Morton System Saver Water Softeners

1. Turn Off Water Supply

Close the main water supply valve, near the well pump or water meter.
Shut off the electric or fuel supply to the water heater.
Open all faucets to drain all water from the house pipes.

2. Move The Unit Into Place

Move the unit into installation position. Set it on a solid, smooth and level surface. If needed, place the unit on a section of plywood, a minimum of 3/4" thick. Then shim under the plywood to level the unit.

CAUTION: DO NOT PLACE SHIMS DIRECTLY UNDER THE SALT STORAGE TANK. The weight of the tank, when full of water and salt, may cause the tank to fracture at the shim.

Visually check and remove any foreign materials from the valve inlet and outlet ports. If not already done, put a light coating of silicone grease or vaseline on the bypass valve O-rings. Push the bypass valve into the softener valve as far as it will go. Snap the 2 large holding clips into place, from the top down as shown below.

3. Assemble Inlet and Outlet Plumbing

Measure, cut, and loosely assemble pipe and fittings from the main water pipe to the inlet and outlet ports of the valve. Be sure hard water supply pipe goes to the valve inlet side.

NOTE: Inlet and outlet are marked on the valve. Trace the water flow direction to be sure.
CAUTION: Be sure to fit, align, and support all plumbing to prevent putting stress on the softener valve inlet and outlet. Undo stress may cause damage to the valve.

4. Connect Inlet and Outlet Plumbing

Complete the inlet and outlet plumbing as applicable, below:

Soldered
Copper Pipe

Threaded
Pipe

CPVC
Plastic Pipe

Thoroughly clean and flux all joints. Make all solder connections. Be sure to keep fittings fully together, and pipes square and straight. DO NOT solder with installation tubes attached to bypass valve. Soldering heat will damage the valve.

Apply pipe joint compound to all outside pipe threads.

Tighten all thread joints.

If soldering to the inlet and outlet tubes, observe first step above.

Clean, prime and cement all joints, following the instructions supplied with the plastic pipe and fittings. If soldering to the inlet and outlet tubes, observe Soldered Copper steps to the left.

5. Cold Water Pipe Grounding

WARNING: The house cold water pipe (metal only) is often used as a ground for the house electrical system. A 3-valve bypass type of installation will maintain ground continuity. If you use a plastic bypass valve at the unit, continuity is broken. To restore the ground, do the following:

Install a #4 copper wire across the removed section of main water pipe, securely clamping at both ends (parts not included).

6. Install Valve Drain Hose

NOTE: See valve drain options.

Connect a length of 3/8" or 7/16" I.D. hose (check codes) to t he valve drain elbow, on the controller. Use a hose clamp to hold the hose in place. Route the hose out through the notch in the faceplate cover. Run the hose to the floor drain, and as typically shown below, tie or wire the end to a brick or other heavy object. This will prevent "whipping" during regenerations. Be sure to provide a 1 1/2" air gap.

NOTE: In addition to a floor drain, you can use a laundry tub,1/2" minimum air gap, to prevent possible sewer water backup. In addition to a floor drain, you can use a laundry tub, or standpipe as a good drain point for this hose. Avoid long drain hose runs, or elevating the hose more than 8' above the floor.

7. Install Salt Storage Tank Overflow Hose

Connect a length of 3/8" I.D. hose to the salt storage tank overflow elbow and secure in place with a hose clamp. Run the hose to the floor drain, or other suitable drain point no higher than the drain fitting on the salt storage tank. (This is a gravity drain). If the tank overfills with water, the excess water flows to the drain point.

NOTE: Route the tubing neatly out of the way and cut it to the desired length.DO NOT connect the valve drain tubing from step 6 to the salt storage tank overflow hose.

8. Pressure Testing For Leaks

To prevent excessive air pressure in the unit and plumbing system, do the following steps EXACTLY in order:

Fully open 2 or more softened cold water faucets nearby the unit.
Place the bypass valve(s) in "bypass" position.

Fully open the main water supply valve. Observe steady flow from the open faucets, with no air bubbles. EXACTLY as follows, place bypass valves in "service."

SINGLE BYPASS VALVE: SLOWLY, move the valve stem toward "service," pausing several times to allow the unit to pressurize slowly.
3-VALVE BYPASS: Fully close the bypass valve and open the outlet valve. SLOWLY, open the inlet valve, pausing several times to allow the unit to pressurize slowly.
After about 3 minutes, open a hot water faucet for about 1 minute, or until all air is expelled, then close.
Close all cold water faucets and check your plumbing work for leaks.

9. Add Water and Salt to the Salt Storage Tank

Using a container, add about 1 gallon of clean water into the salt storage tank. Fill the salt storage tank with Morton^TM System Saver^TM Pellets.

10. Sanitizing the Softener

Care is taken at the factory to keep your unit clean and sanitary. Materials used to make the unit will not infect or contaminate your water supply, and will not cause bacteria to form or grow. However, during shipping, storage, installing and operating, bacteria could get into the unit. For this reason, sanitizing as follows is suggested* when installing.

*Recommended by the Water Quality Association. On some water supplies, the unit may need periodic disinfecting.

Remove the brinewell cover and pour about 1-1/2 oz. (2 to 3 tablespoons) of common household bleach into the softener brinewell, see diagram below. Replace brinewell cover.

The final step in the sanitizing procedure is done as you complete the following steps, including timer programming.

11. Connect Transformer

Connect the power cable leads to the 2 terminals on the transformer.

NOTE: Check to be sure all leadwire connectors are secure on the back of the timer.
CAUTION: Be sure all wiring is away from the valve gear and motor area, which rotates during regenerations.

Plug the transformer into a continuously "live," grounded house electrical outlet, approved by the local codes. THE UNIT WORKS ON 24V ONLY. DO NOT CONNECT WITHOUT THE TRANSFORMER.

12. Start A Recharge

Press the (RECHARGE) button and hold for 3 seconds until RCHG begins to flash in the timer display, starting a recharge. This recharge draws the sanitizing bleach into and through the unit. Any air remaining in the unit is purged to the drain.

13. Restart The Water Heater

Turn on the electricity or fuel supply to the water heater, and light the pilot, if applicable.

NOTE: The water heater is filled with HARD water and, as hot water is used, it refills with conditioned water. In a few days the hot water will be fully conditioned. To have fully conditioned hot water immediately, wait until the recharge (Step 12) is over. Then drain the water heater until water runs cold.

14. Install The Salt Hole And Faceplate Cover(s)

Complete the Electronic Programming Steps