Can I rewire my 208/240V Bosch Washer to run on 120V?

[david]

I only need to hook up a washer and don't want to rewire the house in order to hook this up. Can I rewire it? Can I use a step up transformer to get it to 240V? I don't see why it should need three phases. I have both a hot and cold water hook ups so it doesn't need to heat anything. The washer shouldn't need so much power. Maybe it's just working off the 120V, 20A anyway and the 240V is for the ventless dryer it is usually paired with. Any help with this would be fantastic.

Thanks,
David

 

[tomturbomatic]

Does the house have a 240 volt dryer outlet you could use?

 

[cuffs054]

David, be careful not to confuse 220V with 3 phase. They are two different animals that may or may not have mated.

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

You could always plug it in and see what happens.
It will be using 240/220V for the heater, the rest is probably only running of 110V or less anyway! As You've said - hot water enters anyway, so it should be fine. Its not like your plugging a 110V into a 240V plug which could be a disaster!

 

[foraloysius]

What's the model number of this particular Bosch?

 

[henene4]

Well...

The US Bosches are AFAIK pretty much simmilar to an EU Bosch. This means PCB, motor, valves, pump and everything else runs at 220V.
But if you hook it up on 110V, it should either somehow work or (depending on the age of the machine) give you an error code or do nothing at all.
A step-up transformer should work, given your electric system can carry the load (it should pull about 10A maximum at 220V).
And keep in mind that this washer might use the heater anyway, even if you hook it up to hot water.

 

[david]

Wow! I got so many responses. And so quickly. Thank you for all the input. Seems like the best option is to buy a step up transformer and give it a go. This has been a huge help. I'll let you guys know what happens.

 

[david]

The model # is WFL2060UC.

 

[jerrod6]

I wouldn't even try it.  I have a 220V Miele and everything down to the fill valves are 220V.  I would just pay to run a 220V line to the machine and be done with it.  Plus 220V provides faster heating and I think it actually uses a bit less energy than 120V. 

 

My washer uses the heater even if you select a warm wash, because it is located in an unheated basement so in the winter whatever hot water enters is immediately cooled down once it hits the drum and clothes. 

 

If you rather not,  then try the step up transformer.  I think this is what the 120V Mieles have inside of them anyway.

 

[askolover]

220V operates more efficiently than 120 does

 

[launderess]

You Cannot Run 120v/208v-240v Miele Appliances

On a step-up transformer. If it was just a case of pure 220v (or whatever) power then perhaps. But certain bits of the Miele need that 120v "leg" as it were. You would have to look at the schematic for the particular washing machine in question to determine what powers what.

 

[iej]

Miele's machines are (or were) effectively European 230V machines adapted to the US market, rather than being built for it.

I think Bosch's appliances are less likely to be like that.

 

[launderess]

AEG, Asko, Bosch, Fagor and a few other European washers and dryers were all pure 208v-240v. Miele for reasons known to themselves went with American "dryer" type power of 120v/208-240v connection.

IIRC some of the very early Miele units could be made to run purely on 208v-240v power, indeed Miele USA sold conversion parts to do so, but it didn't last.

Ironically Miele's rotary ironers were designed to run on 208v-220v power on either 50hz or 60hz for worldwide sale. Considering those units pulled just as much power for their heaters (about 3kw or so)don't see why the same couldn't have been done for washing machines and dryers.

The other worry is that Miele uses a four prong plug for it's washing machines and dryers. You aren't going to find that on a step-up transformer. You'd have to change the plug on the washer I shouldn't wonder

 

[iej]

American electricity is very complicated for major appliances!

 

[Chetlaham]

Unless the machine has internal 120 volt parts and just 240 for the heater it will not work (heater will have 1/4 the power). 3 phase? That sounds like a classic Euro machine for 230/400Y power.

If you need straight 240 its easy. Most washer circuits by code are dedicated. It just means swapping your single pole with a double pole breaker and changing out the outlet to a 240 volt version (like an American 6-20r). Easy if you know the basics of home wiring. Also make sure the machine is ok with 60Hz.

BTW, do you have an electric dryer plug near by, that is 240?

 

[Chetlaham]

Just to add 240 is not more efficient than 120 in terms of power billed. Watts are watts no matter what. However, if you toss in a transformer, that will take up power even when the machine isn't running. Also, check the machine wattage when using a step up transformer. A 20amp 120 volt outlet can only supply 2400 watts max. Euro circuits tend to be 16amps at 230 volts so some Euro machines do pull more than 2400 watts.

Considering the size, cost and weight of a large transformer rewiring the wall socket for 240 is the best option IMO.

 

[iej]

That being said the UK and Irish outlets limit things to 13amps @ 230V. That's actually often a lowest common denominator for European products as they don't design multiple variants. So machines usually don't go beyond 3000W and most seem to be less than 2800W.

 

[Chetlaham]

Very good info! The British plugs are 13 amps and fused due to the ring main, even though Schukos can handle more. So the 2800 3000 watt explanation makes a lot of sense.

If the OPs machine is no more than 3000 watts that will be perfect. 3000/240= 12.5 amps, so no need for larger wire. Same circuit will do.

 

[david]

It works! Great your input, everyone. I'll just have to turn the transformer off when I'm not using it.

Thanks