Control thoughts

[ragnboneman]

I'm an industrial electrician so I do a lot of motor control.
I have read threads here about sourcing timers and modifying timers for longer wash cycles ect.

Has anyone ever tried to add functions by swapping timers from other machines even other brands into their favourite machine?

I was thinking about adding a couple of industrial process timers to my Maytag orbital to add a long wash cycle, a rest cycle perhaps for a mid wash soak.

I even thought about buying a custom programmable Cam switch kit from an industrial supplier to make my own custom wash cycles.

Yes I could even go full mad max and swap out controls for something cheap and easy and electronic like Siemens LOGO.
But I'm not fond of PLCs I like that more tactile feeling really hardwired logic I watch unfold in front of me.
Call me old fashion...

Has this ever been done here?

 

[ddfan92]

That would be totally awesome to see come to fruition!

 

[appnut]

Who remembers the Frigidaire washer Robert put together that was computer-based control that did some really net stuff with spin sprays and such?

 

[qsd-dan]

"Who remembers the Frigidaire washer Robert put together that was computer-based control that did some really net stuff with spin sprays and such?"

At least one video still exists on YouTube. Extremely nice setup, especially for its time.

 

[ragnboneman]

I am surprised its not more commonly done....

I have a cottage way back in the woods up here in North Ontario and I don't have mains electricity so it has been in the back of my mind sometime now to build a proper off grid washer.

The Maytag Orbitals trany and controls make this kind of thing very easy to convert to something that runs on 24 volt......
Take this with a grain of salt, but most 120 volt AC relays will work on 24Vdc without modification.
Low voltage timer motors can be sourced new from China to modify a timer.
24vDC battery lawn mower motors have enough torque to run a washer.

I may do that.

Or I may insert some functions in my Maytag timer as built to start and stop a generator just to run the motor and run the controls on 12Vdc The Chinese even make 12 volt valves for washing machines ( check Aliexpress )

Most of this is a thought experiment right now whilst I decide.

I'm posting a few links here to stuff that might be of interest.
This Hobart Cam switch is something I am familiar with.
Its not a Hobart manufactured part I think Allied Signal made it I have seen longer ones used in Industrial process.
The point is this can be modified easily to change the timer functions.
there are still many of these made for other companies just because old plants and processes cant me cheaply modernized.
You can take this apart and change the setting inside for the functions to work however you like...
https://www.partstown.com/hobart/hob00-812410
This is a KB electronics drive, for common 90vdc DC motors
Very simple used for decades in simply machines that require some speed control.
You adjust the speed by a simply turn of a dial or relays can switch in resistors that change speed.
Very simple Very Cheap.
With something like this you can build a machine with not only speed control but smooth drum brakes that never wear out
https://acim.nidec.com/drives/kbele...ents/dc-drives/manuals/kbic_manual.ashx?la=en

OK then...
Im down a rabbit hole, I just wanted to post a few things to show you what you can cheaply and easily buy if you wanted to adapt some changes into old machines.
I wasn't expecting it to generate as much curiosity as it did.

TO build something tied into a PC is beyond my skills with a computer, but there are industrial controls run by computer that are designed to be relatively simple to use.
This is the Siemens LOGO.
Its might be running a vending machine or could be in commercial washing machines without you ever seeing it