Kenmore SEARS 625.34846 User manual

8EAR8
Kenmore
Water Softener
microMAX MODEL NO. 625.348460
-- WARRANTY m
START UP/SETTING TIMER
-- HOW IT WORKS --
CARE OF-
-SPECIFICATIONS
-- REPAIR PARTS --
SAVE THIS MANUAL
(Useplasticbag andtieprovided,to hangmanualsnearbythe softenerforfuturereference).
PRmlrEDm U,8,A.

WARRANTY
SEARS RESIDENTIAL WATER SOFTENER
FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON WATER SOFTENER
Forone year from the date of purchase, when thiswater 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
Forten years from the date of purchase, Sears willfurnish and installa new current model
water softener tank or salt storage drum, free of charge, ifeither 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/8!7 WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
Ifyouwant yourwater softener profession 811yinstalled,talkto yourSears Salesman. He willarrange for
a prompt, quality installation by Sears Authorized Installers.
SEARS INSTALLATION POLICY
All installation labor arranged by Sears shall be
performed in a neat, workmanlike manner in
accordance with generally accepted trade prac-
tices. Further, all installations shall comply with
all local laws, codes, regulations, and ordi-
nances. Customer shall also be protected,
during installation, by insurance relating to
Property Damage, Workman's Compensation
and Public Uability.
SEARS INSTALLATION WARRANTY
In addition to any warranty extended to you on
the Sears merchandise involved, whichwarranty
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 inthe blanksbelowand keep this bookin a safe
place soyou always havethese facts.
Water SoftenerModel No.'i'.
Sedal Number
Date Installed
Water Hardness
Iron Content
*pH
Water Pressure
Water Flow
GrainsPerGallon
Parts PerM,lion
TasteAnd/OrOdor
Pounds/SquareInch
GallonsPer Minute
1"The modelnumberisonthe ratingdecal,located
on the rim,underthe saltholecover.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
NO.
SECTION 1 SOFTENER 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 3 CARE 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 SERVICER'S TECH INFORMATION
A. TROUBLESHOOTING
B. ROTARY VALVE SERVICE
C. WATER FLOW THROUGH THE SOFTENER VALVE
19-22
23
24-26
SECTION 6 REPAIRPARTS 29-31
3

SECTION 1 wATERSOFrE.ERSTART-UP
I I
I I
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 beoome damaged or
frayed. Make repairs before plugging back
into the power outlet.
•Always unplug the softener from electrical
power before removing outer valve covers.
IMPORTANT: Salt is used to recharge the mineral In your
water softener...ese page 9. Before shipping, the mineral
is factory pmtreated with call Before using water from
this softener, be sure to do the sanitizing procedures and
start a recharge (page 8), to flush salt from it.
4

SECTION 1 WATER SOFTENER START-UP
I|
lB. CHECK LIST OF ALL STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES TO INSTALL
Refer to the Installation Manual, part 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 num-
bers referred to are in the Installation Manual.
v' Is the house water flow going INTO the soft-
ener valve INLET? Trace piping to be sure...
pages 10 and 11.
i/ Isthe plumbing bypass valve (or 3 valves) set
for SERVICE?...page 18.
v' Is the valve drain hose connected the right
way, and without sharp bends or kinks that
could stop or reduce water flow?...page 16.
Isthe softener power cable connected to the
transformer...and isthe transformer plugged
into an inside. 120V-60Hz electrical outlet...
page_
v' Be sure to restart the water heater...page 20.
_VALVE
INLET
5

SECTION 1 WATERsOrrE.ERSTART-UP
t I
1C. PROG,RAM THE TIMER
F
m
DOWN
UP buaon button
(_\ --"'--"
lmNla=m=_
ON/OFF -HOLD butto_ SELECT butlon
(RECHARGE TONIGHT- NOW)
J
When the transformer is plugged in, the model
code SC21 shows in the face plate display for a
few seconds, followed by a test number (exam-
ple: $4.0). After the test number, 12:00 AM
begins to flash. PRESENT TIME and RE-
CHARGE TONIGHT show at the bottom of the
display.
IIm_ p4p_ .
• •e el
II_"_ _l"_e" .e •
NOTE:
If SC - - flashes in the display, press the UP
button (FIG. 1) until SC21 does show. Then
press the SELECT button to display the flashing
12:00 AM. IF OTHER THAN SC21 SHOWS
when the transtormer ts pluggeo in, please see
page 1/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,
while setting the hardness (step 2), the beeper
sounds repeatedly 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:
ifthe words... PRESENT TiME donotshowin
the display, press the SELECT button (FIG.
1) untilthey do.
•Press the [;_IUP/DOWN _]buttons to set the
present time. Press UP to move the display
ahead; press DOWN to movethe time backward.
,=e tmei,
noon and midnight, be sure PM
shows. w,
If the present time is between l= =,_,p"
midnight and noon, be sure AM t_s=_ _,=
shows.
NOTE:
Each press of the UP/DOWN buttons changes
the time by 1 minute. Holding the buttons in
changes the time 32 minutes each second.
6

SECTION 1 WATERSOFTENERSTAnT-UP
I
1C. 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.
NOTE:
If your water supply contains iron, compensate
for it by adding to the water hardness number.
For example, assume your water is 15gpg hard
and contains 2 pprn iron. Add 5 to the hardness
number for each I ppm of iron. In thisexample,
you would use 25 foryour hardness number.
15 gpg hardness
2 ppm iron x 5 = 10 +10
(times) 25 HARDNESS NUMBER
•Press the _UP/DOWN _outtons 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 ofthe UP/DOWN buttonchanges the
display by I between 1and 25. Between 25 and
the highest number, the display changes 5 at a
time...25, 30, 35, etc. Holding the UP or DOWN
button inchanges the displaytwice 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 i
TIME setting, the softener be- _._,_t_,._.t
ginsregeneration (see pages 11 "=_=P_,_"
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 AUTOMATIC BYPASS, page 13). If a
different RECHARGE TIME setting would be
better for your household, dothe following.
•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
present time of day.
NOTE:
Each press of the UP/DOWN buttons changes
the display 1hour. Holding the buttons in
changes the display twice each second.
•PRESS THE SELECT BUTTON ONCE
AGAIN, to returnthe present time (steady)of day
an RECHARGE TONIGHT in the display.
4. SET"CLEAN"FEATURE:
•PresstheSELECTbuttonag_n.Thedi_
play _tem_ss between "CLEAn", and
"OFF" _efau_.
ICLE"°II11 I
When set to "CLEAn"/"ON", a backwash is as-
sured after every 500 gallons of water usage.
Backwash is described on page 12. This clean-
ing backwash is in addition tothe backwash dup
ing recharge. If you have ironinthe water supply,
or higher amounts of sediments (sand, siR,dirt,
etc.) you should set this feature to ON.
•To set to ON, or toturn off if already on, press
either the UP or DOWN button once. The length
of this extra backwash is 1 minute (default time
setting).
SEE PAGE 10 FOR OTHER FACE PLATE TIMER FEATURES.
IMPORTANT: Salt is used to recharge the mlneral In your water softener...see page 9. Before
shlpplng, the mineral Is factory pretreated with sail Before using water from this softener, be
sure to do the sanitizing procedures and start a recharge (page 8), to flush salt from It.
7

SECTION 1 WATERSOFTENERSTART-UP
,11 II
!I
ID. SANITIZING THE WATER SOFTENER
Care is taken at the factory to keep your water
softener clean and sanitary. Materials used to
make the softener will not infect or contaminate
your water supply, and will notcause bacteria to
form or grow. However, during shipping,storage,
installing and operating, bacteria could get into
the softener. For this mason, sanitizing as
follows is suggested ®when installing.
1. Lift the salt hole cover and use a pailor hose
to till the salt storage tank with at least 1
gallon 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
brinewelL
3. Press the ON/OFF-HOLD buttonand holdfor
3 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.
NOTE:
This recharge takes about 40 minutes.
ADD WATER
Bdns_a
"" Cover
(B_ve a_l add
about3/4¢=.blea_)
"" adnelt_l
Recommendedbythe Water QualityAssociation.On
somewatersupplies,thewatersoftenermayneedpe-
riodicdisinfecting.Sanitize with or withoutsalt in the
storagetank.
8

SECTION 1 WATERSO E.ERSTART-UP
I
1E. FILL THE STORAGE TANK WITH SALT
Brine (salt dissolved in water) is needed for each
and every regeneration. The water for making
bdne is metered intothe 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. Salt storage
capacity isshown on page 18.
NOTE:
In humid areas, it is best to fillthe storage tank
half-full, and to refillit more often. Salt bridging
(see page 14) occurs more often when condi-
tions are humid.
WATER ,SOFTENING SALT WITH IRON RE-
MOVING ADDITIVES -- Some salts have an
additive to help the softener handle iron in the
water supply. Although this additive may help to
keep the softener resinclean, it may also release
corrosivefumes that willweaken and shortenthe
life of some softener parts.
ADD SALT
Cover
SODIUM INFORMATION: Water softeners us-
ing sodium chlodde forregeneration add sodium
to the water. Persons who are on sodium
restricted diets should consider the added so-
dium as part oftheir 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 2-1/2 slices
of white bread.
Persons who are concemed about their ddnking
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 RE-
CHARGE, ON PAGE 8, THE SOFTENER WILL BE GIVING YOU SOFT WATER.
9

SECTION 2 .owYOURWATERSO E.ERWORKS
I
2A. FACE PLATE TIMER FEATURES
EXTRA RECHARGE
Sometimes, a manually started regeneration
(recharge) may be desired, or needed. Two
examples are...
...You have used more water than usual (guests
visiting) and you may runoutof softwater before
the next timer started regeneration.
...You did not refillthe softener with saltbefore 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/OFF-HOLD button and hold
for 3 seconds. The softener
enters the fill cycle of regen-,
eration right away...the dis- _' #m__0
play shows "Filling NOW". r! i !
Th s regeneration willlastfor
about 40 minutes.Then, you
will have softwater again.
RECHARGE TONIGHT
•Press and release (DO NOT HOLD) the
ON/OFF-HOLD button. RE-_=_
CHARGE TONIGHT flashes
inthe display,and the soften-
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 comas 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 ifthe 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 untilyou 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 present time IEI'I" 0
of day, please call you local
Sears Service Department for
service.
SOFTENER STATUS DISPLAY
1. SERVICE ( PROVIDING SOFT r
WATER) POSITION: The display|" ]
showsthe presenttime of day. IfJ _:1._M _--I
"TURBINE" is gashing,softwater
iscurrentlyin use.
2. RECHARGE POSmONS:
A. FillCycle- Filling NOW shows "--' I
inthe display.If softwaterisbeing F! / Ii ,_g I
used,_'URBINE" gashes.
B. BRINING, BACKWASH AND
FAST RINSE CYCLES - The dis-
playshewsthe minutesofrecharge ,,.=p= ,,,,..,
remainingbeforeretumto soft wa- I_"J_:U_
ter service. RECHARGE NOW is _ tow
also gashing.
10

SECTION 2 HOWYOURWATERsO rENERWORKS
2B. SOFT WATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION
SERVICE
When the softener is givingyou soft water, it is
called "Service". During service, hard water
comes from the house main water pipe intothe
softener. Inside the softener resin tank is a bed
made upofthousands oftiny,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 ofthe softener and intothe
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 isstarted at 2:00 a.m.
by the electronic timer (see page 13). It takes
place in 5 stages or cycles. These are:
_1 FILL _BACKWASH
BRINING 151 FAST RINSE
[_] BRINE RINSE
_WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN SERVICE
Hard Water
IN
OUT
Bed
Tank
REGENERATION
ITIFILL: 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 regenera-
tion. Itfillslonger,the more water you have used,
and makes more brine. The greater amount of
brine cleans more hardness minerals from the
resin bed.
WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
)FTENER IN FILL
Hard Water
IN
Soft Water
OUt
Salt
aTanl_
(salt not shown)
11

SECTION 2 How YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
I
I
2B. SOFT WATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION
r2-1BRINING:During brining, the brine is moved
from the sail 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 suctionto
take brine from the salt tank and put it into the
resin tank. Itkeeps the brine flow downto a very
slow rate to get the best resin cleaning with the
least sail
[]]BRINE RINSE: After all of the brine goes into
the resin tank, the brine valve closes. Water
keeps flowing the same way itdid during brining
except the brine flow has stopped. Hardness
mineralsand brineflushfromthe resintank tothe
drain. Brining and brine dnse together vary in
length relative to the fillcycle length.
WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN BRINING AND
BRINE RINSE
Hard Water
IN
BYPASS
Venturi
WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
'SOFTENER IN BACKWASH
Hard Water
iN
Hard Water .
BYPASS
and expa
mFAST RINSE: Backwash isfollowed by a fast
flow of water down through the resin tank. The
fast flow packs the resin bed and gets it ready for
retum 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 outthe hardness minerals.
Soft water goes to the house soft water pipes.
WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
"R IN FAST RINSE
Hard Water
IN
Soft Water
OUT
I_IBACKWASH: During backwash, water flows
UP through the resin tank (FIG. 7) at afast rate to
flush iron minerals, dirt and sediments from the
bed and to the drain. The bed lifts and expands
for good cleaning.
12

SECTION 2 HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
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
for your needs. However, you should not use
HOT water, ifpossible, because the water heater
will refillwith hard water. The softener regener-
ates from 2:00 AM to about 2:40 AM, (you can
change this time...see page 7), a time when
water is usually not in use.
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. Then regeneration will start and end
that much earlier and your water heater will not
refillwith hard water if a hot faucet is opened.
Two main parts of the softener's electronics are
ma WATER METER, and [] a COMPUTER.
[] WATER METER -- The water meter is inthe
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 mThe computer is part of the
circuit board. It is programmed to know the
softener's capacity (how many grains of hard-
ness minerals itwilltake out ofthe 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.
The computer uses, (1) water usage from the
meter, (2) hardness setting, (3) softener capac-
ity, and (4) time since the last regeneration, to
find aregeneration pattern best for your needs.
The computer always adjusts this pattem to your
water using habits. Itworks toward providingyou
with soft water for the longest _me and the most
efficient salt usage.
As hard water goes through the softener and
hardness minerals are removed, capacity is
used. When the computer determines 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. RECHARGE TONIGHT displays
until the regeneration begins. When the regen-
eration begins, the recharge cycle status dis-
plays show...see page 10.
13

SECTION 3 CAREOFYOURSO rE.ER
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
stora_oetank is about 113 full. Never let the
softener use all the salt before 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 isusually caused by high
humidity or the wrong kind of sail 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.
Ifthe storage tank is full of salt, itis 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 allthe way tothe bottom of
the tank. Hold abroom handle, or like tool, upto
the softener as shown in FIG. 9. Make a pencil
mark onthe handle, 1" or 2" below the top height
of the rim. 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
!ikely asalt bddge. Carefully push intothe bddge
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 bddge, take it
out. Then fillthe tank with nugget or pellet salt
only.
SALT BRIDGE
1;2"
Pem_i
Bmom H_dle_,Salt
14

SECTION 3 CAREOFYourSOFTENER
II
3B. KEEPING THE WATER SOFTENER CLEAN
COVERS
To keep your new Sears water softener looking
nice, apply a coat ofpastewax and repeat once a
year. When dusty, wipe it with a clamp cloth to
keep itsparkling.
NOTE:
Never use cleaners having ammonia or abra-
sives. They may scratch and dull the surface.
NOZZLE AND VENTURI
A clean nozzle and venturi (FIG. 10) isa must for
the softener towork 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 notwork and
you will get hard water.
To get to the nozzle and ventufi, remove the
softener top cover. Be sure the softener is in
service cycle (no water pressure at nozzle and
venturi), then turnoffthe capfromthe nozzle and
venturi housing. DO NOT LOSE THE LARGE
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 asmall brush to remove iron or dirt.
Also check and clean the gasket and small
screen.
Carefully replace all parts 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 HOUS-
ING.
CLEANING THE NOZZLE &VEN-
TURI
Venturi
Gasket
"Flow Plug
(HVOC)
Screen
"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 aglass. After 15 to 30
minutes, the water begins to cloud or turn rust
colored. Awater 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. 42-,34426 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 instructionsare on the resin bed
cleaner bottle.
15

SECTION 3 CAREOFYOURSOFTENER
III
I
II
3C. KEEP THE SOFTENER FROM FREEZING
Ifthe softener is installed where it could freeze
(summer cabin, lake home, etc.), you must drain
all weter from itto 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 afaucet in the softwater pipes to vent
pressure in the softener.
3. Looking at FIG. 12 on page 18, move the
stem in asingle bypass valve to bypass.
Close the inlet and outlet valve in a 3-valve
bypass system, and open the bypass valve. If
you want water in the house pipes again,
reopen the shut-off 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 both 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 bypass valve.
6. Remove the bdnewell cover and disconnect
the brine valve tubing at the nozzle and
venturi assembly (see page 23). Liftthe brine
valve out ofthe bdnewell. Tip the brine valve
upside down to drain out water.
_DRAIN WATER FROM THE
SOFTENER
Floor'_l r\ WoodIJock
Drain
7,
8,
Looking at FIG. 11, lay a piece of 2 inch thick
board near the floor drain. Move the softener
close to the drain. SLOWLY and CAREFUL-
LY 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 ofthe softener upa few inches
and hold until all water has drained. Leave
the softener laying likethisuntilyou are ready
to use it. Plug the inlet and outletwith rags to
keep dirt, bugs, etc. out.
16

SECTION 3 CAREOFYOURSO ENER
3D. HELPFUL HINTS CHECKLIST
I
... TO HELP YOU SAVE MONEY
If your water softener fails to work, make the following easy checks. Often, you willfindwhat's wrong
yourseffand you won't have to cell and wait for service. If, after making the checks, your softener still
does not work right, call your Sears Service Department.
NOTE:
Alsoread ERROR CODE, page 10. If an error code isnotdisplayed, press and holdthe SELECT button
until(example:000 --) shows inthe display.Then press SELECT again and hold untilan SC code ap-
pears. Itmust show SC21. Ifany other SC number shows, the softener computer isworkingon incor-
rect input and would probably be the cause of the problem. To set SC21, press either the UP _or
DOWN [_]button.Then, press select to retum a flashing 12:00 AM display, and reset the timer,page 6.
PROBLEM
WATER HAS SALTY
TASTE
NO SOFT WATER
CAUSE
Softener not rechargedimmediately
after installation.
Lost electric power during a re-
charge.
No salt in storage tank, or sail
badged.
Transfomer unplugged at the wall
outlet, or power cable leads loose,
fuse blown,circuitbreakerpopped, or
circuitswitchedoff.
CORRECTION
See IMPORTANT note, pages 4 and 7. Usa the RE-
CHARGE NOW featureto startan immediaterecharge,
and opensoftwaterfaucetsto purgesalttaste.
Restorepower, resettimerifneeded,andopensoftwater
faucets to purgesalttaste.
Refillwithsail,orbreakthesaltbadge(page14). Usethe
RECHARGE NOW featureto starta recharge.
Check forlossofpower dueto any oftheseand correct.
Withthe powerbackon,lookatthetime displayandread
PROGRAM MEMORY, page 10.
Manual bypass valve(s) in bypass Lookat FIG. 12 on page 18. Movethe stem in a single
position, valveto service.In a 3-valve bypass,openthe inletand
outletvalves, andbe suretofullyclosathabypessvalve.
Dirty,plugged or damagednozzle & Take apart and clean or replace damaged parts (see
ventud, page 15).
Valvedrainhose plugged. The drainhose mustnot have kinks,sharpbends,or be
raisedto highabove the softener (see page 16 in your
installationmanual).
WATER HARD SOME- Hardness numbersettingtoo low. Pressand releasetheSELECT buttonuntilHARDNESS
TIMES !showsin the display.Read the hardnessnumber inthe
I displayand be surethe same grainsper gallonnumber
isshownon yourwateranalysis report.See page7 tore-
set.Pressand releasetheSELECT buttonuntilthe pres-
enttimeshowsinthe display.
Usinghotwater when softenerisre- Avoidusinghotwaterduringthistime becausethewater
generating, heater refills with hard water (see AutomaticBypass,
page 13).
Increaseinthe grainsofhardnessin Ask your Sears retail store for a newwater analysis.
j yourwater supply. Then make a new hardnessnumberseffing(page 7).
17

SECTION 4 OT.ERT.INQSTOKNOW
I
4A.
I
DIMENSIONS/SPECIFICATIONS
BYPASS VALVES
SINGLE-PLASTIC
PULL STEM
OUTWARD
FOR
SERVICE
Push
SINGLE-BRASS
9-VALVE Bypass
ValVe
Inlet
Valve
/--)
I__ I
\
I
:..-8-.J'
\
TIE
D
C
A SaltTankHeight 21-3/4 55.2
B ResinTank Diameter(nominal) 10 25.4
C ResinTank Height(nominal) 21 53.3
D Inlet-OutletHeight 22-1/2 57.2
E OverallHeight 27-1/2 69.9
F1Length 19-1/2 49.5
F2 Wio'th 16-1/2 41.9
-- Distancebetweeninlet-outlet 3-3/8 8.6
center lines
MODEL NO. 625.348460 TIMER SC CODE SC21
NOTE:
Please see the ratingdecal for water softener operating capacity,salt usage and serviceflow rate/preP
sure loss performance specifications. Performance specifications are validated by the Water Quality
Association (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) 70"
MAXMUM "CLEARWATER" IRON (ppm) 10
SALT FOR WATER SOFTENER
TYPEOFSALTNEEDED Nugget/Peaet
ALTERNATETYPEOFSALT Pure,evaporated,compacted
watersoftenersalt
STOI_AGECAPACITY(pounds) 125
OTHERS
TYPE OF ION EXCHANGE MATERIAL(resin) HighCapacity
AMOUNT OF RESIN (cu.ft.) .60
REGENERATION (RECHARGE) CYCLE TIME (rain.)
FILL 1- 5
BRINING/BRINE RINSE 28
BACKWASH 1
FAST RINSE 1
TOTALREGENERATION TIME 31 - 35
gpm,, gallonsperminute
geg. grainspargallon psi. paundsI_ squareinch
ppm=padsparmiUion
"Do not excmeclthis number when setling hardness in step 2,
page7. The maximumseffingavailableis 95.
18

SECTION 5 SERVICER'S 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.
24VAC
WIRING SCHEMATIC
NC
tt
NO
N
DOWN
UPbumm ,/
ON_DFF- HOUDburn SELECTimuan
ALWAYSMAKE THESE INmAL CHECKS FIRST
1. Does thetimedisplayshowthe correctUmeofday?.
...If display is blank, check power source to the
soRener.
...If time isflashing, powerwas off for over 6 hours.
The softener resumesnormaloperationbutregen-
erationsoccurat the wrongtime.
...If anerrorcode (Example:Err03) showsinthe face
plate display,go to AtJTO_C ELECTRONIC
DIAGNOSTICS.
2. Plumbing bypass valve(s) must be in Full Service
position.
3. The inletandoutletpipesmustconnect tothesoftener
inletand outletrespectively.
4. Isthe transformerpluggedintoa qive",groundedwall
outlet,and the powercablefastenedsecurely?
z
5. The valvedrainhose mustbefree ofIdnksandsharp
bends,and notelevatedover 8 ft. abovethe floor.
REMOVE THE TOP COVER AND SALTTANKCOVER
6. istheresaltinthestoragetank?
7. Is the brine tubing connected? (See water flow
diagrams).
8. Isthe brinevalvefloatsetright?(See page 22).
9, Press the SELECT button 2 times to display the
hardnesssetting.Besureitisthe correct settingforthe
households watersupply.(Make8 hardnesstestofthe
rawwaterandcompere withthehardnesssetUng.Also
test a softwatersampieto verifyifa problemexlsts.]l
Press SELECT 3 times to ratum the present time
display.
ffyoudonotitnd theproblemaftermakinginitialchecks,do
the MANUAL INmATED ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS,
andthe MANUALADVANCE REGENERATION CHECK.
19

SECTION 5 SERVlCER'STECH.I..ORMATION
5A. TROUBLESHOOTING
AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS
The face plate computer has a self-diagnostic
function for the electrical system (except input
power and water meter). The Erlr" I
computer monitorsthe electron- D-_
ic components and circuits for
correct operation. If a malfunction occurs, an
error code appears in the face plate display.
The chart below shows the errorcodes thatcould
appear, and the possible defects for each code.
While 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 DIAGNOS-
TICS to further isolate the defect, and check the
water meter.
POSSIBLE DEFECT
CODE MOST LIKELY _ _ LESS LIKELY
Err 01 motor inop. /widncj hamass or connection to switch /position switch /face plate
Err 02 face plate
Err 03 motor inop. /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. Plug-in transformer 4. Wait for 6 minutes. The error code will retum ifthe defect was not corrected.
MANUAL INITIATED ELECTRONICS DIAG-
NOSTICS
1. To enter diagnostics, press and hold the
SELECT button until (000 - -) shows in the
display.
_MOTOR
PosmoN
""'plnnn___"l swn'c. !1
i .._._td_'_....,.--.-'I'URB|NE
A. tionTheasfirstfollows:3digits indicate water meter opera- _S%P_AND
000 (steady)= soft water not in use...no VALVE It_k_A)'
flow through the meter. OUTLET----.--,_/
--OPEN A NEARBYSOFTWATER FAUCET-
000 to 199 (continual) = repeats display for
each gallon ofwater passingthrough the me-
ter.
B. The letter (P) and dash(as) indicate POSI-
TION switch operation. The letter appearing
means the switch isclosed; the dash means
the switch is open.
Use the ON/OFF-HOLD (Recharge Now)
button to manually advance the valve into
each cycle and check correct switch opera-
_on.
If you don't get a reading inthe display, with
faucet open, pull the sensor from the valve
outlet porL Pass asmall magnet back and
forth in front of the sensor. You should get a
reading inthe display. Ifyouget a reading, un-
hook the in and out plumbing and check the
turbine for binding.
20