I said i was going to make noise... And it's getting louder!

[thomasortega]

Folks

Thank you all for all the comments you've posted on several threads I created.

Designing washing machines isn't easy. We need lots of technical knowledge, of course, but the most important is remember we have two ears to listen to people and make products like they want.

Hours ago I just released the New The Laundry Alternative SCAW2GEN
When you read the product descriptions, many of you will think "ok, Thomas was thinking of me".

I'm sorry but it was impossible to add all the features you wanted. Some ideas were too expensive to execute, other ideas are unthinkable nowadays due to liability or even the codes that we must respect.

All I can say to all members here, is Thank you! Thanks to AWO I could understand even better the American culture and the consumer needs. And every day I learn more and more.

The SCAW2GEN is one of a series of 18 new products The Laundry Alternative plans to release over the next 12 months. All of them designed here in the USA or Brazil/USA and made in our plant in China or our partner plant in Brazil. (Mueller).

Some models will be released simultaneously in the USA, Canada and Brazil.

Ps. The "post it" electric yellow is a limited edition.

http://https//www.laundry-alternative.com/our-products/super-compact-full-automatic-washing-machine/

 

[mralex]

It’s so cute! Is it compatible with 240v?

 

[whatsername]

Wow, I want one for the garage!

 

[revvinkevin]

Video?

 

 

Thomas, will it operate with the lid open?  

 

Have you posted a video of it operating?

 

[yogitunes]

yeah, a video would be nice....

mainly, how does this compare to your Magic Chef portable?....

how is this one different from similar machines?....ie. Haier, MagicChef, Avanti, Madea, RCA versions...

and are they available in bigger sizes?

 

[iheartmaytag]

Yea, what Yogi asked.

Otherwise, it's a good price, right size. Needs a window, or at least the ability for it to operate with the lid open, which I think the safety regs would prohibit.

 

[thomasortega]

It washes with the lid open, but requires the lid closed to start draining or "lid open" alarm will go off.

Also, the lid is tempered glass (super thick, crash-tested, it will break only if you drop a brick on it or if you intentionally hit it with a hammer, but it will resist if one of those huge detergent jugs with a tap fall from the shelf on it) and the yellow is just a sticker that can be removed if you want. It will come in several different colors, but the first edition was a "post it" yellow as a tribute to Arthur Fry and Spencer Silver (the Post It inventors)

Honestly, I prefer the clear lid, so you can see the eerie blue light (UV LED) through the glass, however, UL found a way to be picky about UV lights, so the sticker was the gap I found.

How it compares to Haier, Magic Chef, RCA and all those super compact washer brands on the market?

Well. First of all, i designed it from scratch here in the USA, considering our horrible hard water, our horrible STPP-free detergents, and the average "millenial" user. The rule was make a washer that even an idiot could get the best results.

The lint filter was overdimensioned and on the very last second i decided to double it. It has two cartridge lint filters, almost the same size as the magic chef.
The impeller design came from a place i'd never imagine. The La Pintoresca library ceiling. This library is in Pasadena, CA, where Darryl works.

And the best thing of all... this washer is absolutely not HE. It washes with lots of water, then it rinses with even more water. YAY.
We save water by making it right the first time... no need to repeat the cycle to get a decent rinse.

Other things it compares to Magic Chef: The magic chef is a great washer. Who has it love it (i love mine, even being a competitor product) and I strongly believe it's one of the best washers sold in the USA nowadays. The challenge was make it better. So i got rid of the little things that annoy in the MC washer, like that huge drum that fills only half way up or that silly anti-splash agitation routine.
We also didn't save money on seal and bearings... No F-word way i'd accept a chinese bearing in one of my designs. They're made by Sabó, in Brazil.

The suspension system was inspired on the OUE Skyspace building (earthquake proof skyscraper) It looks like a regular suspension system but it was meticulously calculated to have a huge error margin. If it makes the tallest building in Los Angeles resit an earthquake, it will work with a tiny washing machine trying to spin OOB.
The washer spins even if the load is OOB. If it reaches the safety limit, then starts the OOB correction routine.

If it fails again, it will stop only if the OOB inertial sensor is hit. (UL standard).

So in a real life situation, you won't have a dumb washer "thinking" for 40 minutes before the spin. it tries... even if a little noisy, it will spin.... it will abort the spin only if it detects it is really unsafe to continue trying. But the washer will never jump or walk.

The maximum water level is milimeters below the balance ring. a little bit more water will make the overflow emergency drain go off. (mandatory, UL) But the emergency drain simply drains up to a safe water level and then continues the cycle normally. (Other washers simply drain everything and cancel the cycle.)

The nominal capacity was also limited below the real capacity, otherwise we would have to add the temperature control (and the F-word ATC) and the lid switch wouldn't let the washer even fill with the lid open. It can wash 2 pairs of jeans, but we say it washes only one.

It has only one automatic cycle that does what a washer must do. It washes, rinses twice and spin. if you want you can use the steps separately, repeat, skip, do whatever you want.

If you want to pause the washer to soak, you can also do it. it will not "cancel and drain".

My secret to make this washer super smart was simply make it as dumb as possible, like the vintage ones.

 

[thomasortega]

The SCAW2GEN will be this size only. If I make it 0.1 lb capacity bigger it will have to be compliant to several ridiculous standards.

I am, however, making the largest capacity washer ever made. It will be semi automatic (to run away from the standards)
The tub is almost twice the Maytag Bravos XXL. it can "really" wash a californian king size duvet.

 

[thomasortega]

Other thing i exaggerated... hoses and power cord.

No mater how big your bathroom is and where the outlet is.. the plug will always reach the outlet without extension cords.

It's almost like a vacuum cleaner cord.

The hoses are not that long, but are also much longer than ordinary hoses.

When everything was ready to start production with the long cords and hoses, i said "you now what let's add 50 inches more, just in case. Better safe than sorry. i don't want to receive a single email from customers complaining the power cord is too short."

 

[aamassther]

The size is perfect for an RV! Most of what I’ve seen is either junk or requires too much UI. I’m used to automatics, lol. I’m seriously considering your machine. Being able to a quick load of wash is the only thing I miss being able to do while camping. I have a couple of questions though. What’s the spin speed? How many gallons of water per cycle? Would it be possible to see an instruction manual? Your price point is also quite competitive for the category. Thanks!

 

[thomasortega]

This model was designed thinking on RVs.
Like all washers, you can't use it while driving.But it was designed to don't shake the RV when you're using it (parked and without the jacks)

Instead of dissipating the energy on the body and counting on the body and counting on the washer's wait to keep it in place, that could make a RV shake like an earthquake if the jacks aren't in place, it the suspension absorbs the energy and then dissipates it back to the tub. So who cares if the tub/drum are shaking like crazy? the outer body is always still.

It's exactly like a huge skyscraper during an earthquake, but reversed. The ground with an earthquake is the tub/drum shaking like crazy and the building is the washer body, entirely still.

 

[revvinkevin]

A couple more questions

#1: What is the cycle time start to finish?

#2: Is the wash time fixed or adjustable?

#3: Is it possible to change the water level during operation, or do you have to stop, pause or restart the cycle to change it?

Thanks!

 

[thomasortega]

#1: What is the cycle time start to finish? 48 minutes + fill time that varies according to water pressure.

#2: Is the wash time fixed or adjustable? Fixed, but you can also select "wash only" and repeat it as many times as you want. the washer washes for 20 minutes and stops. It won't drain.

#3: Is it possible to change the water level during operation, or do you have to stop, pause or restart the cycle to change it? Super easy. hit pause, change the water level, hit pause again to resume cycle. The washer will not do anything stupid like drain the water to readjust the level.

If you go from high to low, it will not drain, and fill on low, like what happens with modern washers. it will fill on low only on the next fill. If you go from low to high, it will just add more water... Simple.
By the way, it has 3 water levels.

 

[aamassther]

@thomasortega, thanks for the info on the suspension! You're right, having a stable suspension is important in a camper. That alone makes this machine a very strong contender. I was wondering, in particular, about water consumption. We often stay in campgrounds without sewer. So it’s good to know how much we’re putting into the holding tanks.

 

[thomasortega]

Moneyshot.

Only the UV light already massacred Haier and Magic Chef.

 

[thomasortega]

Sorry, that's the only picture I can post because i don't have a finished product with me yet.

This is the dummy prototype I used to make the cycles.

 

[mralex]

Thomasortega- will it work in Europe?

 

[thomasortega]

Not yet.... Unless you have a power converter.

We will make it with UK plugs and voltage only when TLA UK starts operating. All our products will also be available in UK.

 

[thomasortega]

First comments and questions from consumers that saw the product in our website arrived.

-Does it wash a king size duvet? Hello... a king size duvet, if folded, is probably twice bigger than the whole washer.

-This washer is horrible! If people connect them to the kitchen sink, people would feel encouraged to use hot water. This will destroy our planet!...

- Your washer says that it fills with water up to the top. this is what washers did last century! How can you say that is innovation?

- Can i use Tide Pods in it? The website says i can use whatever household laundry additive i want, but what about Tide Pods? (maybe 5 or 6 emails asking the same thing.

- Will I have skin cancer if i am exposed to the UV light? Should i use sunscreen before loading/unloading the washer? (I almost died laughing when i read it)

-Do i need to plug the power cord for it to work? Why it doesn't have an internal battery?

- Similar email regarding the hoses.... Do I need to connect the fill hose to fill the washer? Do i need to use the drain hose to drain the washer? (no darling, you can use a straw)

- Will Mrs. (a person's name) complain if i use this washer like she complains when i'm using my older washer? (Darling, I have no idea who the hell is Mrs. Jane doe or what's she complaining about)