In Goes The Downy - Automatically YAY

[Unimatic1140]

For two years I've been wanting to install a fabric softener dispenser in my Super Unimatic and I finally did it this week. The dispenser itself (in the lower left hand corner) is from an Asko washer, it overflows into a rubbermaid container that I cut to fit and then a flume sends the softener directly into the wash tub. I'm going to paint around the whole opening with POR-15 rust sealing paint, but first I want to let a bit of rust build around the opening so the paint will stick to it.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Here you can see how it is mounted under the top...

 

[Unimatic1140]

It was a tight fit so the tub wont hit it, but it just makes it. I tested it with unbalance loads just to be sure and its fine.

 

[Unimatic1140]

In goes my first batch of softener to be dispensed automatically!

 

[Unimatic1140]

All ready to go

 

[Unimatic1140]

I haven't exactly decided when I want the softener to go into the rinse cycle, but to start I'm having it go in after two gallons of water have filled the tub. The dispenser will keep flowing until 6 gallons of water are in the tub.

 

[Unimatic1140]

In it goes, YAY without me lifting a finger LOL.

 

[~sudsshane]

Oh no Robert!

We need to get you some Final Touch!
Have you ever tried the new formula? Of course it is not like the original, but it has a wonderful,light fresh scent.

Is it available in Minneapolis?

 

[toggleswitch]

Your OTHER left, dear.

Fabulous!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Have you ever tried the new formula?
Hi Shane, yes I have used it, although I do like the Downy Free better.

Your OTHER left, dear.
Whoops, Neal is going to laugh if he sees that, because I'm constantly being yelled at in the car for getting my lefts and rights mixed up. I just can't seem to ever get them right 'er correct.

 

[toggleswitch]

The hand that forms an "L" when you extend your thumb and pointer is the LEFT.

Do you prefer to rinse out your softener, or does it indeed go onto the final rinse?

 

[brettsomers]

very well done!

i imagine having the softener dispense into the outer tub is another option? what made you decide to dispense into the wash tub? thanks for sharing.

 

[~sudsshane]

Downy Free..

What do you like about it? I haven't used it yet. I think they changed the formula of the "April Fresh" scent. I didn't care for the new scent much.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Do you prefer to rinse out your softener, or does it indeed go onto the final rinse?
Actually that is a good question Steve because I haven't decided yet. To start it does go into the final rinse, but it is an overflow rinse so some of it does rinse away. I haven't decided if I'm going to program the softener to go in during the rinse fill or do a two minute overflow rinse, then stop the overflow and add the softener and agitate for another minute. I'm going to try both and see which way I like better. That's the wonder of a computer interface, there are just so many possibilities to try!

The hand that forms an "L" when you extend your thumb and pointer is the LEFT.
When I need to quickly get into the left lane and turn left in a split second I wont remember that LOL.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Downy Free..
What do you like about it?

It's stinky free.

 

[Unimatic1140]

i imagine having the softener dispense into the outer tub is another option? what made you decide to dispense into the wash tub?

Hi David, because I don't want any recirculation during the rinse since there are left over suds in the outer tub from the wash cycle. Those left over suds will get flushed down the drain during the final spin. I found it works really well to completely segregate the wash water from the rinse water as this makes for really clear, clean rinses.

 

[brettsomers]

clear rinses

forgot the contents of the cycle description table. (lol)

makes perfect sense. i know what you mean about segregation. that way there is no dealing with the leftover water in the recirculation pump OR the drain pump. also a good reason for folks to keep the standpipe as short as possible.

 

[gansky1]

Very nice addition - love the Rubbermaid container - did you cut that down to fit or were you able to find the right size?

I must confess, I had imagined a robotic arm that extends out from the back of the console and drops the Downy Ball into the tub just before the spin after the wash...but this will do as well ;-)

 

[foraloysius]

Oh! Another Rubbermaid container. You should make a sign:"Supermatic by Rubbermaid" LOL

Now you can have superclean and supersoft clothes totally automatic. What's next?

 

[bpetersxx]

I will be curious to see if the Downey leaves a residue over time
in the dispenser

Our 1982 Sears Lady Kenmore washers triple dispenser was famous for that happening

Downey free is the only thing I can use on my fathers clothes as he has skin irritation

 

[mielabor]

Mysterious object...

Robert, what is that rod-like grey thing in the lower left (the hand your're writing with) corner of the picture in post no. 227204? And another question: do you use a special method for drilling holes in vitreous enamel? You've kept the chipping well under control.

 

[Unimatic1140]

love the Rubbermaid container - did you cut that down to fit or were you able to find the right size?
Hi Greg, no I had to measure and cut it. The container was so strong that I needed to use an electric jigsaw to cut it.

I will be curious to see if the Downey leaves a residue over time in the dispenser
It's flushed really well with fresh incoming water so I tend to doubt it, but time will tell. If I find that residue is being built up and I need to clean it often I will start flushing it with warm or hot water.

Robert, what is that rod-like grey thing in the lower left (the hand your're writing with) corner of the picture in post no. 227204?
That is the side of the lid just pushed over, it's just a temporary lid and is not connected by hinges.

do you use a special method for drilling holes in vitreous enamel?
Theo yes I use a lot of heavy plastic tape on both sids of the porcelain object I am cutting, this helps to prevent chipping.

What's next?
The next thing I would like to do is resdesign the detergent dispenser so it is on the inside of the machine. Because of the tight clearance between the top and the wash tub it is going to be a challenge, but I have some ideas to try.

 

[rinso]

Robert, you are a genius! It's a shame that some appliance manufacturer doesn't hire you as an development engineer. Then appliances would actually once again be designed for results.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Wow SuperUnimatic Indeed

Nice on Robert, love where its positioned, I stupidly thought it was going to be a bolt on to the side Asko Drawer with pipes into the machine...LOl...no holds on you with this stuff...I would extend it or stick a FFF (Filter-Flow Flute) on it...

Cheers, Mike

p.s. Do I need to be worried about your signals??, will I be you RH signal or am I riding shotgun with the Super-Unimatic in the back??...LOL

 

[peterh770]

It looks to me like you need to do some more programming changes. You need a boolean for regular rinse or softener rinse. The regular rinse does what it does today. The softener rinse does a slightly extended overflow fill time in the beginning, then a minute to allow all extra water to overflow, then trigger the softener dispenser water solenoid only for a minute or however long it takes to completely flush out, then a minute or two agitation to get the softener really into the fibers, then the final drain and spin sequence with no more spray rinses.

Are you looking at putting the detergent dispenser into the console with a nifty chute like on the late model Rollermatics?

 

[irishwashguy]

Neat deal!

I love having a dispenser! It makes it so much easier!! What temp do you usually rinse for optimum use of your softener? What would you think of doing the softener the same way as you are doing the pre wash?

 

[tlee618]

Fantastic Robert, No more "harsh" clothes. YAY for Rubbermaid!!

 

[bundtboy]

how about some lights?

Is there an Ozone bulb in this machine, or any tub lights at all that come on during the cycle? How about a black light option in the area beneath the tub?

How about a cabinet drying fan/blower, perhaps using a kitchen aid dishwasher dryer fan?

Love the new dispenser and I recognize the little blue cup as my Asko uses the same one.

I sure look forward to seeing that some time.

b

 

[bundtboy]

strobe light

How about a variable speed strobe light inside the cabinet which could be used to create the effect that the spinning basket is standing still, or moving slowly, or in reverse even~

Holla from Hollywood.

b

 

[washertalk]

Incredible!!

I want the original scent Downy back from like the early 80s when they still had bottles that, if you didn't rinse the cap would dribble down the sides and make a total mess. Remember those?
Don't forget to dilute people. In dispensers without a fresh water rinse one needs to dilute big time in order to avoid gunk build up.

The 1982 KM Lady K. sounds great.

Bundtboys idea of having a fan to dry wet parts sounds like a good idea.