Machines of ILL Repute: Volume V

[washer111]

Who can guess what this thread will be about?

 

I'll give some hints: 

<ul>
<li>There is a dispenser for a Rinse-Aid substance or Rinse-Aid "Alike" substance</li>
<li>No detergent dispenser</li>
<li>A variety of cycles</li>
<li>Electronic Controls</li>
</ul>
Can anyone possibly suggest what I'll write about? What Brand and How Old?

 

[verizonbear]

I'm guessing

1st generation of F&P dish drawer ?

 

[washer111]

Ooh!

Maybe... 

 

But a DD/DS has a dispenser (of sorts...) - keep that in mind...

 

[DADoES]

 
DishDrawers have always had detergent & rinse aid dispensers.

 

[washer111]

Taking A Turn: For the Worst or the Better?

Well, it all started when we bought the DishDrawer. I was fascinated. So, I decided to purchase a 2nd DishDrawer...

 

LOL Kidding! You though I was gonna write about that? Keep on Dreaming... 

 

Anyway, it all started when our 1995(or 97/96/98ish) Hoover Top Loader with Suds-Save spat the dummy. The old repairman came out and condemned the machine. You see, it was going out of balance each spin, no questions, no matter how we loaded it. Problem was an electrical fault, the pump had either done a seal or was leaking from a hose. The repairman suggested that the machine was probably going to have some other repairs later. He said to be cautious using the machine until a replacement was sourced. This was 2009, in Perth.

 

After much hunting, we settled on a Simpson (or Electrolux) SWT802 Top-Loader. Part of the New HE machines, it featured 7 spin rinses and recirculation during the wash cycle. However, there was no filter on the recirculation and the lint filter was pathetic for an 8Kg machine of this type. 

 

The washer was good until late 2009, when the recirculation pump went out. Only I ever noticed! We always washed in cold, so pherhaps the pump jammed or something. Although, the machine's computer logic has NEVER (to this day) produced some sort of error related to this pump. It even has an error code for the bad pump (either one). 

 

The machine survived one house relocation (of sorts), and decided to "get stuck" during a cycle in May 2011. Our electrician came out and suggested we could fix the machine. 1 week later and a call to Simpson, our model is apparently affected by some stupid recall! (The lid lock apparently could electrify the cheap stainless steel lid, and make for some interesting fireworks...). The machine was fixed with a replacement "daughter board" and identical lid-lock, except this time, the lock was reversed (dunno how that made a difference). 

 

[washer111]

Electronic Control Panel

The source of many frustrations with this model. You can choose from Heavy-Duty, Heavy-Normal, Normal, Colours, Delicates, Wool and Drip-Dry. 

 

As well as this, you may select Eco-Rinsing or Deep Rinsing. We use Deep-Rinsing to help pro-long the life of the machine when used on COLD water (using Vinegar as Fabric Softener). 

 

To "Rapid-Advance" through a cycle, you may hold the Start/Pause button (wicked feature!) Till you reach the desired cycle.

Changing Cycles: Turn the knob if your cycle has started. BEWARE! The cycle will continue from the relative point in your new cycle (i.e. middle of Heavy Cycle could be the draining portion of the short Colours cycle).

 

To Restart, turn the knob all the way round to your current cycle (after pausing), then restart. Machine starts just aft of the water Sensing cycle. 

 

By the way, the machine IS NOT running in the current photo

 

[washer111]

MORE Controls

As if the user weren't already satisfied, a "Soil-Control" allows the user to shorten or lengthen the cycle. Models with the digital display would reflect this cycle time change. The button also controls use of the Recirculation pump. To switch it off, use a Heavy/Colours cycle OR select HEAVY soil. Each step up uses a different light. I.e. Heavy Soil is Red, Light Soil is Green. 

 

THEN: You get a Water Temperature Control. HOT, Warm or Cold. Each one is just "straight" temperature. No mixing. We use Cold only, since the tap is a mini-threaded one and because it leaks (badly). Besides, results are already adequate. 

 

As if that weren't enough, water level control. A load of Bullsh*t to be quite honest (excuse me!). Since, the machine senses the level regardless (within the specified level). The machine underfills on all cycles except Heavy/Colours and Extra Soil button, since it still thinks the pump is there to put extra water in the tub (retarded!)

 

[washer111]

Money Shot

This machine uses at least a decent fill, combined with a decent agitator. Although, it could be better. Direct-Drive has its issues, and that includes ridiculous "pulsing" sounds. I think a bearing was wonky at some point, since it was making a hell of the racket agitating one day. 

 

To top it off, it has the "shift" between agitate and spin. This has gone pear-shaped once or twice, with the machine scolding us with countless beeps (HELLLLLLLPPPPP!)

 

The let-down here is the lint filter. Ours broke. It wasn't any good to begin with. Too small and too low in the "vented" agitator. Using a panty-hose bag (or equivalent) on the two-part agitator helps the situation TONS (I mean it too!)

 

Agitation is decent, however the agitator wacks against objects such as underwear more than it turns them over. However, 3/4-1/2 loading and using a high water level really gets things going! 

 

A decent stainless-steel tub combined with the cheap/chintyz plastic outer tub serves this machine. I quite like the tub, apart from the lack of holes in it (durability?). The tub in these machines are well known for outlasting the service life of everything else, perhaps the only "overbuilt" part of the machine?

 

[washer111]

Washing your Clothes

Well, I have to admit. This machine is quite akin to the DM machines mentioned earlier in this series.

 

Whilst you can put dirty stuff in this machine, or very heavy lint shedders in, you have to expect results quite akin to a DM Kenmore. Dirt/Garbage is splashed off the dishes, only to be redistributed evenly elsewhere (That, or it's moved to the otherside of the machine!)

This resulted in many machines ending their lives early, rather than later. 

 

The death of our recirc. pump has probably helped the situation, but not by much. Still, one doesn't mind finding some lint on some items after the wash!

 

For today's sample, I give you: Stained Great-Dane Rug (Thanks to a small, Harlequin Dane just turned 7!) and Kitchen Floormat. Complete with 3.5 scoops of Omo (its garbage detergent!) Plus 2 (Yes<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> TWO)</span> scoops of Napisand Vanish. Complete with the harshest cycle, deep rinse and me dialing in Rinse 2 with Fluffy softener, this should be interesting!

 

[washer111]

Haaaaaaa!

Yes, the sound of "Water-sensing" in this machine. Rather odd!

 

Still, looking good!

 

[washer111]

Plup-Wow! Plup-Wow!

The sound of Agitation. The Heavy-Duty cycle includes a built in 5 minute soaking time. As if that'll make a difference (although I'm sure it would, with warm water and today's enzyme detergents!)

 

See the water Eddie-Swirl, Splash and, uh, go brown... 

 

[logixx]

How were these water-saving washers from Lux called (with the recirc function)? They seem to have taken them off the market, as I couldn't find them on the Australien site any more.

Alex

 

[washer111]

Simpson is owned by Lux

I probably should've mentioned, this is a Simpson, not 100% Electrolux, although they are in bed together! 

 

I believe this model has been replaced with newer HE models WITHOUT recirc and standard tubs. The recirc was a bother, since it just caused excess lint issues. The lid for those is plastic and the build quality even worse. Still, they look better than this junker (lol)

 

This model is from 2009, I believe they stopped making them around then (late 09, or into 2010). They are superseded by the SWT754, 954 etc. They might still have recirc, although I'm unsure! New ones apparently are better in washability, as one reviewer says (his replacement is far better!)

 

This is an SWT802SA, made by Simpson in 2009. Fitted with a recall kit in 2011. 

Some reviews below!

http://www.productreview.com.au/p/simpson-ezi-sensor-swt605sa-swt802sa-swt902sa-swt955sa/3.html

 

[logixx]

Found it on the site you linked!

It was called Water Aid.

 

[mattywashboy]

Hey
We have the 9.5kg version at my workplace (residential care home). The machine has already been repaired 3 times and we have been promised a Speed Queen by the end of this year. This machine just can't cope with our volume of washing (at least three large loads per day). Our lint filter in the agitator seemed to work great until it snapped totally a few months back *sigh*
The last repairman who fixed it described it as a 'cheap made piece of junk'. It works ok and gets run on Hot for most loads so stays clean. I saw other models around the shod with lint filters attached to the recirculation outlet, would have been nice to have it on ours but sadly no :-/ it does the job for nod but we need something a bit more sturdy ...

Matt
X

 

[washer111]

Interesting!

Interesting to hear such things. Ours has stood 3 years of many loads! Some weekends, there are 3-4 loads per day (Dog rugs, Bed Linens, Bathroom/Kitchen/Cleaning Stuff, Clothes, etc). 

 

The machine has stood up fairly well. I hope that when we replace it, I'll get to tear it down, and find the problem with that pump (no point, but would be interesting. Machine isn't flashing "Wash" light to indicate pump failure - so it thinks there is nothing wrong). 

 

I use an Enjo Panty-Hose bag for the lint filter. It works 100% of the time, and does a GREAT job. Pity that I get into trouble for using it like that... It barely fits in there though ;D

 

Interestingly, the machine was "getting stuck" during the cycle during May last year, we called our electrician, and we were advised of the recall (apparently the lid-locks could electrocute you!). The recall was simple: Daughter Board plugs into existing board + New Lid Lock System. The machine now has a "getting stuck" portion during the fill where it does NOTHING for 5 minutes (it never used to). It fills around 1/4 of the way, gets stuck. Moving the dial around wakes the machine up... 

 

The WORST part is the machine's "distribution" phase after it pumps out the water. Rather than just going for the spin, it has to f&*&n*)&&$#&^ around the place doing "little" spins. Because it doesn't just stop the pump and spin down, I also believe it pumps away some fabric softener, so I manually add it to the Deep Rinse (when we use it). The neighbours have the "regular" non-recirculating machine from 2007/2008. 6.5Kg with Digital Read-outs and more cycles (I think). It has manual water level and a "proper" wash bowl. That thing hasn't skipped a beat (surprisingly) - despite the hot washes tendency to mist out the controls. That thing has all the BS on it too, but it works a bit better, I think. Its part of a Rental Property (I know the owners,, who frequently visit), and the Lint Filter is disgusting...

 

Anyway, thanks for posting!

 

[mattywashboy]

Hey
We have the 9.5kg version at my workplace (residential care home). The machine has already been repaired 3 times and we have been promised a Speed Queen by the end of this year. This machine just can't cope with our volume of washing (at least three large loads per day). Our lint filter in the agitator seemed to work great until it snapped totally a few months back *sigh*
The last repairman who fixed it described it as a 'cheap made piece of junk'. It works ok and gets run on Hot for most loads so stays clean. I saw other models around the shod with lint filters attached to the recirculation outlet, would have been nice to have it on ours but sadly no :-/ it does the job for nod but we need something a bit more sturdy ...

Matt
X

 

[logixx]

I think these spin bursts are due to the small holes in the tub not being able to release water as quickly as a regular drum. If it would just jump into spin, the washer would "throw" water like a soild-tub unit - only that there are no upper holes for the water to exit (or are there?).

Alex

 

[washer111]

Nope, I don't think there are any upper wash hole things you speak of.

 

However, interesting is the fact that the neighbour's unit (with a standard TL machine tub - hundreds 'n' thousands of holes) does the same thing. So perhaps its to just annoy the user, and prevent Out of Balance issues.

 

[mattywashboy]

Heres ours at work...

I hate how long these things take to drain out the water, they seem to muck about forever, but thats because theres less holes so the water flows out slower, just frustrating sometimes, i think everyone at work has at some point stood in front of it and shouted "Just F%%$%$g SPIN!!" myself included.

The Auto-Level is bad as well, had to train my workmates out of using it as it was tangling and ripping the hell out of the clothes, also really bad powder staining as my workmates can't quite get into putting the powder in first instead of all over the clothes. The Auto Level fills to a point where it barely covers the clothes so they get thrown around as opposed to flipped around elegantly through the water....