Addition to my collection: LG Turbodrum

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

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Chris/ronhic,

I absolutely agree with you that the capacity of this machine is around 5.5kg. That's why I said "only in theory IMHO".

Chris/gizmo,

The wash action with the separate impeller is not pathetic, but it's not spectacular either.

The lid switch on this one must be magnetic. I don't see any difference between left and right in the lid hinges. I did a spin cycle while I lifted the lid a bit in the middle. (so the back half was tilted up a bit). No problem, it did a spin. But as soon as I lifted the front part a bit (while the back part stayed in the same angle) so the front part of the lid didn't touch the control panel anymore it stopped spinning.

I finally found the specifications of this machine on a Chilean website. It spins with 700 - 750 rpm, the motor is 340 Watts (less than most of my blenders) it's made in China and the weight of the machine is only 33.5 kilos.

http://www.paris.cl/webapp/wcs/stor...5&langId=-5&categoryId=&top_category=&r_path=
 
Congratulations Louis, welcome to the 21st century! :-) When I had my GE Harmony I had to use a really strong magnet to trip the lid switch, standard fridge magnets didn't do the job.
 
Almost the same as mine

Hi Louis,
Your Turbodrum is basically a copy of my machine, although mine has a larger stated capacity, 8.5kg,(in reality about 6.5 maybe 7.)
Mine has the same washing action with the large impeller and the 3 smaller ones on it and mine has an indexing washtub,I do agree about turnover, it is ok while not spectacular, but overall I am very happy with it.
Mine has 8 programmes and my favourite is the "Silent" wash which is a cycle one uses mostly at night before going to bed, it washes the load and you hang it out the next morning, it is about a 75 minute cycle, with a short burst of vigorous pulsating to start with and then has intermittent shorter washes and pauses in between.
The "Fuzzy" cycle is the recommended one for everyday clothing and you are correct it moves the dry load around for about 8 seconds and then the display chooses a water level and recommended dosage for detergent.
Hope you have fun with your new toy.
Cheers.
Steve.
 
Type of detergent

Hi Louis,
Standard top loader detergents for this one it is nota H.E. T.L.
I tend to be a bit of a brand swapper at the moment we are using Fab powder with frangipanni fragrance and we have 2 boxes of Drive powder,(generally one of the most expensive powders here in Oz, but we got it on special at half price.).
Actually I have wondered if low suds detergents would be as effective in a standard top loader or not, I dare say rinsing would not be a problem for one thing.
Cheers Louis.
Steve.
 
I've used both...

....top load and front load detergents in a top load machine.

Generally speaking, I use 1 1/2-2 times the minimum dose for a full load and about a normal does for a 1/2 load - Remember, there is a lot of water in there and you are relying on a particular detergent concentration to get things clean...
 
I wondered about that

Thanks Chris,
Yes I wondered wether the lack of suds would cause a problem with dirt suspension and I suspected it would, also the more vigorous washing action would also cause the low foam formula to break up faster.
Your point about using more to cope wih this would ease this problem but I don't think it would be very cost effective in the long run with having to buy more detergent more frequently(although that does have a certain appeal to it.)
Cheers.
Steve.
 
Hi Louis

You could get yourself a box of Amway SA8 laundry detergent. The formula for this low-sudsing concentrate should be the same worldwide and is suitable for top and front loaders. You may already be familiar with it, but if you are not, I can tell you that I have used it for decades and find it to be a very good product. It cleans great, is good for soaking, has only a hint of a scent and rinses out well.

I could also send you something from Australia if you want. My only worry is customs thinking that I am sending feel-good powder or that some other contraband is concealed within and that you wouldn't receive the goods intact. That is my only concern, but if others have experience with successfully mailing detergents I'd be willing to do this.

BTW, I had to smile when I read your response to my previous post. You have a good memory; I haven't posed anything under that moniker for yonks.

Through my work I've had the opportunity to use modern impeller washers and find them quite effective. The LG is an interesting machine and I particularly like the model with the rear mounted controls and stainless impeller.

Cheers

Olav
 
I had already used more detergent than I usually do in my frontloaders (or H-axis toploaders for that matter). I have't tried really dirty laundry yet though.

Olav,

I bought a box of AS8 some time ago, still have some left. I sure will try that in the Turbodrum. Thanks for your offer to send detergent over from Australia, but with the SA8 I have enough for playing with this machine for a while. If I like the combination of the SA8 and the Turbodrum I sure will buy more SA8.

I noticed that LG washers get mixed reviews on an Australian consumer site (the link was posted in another thread, but I can't find it right now). I was a bit amazed though that some people find these machines noisy. Personally I find this one of the most silent washers.

I have indeed a good memory. Much to amusement or despair of my relatives depending on what I remember about them. LOL

Louis
 
I noticed that LG washers get mixed reviews on an Australian

I've attached a link to the Australian Product Review Website - that is probably the one you were referring to. With many reviews it is interesting to note that people tend to rate products either very highly or very poorly. There are not very many ratings that fall in between those values - so usually it's either love or hate. The main complaint seems to be lint, which leads me to believe that it is probably more of a user issue rather than an actual performance problem.

Anyway, check out the link, it makes for some interesting reading.

Olav

http://www.productreview.com.au/
 
BTW your Amway detergent box

should have dosage instructions for both top and front loaders on it. If not let us know and I will give them to you.
 
Fit a proper plug!

Even with an RCD (GFCI) on the circuit you should fit a proper European earthed plug to this machine.

When the machine's body's earthed, any fault will show up as an RCD trip and you will save a lot of hassle!

Also, the dimensions of a Chilean plug's pins may not exactly match those of a standard European socket. It could make bad contact and overheat.

For the sake of 10 mins work, it would be worth cutting it off and fitting a standard Schuko plug.
 
Olav,

The text on my SA8 box is especially for the European market, so no instructions what so ever for V-axis toploaders. If you could post here the dosage instructions you would make me very happy.

That was indeed the site I meant. Thank you for the link.

mrx,

The plug on my washer is an Italian model, they use the same in Chile. It's a variation on the Euro/Schuko plug, just with a center pole for the grounding. So no worry about not fitting. You are right about it not being grounded though.

Louis
 
Okay Louis - this is how it goes!

Doasge Instructions for Top Loaders and Semi Automatics:

Load Size, Water Fill, SA8Plus

2.0 - 2.5kg, 30 L, 30ml or 28g - 1 scoop

2.8 - 3.3kg, 40 L, 40ml or 38g - 1 1/3 scoops

3.6 - 4.2kg, 45 L, 45ml or 43g - 1 1/2 scoops

4.5 - 5.5 kg, 55 L, 55ml or 52g - <2 scoops

6.0 - 7.0 kg, 70 L, 80ml or 76g - 2 2/3 scoops

Front Loading Automatics:

4.5 - 5.5 kg, 20 - 30 L, 40ml or 38g - 1 1/3 scoops

Handwashing:

1 kg, 10 L, 10ml or 10g - 1/3 scoop

I have always found that one can use a little less than the recommended dose. On the lowest water level setting in my TL, which is approx. 20 litres I use a third of a scoop not a full one. You'll have to experiment and see how slippery that water gets. I am assuming that your measuring scoop, that came with your SA8 detergent, is 30 mls.

I can't see why you wouldn't be able to use regular HE detergent. Before they introduced HE formulations over here, all regular detergents had dosage instructions for front loaders as well, which usually just meant using half the amount that one would use in a top loader.

Experimentation is half the fun - see how you go.

Olav
 
Well, keep us posted with your experiences

I'd like to know how you assess this washer.

For what it's worth, get yourself some washbags for 'dainties' if you are going to throw them in with your regular stuff, instead of washing them separately on the gentle cycle. You may not have any 'dainties' - but, just in case you do, you'll want to make sure that they don't get damaged by the vigorous wash action.

Have fun.

Olav
 
I know toploaders use more hot water but compared to the amount of laundry I was amazed that it selected the XL water level. I stepped on a scale with an empty wash basket and the same basket with this load. The difference was 3kg. So 3kg of dry laundry needs the full amount of water? Hmmmm.[this post was last edited: 6/8/2010-17:14]
 
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