Icemaker Installation Guide
If you want to upgrade your refrigerator to have an icemaker but don’t want to
pay someone to install it, this icemaker installation guide can help. Icemakers
are easy to install and with help from this guide you can install your icemaker
yourself.
Before you start the icemaker installation you will need to buy a few things: an
icemaker kit that will fit your refrigerator, a water line, a fittings and a
valve. The part number for the kit that fits GE refrigerators is IM6. The part
number that fits most other brands is 1129313. But for Frigidaire refrigerators
order by model number. Refrigerator ice makers on sale - Whirlpool, Kenmore, GE and
others.
The water line must be ¼ O.D and I recommend PEX or
copper pipe. PEX is more flexible and won’t crimp as bad as copper, so I use PEX
pipe. You also will need at least two ¼ inch brass nuts and compression sleeves.
Make sure that if you use PEX pipe, that the compression sleeve is plastic.
You will also need a valve to attach to your house plumbing. There are
two types of valves you can use: an inline tee and a saddle valve (tap-a-line).
The saddle valve will work only if your house has copper water pipes. The saddle
valve is the easiest to install, just bolt it onto the line and turn it on. But
if you have any other kind of water line besides copper, you must use an inline
tee. To use this type of line you must cut off all of your water then cut the
water line where you intend to install the valve. Then install the valve, turn
the water back on and check for leaks.
Once you have all the necessary
materials it is time to get started on icemaker installation. The first thing
you need to do is locate the cold water line that you will install the valve.
Note that in order for your icemaker to be efficient, you must install the valve
on the cold water line. If the refrigerator is located so that you can run the
water line through the kitchen cabinets and under the sink, install the water
valve under the sink. But sometimes you can’t do this so install the water valve
under the house on the nearest cold water line. Once the valve is installed, it
is time to run the water line.
Using a 3/8-inch drill bit, drill
necessary holes to reach the location of the valve. Note that you must drill the
hole as close to the wall as possible so that you can push the refrigerator all
the way back without crimping the line. Then hook to the valve you installed on
your house plumbing.
Now it is time to install the icemaker kit. There
are installation instructions with icemaker kits, use them along with these
tips. First, locate the hole in the back of the refrigerator that the fill tube
will be installed in (its probably covered with tape). Some refrigerators have a
fill tube installed from the factory. Locate the fill tube in the kit and
install it but don’t pull off the sticky tape or screw it on just yet.
Next, look at the receptacle that the icemaker plugs into, then look at
the plug and determine which (if any) wire adapter you need. Then install the
icemaker. Now look at the fill tube and determine if it needs to be cut to fit
into the icemaker fill cup. If so, pull it back out of the back of the
refrigerator and cut it to the correct length. Then pull the sticky tape off the
back of the fill tube or screw it on.
Now remove the back off the
refrigerator and install the valve on the same side that the fill tube is on.
Note that there should be wires to plug the valve in close to where you should
install the valve. Once the valve is installed, run the plastic line up the back
of the refrigerator to the fill tube and shove the line inside the fill tube.
There should be a clamp inside the kit to use, so the fill tube doesn’t leak.
Now hook the water line that you installed earlier to the refrigerator
valve. Turn on the water at the valve you installed on your house plumbing and
check for leaks. All that’s left is to place the ice bin under the icemaker and
wait. You are now finished with icemaker installation and your ice bin should be
full within 48 hours but most of the time it won’t take that long.
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