Icemaker Shutoff Valve Installation
What you will need....
-Two 1/4" outer diameter compression nuts and 2 ferrules (sleeves)- to connect the copper tubing to the shutoff valve and the refrigerator water valve.
Or
- If you are using a GE SmartConnect Refrigerator Tubing kit, the necessary fittings are pre-assembled to the tubing.
-if your existing copper line has flared fitting at the end, you will need an adapter (available at plumbing supply stores) to connect the water line to the refrigerator or you can cut off the flared fitting with a tube cutter and then use a compression fitting. Do not cut formed end from GE SmartConnect Refrigerator tubing.
-Shutoff valve to connect to the cold water line. The shutoff valve should have a water inlet with a minimum inside diameter of 5/32" at the point of connection to the COLD WATER LINE. Saddle type shutoff valves are included in many water supply kits. before purchasing, make sure a saddle type valve complies with your local plumbing codes.
Choose the valve location
Choose the location of the valve that is easily accessible. It is best to connect into the side of a vertical water pipe. When it is necessary to connect into a horizontal water pipe, make the connection to the top or side, rather then the bottom, to avoid any drawing off any sediment from the water pipe.
Drill the hole for the valve
Drill a 1/4" hole in the water pipe (even if using a self-piercing valve) using a sharp bit. Remove any burrs resulting from drilling the hole in the pipe. Take care not to allow water to drain into drill. failure to drill a 1/4" hole may result in reduced ice production or smaller cubes.
Fasten the shutoff valve
Fasten the shutoff valve to the cold water pipe with the pipe clamp.
Tighten the pipe clamp
Tighten the clamp screws until the ceiling washer begins to swell. NOTE: Do not over tighten or you may crush the tubing.
Route the tubing
Route the tubing between the cold water line and the refrigerator. Route the tubing through a hole in the wall or floor (behind the refrigerator or adjacent base cabinet) as close to the wall as possible. NOTE: Be sure there is sufficient extra tubing [about 8 feet (244cm) coiled into 3 turns of about 10'' (25cm) diameter] to allow the refrigerator to move out from the wall after installation.
Connect the tubing to the valve
Place the compression nut and ferrule (sleeve) for copper tubing onto the end of the tubing and connect it to the shut off valve. Make sure the tubing is fully inserted into the valve. Tighten the compression nut securely. For plastic tubing from a GE SmartConnect Refrigerator Tubing kit, insert the model end of the tubing into the shutoff valve and tighten compression nut until it is hand tight, then tighten one additional turn with a wrench. Over tightening may cause leaks.
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