Whirlpool Water Softener Installation and Programming Guide

Installation Requirements

Location Requirements

Consider the following when selecting an installation location:

• Avoid areas with freezing temperatures or water over 120°F, as this can void the warranty.
• Install close to the water supply inlet, upstream of other plumbing, to condition all home water. Keep outside faucets on hard water to conserve conditioned water and salt.
• A nearby drain is required for regeneration discharge water. Options include floor drains, laundry tubs, or standpipes. Ensure an air gap (see "Air Gap Requirements").
• A 120 V, 60 Hz electrical outlet is needed for the 24 V DC power supply.
• Install the softener between the water inlet and water heater. Other conditioning equipment should be between the inlet and the softener.
• Avoid direct sunlight, which can damage non-metallic parts.

Plumbing Codes

All plumbing must comply with national, state, and local codes. In Massachusetts, adhere to 248-CMR and use a licensed plumber.

Air Gap Requirements

A 1.5-inch air gap is required between the end of the drain hose and the drain opening (floor drain, laundry tub, standpipe) to prevent backflow of sewer water. Do not submerge the drain hose in the drain.

[Diagram Description: Figure 3 shows three scenarios for air gap requirements: a floor drain, a standpipe, and a laundry tub, each with a drain hose secured to maintain a 1.5-inch air gap to the drain opening.]

The Proper Order to Install Water Treatment Equipment

The typical installation order is:

• City Water Supply connects to the Water Softener.
• Water Softener connects to the Water Heater.
• Water Heater connects to the Cold Water supply for the house.
• Untreated water is routed to Outside Faucets.
• An optional Sediment Filter can be installed before the Water Softener.
• For well water systems, the sequence is Well Water Supply -> Well Pump -> Pressure Tank -> Water Softener -> Water Heater.

[Diagram Description: Figure 4 illustrates the flow of water through the system, showing connections for city water and well water sources, the water softener, water heater, and distribution to the house and outside faucets.]

Valve Drain Requirements

Use the included flexible drain hose, cut to length. If local codes prohibit flexible hoses, a rigid drain line is required. This involves a compression fitting (1/4" NPT x 1/2" tube) and 1/2" tubing. Keep the drain line as short and direct as possible.

[Diagram Description: Figure 5 shows a 1/4" NPT thread fitting with barbs for 3/8" I.D. tubing, secured with a hose clamp. Figure 6 illustrates components for a rigid drain line: a compression fitting and 1/2" O.D. copper tube, and shows how to remove barbs from a fitting.]

Inlet / Outlet Plumbing Options

Install either the provided single bypass valve (Figure 7) or a 3-valve bypass system (Figure 8). Bypass valves allow water shut-off for maintenance while maintaining water supply to the house.

Acceptable piping materials include:

• Copper pipe
• Threaded pipe
• PEX (Crosslinked Polyethylene) pipe
• CPVC plastic pipe
• Other pipe approved for potable water

IMPORTANT: Do not solder with plumbing attached to the single bypass valve, as heat can damage the plastic valve.

[Diagram Description: Figure 7 shows a single bypass valve with indicators for "Service" (pull out) and "Bypass" (push in). Figure 8 shows a 3-valve bypass system with Inlet Valve, Bypass Valve, and Outlet Valve.]

Typical Installation

[Diagram Description: Figure 9 illustrates a typical water softener installation. It shows the main water pipe connecting to the water softener valve via a single bypass valve. Connections include hard water inlet, soft water outlet, valve drain hose, overflow drain hose, and a plug-in power supply. The diagram emphasizes the 1.5-inch air gap required for the floor drain.]

Pre-Installation Steps

Turn Off Water Supply

1. Close the main water supply valve.
2. Open all house faucets to drain pipes. Avoid draining the water heater to prevent element damage.

Install the Brine Tank Overflow Elbow

Install the overflow grommet and elbow into the 13/16" hole on the back of the salt storage tank. The elbow accepts 1/2" or 3/8" I.D. hose.

[Diagram Description: Figure 10 shows the brine tank with its lid, cover, and the location for the brine tank overflow elbow.]

Move the Water Softener Into Place

WARNING: Excessive Weight Hazard

Use two or more people to move and install the softener. Failure to do so can result in injury.

1. Place the softener on a solid, level surface. Do not use shims directly under the salt storage tank, as this can cause it to fracture.
2. Check and clear debris from the valve inlet and outlet ports. Remove the two large plastic clips for later use.
3. Ensure the turbine assembly spins freely in the "out" port.
4. Apply a light coating of silicone grease to the single bypass valve o-rings.
5. Push the single bypass valve into the softener valve and snap the two large holding clips into place from the top down. Ensure clips are firmly seated.

[Diagram Description: Figures 11 and 12 show the correct assembly of the single bypass valve to the softener valve using clips, detailing how the clips engage with the valve and the softener body.]

Electrical and Grounding

WARNING: Electrical Shock Hazard

Prior to installation on metallic plumbing, securely install two grounding clamps and a #4 copper wire. Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or electrical shock.

Grounding Information (for Installations on Metal Pipe)

If the house main incoming water pipe is used for grounding electrical outlets, installing a plastic bypass valve will break this ground connection. To maintain safety, install two grounding clamps and a #4 copper wire across the softener location, clamping securely at both ends, as shown in Figure 13. Always check and conform to local plumbing and electrical codes, including Massachusetts codes.

[Diagram Description: Figure 13 shows the grounding setup with two clamps and a ground wire connecting across pipes.]

Complete Inlet and Outlet Plumbing

Measure, cut, and assemble pipe and fittings for inlet and outlet ports. Ensure pipes are squared and straight. The hard water supply pipe must go to the inlet side of the valve. Support all plumbing to prevent stress on the valve ports.

Install Valve Drain Hose

Connect the 3/8" drain line to the valve drain fitting using a hose clamp. Route the hose to a floor drain, securing it to prevent movement during regeneration. Ensure compliance with any rigid drain line requirements.

Install Salt Storage Tank Overflow Hose

Connect the 3/8" drain line to the salt storage tank overflow elbow with a hose clamp. Route this hose to a suitable drain point no higher than the tank's drain fitting. This is a gravity drain for excess water.

IMPORTANT: Do not connect the water softener valve drain tubing to the salt storage tank overflow hose.

Testing for Leaks

To prevent air pressure issues, follow these steps:

1. Open two or more softened cold water faucets downstream from the softener.
2. Set the bypass valve(s) to the "bypass" position.
3. Slowly open the main water supply valve. Run water until a steady flow with no air bubbles is achieved at the open faucets.
4. Move bypass valve(s) to the "service" position. For single bypass, move stem slowly towards "service." For 3-valve bypass, close bypass, open outlet, then slowly open inlet, pausing to fill the softener.
5. Open a hot water faucet until a steady flow with no air bubbles is present, then close it.
6. Close all cold water faucets and check all plumbing connections for leaks.
7. Check clips at the softener's inlet and outlet for leaks. If a leak is found, depressurize the system, push the bypass valve body toward the softener, and remove the clip. Damaged clips should not be reused.

[Diagram Description: Figure 14 shows how to depressurize plumbing and push the bypass valve body toward the softener when removing clips.]

Add Water and Salt to the Salt Storage Tank

WARNING: Excessive Weight Hazard

Use two or more people to move and lift salt bags.

1. Add approximately three gallons of clean water to the salt storage tank.
2. Add salt (nugget, pellet, or coarse solar salt with less than 1% impurities) to the tank.

Plug in the Power Supply

Ensure all wiring connectors are secure and wiring is kept away from moving parts. Plug the power supply into an outlet that is not controlled by a switch.

NOTE: Hot water will gradually become conditioned. For immediate fully conditioned hot water, drain the water heater until water runs cold after the initial recharge.

Sanitize the Water Softener / Sanitize After Service

1. Pour about 3 oz. (6 tablespoons) of household bleach into the softener brinewell.
2. Ensure the bypass valve(s) is in the "service" position.
3. Start a recharge (regeneration).
4. After recharge, open a cold water faucet downstream and let 50 gallons of water pass through the system (approx. 20 minutes). Then close the faucet.

Programming the Water Softener

The control panel features buttons for setting salt level, tank light, status light, programming, and initiating recharge.

[Diagram Description: Figure 15 shows the control panel with labeled buttons: SET SALT LEVEL, TANK LIGHT, PROGRAM, UP, DOWN, RECHARGE, and indicates the STATUS LIGHT.]

Status Light

The status light indicates:

• Flashing slowly with salt indicators: Low salt level.
• Flashing slowly with "SCHEDULED CLEAN": Reminder to use Water Softener Cleanser. Reset by pressing any button.
• Flashing rapidly with "CURRENT TIME" flashing: Current time needs to be set.
• Flashing rapidly with "Err": Electronic self-diagnostics detected a problem. Refer to troubleshooting.
• On steady (not flashing): System has power and is operating normally.

Program the Softener

After plugging in the power supply, the display shows model code and software version, then "CURRENT TIME" appears, with 12:00 PM flashing.

Set Time of Day

If "CURRENT TIME" is not displayed, press PROGRAM until it appears. Use the UP or DOWN buttons to set the current time, ensuring AM/PM is correct. Pressing buttons briefly advances slowly; holding them advances faster.

[Diagram Description: Figure 16 shows the display for setting the time, indicating "Current Time" and AM/PM settings.]

Programming Settings

Set Water Hardness Number

Press PROGRAM to display a flashing "25" and "HARDNESS". Use UP or DOWN buttons to set the water hardness number (e.g., 20 gpg). If iron is present (e.g., 2 ppm), add 5 to the hardness number for each ppm of iron (e.g., 20 + (2*5) = 30).

[Diagram Description: Figure 17 shows the display for setting water hardness, with "25" flashing and the word "HARDNESS".]

Set Recharge (Regeneration) Time

Press PROGRAM to display a flashing "2:00 AM" and "RECHARGE TIME". This is a common time for recharge as water usage is low. Adjust the time using UP or DOWN buttons, ensuring AM/PM is correct.

[Diagram Description: Figure 18 shows the display for setting the recharge time, with "2:00 AM" flashing and the words "RECHARGE TIME".]

Set Salt Type

Press PROGRAM to display a flashing "nACL". Salt Type can be set to NaCl (sodium chloride) or KCl (potassium chloride). KCl is an alternative for those on sodium-restricted diets. Note that KCl may harden in areas with high temperature or humidity changes.

Instructions for KCl use:

• Use only one bag of KCl at a time; do not exceed 60 lbs in the tank.
• Check the brine tank monthly for hardening; apply warm water to loosen if necessary.
• Set the correct salt type (NaCl or KCl) using UP/DOWN buttons and press PROGRAM to confirm.

Press PROGRAM again to return to the normal display.

[Diagram Description: Figure 19 shows the display for setting salt type, with options for "nACL" and "KCL".]

Start a Recharge

Press and hold the RECHARGE button for three seconds until "RECHARGE" flashes. This initiates a recharge cycle, drawing in sanitizing bleach and purging air. Periodically check for leaks during this process. Recheck for leaks 24 hours after the recharge is complete.