or DO N button. Then
press select to return a flashing 12:00 AM display, and reset the timer, page 6.
PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION
NO SOFT WATER No salt (or salt bridged) in the storage tank Refillwithsalt,orbreakthesaltbridge(page
14). Press ON/OFF-HOLD (RECHARGE
NOW)buttonandhold for 3 secondstostart
a regeneration (see page 10).
Transfomer unplugged at the wall outlet, or
power cable leads loose, fuse blown, circuit
breaker popped, or circuit switched off.
Check for loss of power due to any of these
andcorrect. With the power back on, lookat
the time display and read PROGRAM
MEMORY, page 10.
Manual bypass valve(s) in bypass position Look at FIG. 12 on page 18. Move the stem
in a single valve to service. In a 3-valve
bypass,opentheinletandoutletvalves,and
be sure to fully close the bypass valve.
Dirty, plugged or damaged nozzle & venturi Take apart and clean or replace damaged
parts (see page 15).
Valve drain hose plugged The drain hose must not have kinks, sharp
bends, or be raised too high above the
softener (see page 16 in your installation
manual).
WATER HARD SOMETIMES Hardness number setting too low Press and release the SELECT button until
HARDNESS shows in the display. Read the
hardnessnumberin thedisplay and besure
thesamegrainspergallonnumberisshown
onyourwateranalysisreport. Seepage7to
reset. Press and release the SELECT
button until the present time shows in the
display.
Usinghotwaterwhensoftenerisregenerating Avoid using hot water during this time
because the water heater refills with hard
water (see Automatic Bypass, page 13).
Increase in the grains of hardness in your
water supply Ask your Sears retail or catalog store for a new water analysis. Then make a new
hardness number setting (page 7).

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
SECTION 4
18
4A. DIMENSIONS/SPECIFICATIONS
FIG. 12 BYPASS VALVES
INCHES CM
ASalt Tank Height 40-1/4 102.2
BResin Tank Diameter (nominal) 8 20.3
CResin Tank Height (nominal) 40 101.6
DInlet-Outlet Height 41-1/2 105.4
EOverall Height 46 116.8
F1Length 19-1/2 49.5
F2Width 16-1/2 41.9
—Distance between inlet-outlet
center lines 3-3/8 8.6
MODEL NO. 625.3484400 AND 625.3484500 TIMER SR CODE SR21
NOTE:
      !   "      ! 
       "   " #
                  
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
*Do not exceed this number when setting hardness in step 2,
page 7. The maximum setting available is 95.
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 psi = pounds per square inch
gpg = grains per gallon ppm = parts per million

SERVICE TECH. INFORMATION
SECTION 5
19
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.
ALWAYS MAKE THESE INITIAL CHECKS FIRST
1. Does the time display show the correct time of day?
- If display is blank, check power source to the
softener.
- If time is flashing, power was off for over 6 hours. The
softener resumes normal operation but regenerations
occur at the wrong time.
- If an error code (Example: Err 03) shows in the face
plate display, go to AUTOMATIC ELECTRO IC DIAGĆ
OSTICS.
2. Plumbing bypass valve(s) must be in Full Service
position.
3. The inlet and outlet pipes must connect to the softener
valve inlet and outlet respectively.
4. Is the transformer plugged into a live", grounded wall
outlet, and is the power cable fastened securely?
5. The valve drain hose must be free of 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 flow
diagrams).
8. Is the brine valve float set right? (See page 22).
9. Press the SELECT button 2 times to display the 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 SELECT twice more to return the time of day
display.
If you do not find the problem after making initial checks,
do the  I ITIATED ELECTRO IC DIAG OSTICS,
and the MA UAL ADVA CE REGE ERATIO CHECK.

SERVICE TECH. INFORMATION
SECTION 5
20
5A. TROUBLESHOOTING
AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS
The face plate computer has a selfĆdiagnostic
function for the electrical system (except input
power and water meter). The
computer monitors the electronic
components and circuits for corĆ
rect operation. If a malfunction occurs, an error
code appears in the face plate display.
The chart below shows the error codes that could
appear, and the possible defects for each code.
hile an error code appears in the display, all face
plate buttons are 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 POSSIBLE DEFECT
MOST LIKELY LESS LIKELY
Err 01 motor inoperative / wiring harness or connection to switch / position switch / face plate
Err 02 face plate
Err 03 motor inoperative / face plate
Err 04 face plate / position switch
Err 05 face plate
PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING ERROR CODE FROM FACE PLATE: 1. Unplug transformer 2. Correct defect 3. PlugĆin
transformer 4. ait for 6 minutes. The error code will return if the defect was not corrected.
MANUAL INITIATED ELECTRONICS DIAG-
NOSTICS
1. To enter diagnostics, press and hold the SEĆ
LECT button until 000 - - shows in the display.
A. The first 3 digits indicate water meter operaĆ
tion as follows:
  = Soft water not in use, and no
flow through the meter.
ĊOPENA NEARBYSOFT WATER FAUCET Ċ
    = Repeats display for
each gallon of water passing through the meĆ
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 front of
the sensor. You should get a reading in the display.
If you get a reading, unhook the  and 
plumbing and check the turbine for binding.
…
B. The letter (P) and dash (or dashes) indicate
POSITION switch operation. If the letter apĆ
pears, the switch is closed. If the dash shows,
the switch is open.
Use the ON/OFFĆHOLD (Recharge Now) butĆ
ton to manually advance the valve into each
cycle and check correct switch operation.