Kenmore 625.383500 User manual

P/N 7325207 (Rev. B 2/1/11)
Printed on recycled paper/
Impreso en papel reciclado
Use & Care Guide
Manual de Uso y Cuidado
English / Español
Model / Modelo No. 625.383500
Kenmore®
Water Softener
with High Flow Valve
Ablandador de Agua
con válvula de alto flujo
System tested and certified by NSF
International against NSF/ANSI Standard 44
for hardness reduction and efficiency.
Este sistema ha sido probado y certificado
por NSF International de acuerdo a
Norma NSF/ANSI 44
para la reducción de la dureza y eficiencia.
®
Sears Brands Management Corporation
3333 Beverly Road
Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.
www.kenmorewater.com
www.kenmore.com
www.sears.com

2
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Warranty
WARRANTY ON KENMORE WATER SOFTENER
ONE YEAR IMITED WARRANTY ON WATER SOFTENER
When installed, operated and maintained according to all instructions supplied with the product, if this
Kenmore appliance fails due to a defect in material and workmanship within one year from the date of pur-
chase, call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®to arrange for free repair.
TEN YEAR IMITED WARRANTY AGAINST EAKS
When installed, operated and maintained according to all instructions supplied with the product, if the water
softener tank or salt storage drum develops a leak within ten years from the date of purchase,
call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®to arrange for free tank or drum replacement. After the first year you must pay an
initial trip charge.
All warranty coverage does not include water softener resin, which is an expendable item.
If this appliance is used for other than private family purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from
the date of purchase.
This warranty covers only defects in material and workmanship. Sears will NOT pay for:
1. A service technician to instruct the user in correct product installation, operation or maintenance.
2. A service technician to clean or maintain this product.
3. amage to or failure of this product if it is not installed, operated or maintained according to the all
instructions supplied with the product.
4. amage to or failure of this product resulting from accident, abuse, misuse or use for other than its intend-
ed purpose.
5. amage to or failure of this product caused by the use of detergents, cleaners, chemicals or utensils other
than those recommended in all instructions supplied with the product.
6. amage to or failure of parts or systems resulting from unauthorized modifications made to this product.
Disclaimer of implied warranties; limitation of remedies
Customer’s sole and exclusive remedy under this limited warranty shall be product repair as provided herein.
Implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, are limited to
one year or the shortest period allowed by law. Sears shall not be liable for incidental or consequential dam-
ages. Some states and provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential dam-
ages, or limitation on the duration of implied warranties of merchantability or fitness, so these exclusions or
limitations may not apply to you.
This warranty applies only while this appliance is used in the United States or Canada.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to
state.
Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, I 60179 U.S.A.

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Table of Contents
Safety Guides
European irective 2002/96/EC requires all electrical and electronic
equipment to be disposed of according to Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) requirements. This directive or similar laws are in
place nationally and can vary from region to region. Please refer to your
state and local laws for proper disposal of this equipment.
pRead all steps and guides carefully before installing
and using your new water softener. Follow all steps
exactly to correctly install. Failure to follow them
could cause personal injury or property damage.
Reading this manual will also help you to get all the
benefits from your water softener.
pYour Kenmore water softener will remove hardness
minerals from water. This is measured in grains per
gallon (gpg). It will also remove some clear water
iron*. This is measured in parts per million (ppm).
See the specifications page for the maximum limits
of hardness and iron removal.
pA water softener will not improve other water prob-
lems such as acidity, tastes and odors, or iron other
than clear water iron.
po not attempt to use this product to make safe
drinking water from non-potable water sources. o
not use the system on microbiologically unsafe water,
or water of unknown quality without adequate disin-
fection before or after the system.
pCheck with your local public works department for
plumbing and sanitation codes. You must follow
their guides as you install the system. Follow your
local codes if they differ with guides in this manual.
In Massachusetts, plumbing code 248-CMR 3.00 and
10.00 shall be adhered to. Consult with a licensed
plumber.
pUse only lead-free solder and flux for all sweat-solder
connections, as required by federal codes, when
installing soldered copper plumbing.
pUse care when handling the water softener. o not
turn upside down or drop.
pAvoid installing in direct sunlight. Excessive heat may
cause distortion or other damage to non-metallic parts.
pThis water softener works on water pressures of 20 psi
(minimum) to 125 psi (maximum). If your house water
pressure is over the maximum, install a pressure reduc-
ing valve in the water supply pipe to the softener.
pTemperature of the water supply to the softener must be
between 40°F and 120°F. o not install on hot water.
pIf installing the water softener outdoors, do not locate
where it will be exposed to wet weather, direct sunlight
or extreme hot or cold temperatures.
pThis softener works on 24 volt, 60 Hz electrical power
only, supplied by a direct plug-in transformer (includ-
ed). Be sure to use the included transformer and plug
it into a nominal 120V, 60 cycle household outlet that
is properly protected by an overcurrent device such as
a circuit breaker or fuse. If transformer is replaced,
use only the authorized service, Class II, 24V 10VA
transformer.
* The capacity to reduce clear water iron is substantiated
by Water Quality Association test data.
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Safety Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Specifications & imensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Packing List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Plan Your Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Programming the Softener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
Sanitizing the Water Softener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Adding Salt to the Storage Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Controller Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-18
Care of Your Water Softener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Service Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-22
Exploded View & Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-27

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Specifications & Dimensions
47-3/4"
41-1/2"
IN - OUT
16-1/2"
19-3/4"
40-1/4"
FRONT VIEW SIDE VIEW
OUT IN
3-3/8"
IN - OUT
41-1/2”
47-3/4”
40-1/4”
19-3/4”
16-1/2”
3-3/8”
OUT IN
FRONT VIEW SI E VIEW Figure 1
Model No. 625.383500
Model Code 350
Rated Softening Capacity (Grains @ Salt ose)
12,600 @ 2.5 lbs.
26,900 @ 7.9 lbs.
32,100 @ 13.3 lbs.
Rated Efficiency (Grains/Pound of Salt @ Minimum Salt ose) 5,040 @ 2.5 lbs.
Rated Service Flow Rate 8.0 gpm
Amount of High Capacity Ion Exchange Resin 0.83 cu. ft.
Pressure rop at Rated Service Flow 10 psig
Water Supply Max. Hardness 90 gpg
Water Supply Max. Clear Water Iron 8 ppm*
Water Pressure Limits (minimum / maximum) 20 - 125 psi
Water Temperature Limits (minimum / maximum) 40 - 120 °F
Minimum Water Supply Flow Rate 3 gpm
Intermittent Flow @ 15 psi 10 gpm**
Maximum rain Flow Rate 2.0 gpm
*Capacity to reduce clear water iron is substantiated by WQA test data. State of Wisconsin
requires additional treatment if water supply contains clear water iron exceeding 5 ppm.
**Intermittent flow rate does not represent the maximum service flow rate used for detemi-
ning the softener’s rated capacity and efficiency. Continuous operation at flow rates
greater than the service flow rate may affect capacity and efficiency performance.
These systems conform to NSF/ANSI 44 for the specific performance claims as verified and
substantiated by test data.
The efficiency rating is only valid at the stated salt dose. These softeners were efficiency
rated according to NSF/ANSI Standard 44.
Variable Salt Dose: The salt dose is selected by the electronic controls at regeneration time
based on the amount needed.

5
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Packing ist
Ground Clamp
Kit 20 ft. rain Hose
Bypass Valve
Adaptor Elbow
Installation
Adaptors
Hose Clamps Grommet
The parts required to assemble and install the water
softener are included with the unit. Thoroughly check
the water softener for possible shipping damage and
parts loss. Also inspect and note any damage to the
shipping carton.
Remove and discard (or recycle) all packing materials.
To avoid loss of small parts, we suggest you keep the
small parts in the parts bag until you are ready to use
them.
Small Parts
Clips
(including 1 spare)
Figure 2
Plan Your Installation
THE PROPER ORDER TO INSTA WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT
(Shows sequence of equipment only - not all items are needed in all applications)
Central
Water
Filtration
System
Sediment
Cartridge
Filter
Water
Heater
Water
Softener
Untreated Water to
Outside Faucets
Hot Water
to House
Cold Water
to House
Iron
Filter
Pressure
Tank
City Water Supply
Well Water Supply
Well
Pump
OR
Figure 3
=Always locate an Iron Filter UPSTREAM of the water softener.
=Locate a Central Water Filtration System UPSTREAM of the water softener on a chlorinated
water supply, or OWNSTREAM of the water softener on a non-chlorinated water supply.

6
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Plan Your Installation
TYPICA INSTA ATION
5. o not install in a place where the softener could
freeze. amage caused by freezing voids the war-
ranty by Sears Brands Management Corporation.
6. Put the softener in a place where water damage is
least likely to occur if it develops a leak. Sears or
the manufacturer will not repair or pay for water
damage.
7. A grounded, 120V, 60 Hz. electrical outlet is needed
within 10 feet of the softener to plug in the trans-
former (See Fig. 4). Be sure the outlet and trans-
former are in an inside location, protected from wet
weather. Use a continuously “live” outlet, which can-
not be accidentally switched off.
8. When installing in an outside location, you must take
the steps necessary to assure the softener, installation
plumbing, and wiring, are protected from the ele-
ments, direct sunlight, contamination, vandalism, etc.
Water
Heater
Water
Softener
Outside Faucet
(hard water) Outside Faucet
(hard water)
Soft, cold water)
Soft, hot water
Hard Water Line
Figure 4
WHERE TO INSTA THE WATER SOFTENER
Review the following points before you choose a place
to put your softener:
1. Place as close as possible to, but always downstream
from, the pressure tank (well water) or water meter
(city water).
2. Place as close as possible to a water drain such as a
floor drain, laundry tub, sump or standpipe (See Fig.
4).
3. Connect to the house main water pipe UPSTREAM
OF THE WATER HEATER (See Fig. 3). The tempera-
ture of water going through the softener must not be
more than 120°F (49°C). Hot water will damage
inner softener parts. To reduce the risk of hot water
backup, piping between the softener and water
heater should be as long as possible.
4. Keep outside faucets on hard water to save soft
water and salt. See Fig. 4.
Soft Water Line
Shutoff
Valve
120V,
60 Hz
to R.O. Faucet
1-1/2”
Air Gap
Floor
rain
Main
Shutoff
Valve
R.O.
Storage
Tank
Reverse
Osmosis
System
Hard
Water
to
House
R.O. rain
Soft Water
to R.O.
System
Water
Meter

7
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Plan Your Installation
psi, buy and install a pressure reducing valve in the
pipe supplying water to the softener’s inlet.
NOTE: If water pressure during the day is 100 psi or
more, pressure during the night may go above
125 psi.
Installation
For your water softener to work properly, incoming
water pressure in your house pipes must be no lower
than 20 pounds per square inch (psi). The highest
allowable pressure is 125 psi. If pressure is above 125
CHECK YOUR WATER PRESSURE BEFORE INSTA ING
5. Visually check and remove any foreign mate-
rials from the valve inlet and outlet ports (see
Fig. 6). Carefully remove the two large plastic
clips (you will use them). Check to be sure
the turbine and support are firmly in place
(see Fig. 7).
NOTE: If you will not install the included bypass
valve because you will have a 3-valve
bypass in your plumbing, skip step 6, but
perform step 7.
Complete the following steps to assemble the adaptors
and/or the included single bypass valve.
1. Close the shutoff valve on the house main water pipe,
near the water meter or pressure tank, to turn off the
water.
2. Shut off the gas or electric supply to the water
heater.
3. Open the highest and lowest water faucets in your
house. This will let water drain from the pipes.
Close faucets after water has drained.
4. Remove the top cover. Pull outward on the two tabs
to release top cover (see Fig. 5). The salt lid remains
attached to the top cover when removed. Set both
covers aside so they will not get scratched or broken.
INSTA SING E BYPASS VA VE AND/OR THREADED INSTA ATION ADAPTORS
SING E BYPASS VA VE:
6. Push the bypass valve into the softener valve’s inlet
and outlet ports as far as it will go. Snap the two
large holding clips into place, from the top down as
shown (see Fig. 8).
CAUTION: Be sure the clips snap firmly into place so
the bypass valve will not pull out.
IN ET AND OUT ET THREADED ADAPTORS:
7. Push the adaptors into the valve inlet and outlet
ports, or bypass valve ports, as far as they will go.
Both adaptors are the same and fit either port. Snap
the two large holding clips into place, as shown (see
Fig. 8).
CAUTION: Be sure the clips snap firmly into place so
the adaptors will not pull out.
Salt Lid
Top Cover
Single
Bypass Valve
Figure 5
Figure 6
Clips Threaded
Installation
Adaptors
Valve
Outlet
Valve Inlet
Clip
Clip

8
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Installation
INSTA SING E BYPASS VA VE (cont.)
Before installing the bypass valve and/or installation
adaptors, make sure that the turbine and support are
firmly in place inside the softener valve’s outlet port.
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Turbine
Support
Valve Outlet Turbine
INSTA HO DING C IPS
Bypass Valve or
Installation Adaptor
Plastic Clip
O-RingValve Inlet or Outlet
Plastic clip snaps
into groove in
bypass or adaptor
If connecting to floor
level plumbing, install
the bypass valve turned
downward, as shown.
IN OUT
A TERNATE BYPASS VA VE INSTA ATION
ASSEMB E IN ET AND OUT ET P UMBING
Measure, cut (thread if needed) and put together all
pipe and fittings up to the main water pipe. Make sure
that the incoming water supply pipe goes to the valve
inlet side.
CAUTION: Never solder fittings while connected to
nonmetallic parts. Wait until soldered pipe
has cooled before connection. See Fig. 10.
CAUTION: Be careful when putting pipe fittings togeth-
er. o not cross thread, and do not over-
tighten.
Figure 10
Incoming
Hard
Water
Main Water Pipe
1. Cut pipe to
correct length
2. Solder. When
cool, do step 3.
3. Put threaded
adaptor into
bypass valve
port.
4. Solder.
NOTE: To be certain
that heat will not
travel down the pipe
and into the bypass
valve or installation
adaptors, wrap the
bottom of the pipe
and the bypass valve
with a wet rag.
IN

9
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Installation
CONNECT THE VA VE DRAIN HOSE
Take a length of 3/8” inside diameter drain tubing
(supplied) and attach one end to the drain fitting (see
Fig. 11). Use a tube clamp from the parts bag to hold it
in place. Put the other end of the tubing over a floor
drain, into a laundry tub, standpipe, or other suitable
drain. Check your local codes.
Leave an air gap of about 1-1/ 2'' between the end of
the hose and the drain. This gap is needed so you
don’t get a backflow of sewer water into the softener.
o not put the end of the hose into the drain or con-
nect without the air gap.
Locate and support the hose so it does not kink or have
sharp bends. Secure the hose end so water pressure
does not cause the hose to “whip”. Tie or wire it in
place. o not pinch the hose shut. The softener will
not work if this drain hose is pinched, plugged, closed
or restricted in any way. irect drain flow down into
drain from drain line as flow could possibly overshoot
the drain cover.
Keep the hose lower than the drain fitting. In some
homes, to get to a drain you must raise the hose and
run it overhead. o not raise the hose more than 8 feet
above the floor.
COPPER DRAIN TUBE: Local plumbing codes may
require the use a copper valve drain tube. A copper
tube is also best to use if running a drain line overhead.
To adapt a copper drain tube to the softener, purchase
a compression fitting (1/4'' female pipe threads x 1/2''
O. . tube) and tubing from your local hardware store.
CONNECT SA T TANK OVERF OW HOSE
1. Locate the rubber grommet, adaptor elbow and tube
clamp (see Fig. 11) that are in the parts bag.
2. Push the grommet into the hole in the salt tank wall
so that half is inside and half is outside.
3. Push the larger end of the adaptor into the grommet.
4. Push one end of a length of 3/8'' I. . tubing (sup-
plied) onto the tube adaptor, using a tube clamp
from the parts bag to hold it in place.
5. Put the other end of the tubing over the floor drain.
IMPORTANT: Overflow water must run down by gravity
through the tubing. o not raise the tub-
ing higher than the adaptor (see Fig. 11).
IMPORTANT: o not connect this hose to the valve
drain hose you just installed (see above).
Both drains must have a separate hose.
Figure 11
Valve
rain Hose
Salt Tank
Overflow Hose FLOOR RAIN LAUN RY TUB
STAN PIPE
1-1/2”
Air Gap
1-1/2”
Air Gap
1-1/2”
Air Gap
Tie or wire
tubing in
place
To drain
point other
than floor
drain.
Support tub-
ing in place
as needed.
NOTE: rain Hose
(20 ft.) is included.
See also parts list.
Tube
Clamp
Tube
Adaptor
Grommet
Tube
Clamp
rain
Fitting
Clip
Cut barbs from
drain fitting (pull
clip and remove
fitting from valve) Compression Fitting,
1/4 NPT x 1/2” O. .
Tube (not supplied)
1/2” Outside
iameter Copper
Tube (not supplied)
Barbs
1/4 NPT
Threads SUBSTITUTING RIGI RAIN LINE

10
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Installation
Figure 12
SING E BYPASS VA VE
Figure 13
3-VA VE BYPASS
Pull stem outward
for Service
Push inward
for Bypass
Bypass
Valve
Inlet
Valve
Outlet
Valve
FOR SERVICE
Close bypass valve.
Open inlet & outlet
valves.
FOR BYPASS
Open bypass valve.
Close inlet & outlet
valves.
EAK TEST
To check for leaks, complete the following steps:
CAUTION: To avoid water or air pressure damage to
soft ener inner parts, and to flush pipe chips
or other residue from the water pipes, be
sure to do the following steps exactly as
instructed.
1. Fully open two nearby cold water faucets down-
stream from the softener.
2. Place bypass valve(s) in “bypass” position (see
Figures 12 & 13). On a single valve, slide the stem
inward to bypass. On a 3-valve bypass, close the
inlet and outlet valves and open the bypass valve.
3. Fully open the house main water pipe shutoff valve.
Observe steady water flow from both open faucets.
4. Place bypass valve(s) in SERVICE, EXACTLY as fol-
lows: Keep soft water faucets open.
a. Single Bypass Valve: Slowly, slide pull the valve
stem outward toward service, pausing several times
to allow the softener to pressurize gradually.
b. 3-Valve Bypass: Fully close the bypass valve and
open the outlet valve. Slowly open the inlet valve,
pausing several times to allow the softener to pres-
surize gradually.
5. After about three minutes, open a hot water faucet
for about one minute, or until all air is expelled, then
close.
6. Close both cold water faucets.
7. Check your plumbing work for leaks, and fix right
away if any are found. Be sure to observe previous
caution notes.
NOTE: If this procedure is performed on a new softener,
water coming from the taps may initially be dis-
colored. This normally occurs the first time
water runs through the resin bed. The discol-
ored water is not harmful, and the discoloration
will not last more than a few minutes.