FL Washer Tub Venting Question

[forestcat]

Hi,
This is a Frigidaire FWT645RHS, but this is a model-neutral issue/question. There seems to be a consensus that a good amount of blame for the failure of the ubiquitous aluminum spiders in these FL machines is due to excessive moisture retention. All of the threads related to this always have the advice "leave the front and dispenser doors open when not in use", etc.
So here's the question: has anyone done/considered adding a 'vent' to the top of the tub and employing some sort of forced ventilation between uses w/ a duct fan, etc?
Of course the end of the duct/fan would need to be high enough above the tub to avoid splashing, etc. Would that be much better than placing the end of a 6" flexible duct w/ a duct fan into the spin basket between washes?
I'm replacing bearings due to a failed seal. This is my 2nd basket, replaced maybe 5 years ago. Should have replaced the seal back then, didn't.
This spider has some pitting/corrosion, but is far from ready to fail, in better shape than anything on ebay right now. I'd like to make it last as long as possible. Don't think the stainless 1/4" bolts will ever come out at this point, so removal to prime/paint/etc is probably not an option. Love to hear any experiences re: venting. Thanks.

 

[stevet]

Venting kits

I never tried installing a vent kit in a FL machine, but it sure seems like a good idea. I remember seeing them years ago as a retrofit for at least the Whirlpool Duet machines. You may want to search for such a kit before going crazy trying to cobble something together to fit your application.

 

[eronie]

Vent fan

Sometime ago I remember a small computer fan kit that you put over the vent at the back of the machine and plugged the transformer to the wall.
Haven't seen lately.
Actually it might help.

 

[combo52]

90% Of Spider Corrosion And Failure

Is caused by poor washing practice, as long as you use hot water, plenty of good detergent and LCB helps a lot it is pretty unlikely that spider corrosion and breakage will be what kills your washer.

 

The fact that it is not corroded badly means you are doing something right, clean rinse water will cause very little if any corrosion, its all the bio-film [ dirt and scrooge ] that accumulates on the spider etc that causes all the corrosion, sure leave the door open and the dispenser drawer, but adding a fan on a properly used washer would likely not make any difference.

 

John L.

 

[kimball455]

GE Venting washer

I have this washer. Reminds you to run the vent when you finish your laundry. Nice machine.

 

Harry

Front Load Washer - Fresh Vent Washers - GE Appliances

Explore GE's Front Load Washers with Vent systems & Odor Block. Our washing machine stays fresh and you don't need to wipe constantly or leave the door open.

www.geappliances.com

 

[yogitunes]

if that were an issue....then ALL FL machines would have those problems...

maybe drill air holes in the machine might fix the ventilation issue....

I heard by hitting the HOT wash selection will cause my machine to flip over and spin his bearings....I tried it, but all I got was cleaner clothes and a trouble free machine....

 

[DADoES]

 
Aren't most frontloaders already designed with a vent at back of the tub?

There's also this Washer Fan

IIRC, a Whirlpool model (Bob/Appnut??) has an integral fan for a function to keep the load fresh if unloading is delayed, and for overnight drying of a very small load.

Tub vent on a 2006 Duet pics below.

 

[appnut]

Yes, my Duet has that feature. Incidentally, 9 years ago today my Duet was installed.

 

[logixx]

I, too, think that most US front loaders have vents already. Might be to help dry the tub, might also be to prevent children from potentially suffocating.

Incidentally, I have the same Duet shown above, just the European version. On mine, that vent hole is capped off. None of our washers have tub vents.

Here's a current LG. The vent is visible near the top of the back.

 

[combo52]

All FL Washers Have Some Type Of Tub Vents

This is necessary for the water level switch to function, otherwise the machine would become pressurized as it filled with water,

 

Many just vent through the dispenser area, this is why it is important to leave the dispenser open at least partially as well as the main loading door between uses.

 

John L.

 

[forestcat]

Thanks for all the replies. Is there some type of thread subscription/email notification of new thread replies, etc. for these forums? Would not have known about the replies if I hadn't come back just to look & see.

In any case, my tub has no vents, other than the 1/2" rubber tube to the dispenser. I was considering perhaps a 2" hole at the top of the tub & a short length of 2" pool filter-type hose to some sort of step-up adapter to mount a 4" muffin fan on the back panel, on a relay, ie only on when the washer is off.

I asked my wife re: usage. She has always left the door closed. She never washes in cold water. But never very hot either. No use of fabric softener. Uses bleach occasionally, maybe once a month.

The first spider lasted about 8 years. This one is 7 years old. Mind you, it's just me & my wife, and we don't generate a ton of laundry.

Any thoughts as to how much longer (%) a spider would last w/ the door open all the time vs closed? This one was pretty slimy before I power washed it. Now it's just oxidized w/ some pitting in places, but it looks like most of the material thickness is still there. Wish I could remember how 'thick' the busted one looked 7 years ago, but I never bothered to wash it off.

 

[yogitunes]

as an upgraded member, there are signals to alert you to threads that have been replied to....for the small price, its worth it....

Slimy = cheap detergents and COLD washes......tell tale signs that are obvious...

another sign we check is the dryer drum, if its tinted blue from denim loads, again = cold water washes....proper washing, it will go away....

I wash in true hot(140+) water, and purge the line if needed, a good detergent, LCB as needed...never leaving doors or drawers open, machine always fresh and clean....

even got in machines that were beyond filthy, within a few weeks of proper laundry practices, the machine will clean itself...

 

[gelaundry4ever]

I believe lg and their kenmore

and elite counterparts have air vents on the back of the machine to vent out laundry fumes.

 

[DADoES]

 
Interesting.  What kinds of fumes are produced by your laundry?

 

[yogitunes]

well we do sort of miss the detergent/bleach/softener fragrance emanating from wringers or TL machines of the past.....used to fill the basement/house notifying that laundry was being done....

the best you can get now is from the outside dryer vent....but not the same effect...

 

[foraloysius]

Quite a lot of the older European front loaders had a dispenser on top of the machine, some of them also had a control panel on top. I remember I opened the lid of the dispenser of my mother's Bosch and smell the fragrance of old fashioned Dixan. Sweet memories!

 

[gelaundry4ever]

I don't have bad fumes coming from laundry.

It's just the freshness of the laundry detergent, bleach and fabric softener flowing from the machine into the room. I remember one time, I walked into my mom's garage and it literally smelled like a laundromat. My dad's laundry pair does put out the same freshness with the warm, damp air you'd expect from the laundromat.