New Equator Combo!

[peteski50]

Combo!

I have the same exact LG combo WM3455HW and I like it. The drying is slow but I hang up a lot of things anyway. I got it at PC Richard when I used to work their and got $300 off at employee discount. This one works better than the origional larger unit I had about 6 years back. Their was many service issues with that larger unit. Plus their was no one that serviced these issues at that time. Now I think the larger unit was discontinued.
It is still disappointing that no USA company will make a full size combo. I still think they wont do it because they are making good money on the dryers. It is also ashame they stopped making the frigmores. I now work at home depot and some customers are requesting full size washers that will fit under a standard counter. That frigmore would have also made a great combo!
Peter

 

[joe_in_philly]

So, based on this video and the campaign funds raised, I don't have much confidence the Equator Hybrid will actually be produced. The idea sounds good, but the presentation and mock-up machine leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[warmsecondrinse]

I looked at their web site. It seems to me that the combo with the vent/condenser choice is available at present and is separate from the "Hybrid" being worked on. Have I misread?

I had an Equator 1600 (3600?) bought in '01. I loved it and had no problems except for the infamous lint build-up that drastically reduced drying efficiency. Had I stayed in that situation longer I'd've bought the matching (vented) 120v dryer that was then available. My plan was to wash at full capacity then put half the clothes into the separate dryer and let both run at the same time to increase throughput.

Perhaps Darthwolf could stack a separate condensing dryer (I believe I've seen on-line both 120 and 240 volt models) on top of his LG combo and do the same? As a long-term side benefit, doing this would reduce the amount of lint to be cleaned out of the ducts of the LG. This lint issue has been noted at length elsewhere on the web.

I know Equator has a bad reputation, but I had no problems with it of any kind. When I moved I gave the unit to a friend-of-a-friend and last I heard it was still going strong with zero problems except for having to lift the lid and clean the lint out a few times per year.

Just my 2 cents. ;-)

 

[darthwolf]

W/D combo

I heard about that issue where lint buildup was a problem for these units. I use CLR in my unit with the "tub clean" cycle once a month .... then i run it through a second "tub clean" cycle without anything. My family back in KS all have front loaders and use CLR very faithfully and we never had a problem. I really don't place too much faith in those tub clean tablets or packages ( plus they are expensive !!!)

In the future if i get the matching LG dryer and have the traditional hook ups i might do that.... I am also weighing the option to see if there is a condensing dryer that runs on a 120 v. available.

 

[tomturbomatic]

"There has been NOTHING BUILT for US domestic use that is made and labeled for 220 volts in over 1/2 a decade, WP does build export appliances for other voltages, and most of our appliances operate and are built for 120 Volts, not 110."

" we do not even have 220 volts in this country, nothing built in this country in over 60 years has been built for 220 volts,"

Could you clarify this, please? Are you talking about washing machines only, because electric ranges, clothes dryers, AC units, water heaters and some heaters operate on 220 volts.

 

[washman]

Even so,

"Every manufacturer uses them, even Speed Queen. They certainly seem to work okay in their commercial machines. "

Probably because commercial machines are not built to a price point and they are expected to run 24/7/365.

But not every manufacturer uses them on all their machines.

 

[launderess]

Have A 220v Condenser Dryer

Well actually the panel says 200v-240v but we're not on that right now; and it takes ages to dry an average load from my Miele. Cannot imagine how long eleven or even six pounds of laundry would take in a 120v condenser dryer.

Unless you are trying to hide the evidence of a dryer from a landlord or something those compact Whilpool/Kenmore or other brands vented dryers are faster IMHO.

 

[combo52]

200, 208, 220, 230, 240 Volts

In the US we have 120volts comming from regular outlets and 240 volts for heavy appliances, there are also some areas that have 120-208 volts if your home has a 3 phase power supply.

Appliances built here for US use are labeled 120-240 volts, many are also labeled
120-208 or 240 volts which means they will work on the lower 208 voltage at slightly reduced output in the case of central A/Cs and significantly reduced heat output [ 25% reduction ] in electric ranges, dryers and electric water heaters etc.

While we generally do not have any control about the voltage at our homes it certainly looks and sounds better when talking to others and giving advice if you actually know the facts.

In our service we see problems when customers are using European appliances [ mainly electric ranges and clothes dryers that are rated for 200-220 volts, when these appliances are used on 240 volts we see a lot of heater and safety fuse failures.

 

[hoover1100]

220v problems on 240v supply

The UK has a 240v power supply, mainland Europe has 220v power supply. Since the late 80s this has been referred to as 230v to standardise things. In reality though, the UK still has a 240v supply and mainland Europe is still on 220v. Electrical goods sold here are sold without modifications accross Europe and I have neve head of appliances failing more in the UK than other European Countries, they just pull slightly higher wattages here.

Matt

 

[launderess]

One saving grace from European condenser and one assumes vented dryers is they do tend to run on lower heat and not "fry" one's clothing like some American electric dryers could or still do for all one knows. IIRC most EU dryers top out at <3500 watts, while USA electric dryers are in the 4K to over 5K watt range IIRC.

@Combo

You have no idea how much bother those EU ranges and other kitchen appliance that require electric heating elements cause some Manhattan kitchen renovations. They often pull way more juice than many older buildings have for entire apartments much less just the kitchen. One assumes this is because in Manhattan at least gas is the preferred or often found for cooking so there aren't "range" circuits on the panel already.