Neptune Toploader

[favorit]

The other day I watched Jamie's neppy on YT and I was very impressed. It seems really effective.
Why did Maytag discontinued it ?
The Bravo doesn't seem so "bravo" as this Neppy ..

TIA
Carlo

 

[pulsator]

I believe it had to do with the complexity of the mechanism, from my understanding, the mechanism only lasted an average of 4 years or something. On top of that, it couldn't handle small loads very well, they would just sit there on top of the water and bob up and down... Still, it's an absolutely fascinating machine! I love it!

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Maybe it could be from bearing failure, inverter/motor issues or that series of switches with the wax motor(still don't understand the purpose). Not to mention, some of those parts are on the expensive side. My uncle bought a set with the LED readout in 1997, had to have the door switch assembly replaced along with the board 2 years later. Then a year later the motor and inverter board. I have not heard anything lately(several years later), but I worry about the bearings now. If they have not failed yet, they should in the next few years. The neptune has no window, so you can't see what's going on in there during the cycle.

 

[pulsator]

Supremewhirlpol, he was speaking of the Maytag Neptune TL not the Maytag Neptune!

 

[sudsmaster]

Theoretically the biggest design problem with the Neptune TL is that the vanes rotate in only one direction. So I understand it tends to twist the load a bit.

 

[DADoES]

 
It tangles some, but perhaps not as much on every load as one might expect. As Jamie says, it doesn't handle small loads very well, they tend to sit and jiggle between the tumblers rather than roll over. Bulky items such as a single quilt or bedspread may also roll lethargically. Due to the vertical orientation, items may span across the center axis during spin and be subject to some stress at maximum spin speed. I had tears inflicted on a couple towels, a pair of jeans, and a thermal blanket. Those items had been washed for years in my F&Ps with no damage. Either spin stress ... or it could also be attributed to the Neppy's clutch going bad, causing the tumblers to rotate during spin. As I recall, the blanket and towels were among the last few loads before the clutch incident, although the jeans occurred some while earlier. I haven't yet used the TL after the clutch was repaired (under warranty) about a year ago.