Neptune 6500 question.

[volvoguy87]

What's the consensus on 6500 series Maytag Neptunes? I'm at the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies right now and there's a nice looking set of 6500s coming up for sale locally at an auction. If they're a good enough deal (what would be a good deal for these?) it might be helpful for the Campbell Center to buy the set.

The Campbell Center has a dormitory for the students (about 25 students or so at a time) and the housekeeper has to wash all the bed linens and towels. At the moment, she's using 2 Whirlpool DD washers and WP 29" dryers. They get the job done, but it takes a while to get it done and they have to take the blankets to a laundromat. (The Campbell Center isn't exactly wealthy either)

Would a Neptune be workable?
Would it use less water?
How long are the cycle times on a Neptune?
Could they wash a blanket every now and then in a Neptune (bed sizes are twin and full)?
What are the issues to look for when purchasing a used 6500 series Neptune?
How difficult is it to winterize a Neptune?
If purchased, should the Neptune be put into regular service, or should it be used more sparingly for occasionally washing blankets? (I would imagine the bulk of the blanket washing would still be done at the laundromat, but if there is 1 or 2 that need a wash mid-week, it would be great to be able to do it on-site)
Would the Neptune be better for washing sheets or towels, or would it matter at all?

It's a lot to ask, but thanks for your input,
Dave

http://www.campbellcenter.org

 

[redcarpetdrew]

I think a MAH6500 would do fine. The commercial version of this washer still can be found in laundromats and apt laundry rooms all over. There was practically no difference between the domestic and commercial versions.

The 6500 will use less water for sure AND with a 1100 (1200?) rpm spin, the dry time will also decrease. The cycle time varies depending on the cycle and options selected but around 50 minutes seems like the average. This washer has a built in water heating element as well. It wasn't really designed to heat cold water. What it did is keep the hot water hot thru the main wash cycle as you could select a super long hot wash and during that time, the little water it had in the drum could cool down without the heater to maintain the temp.

That machine should be able to handle any of the loads you mantioned. It was designed to handle loads up to 25lbs. (dry) which is small by today's standards but huge for it's day. It actually does better with bigger loads than smaller.

Things to look for when looking at the set? Well,

1)Put it into a spin. You want to hear no bearing noise as the tub spins up to and maintains speed. Bad bearings tend to make a roaring noise similar to a freight train rolling thru. This is an expensive repair.

2)Make sure the boot is in good shape with no tears and hopefully little or NO mold/mildew. The replacement boot is only about $70-$90 but still...

3)That series is new enough to not have the majority of the issues the older MAH3's & 4's had EXCEPT for the possibility to have the older motor and control board setup which was prone to failure. There is a update kit that changes both to a MUCH more reliable system (Which came standard in the later series of this model, BTW) which isn't difficult to install. If you could provide a model and serial, I could tell you exactly what this one came with.

4)The people who use this MUST USE IT CORRECTLY! This means using the high efficiency (HE) detergent in the proper amount, bleach every so often and the proper temp water for the load. Pretty much the same as using any other HE washer on the market.

Maybe you could provide a little more info as to the weatherizing question. Where will it live for example...

I've had the older (MAH4000) and the newer (MAH7500) styles and I am very pleased with how they've performed. Hope this helps...

RCD

 

[DADoES]

 
MAH5500 and MAH6500 were the last of the original-style Neppies.  Maytag dropped the MAH7500 toward the end, or they made fewer and/or sold out the stock quicker than the others.

I refurbished an MDE5500 dryer in Nov 2006, then RJ bought a MAH6500 @ Lowe's in late summer 2007 or 2008 before they disappeared.

25lbs capacity?

 

[swestoyz]

Dave,

I can only speak to the earlier Neptunes (3300 and 4000), but Andy has hit every point you've mentioned on the head.

I use my Neptune solely for work slacks/blue jeans, work clothes, and king size sheets and blankets. I've been so impressed with the 3300 that I'd recommend one to anyone who can be coached to proper laundering techniques, but only to the strict conditions that were pointed out earlier. ONLY use HE detergent (powders please!), correct temps, and make sure it is bleached out every so often. I also leave the door opened after I've unpluged the machine.

Maybe you'll be lucky enough to score the set with a gas dryer

Glenn - interesting. I've seen quite a few 7500's to think that they started giving them away. Would love to score one eventually.

Ben

 

[redcarpetdrew]

25lbs.!

That's what they were rated for. Deep tub Maytag toploads were 18, the later model Norge/Magic Chef's were 20lbs (some stated they were able to handle 22lbs) and the Neptunes were advertised as handling 25lbs dry. Of course, it's all listed as cubic foot now as far as capacity's concerned... The sales line was that they could handle 8 king sized sheets.

I love my 7500. The LCD touchscreen and the intelligent On-board diagnostics are just awesome as well as the ability to create and store any custom cycle I want and then activate said cycle with the touch of one button. Now all I have to do is find the matching dryer.

RCD

 

[volvoguy87]

Winterizing.

The machine would live in a dormitory that is used roughly between March or April through mid-October. The building has no heat and the temp here can fall well below 0-F in the winter. The plumbing is drained every fall and anti-freeze poured into drains and washers, but they've never winterized anything but a WP DD before.

I'll need to check the serial no. and model no. I hope the dryer is electric because that's all they have here. No gas lines to the laundry rooms at all!

Thanks,
Dave

 

[volvoguy87]

Model number:

The model number looks to be HAH6500AWQ or MAH6500AWQ. The serial number looks like 24783536AX.

It has water heating capability, extended spin, and high speed spin. The matching dryer is electric.

What do you think?
Dave

 

[appnut]

I'd go for them!!!

 

[sudsmaster]

I've had a bisque 7500 matched set (gas dryer) since the winter of 2001.

The washer has performed very well. However it required a series of major repairs around the three year mark. The drum support spider cracked, the motor and motor controller had to be replace, along with the main control board. Fortunately it was under an extended service agreement ($120 up front at purchase) and all these repairs didn't cost a cent more. And it has been trouble free, basically, for the past six years.

The top speed of the 7500 is 1,000 rpm, not 1100 or 1200. I think the 6500 has the same top spin speed. The washer will spin at 800 rpm for most of the spin cycle, ramping up to 1,000 rpm for the last 30 seconds or so, if the load is properly balanced.

I agree that touch screen and built in text based diagnostics of the 7500 is very nice. However I think one could get the same excellent washing results with the 6500's LED display anyway.

The washer uses about 25 gallons per full load. More, or less, depending on load size. It does not do well if stuffed to the gills, and may have problems balancing a too-big load. But keep the loads to a reasonable size, and it does just fine. A full size blanket should be no problem. I've washed a queen size padded hotel-style (extra width and length) bedspread in it with no issues (as well as queen size comforters). I've even washed car covers in it, but it's a tight fit.

Whether you buy it depends on the price. Personally I wouldn't pay more than a couple hundred for it, and then I'd want to see the service records or see it do a full cycle before purchasing. Also check the sheet metal around the underside of the top panel around the detergent dispenser. Mind has started emitting flakes of rust into the detergent chute; I treated the edges with a rust preventative primer some years ago, and probably need to repeat that process sometime soon.

The internal water heater in the 6500 and 7500 is a big plus in my book. I rely on it to get best cleaning results, although I have since moved my weekly whites washing to a Miele 1918, which can hit 170F (I usually wash whites at 160F) and does a better job removing moisture (1600 top spin speed). However the Miele takes forever to run a load - about 2 hours. This isn't to say that the Neptune didn't do a very good job on whites at 130F, I just find it more convenient to use two washers at once, and the whites load fits best in the Miele. Most everything else goes into the Neptune - bed sheets, bath towels, clothes/colors, throw rugs, blankets, etc.