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6000 Washer Operating Manual, and More!

Frigidaire has now posted the 6000 operating manual, which includes a few nuggets. Most important are the similarities to the 2940 programming.

I was pleased to confirm that modifiers to a cycle are retained for future washes. And as mentioned previously, "Stain Clean" adds a five minute soak in the middle of a cycle.

The seperate Parts Manual also includes something interesting: the Boot kit (#8-134515300) is one digit different from that of the 2940, and it includes the note "no light hole". I think it is fair to guess that we know where the 7000's light will be mounted, and that there is also the slight chance of a design change to lessen water in the boot.

Finally, the enormous 4-color brochure yielded a detail in the 7000's companion dryer: a stainless steel drum.

--Trip

 
Rinse & Spin Lives On

Earlier, someone mentioned that the "Rinse & Spin" cycle choice from the 2940 has disappeared on the Affinity.

Good news... According to the manual, you can acheive the same goal by selecting the cycle "Spin Only" and adding the option for an Extra Rinse. Since this is a modifier, the washer would remember your preference until it was changed.

--Trip
 
Yes Bob you are right sir!

Give that man a big Texas Star! ART is/was patented in 1937 by Bendix-spray/drain rinse technology!! I checked into that pronto when they first introduced it at the end of 2004. It is a very good feature I am not knocking it but it was already pioneered here.

However I doooo like this machine, hmm maybe the Cape needs a new machine for the tennants?????
 
Aww shucks Jon (blush). (Said with my best Rhett Butler southern drawl and possibly batting eyes, or did I get something in one of them lol). Nope, no foreign object.
 
New Boot! Less Water Buildup?

One of the more consistent grumbles about the 2940 was the tendency for a small, tablespoon-sized amount of water to collect in the boot. Many users simply scoop this water up with a sock en route to the dryer, but it is a valid minor annoyance.

Today, I compared (again, side-by-side) the 2940 boot to the Affinity boot, which has a new part number.

The boot appears to have changed in a meaningful fashion to prevent water collection. The tiny accordion ridges have been removed, and the drainage holes are now located 1/4 inch lower, directly against the smooth base of the boot so that water can easily flow out before building up. The change does not appear to be substantial enough to affect any other water management function of the washer.

One final note, a new rubber nook at the top of the boot appears to be the mounting point where drum lighting would be installed on the 7000. That is the same position (front, top of window) where the light is located on the dryer, so the two may go so far as to have somewhat consistent lighting. Very cool!

--Trip
 
More on the Heater...

Well...I wrote to Frigidaire again regarding the heater...with disappointing results:

Subject: RE: Affinity Heater Questions - washer
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2006 12:06:39

"Thank you for your reply. Can you tell me if the heater only works in the Sanitary Cycle...or does it work to MAINTAIN proper temperatures in ALL cycles with heated water (i.e. does it work to maintain a specific warm water temperature, and a specific hot water temperature in addition to the 152° F in the sanitary cycle)?"

Subject: RE: Affinity Heater Questions - washer
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2006 07:39:04

"You are welcome. Yes, the heater only works in the Sanitary Cycle. All other cycles are controlled by the Auto Temp System. The Auto Temp System controls the minimum temperature of the cold water setting approximately 65° F) and maximum temperature of the warm and hot water settings (approximately 90° F and 130° F).
Hope this clarifies and is helpful."

I don't know why they couldn't have utilized the heater in ALL cycles to MAINTAIN water temperature. This is the PRIMARY benefit of an internal heater. Sure...Sanitary Cycles are nice and beneficial...but one is not going to use them very often. Most other cycles will be used far more often...and the water temps will still decline throughout all these cycles. It's irritating that, at this price point, the heater doesn't work in all cycles to maintain temps.
 
According to the reply, the heater only works in the Sanitary Cycle.
Does it maintain the Sanitary temp during the rest of the wash phase? Apparently no.

Seemingly most FL only use the heater in a few setting, like Boost Hot and Sanitary.
 
Heater vs energy usage

I would think the issue with having the heater engaged to maitain temp on all cycles is that it would lead to a competitively less energy efficient machine.
 
Heat v Energy

I think you hit the nail on the head with this one, If energy issues are crucial, (of which they are worldwide) then surely
this has a massive implication for the USA.

Imagine all those new front loaders drawing current to heat the water(even if it is a smaller amount).

This must have more of an implication than using water and no heat in a TL I would say...What do you think??

Mike
 
It takes a certain amount of energy input to raise the temp of a given quantity of water to a target temp. Lower current or gas flow for a longer time, or higher current or gas flow for a shorter time. A 110-volt water heating element in the washer pulls less instantaneous current than a 240-volt element in a water heater, but the end result is about the same. Instantaneous current draw (demand) is of concern to power companies. Overall power usage is low, but power companies must have reserve capacity for those brief periods of high current being pulled. My tankless unit sits all day not pulling any power except for the circuit board and LCD, then it may jump to 6KW for 10 mins while I have a shower. Or 25KW for 3 to 4 mins for a 140°F EcoActive wash.
 
Score one for the Neptune

My Neptune 7500 engages the boost heater for all cycles and all water temperature selections, as long as the heater is enabled via a setup menu selection.

I actually would have preferred an option to enable or disable the heater for each favorite custom cycle definition, and it would probably not have been difficult for Maytag to include that option. But, as it is, I think the power draw of having the heater enabled to maintain target temp for all cycles isn't a huge energy draw, and it helps to maintain consistent wash results.

I also think that 110 volt internal washer heater electricity consumption is rather insignificant when compared to the dual 220 elements most electric tank-type water heaters utilize. And an argument could be made that putting the heater in the washer where the energy is actually needed, is more efficient than heating a larger amount of water and storing it remotely, where energy will be lost to the surrounding air over time both through the tank walls and plumbing pipe walls, even if heavily insulated. That is, if the storage water heater is also electric. For a gas powered water heater, it's probably a draw.
 
Elecdtrolux Largest Manufactor of Front Loader in World

I was watching a show this weekend regarding an appliance store here in the SF Bay Area. On the wall in the store they had this big poster showing Frigidaire front load washing machines, with the caption: that they make more front loaders than any other company in the world.

This new Frigidaire model seems to have made a couple of important improvements: offering the heater and the light in the washer drum. Does anyone know, will the light come on only if you open the door, or would you be able to activate the light while the machine is running? I think it would be handy to be able to turn it on while the machine is running. I am guessing it is probably not an option because only folks like us that are somewhat fantacial about washing machines would probably want to turn on the light to better watch the washer in action!

I am curious, does Electrolux made a mega (3.7 or 3.8) front loader for sale in Europe? I am guessing probably not. Even their original front loader (3.1) they start selling in the mid 90's was large for European standards.
 
Rich, I do know the upcoming extra big LG with the Steam featuer will have an interior drum light too that can be activated to come on while it's running, has a 4 minute duration.
 
7000 Washer Operating Instructions Now Online

Frigidaire has now posted the operating instructions for the 7000 washer, and we're still waiting on the 7000 dryer. There aren't really any surprises here, but there are a few clarifications:

- The drum light is activated only when the door opens (and shuts off after 3 minutes). No manual option is shown for mid-wash viewing.

- As noted previously, the heater only works in the Sanitary setting, which heats to 152F degrees. The panel does not have a seperate indicator for this temp; instead it uses the ATC Hot/Cold indicator but a thermometer icon on the Sanitary label reminds the user of the temp override.

- According to the manual, Sanitary wash time will be extended if the household hot water heater is set below 120F. Therefore, I think it is very fair to say that Sanitary has a hot fill and does not enable a "stepped" stain treatment. No prewash is available in the 6000/7000 design, but this Sanitary setting should be very appropriate for anti-bacterial treatment WITHOUT stains (such as medical workers who don't encounter blood).

- Sanitary adds a full hour to the longest wash time (from Heavy Duty 48 min to Sanitary 1 hr 50 min)

- Standard ATC target temps are: Hot 120F, Warm 90F, Cold 65F. The only non-ATC temperature setting is Tap Cold.
 
7000 Prewash Equivalent?

Remember that with the 6000/7000 washer, you can get a cold water Rinse & Spin by selecting Spin Only and then adding an Extra Rinse. Since Extra Rinse is a modifier, the washer should remember your preference on the Spin Only cycle. Of course, you could just run a full wash cycle.

It's not much, but maybe it's appropriate for users who regularly need a Sanitary wash and only occasionally have a stain that might set in hot.

--T
 
Skimpy Dryer Hinge

I had to go to three Best Buys this weekend to find the correct set of DVDs for a gift (not hard to do in Denver). So, I checked out the Affinity 6000s at every store.

And at EVERY STORE, the dryer door was bent downward! Not much, but enough that the door didn't line up correctly as it was being closed and it had to bump itself upward to shut!

What the heck is that? A close inspection revealed that the hinge is very wimpy--much skimpier than that of the washer, whose door isn't that much heavier. It looks like the hinge is bending within metal shielding on the door itself, so it isn't easily fixed. No screw tightening would help.

Jiminy christmas, I hope the 7000s get upgraded hinges or Frigidaire commmits to a running modification. I've been very delighted with the appearance of this machine, but bent doors at 3 of 3 stores checked is pretty scary.

No other machines had this problem. To add insult to injury, the price point is such that a 7000 pair in color would cost virtually the same as the GE Adoras--which feel TONS more substantial.

--T
 
Frigidaire Responds to Hinge Concerns

I respectfully sent an e-mail to Frigidaire asking if an upgraded aftermarket hinge would be available for purchase. (This is a very nice way of saying that the consumer is willing to pay for a door that won't break.) Frigidaire's response was this:

"Thank you for contacting Electrolux Major Appliances. The hinge is an issue we have already addressed, and the upgraded hinge will be in production shortly. Consequently, if you purchase a machine, this upgrade will be available as an after market item that an authorized servicer can install for you at no charge under the manufacturer's warranty.

Hope this is helpful."

That's a great response! I have another message outstanding asking for estimated date of production or how to identify the new hinge upon visual inspection.

--T
 
Frigilux,

*LAUGHING* Yes, the thought did cross my mind!

Actually, I'm not too satisfied with the most recent Frigidaire/Electrolux response, which is:

- they can't give me a date when the new hinge will be in production
- there's no way for the layperson to tell it apart from the existing installed hinge visually
- it will be shipped to a service tech replacing a hinge (scout's honor!)

So I want to respond with something like, "Is there really a different hinge or just one you're making up if I call a service tech and complain long enough?" If I can't tell that the hinge is different in the store, then I don't want to buy the dang thing and hope that the service tech agrees that it sucks, orders a replacement under warranty, and that the result will be auto-magically better...

--T
 

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