Maytag Bravo Top-Load

[sudsmaster]

I stand corrected about the availability of internal water heating in the Bravos/Cabrio line. Good thing, because I'd probably recommend one of those models over anything LG makes.

That said, when I looked at the link above, I also saw a number of other youtube videos about both LG and Maytag/Whirlpool HE toploaders that had self-destructed during the spin cycle. Makes me wonder if these machines are being manufactured wrong, or if it's a design issue.

In one case the video poster said that Whirlpool said the bottom support for the machine had rusted out and crumbled. I suppose this might explain why the off-balance cutoff switch wasn't activated, because the drum had droppped below the level of the switch?

 

[DADoES]

<blockquote>In one case the video poster said that Whirlpool said the bottom support for the machine had rusted out and crumbled. I suppose this might explain why the off-balance cutoff switch wasn't activated, because the drum had droppped below the level of the switch?</blockquote>There's no physical off-balance switch on these machines.  The control board software determines off balance by monitoring RPM, rotational inertia, and other factors (referred to as "bump detect").

There also is no bottom support.  The tub hangs from the four corners of the upper cabinet frame via spring-cushioned rods.  The upper frame would been what rusted (assuming it was a factor at all), not the bottom.  I've heard in some cases there can also be a problem with the support rods contributing to excess tub oscillation.  "Bump detect" depends on proper "operation" of the support rods.

 

[yogitunes]

sometimes you have to account for a percentage of operator error, or letting someone else use the machine..........too many times they also let children use the machine, unlike us, who have no clue of what they are doing!....

I got back a Kenmore DD, that I sold to someone 8 months ago, which was in great condition when they took it........now looked like they threw bricks at the machine on the outside, and then washed them!.....I have never seen a chewed up DA until now.....they even had it duct taped all over to keep it together.....I have no idea what the hell they did to it......but they would be the first one to blame the machine for being faulty!......

 

[DADoES]

 
The video linked above of a destroyed Bravos, the fellow mentions that a mattress pad was being washed at the time.  Question is what else was in the load and what cycle was being used.  Bulky item cycles typically run at a slower spin speed to help avoid excess vibration.  A somewhat common cause of such destruction (as our Pulsator/Jamie can attest) is a billowy/bulky item protruding out of the basket and contacting machine-top structure during spin.

 

[qualin]

Yikes

A video of an LG washer which had self-destructed in nearly the same way was what turned me off to buying one of these HE Top Loaders.

Out of all of the HE-Style Top loading machines I briefly considered buying, LG would have been my first choice because of the washing action. (That whole rinse spin thing is really neat to watch!)

However, after I saw a video of one which had destroyed itself, I vowed not to buy one. When I saw one in person, the tub moved around very easily, too easily. The salesperson said they're supposed to be like that.

The problem with the LG washer was two fold I think. The first problem was that they washed a comforter on the "Cottons/Normal" setting, when they should have used the "Bulky/Bedding" cycle.. the other was the machine must have lacked a proper out of balance detection mechanism. (Or they used "Bump Detect" like what DADoES was saying.)

Is it me, or should no machine ever be designed in a way where it can self destruct if you choose the wrong settings?

I think these types of washers do suffer from massive design flaws. It's a good thing I didn't buy one.

If I ever was going to consider buying another top loader again, it would have to be a conventional top-loader, because they at least get the clothes wet and clean!

 

[arbilab]

The 50s Westy could leap across the floor, nothing to stop it. Several TLs later, they had mechanical limits that would turn them off but only if the tub happened to offbaalance in the direction of the lever (roughly 50% effective). Present FL, more typical, detects RPM or motor current variations in distribution speed, cancels spin and retries (but doesn't stop timer so a spin can be missed altogether).

For electronic control machines there is little excuse for offbalance banging. There are chip gyro-accelerometers that are found in $20 model helicopters.

 

[qualin]

To Arbilab:

You bring up a very good point. I don't see any reason why they couldn't put an accelerometer on the outer basket.. When a user makes an error and the machine tries a spin speed too high for the load, it could either reduce the spin speed or stop it entirely, attempting a re-balance and re-spin...

I think those brilliant folks at whoever makes these things decided they'd rather force people to buy another washer and make more money than have any kind of customer satisfaction.

Which is another aspect of my comment... It really annoys me to see machines designed with the idea where if there is an out-of-balance condition, they just "Give up" with an error code rather than trying to do something. I mean, a 200 RPM spin is better than no spin at all, right?

 

[qualin]

To David310

OK, I'm going to give you my 5-cents...

If you truly want to save water, front loading machines are the only way to go. The technology behind them is tried, true and it just works. (When they actually use enough water. )

Now, I'm not going to preach which brand to buy because that's for a different thread. If you want it, you can e-mail me at qualin@no$pam.shaw.ca (Leave out the no$pam part) and I'll tell you what I think...

Standard center post agitator top loaders are the only other alternative which works, but at a cost of all of that extra water it'll drink.

 

[mrb627]

Load Sense

And for the several minutes of load detection at the beginning of the cycle, they should be able to detect a possible condition that might cause the machine to self destruct.

Then when it knocks the gas line off the back of the dryer and burns your house to the ground, LG can say. Sorry, you chose the wrong cycle...LOL!

Malcolm

 

[coldspot]

They could add one item that Haier got's in there portables, I do not like haier but I give them this. There is a switch and bar if the tub bumps this bar it turns the unit off so your have to move the cloths around to start it aging. I know this since I am useing one till my other washer gets in stock.

 

[limitededition]

Top load HE washers

They can't be as bad as some people say. Read the directions most people don't than they complain that the product is worthless. People complained about the Calypso and other people loved it people complained about Frigidaie Jet Action but if loaded properly they did a fine job. As Whirlpool, LG, Samsung and supposedly Frigidaie all make top load HE washers, somebody must like them and know how to use them to produce satisfactory results.

 

[kenmorebd]

I would throw in for GE top loader with agi, great wash action, saves water, never has any issues with sensing the load. All it does is a slow spin when filling and moves to wash when its filled to a reasonable amount. Just a word of warning they dont build them like they use too.

-Andrew

 

[sudsmaster]

Webmaster Robert has a GE Harmony, as I recall. I think it's a rebadged Samsung. As I recall he said it washes well.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I have a WP Cabrio, and I have been pleased with it so far.

 

[qualin]

To KenmoreBD

To Andrew,

As much as I hate to preach, there is a company which builds them like they used to.. That's Speed Queen. (Or Huebsch if you're in Canada.) They offer a warranty which is 3x longer than any other manufacturer on the market. That really says something when a company stands behind their product.

Actually, funny thing.. We had our company xmas party tonight and I found myself recommending Speed Queen / Huebsch to three different people because the topic of large appliance reliability came up in discussion.

I was watching a video of a Whirlpool Cabrio washing clothes and the way how the clothes were scraping up against the washplate nearly sickened me. (As much as that can sicken a person.) .. There was nearly no turnover at all. The amount of water it was using seemed to make it nearly pointless.

Sorry Autowasherfreak, but I prefer to see clothes either tumbling freely in a front loader or turning over, covered in water in a top loader.

Now, getting my preaching out of the way, I honestly believe that if you have to follow specific loading instructions in order to get your clothes clean, there's something wrong. Better yet, if you fold a shirt, put it in and it's still folded when you take it out at the end of the cycle, there's something very wrong!

I think this youtube video speaks for itself: