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

[launderess]

As One Said Previously

WFL2060UC is made by Bosch and is a "pure" 208v-240v washing machine. That is it has a three prong "European" plug versus the four for a Miele. That being said as one mentioned such machines in theory will run on a step-up transformer.

According to specs the unit pulls 2200 watts which is just shy of the max you can safely get from a 15amp 120v, especially for long periods of usage.

http://www.bosch-home.com/us/WFL2060UC.html

 

[launderess]

Watts are Watts

Main benefit for using 208v-240v for heating in washers, dryers, and ironers is that it will get you to the desired temperature faster and recover sooner than 120v.

If the target temperature say is 140F and you are starting from 40F either 120v or 220v (or whatever) will get you there, the question is how fast. However it is not a matter of saving power by using higher wattage. You still are going to need the same amount of energy to reach that temp regardless. It is perfectly possible to reach boil wash temps using 120v power from cold water. It will take ages but you will still get there.

There is nothing my Pfaff ironer at 3kW at 220v does better than my vintage Frigidaire does at 1.7kW at 120v except reach the desired temp faster and recover quickly.

The other thing of course is there are limits to how much power you can get from the outlet/wiring. In theory you can push a 120v outlet to run at 100% capacity for long periods of time, but I shouldn't think it will like it over the long run. You would really have to know what is going on with the wires inside the walls and such. If lucky the things were over engineered to take some abuse.

 

[Chetlaham]

In terms of energy well said!

Circuits can be pushed to 100% as long as nothing else is on them loading them beyond 100%. There is an 80% rule in the code for things that run over 3 hours, but its more (though no one will say it) around circuit breakers accumulating heat in commercial electrical panels where every circuit is near the max. In residential nothing will happen pushing a breaker to 100% 24/7.

Basically to the OP it goes down like this:

14 gauge wire is good for 15 amps

12 gauge wire is 20 amps

10 gauge wire is good for 30amps

As long as the breaker matches the wires all is ok.