Dyson Contrarotator CR01

[washmania]

Hello everyone!

Here's my Dyson CR01. Made around 2002. I have owned this for around 10 years. When I first bought this machine it had a couple of problems such as a leaking sump seal, leaking tub seal, worn shock absorbers, and also a faulty powerboard (which was actually caused by a loose screw making its way onto it and shorting it out). It had not been properly looked after.

Since overcoming those problems, this machine has been totally rock solid and it has probably done well over 5000 washes. Contarotation is perfect. I replaced the motors last year and the brushes still had around 50% left in them. I run Bosch descaler through it every 3 months on a 60 degrees cycle and the inside is as good as new. The display is fading a little bit but I can live with that.

I am probably a bit biased but I think I probably have one of the best of the surviving contrarotators

Hope you like the pictures.

[this post was last edited: 9/30/2023-15:24]

 

[panasonicvac]

That's the first I've ever seen

I didn't know Dyson made washing machines before, very cool! Thanks for sharing

 

[luxflairguy]

Alex! Didn't know Dyson make washers? You've missed alot! They make good washer alongside their crappy vacuums!

 

[washmania]

I have a Sebo Automatic X7 Pet vacuum. Prefer bagged vacuums as they're much more hygenic when emptying.

 

Having said that, Dyson's recent cordless vacuums are quite tempting as they are now offering HEPA filtration and their new robot one might be worth a look.

 

[panasonicvac]

Oh I agree, I like bagged machines more as well. I have a white Sebo X4 and a blue Sebo X5 including a blue Sears Kenmore Professional 12 (X1) that's made by Sebo, they're one of if not the best vacuums ever! I may not be as much of a fan on Dyson vacuums but I will say though that I really do like the V8 cordless my work has, I may end up getting one for myself.

 

[maytag85]

From what I understand, these were only made for a few years back in the early 2000’s before Dyson discontinued them. They essentially were selling them at a loss and since not much R&D went into the development, about 2 out of every 3 machines sold needed at least some repair done to them after a few years from what I’ve heard though some probably ran for a good 8 to 10 years before needing a repair done.

 

[logixx]

Oh, I'll be looking forward to reviews of the vacuum. So far it seems the robot is very meh for being probably the most expensive one out there. Not to mention it can't do anything but vacuum (no mopping, self-clean).

The Contrarotator was cool. Too bad its biggest feature was its biggest weakness - besides the cost, of course.

 

[foraloysius]

Wonderful machine. I like this colour combination the best. And yours looks very well kept. Happy washing!

 

[combo52]

What a cool washing machine

I always love things like this that are complex and unique.

Are there any videos out there of one of these washing?

John

 

[me]

Nice machine, amazed its lasted so well! I think that's one of their more pleasing colour schemes.

I remember these being about £1,200 in the shops when an average washing machine would set you back £300 - £400, and they usually had the purple, or the purple and grey model on display, so I didn't see any of the more toned down colours until they'd been out for a couple of years or so.

They had so many reliability issues that they eventually adopted a policy of disabling contrarotation in all machines that their engineers were called out to repair, regardless of the fault, much to the furry of their owners who had paid so much for that feature.

 

[me]

There's one washing here, about 13 mins in for contrarotation:-



This shows some of the mechanism

 

[henene4]

That thing was a marvel of engineering - just incredibly over engineered.

The 2 motors drive a planetary gear box that was used to either lock the drums together or allow them to contrarotate.
Because laundry could be across the 2 drum halves during spin, they needed to turn 100% in sync.
Thus they needed to be locked together physically.

That geat box, plus 2 motors, plus the controls, double door locks made these expensive, service nightmares and failure prone.

Samsung has something similar with their QuickDrive machines.

Those only have the backplate of the drum contrarotate.
Thus, they don't need the gearbox.
Modern inverter motors are also somewhat cheaper, making the concept more viable today.

These machines are incredible non the less!

 

[ozzie908]

Henene4

You mention the Samsung Q drive have you seen one working?

I was under the impression it was a reboot of the old Hoover Keymatic that had a paddle in the back of the drum.

Saw one in the appliance shop and the back plate in the Samsung looked impressive

 

[henene4]

Had one for a few months.

It's a lot like the Hoover Pulsator in the Keymatic - but the Dyson is the same concept, just taken a step further.

Maybe a step to far for obvious reasons.

 

[panasonicvac]

Very fascinating!

I'm now curious, would anybody happen to have brochures or pictures of all the Dyson washers that's ever been sold?

 

[washmania]

Sales brochure

Here you go, scans of the sales brochure, from days gone by here:

 

Has anybody seen or used Dyson FL Washer?

I keep seeing pictures of them on the web and they look way cool. I expect they'll be marketing them in the US soon.

www.automaticwasher.org

 

This was the only brochure to my knowledge. The user manual is still available on the Dyson website if you are interested.

https://www.dyson.co.uk/support/laundry/washing-machines/cr02

 

There was only really one incarnation but there were 5 variations:

 

CR01 (Purple)

CR01 Flowcheck (White) (flood sensor, aquastop hoses)

CR01 Memory (Grey) (above plus 3 memory buttons + start delay)

 

CR02 Flowcheck (White) (start delay)

CR02 Allergy (Silver) (above plus 3 memory buttons, and up to 3 extra rinses*, 50c and 60c temperature available on duvet cycle)

 

*All machines have an extra rinse option. By default the machine does 2 rinses, with the allergy model you could have 5 rinses in total.

 

CR01 and CR02 were to most intents and purposes the same machine, and all CR01s that are out there will have had CR02 parts on at some point in the lifetime. CR02 had some minor part changes but the main difference is that CR02 were made in Malaysia.

 

I've taken a video of mine doing contrarotation in 60fps, I'll try and upload later.

[this post was last edited: 10/2/2023-13:48]

 

[logixx]

Samsung Q drive have you seen one working?

 

[mrlaundry1011]

Samsung Q Drive

I also owned 2 Samsung quick drives, one of the first models and then the latest WW9800 model just before the bespoke range. Although it shortened programmes, it was awfully rough on clothing. All loads came out in a tangled mess, god knows how the washer dryer versions manage to dry afterwards. It tore up bed sheets and you could hear the cogs in the Q drive plate grinding and slipping while washing towels as it was way too much friction for the parts quality. Although the machine also had a heating issue too, which was the main reason I got rid of it.

 

[panasonicvac]

Speaking of Samsung

Unrelated to washers but there was a time when Dyson used to use Samsung motors on their vacuums. I wonder if Dyson back then gave permission to Samsung to use that washer design on their Q Drive?