Do Top Load Washers Sound Better on 50Hz or 60Hz?

[Chetlaham]

This video got me thinking. Its a speed compensated 50Hz direct drive drive. I kind of like the 100Hz motor buzz in addition to the familiar drone and klunk-klunk of the agitation.





Which got me thinking. Would various vintage toploaders sound better if built and run on 50 cycle operation? 50Hz sounds gruntier in my opinion, perhaps making for more entertaining wash experience?

 

[maytag85]

60hz sounds better. 50hz has a sound I am not too fond of.

Not sure where the 60hz power frequency came from, but since Nikola Tesla liked numbers that were divisible by 3, probably went with that. Could have also had to do with clocks becoming electric and decided 60hz was best since there’s 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour.

 

[Chetlaham]

Between you and me I like the 50Hz mains sound better. 60Hz sounds ominous, 50Hz sounds majestic, assertive, and it makes itself known. Perhaps it is bias from not hearing daily, perhaps I'd prefer 50Hz over 60Hz if it were widespread in the US.

 

[maytag85]

That woo woo sound wouldn’t be pronounced as much on the older Whirlpool belt drives on 50hz as opposed to 60hz.

Btw, dryers don’t tumble well on 50hz as opposed to 60hz.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

This video got me thinking. Its a speed compensated 50Hz direct drive drive. I kind of like the 100Hz motor buzz in addition to the familiar drone and klunk-klunk of the agitation.





Which got me thinking. Would various vintage toploaders sound better if built and run on 50 cycle operation? 50Hz sounds gruntier in my opinion, perhaps making for more entertaining wash experience?

I prefer 60hz.

 

[Unimatic1140]

I'd have to listen to 60hz vs 50hz on the same machine in two different countries to make up my mind. A 50hz motor on 60hz North American power probably sounds different than it would on 50hz mains in Europe.

 

[Chetlaham]

That woo woo sound wouldn’t be pronounced as much on the older Whirlpool belt drives on 50hz as opposed to 60hz.

Btw, dryers don’t tumble well on 50hz as opposed to 60hz.

Correct, but the washers I imagine would be speed compensated. Meaning the pulleys and gears would make up for the slower motor output speed.

 

[Chetlaham]

I'd have to listen to 60hz vs 50hz on the same machine in two different countries to make up my mind. A 50hz motor on 60hz North American power probably sounds different than it would on 50hz mains in Europe.

It would sound different due to the rate of magnetostriction in the iron core.

60Hz supplied equipment emits a 120Hz base tone, while 50Hz supplied equipment emits a 100Hz tone.

I like the 100Hz tone, I've always wanted to hear it on various vintage top loaders.