New FriMore 3.5 CuFt Washer

[Designgeek]

Launderess, thanks for the info. Yow.

This is going to be an interesting set of coningencies & constraints to design for. And the inescapable conclusion that there are going to be tradeoffs for energy efficiency. Yow again.

Are those long-wave UV sterilizing lamps still available in sizes relevant to home use? And what kind of exposure is needed to do the job? Assuming no access to outdoor clothes lines for sunlight exposure.

 

[david]

I had a feeling

Noticed later last year that the old km friGEmores werre close-out sales, so I was curious to know what the replacement was going to be. Interesting to say the least. I must examine these before I decide what to purchase next!

 

[tolivac]

UV sterilizing lamps

These work on short-wave UV energy which is harmful to skin and eyes.LW UV light is used for the "Black light" effects in advertizing,theater,etc.LW is not harmful to eyes or skin-but its not a good idea to stare into a LW UV light.You can also get UV sterilizers for you central HVAC-the unit has a couple shortwave UV bulbs that sterilize the air passing thru the unit-its designed so the bulbs will only operate when the unit is enclosed in the ducting.Also UV fixtures are used in other places where things can be stereilized by the UV light shining on them,the cabinets have a switch that shut the light off when its oipened.In a high school shop class I was in they had a goggle cabinet that sterilized the goggles you would wear while using shop equipment.When you put them in the cabinet and cloed the door-the UV light came on.Overnight would be more than enough.The UV light can deteriate somne plastics.Breaks down the polymor bonds.I am surprized the UV bulbs used in early washers didn't shut off when the washer lid was opened.Wonder what goood they would be anyway--SW UV light cannot penetrtate water!!but it sure could reflect off it into the face(s) of the washer spectaters!Guess an amusing way to get a facial suntan!Also SW UV lamps produce ozone as a sideproduct-they sterilize in two ways-the SW UV light itself-and its reaction with oxygen in the air to make ozone-another gasious disenfectant.Thats a good reason why projection lamps at a theater are vented!That xenon bulb is a very powerful source of UV light!
Also-EPROM erasers have a SW UV light inside to erase eproms-they are designed as well so the lamp won't work unless the erasers doors or drawer is closed.

 

[Designgeek]

Tolivac, interesting about shortwave breaking down plastics. I knew about the health risks, but I didn't know about the effect on plastics. I have a client with mercury vapor lamps that apparently are screwed up and emit enough shortwave to cause a prickly-skin sensation whenever I'm at their site. So I guess I'm going to have to write a warranty exclusion for that on their phone equipment. Yow.

Meanwhile, logical application is a laundry "basket" (more like a box with a hinged lid) lined with something metallic, with a shortwave bulb in it. Every time the lid is opened, it resets a timer that will turn on the bulb for an hour after it's closed, thereby zapping whatever you've just tossed in there. And an LED/photocell that will show a "full" indication when the load builds up to the point where it might be too close to the bulb. Okay, another invention that I'll have to publish more widely since I can't afford $50k for patent lawyers.

 

[tolivac]

UV energy

Designgeek:
Yes-some plastics are affected by the UV light-esp polyethelyne.If it is exposed enough-the plastic cracks and breaks up-good example-poly sheeting for greenhouse glazing-its rated on how many months or years of exposure to sunlight before it needs to be replaced.A problem in this area(as well as the hurricanes-they REALLY tear up greenhouses)they are used by farmers in this area to "sprout" tobacco plants.They usually last up to 3 years before the film has to be replaced.
At that client place you were at-did you get any feeling in your eyes like someone threw sand in them and pain in them the next day-thats a sign your eyes were burned by UV. Did your skin get sunburn?Definitely would stay away from that place.-At least not unless you have glasses that will protect your eyes.also on the plastics issue that why the plastic lenses or diffusers on flourescent lights or mercury lights "yellow" or fade.The UV clothes container sounds interesting.-or maybe they should put the UV lights back in dryers.As the clothes are tumbled-all surfaces could then be exposed to the light---but the concern for those synthetic fabrics though-the downside of it-they are PLASTICS.You would have to limit their exposure to the light.Eventually-the most powerful UV generator-sunlight-can deteriate any of them.

 

[laundromat]

new Kenmore front loading tumble action washers/dryers

I visited Sears today and saw the beautiful new front loaders that just arived.there are three of each to choose (good,better,and best)and the "best"set has a matching dryer that comes with a see through window(not smoked glass)to make the pair look like twins.Their risers unlike the previous ones have plenty of space for storage in the metal framed drawers that have metal frames instead of plastic with barings to make them easy to slide open and shut.the "good" set is the original3.1 cu ft washer and 5.7 cu ft dryer.The "Better" sets upgrade with advanced rinsing technology(ART),46%larger door opening,5 spin speed selections,add a garment indicater,cycle status lights,control lock out option,delay start option,and optional 15"pedistal drawer.The "Best"sets upgrade withEco cycle(15 gallons use per cycle),5 temperature settings,improved door design withsilver metalic accents,easy iron option,LED countdown display,delay start options,optional 15"pedestal drawer.The "good"dryers are the same as usual but the "better"ones step up with 5.8 cu ft drum,stainless steel drum back,soft heat,lock out options,clean lint filter indicater,cycle status indicater,touch up cycle,quick cycle,optional 15"pedistal drawer.The "Best"dryers step up with stainless steel drum,heat reduction technology shrink guard and soft heat,SEE THROUGH DOOR WINDOW,improved door design with silver metalic accents,and optional 15"pedestal drawer.No idea on the price of the high end set but the "better washer goes for $799 and the dryer goes for $469.Gas would cost about $60 more.

 

[launderess]

Laundromat

What I want to know, to settle a bet; do any of these washers have an internal heater?

TIA
Launderess

 

[appnut]

Laundress, it appears Electrolux has again left out the heater.

 

[arrrooohhh]

Ohh WOW!

These new machines look great and a square door to boot! Like Classic Hoovers!

I wonder if Electrolux would plan to sell them here in Australia, or even manufacture them?

A large capacity, heaterless FL with reasonable short cycle times would go down a real treat here, especially if they could sell it for less than $2000, the LG tromm seems to have shifted a few units despite the price!

 

[pdub]

YEAH !!! The new 3.5 Frigidaire FL will have an internal hea

This was in the Lowes ad in the Sunday paper. This price and these features make this well worth looking at. My '98 Frigidaire FL is still going strong and I use it to the max. Well we've finally gotten our wish and they've built in a heater. Still no details on the Frigidaire website.

http://ads.lowes.com/SinglePage.aspx?fsi=3953&loc=33234&ver=88&pg=250788&lmi=0

 

[pdub]

And look at the styling on these!

I want these already. What would I do with my already perfectly good, albeit smaller capacity set?

 

[gadgetgary]

Question

Why is the one with the heater less money? Any difference between the two dryers?

 

[westie2]

3.5 FL

Wanted to wait for the heater models but had to have one as old TL went out. We have the Kenmore 44052 paid the same price as this one with heater. Have had for 3 weeks now and it is the best. This model Sears or Frigidaire will hold as much as the Duet's/HE's at half the cost. Absoultly the best washer we have ever had. Using the Sears HE powder detergent with it as we have used the Sears detergent for years.

 

[pdub]

GadgetGary

I could be wrong, but I think they both have heaters unless the higher price is 'just' for the styling. I will have to go check these out in person and report back.

 

[peterh770]

Nothing here says water heater. The "manual hot/cold" means that you have to select hot to get hot -- none of the cycles will wash in hot otherwise. I saw both models at Lowe's over the weekend and there is nothing like a "power", "boosted" or "sanitary" selection. But I'd still buy one; they sure are purty!

http://www.frigidaire.com/products/laundry/washers/tumble_action/prod_GLTF2940E.asp

 

[westytoploader]

Wow...those Frigidaires are indeed pretty cool for modern machines!

 

[golittlesport]

mistake, me thinks

I saw that ad and think it is a typo. I think that that "heater" line was to go with the Bosch set right after the Frigidaires. Each ad had that same graphic with different words on it. The Bosch set just said something like "saves water and energy." Wouldn't be the first time that the graphic arts dept mixed up features on an ad.

 

[alr2903]

Will SEARS?

Retail the new SQ line or not? alr2903

 

[david]

lowe's ad on sunday

I have the same ad from lowes in the sunday paper that Pdub saw. It does state about the water heating in the $699 Frigidaire. I saw everything on the page. Incidentally, I see that the Frigidaire Gallery is still being offered at Rex and BestBuy also. I had some idea they were being discontinued as a model at Sears had closeout on the ad. Maybe not, but the FrigMores are getting much cheaper now. Also, I haven't seen any Neptune ads either FL or TL lately. Hmmmm

 

[frigilux]

O-o-o-o-o-o-h!! I'm going to have to go to my local dealer and order this new machine. I printed out the operating instructions (from the Frigidaire site) and it looks very interesting. Interesting Note: The Wool, Delicate, Handwash and Bulky cycles use a higher water level, so the door remains locked throughout the cycle "to prevent water spills." Sounds exciting!