Installing multiple washers to one supply setup

[murando531]

Hey all,

I decided, after my WTW4800 having sat in the garage corner for over a year, to try and set it up in the laundry room and have it as a secondary machine. With agitator washers being in hot demand lately and WP re-releasing their agitator models again, I felt it was a waste for such a good machine to just sit idle and waste away.

It's a bit of a cozy fit in the room, but nothing unmanageable, and it's actually not as cramped as I thought it would be. If the CatGenie didn't -have to be- in the laundry room, there would be a nice little square of space free, but that's no biggie.

My challenge now, however, is figuring out the safest yet most economical way to have the second machine hooked up along with my primary washer and the CatGenie. I posted pictures to show the current connections. The CG has a T-connector at the moment that has worked brilliantly, but it only requires cold water. If I have both machines installed, that will be three 3/4in. connectors on the cold side, and two on the hot side. That's where I'm concerned, because I'd love to have Y or possible W(?) connectors with shut off valves, but I don't want there to be too much stress on the main valve fittings. For those who have experience having multiple machines installed, what suggestions would you have for this set up? I'll have to get an extended drain hose, but I don't mind switching them out of the drain when needed.

P.S. Don't judge the dusties in the valve box!! D: It looks way worse on pictures since most of the dust is lightly colored haha!

 

[frigilux]

It's always great fun to have more than one washer to play with! Glad you were able to make room for the Whirlpool in your laundry room.

Aside: Is that litter box plugged into an outlet?!

 

[yogitunes]

first off, something like this, valved or not, would take the stress off the hoses hanging on the faucets, and allow some freedom for multiple hookups.....

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Orbit-Gooseneck-Coupling-58553/100141165?keyword=hose+gooseneck+connector

 

[yogitunes]

second, these come in 4-way and 2-way configurations, maybe a 2 for the hot side and a 4 for the cold side of your application.....preference always goes to brass, especially for the hot side....personally stick with brass for both.....

as for your drain, presuming you have a 2 inch pipe, you can always make a 1 1/2inch connector 'Y' setup, slide that into the main drain, and allow all to be hooked up and ready......your choice.....

Melnor 4-Way Hose Faucet Connection 9009 - The Home Depot

Melnor - 4 Way Hose Connection - This high-quality metal toll quickly makes one faucet into four independently controlled valves with a rubberized hose connection nut. - THD SKU# 442564

www.homedepot.com

 

[panthera]

Yogitunes

suggestions pretty much cover all of mine.

Our cat is now toilet trained - yay! - but when we first got her, she used a slightly older Cat Genie.

I wrote to the company asking about pressure requirements and they wrote back suggesting I keep it under 60psi. So - you might want to put a valve in there to knock down the pressure on the CG, should your incoming cold water pressure be higher.

Otherwise, looks good!

We've got five agitator washers and a Thumper (in PANK!) we want to run off of one line later this year. I can sweat, so we'll probably just do a row of taps in brass and copper for hot and cold.

Must say, though - the PEX manifold systems I've seen survive house freeze-ups the last few years have impressed me. 

 

[yogitunes]

if you have a Harbor Tools store near you......most of these items are a lot cheaper through them.....

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-1-solid-brass-faucet-expander-94377.html

 

[ea56]

Yogi

this is a great suggestion to use these brass shut off valves. This past weekend I put them on my washing machine angle stops since I like to turn off the water supply when I'm not doing laundry to avoid a flood from a broken hose. I did notice that the manufacturer recommends not using with appliances or hot water. Did you notice that the one review on the HD link you posted complained of leaking around the plastic shut off lever? The manufacturer responded that these valves were not for use with hot water.

Have you ever had a problem using these brass valves with hot water? I've been keeping an eye on mine and so far so good, and I really like the convenience of just a simple 1/4 to turn the water on and off.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 5/17/2016-15:41]

 

[wishwash]

I don't think those T-valves will stress the fittings much if any. They are soldered. The real issue seems to be the drain. You might want to run another stand pipe to the second machine for a more permanent solution.

 

[suburbanmd]

Hose fittings made for outdoors

The couplings sold in the garden aisle are made for outdoor use, I think. A leak outdoors is no big deal.

 

[yogitunes]

well, with the valves that are shown/used in the first post, the hoses alone will stress from the bend of hanging at the connection point, weakening that area.....

the 45 angle will relieve some of that, but also allow to shift the 'Y' connector slightly out of the way to connect both....although with this setup, you may be able to screw them on and hang vertically.....what ever works for you best...

I have a few of those valve versions in use, for several years in fact, no issues, then again, I can also shut them off at the main valve itself....

I have had the cheaper versions, made out of aluminum, break open from corrosion, and the valves leaked....but not with the brass ones....