How to adjust water level on Frigidaire Gallery Front Loaders

[tristarcxl]

I was bored today and had a lot of time on my hands, so I decided to see if I could make a man out of my Frigidaire front loader. I've seen it done with the Duets, but every time I've seen this model mentioned, it's always been said, "I don't know how" or "It can't be done".

Well good news! It CAN be done and I've done it.

Here's what kind of washer I'm talking about. Mine's a 2005 model:

 

[tristarcxl]

The pressure switch location

After you get the top off, the pressure switch is mounted to a cross brace in the top of the cabinet. You can see it hanging here directly in back of the timer dial.

 

[appnut]

Steve 1-18 did that to mine when he delivered my 2002 or 2003 Frigidaire Front Loader in October 2007.

 

[tristarcxl]

How to Adjust...

It's kind of a 2-part process to adjust the switch on this machine. There are 2 screws and they act as a team to adjust the level. Turning just one screw does absolutely nothing.

The screw on the left adjusts the diaphram spring tension and the screw on the far right adjusts the contact distance.

With my machine, I turned the left screw 2 full turns CLOCKWISE and the right screw one full turn CLOCKWISE.

 

[tristarcxl]

The end result...

The end result is a wash level that's much more satisfactory.

The original wash level was only about 1/2 way up the tub baffle. After the adjustment the water is about 1/2" over the top of the baffle. It just touches the top edge of the wash basket below the boot. I figure this is a good balance between water economy and good washability.

 

[appnut]

Steve also set mine up so that it always tumbles during fills, but that has the timer running all the time, even during fills which may not be good if you have very low water pressure.

 

[tristarcxl]

If you start a heavy or "Normal" cycle on mine it tumbles during fill with the timer running. I haven't modified mine, it came that way from the factory.

 

[westyslantfront]

I modifed my Fridgemore and it gave a great wash. Now the computer board is not working. It fills but will not tumble.
Considering that I bought the machine used for $200.00, it is not worth fixing and I will eventually replace it.

Ross

 

[yogitunes]

I have the new gallery.....2008.....with the square door and the center dial...these can not be adjusted, daggone it...but on the model you have it was available to make adjustments, had I known mine could not be adjused I would not have bought it.....

 

[alr2903]

Good for you i bet it certainly rinses better with with extra water. alr2903

 

[bobbyderegis]

What will this do to the bearing? Aren't the bearings weak links in these machines?
Bobby in Boston

 

[laundromat]

Been there Done that.

I increased my FriGEMore(1999 model) and KitchenAid Ensemble models.Mine was just below the opening.Made doing bed clothes more efficient.More action and fun to watch!

 

[gyrafoam]

Bobby-----

I believe you are correct.
I have a '97 built machine that has proven tough as nails, but I haven't adjusted the water level up either.

Still, its nice to know how to do it.

 

[jakeseacrest]

I have the same washer. Maybe this will be a weekend project.

 

[yogitunes]

I had mine for 10 years and adjusted the water level when I got it, no bearing problems, actually never a problem from the set, last year when I got the new ones I gave the old one to a niece and it still running, just wish the new ones are adjustable....

I also have come across ones with bad bearings from a factory set water level....go figure!

 

[brastemp]

That's really cool. I really like to adjust my Frigidaire Affinity. Can you help me?

 

[thomasortega]

Du, you can try to replace the pressure switch hose.

Use a very long (really long) flexible hose.
As the hose is flexible and expands it will need more pressure inside it to make the switch detect the pressure.

But don't forget the affinity wasn't made to handle too much water above the bottom of the gasket. It can reach up to 1 inch above the bottom of the door glass. More than that will deform and destroy the gasket.

If you overfill, it will activate the antiflood system.

More water can also make the machine "make mistakes" during the spin, as it won't have time enough to drain all the water causing too many spin interruptions and consequently reduce it's life and/or, cause damages to the board and the bearings. Don't complain later.

I don't think you need too much more water on affinity. you just need to use a better detergent. In Brazil, Ariel Ecomax and Omo tanquinho are doing a great job and they rinse well.

I don't even use the extra rinse on mine anymore. (well, I use imported HE detergents) and also always put a few drops of Ecoplush in the bleach dispenser. By the end of the first rinse, the water is clear like on the last rinse.

 

[yogitunes]

I tried a 25 foot hose on mine...and no change....I thought it would, but no luck...and all I really want is a 1 inch increase...

any other ideas....always willing to try!

 

[bertrum]

Adjusting water levels, Is it a good idea?

These modern machines are designed to wash with low water levels, thats why the wash cycles are so long.
Contary to what you might think raising the water level to levels of twenty years ago will not result in better wash quality.

Overwashing and damaging clothes lies ahead when raising water levels on modern washers.

Obviously doing the opposite on older washers, lowering the water level is even worse, short wash cycles with low water, AHHH I don't need to tell you the result this will have on wash quality!.

Adjusting water levels is not advisable in my opinion.

 

[thomasortega]

martin, the hose should be very flexible and elastic.

like those very flexible yellow or blue rubber hoses (i don't know how they are called in English) used when a nurse needs to give an IV injection.

The idea is to make the hose expand to the sides before the pressure switch detect the pressure.

 

[yogitunes]

I might have something out in the garage, I have a lot of hooses on spools, maybe like hoses used for windshield washer fluid....My first attempt was using air line hose from an aquarium, but you may be right witha rubber hose that would expand a little easier......give me a few days to try out a few things and I'll get back to you on the results.....

this may actually work!

 

[tristarcxl]

Bertrum...

The longest cycle on these machines takes just over 45 minutes. The water level really *IS* too low to achieve decent washability, even with a modern HE detergent. There's no heater, and here in the US we don't have the enzyme cleaners that other countries use.

By raising the water level a couple inches in my particular machine, the washability has been greatly improved! The clothes come out cleaner, I don't have problems with sudsing (which the machine did even with tiny amounts of HE detergent), and I don't have to use the extra rinse.

In the worst case, the bearings will fail......who cares.....i have 2 more machines to use if they do. This particular machine was banished to the garage for doing poor washing, but now that it's actually doing well, it may move back into the house as a daily driver.

 

[thomasortega]

1 inch won't kill your machine, but 2 inches will.

The problem is when a top loader lover has to have a front loader and then adjust the water lever to almost reach the ceiling of the laundry room.

 

[brastemp]

I have tried with a rest of hose from my side by side filter and nothing changes too..
I have no problem with rinse because I always use good soaps.
The Frigidaire affinity problem is a inesistent Bulk Itens cycle like LG and Whirlpool Duet for large itens. My extra large conforters need more water to take a good wash, in general the interior item stay dry a half part of the cycle. With a large load of towels is poor too.

 

[yogitunes]

I have been adding water thru the dispenser drawer, only a gallon, and it makes a big difference to me, thats all I wanted to add.....

 

[mrb627]

HE Detergents

Actually, most detergents sold in the US are Enzyme detergents. The problem lies with the fact that enzymes take longer to do the job than phosphates due. Which is why wash cycles tend to get longer and longer.

 

[yogitunes]

the main problem I see is that when you select HOT wash/COLD rinse, even with the extra rinse...the load comes out warm, not cold.....so you know the clothes aren't getting saturated enough.....there's no suds, but I can't help wondering, are they really getting washed correctly?