Clearence between inner & outer tubs?

[the7]

Do you know the clearance between the inner and outer tubs of your washer?

It could be measured easily. Use a small wood stick and put it through the hole of the inner tub until it reach the outer tub. The length of the stick putting in is the clearance.

My 95/96 Maytag TL, clearance = 9/16 "
My Huebsch LTZ85 FL, clearance = 1 5/16".

Tell us about your washer.

 

[toggleswitch]

Yah

Just don't use a disposable bamboo skewer/ souvlaki stick (shis-ke-bab stick) with a point on it.

You may pierce those new plastic outer tubs! LOL

 

[toggleswitch]

GE T/L-er Mr. Plastiqe 2006: 1 3/16"
GE T/L-er Filter-flo c.1990: 1 15/16" (2 INCHES PEOPLE!)

Frid-Ge-More F/L-er:
The holes are too small for my stick. (HA! I should be so lucky always.)

 

[Designgeek]

Instead of a stick you could try using a narrow-gauge piece of stiff single-strand wire.

The smaller the gap between inner & outer tubs, the less water is needed to achieve a given water depth in the inner tub. This is an easy place for manufacturers to gain efficiency.

 

[the7]

However, there will be a higher probability of damaging the tubs if foreign matters are dropped between the tubs.

 

[lavamat_jon]

A smaller gap between the inner and outer tub also causes more potential for suds locks. Older Hotpoint frontloaders in the UK had a small gap between the inner and outer tubs, and as a result always got into sudslock even when spinning a lighter load.

Jon

 

[the7]

Thanks Jon for telling us about the related sud problem with the tub-gap.

What is the tub-gap in your washer; AEG & Miele etc?

 

[Designgeek]

Jon, good point about suds lock. And good illustration of the general point about design complications when trying to improve efficiency.

Okay, so here's a question. Staber uses a hexagonal inner tub rotating in an octagonal outer tub, and this produces a surging action as the water is "lifted" in the outer tub and cascades down through the inner tub. Has anyone tried anything like that on a front-loader, or does Staber have the patent on odd geometries?

 

[the7]

Staber should have the patent.

From the video of Staber, the space between the tubs varies as a function of position. This would create a pumping action and water will be forced to move through the holes of the inner tub. Staber claims that this pumping action help cleaning.

Don't know if there is any other made.

 

[vivalalavatrice]

Staber exagon tube...

I personally don't believe that the exagon inner tube is the only way to get an efficient turbolence in the water. Every h-axis circular tube (American FL and European FL/TL), with three or more racks can get the same results as well.

Remeber that a big gap between the inner and the outter (in h-axis) tub may creates lint release on the bottom of the outter tub (wich can cause demage on an eventual built in heater), from the water not involving in the "motion"...

Sometimes (at least twice a year) a glass of vinegare and a spoon of sodium bicarbonate in the washer for a medium-cycle (warm/50°C) can get cleaned it in any internal parts thrown from the water.

Goodbye
Diomede