miele w3033 from 120 to 240 volts

[launderess]

Longer Cycle Times

Oh I don't know about that.

Long cycle times + low water levels = textile damage.

Consumer Reports amoung other sources have been reporting for some time now the modern front loading washing machines aren't as gentle on fabrics as they once were. These problems only began increasing when washers began using less water and longer cycle times to make the "Energy Star" people happy.

Dishes are another matter and can withstand far more abuse. However given the *fairy pee* stream of water used in many modern dishwashers it's not like they are being scoured to death during those long cycles.

Regarding onboard heaters most commercial laundromat machines manage to get on without them, as do many other washers used in that setting. However lack of warm or hot water does mean detergents must be stronger (and also perhaps other chemicals such as bleach) to balance the famous five variables off good laundry practice.

 

[logixx]

Actually... Whirlpool in Europe sells front loaders with a SuperEco cycle. WP claims it uses 63% less energy than a boil wash while getting clothes just as clean at 140F. I haven't used it yet but the manual says it mostly soaks the load with little tumbling - that's why it takes 5:09 hrs.

 

[launderess]

Well Yes

Have various soaking cycles on my Miele as well. Since soaking by nature means less mechanical action than a normal cycle one expects it to be more gentle on fabrics.

 

[nmassman44]

I wonder when one gets into the Technical program of this machine if there are Country settings. My Miele LaPerla dishwasher has that where I can access settings. The Austrailian setting changes the cycles and temp ranges, there is a Southern Europe, Japan, USA and I cant remember the rest but it does change the programming some. You might want to check that out before you go tinkering with stuff and especially with a young machine like this.
Another thing is that 1000 watts is plenty to heat the water in the machine. Its not like your heating an entire tub of water. I know in my Miele 4800 washer it doesnt take long at all for the water to get nice and hot and in my opinion 158F is plenty hot.

 

[AZREOspecialist]

COUNTRY SETTINGS

Yes, the W3033 and W48XX series have country settings that can be selected from the "secret" program menu. However, at least on the W48XX, selecting anything but USA causes all cycles to default to about 40 mins. It doesn't matter if you select Sanitary or Normal or Delicate. So at least with the W48XX, I would not recommend selecting another country's settings. Doing so will render your machine essentially useless until you change it back.

 

[nmassman44]

I don't plan on changing country settings on my 4800 washer. I am happy with it the way it is. I was saying for this instance where he wants a higher temp he might be able to access the Programming. If I had a 3033 machine I would be happy the way it is. I would tinker with the water plus but that's it. Besides the 4800 doesn't have a screen and I can't figure out the flashes on the panel to save my life.

 

[AZREOspecialist]

The W3033 and W48XX clean clothes very well and at lower temps than their European brethren. These machines were designed for US style washing, utilizing the large 40-50 gallon hot water supply at most American homes. THESE WERE NOT DESIGNED AS COLD FILL ONLY MACHINES AND SHOULD NOT BE USED IN THAT MANNER.

If used as designed, there should be no issues "hitting temp". In fact, I use the Normal cycle for most of my laundry - and NORMAL doesn't even use the built-in heater. The fiberglass outer drum of the Miele W48XX (don't know if the W3033 is fiberglass) is an excellent insulator, so the Normal cycle works just fine for the vast majority of laundry needs.

As has already been mentioned, adding a 220v heating element to a 110v machine may accelerate the heating time, but it will do nothing to save electricity or lower your bill. The only practical purpose for making this modification would be to allow your machine to heat up to 200F, but as is fairly obvious the firmware in neither machine will allow for this possibility. The target temps are hard coded and cannot be changed via programming.

My question is this... doesn't the machine clean well enough as-is? If you really need a true profile wash and super high temps, but don't want to buy an Asko or another brand, you can always get the Little Giants or import a 220v Miele machine from the UK or Australia. The OP seems to be handy with taking his machine apart, making modifications and potentially voiding his warranty. So if you're going to do that, why not just import the right machine to do the job and service it yourself?

 

[italmex]

miele w3033 120 240

Thanks. The normal program will not heat only for commercial purpose. With that program special made Miele reach 139kw per year and the star energy in the US and Canada. That is the only reason the program will not heat. In my case I'm looking for the 240 posibility only because here in Mexico or were I live (Mexico City) hte electricity is a little cheaper then gas. the only good machines Miele sell in Mexico are 3033 4842. The second one is too big for 2 people so the 3033 is perfect. A kitchen shop tried to sell the Asko but with no tecnical support ..... no thanks. Again a pw6065 woud be perfect but keep the same machine for a 30,000 hours work (a lot of years) no thanks. I know Miele will last for years but at this point the tecnology moves so fast that this machine in 10 years will be a classic.

About the 240 volts 2100W heater yes I'm intrested so I can wash a full load in a short program and I will have the guaranty that my Miele reach the temp in no time.

Did you try to wash something white that you were washing at Normal to a sanitary program??? try and you will see how white it will get. And if you use the Miele detergent.... just check.

 

[AZREOspecialist]

@ italmex

I don't wash whites on Normal. I wash darks and colored clothes on Normal. I wash whites using Extra White on Very Warm or HOT. I have rarely needed to use the Sanitary cycle - I simply have no need for the 158F temperature. That is too hot for most fabrics - that is, if you want your fabrics to last.

 

[AZREOspecialist]

Just a quick clarification to my previous post... in the handful of times that I did use Sanitary, I had no reason to believe it did not achieve the correct temperature. In fact, I checked the error codes in the service menu and I did not see any error codes relating to temperature or heater.

 

[italmex]

It is correct,at sanitary the machine reach the temp to 70°.

 

[italmex]

Hi, no body have any good advice about how to change the sistem from 120 to 240. I know that is not so difficult but some good help is welcome.

 

[AZREOspecialist]

Italmex, I don't think anyone here thinks that what you're doing is a good idea. Why don't you have an electrician come out to your house to take a look at the machine and the wiring? You will probably get a faster answer that way as opposed to waiting for someone here to help.

 

[italmex]

thanks