New Speed Queen washers and dryers!

[mysteryclock]

Cycle times and a surprise!

So I have a big, complex Bosch Nexxt 500 washer and dryer set right now, that has a much longer cycle time than the current SQ. So today I set it for a Normal Hot wash, Extra Rinse for a total of 1:10 washing time.

I happened to be walking by the machine when I heard it start to drain after the wash cycle. The timer said 0:47, and that was pretty accurate with the clock-time as well. So... for those following along at home, that means the Bosh WASH time - i.e. detergent and water in contact with clothes, tumbling was...

...23 minutes.

So based on that, the Speed Queen appears to actually have a slightly ~longer~ wash cycle than my Bosch. Now that's just odd. Seriously.

So what the heck is the Bosch doing with all that extra time? Draining, preparing to spin, thinking about spinning, deciding if it time to spin, balancing, spinning, rinsing, repeating, etc.

I really wasn't expecting that. Can anyone else with a so-called "modern" (computerized) FL chime in on what the actual wash times are -- the times from the start of the water fill to the first drain.

I wish someone would post a video of a FL SQ (residential model) so we could see that. I'm now especially curious how long the transitions from wash to spin to rinse are. Shortening those could make a big difference.

 

[suburbanmd]

FL wash cycle vs total cycle

On the 1:08 "Custom" cycle, no options selected, in my Miele W4840, the wash time is around half an hour, assuming no water heating delay. I've seen it vary somewhat, and other owners might even report a different total cycle time due to some kind of adaptation.

Anyway, the question you asked about your Bosch could be asked about my Miele: why does it need a total of 68 minutes to run a 30-minute wash, when the SQ takes 45 minutes to run a 24-minute wash? The Miele has 1400 RPM spin, which generates twice the G-force of a 1000 RPM spin, assuming the same drum diameter. So balance is more critical, and I guess the Miele's extensive prep for spins (particularly after-wash-cycle, and final spin) explains the time difference.

BTW, your Bosch example was with an extra rinse. That's a total of 3 rinses, right? My Miele example is with 2 rinses, and the SQ 45-minute cycle is presumably with 2 rinses.

 

[mysteryclock]

Rinses and times

Yes, an extra rinse would bring it up to three I believe for me. I don't think water heating was used much / at all on this cycle for me because I know my hot water inlet temp is > the lower bound for a "Hot" (non-boosted) cycle. Mine is rated for a 1100 rpm spin but I don't think there should have been any excessive time required for pre-balancing because this was nearly all kitchen towels, etc. which should distribute pretty easily the first time around. I know what you mean about the prep time for odd loads though -- it really can take a while trying until it either succeeds within its parameters or gives up, which is ~really~ annoying.

Strange.

Here is what the SQ Imperial Manual says about their "Regular" cycle. Given the nature of their controls (simple) I wouldn't expect much variation on the times:

"Use for sturdy items, like play or work clothes, towels, T-shirts, etc. This cycle includes a wash tumble for 24 minutes. The cycle has two rinses with an optional third rinse. The final spin starts with a two-minute medium spin and finishes with a three-minute high spin. The total cycle time is approximately 44 minutes without the extra rinse. "

 

[suburbanmd]

Unnecessary balancing

Miele is the same way -- it goes through the preliminaries, like pulse spins, even if the particular load doesn't need them. It will extend them if necessary, but doesn't shorten them.

 

[launderess]

Miele Errs On The Side Of Caution

Before the final rinse, IMHO.

Rather than risk the final spin never reaching full speed and or being aborted because of a pump overload (too much water entering too fast), or severe out of balance; Miele washers generally have a series of pulse spins to begin water extraction and balance the load.

Have been around commercial laundromat washing front loaders that go into final spin regardless of load balance, and am here to tell you it is quite a good thing those units are bolted down. It is also a good thing such machines have no pumps, and simply "dump" their water. Truly amazing to watch gallons of water running down the door window and leave the tub as if by magic.

OTHO, have heard many a complaint from owners of other front loaders that more often than not their machines never reach final spin speed.

L.

 

[surgilator_68]

I am simply amazed at all the drooling and dribbling going on about the 'new' SQ machines. They are the same machines as last year with some new cosmetics. The same machines that myself and a few others have been singing praises about and defending. Throw on some new make up and everyone wants one.

The wash time was extended when they made the change to the BIG door. SQ was quickly notified of the walking and vibration issues when used on a wooden floor and immediately began working on a fix for this problem. If I had waited one more month I would have had one that had the updates. Now I have to update mine. Maybe I'll take some picts or videos of that process.

24 mins of regular wash is more than enough to get the dirtiest, greasiest stained clothing clean. I do it on a weekly basis.
If you get the one with the Boosted heat option it will extend that 24 min wash until it reaches the target temp of 140ish.

Doing laundry is like baking. You can't just throw everything in the bowl, turn the mixer on high, throw everything in the oven on Incinerate and expect to get prefect results. The wash times, water temps, detergents, additives, clothing and soil level all play a part in the final results. Too much wash time, too little detergent and water too cool will give you bad results. It renders useless every cleaning, soil suspension/ anti redepositing and machine protection agent in the detergent. Damaging the clothing and the machine. Speed Queen and others have developed the programs for their machines to give the best results when people actually do thing correctly. If you look at the dial on the washer it has different settings, which would indicate that one should not wash everything on Regular.

As for Speed Queen not selling in big box stores..
SQ does things the old school way. They have Reps who call to check on you, to help you out if you need it, they have incentives, they have sales. When we place our order it is delivered to our door and unloaded. When you have a parts or repair question we dial one number and speak to one person, there is not a phone tree, there is no push this or that to get here. You get a real, live human who actually says Sir, Please and Thank you. And they thank you for supporting their product. You can even speak to the engineer. SQ is a dyeing breed of companies who actually builds a quality product IN THE USA and stands behind that product fully. And they will only accept dealers of the upmost integrity who understands and will honor what SQ stands for and what they have spent so many years creating. That is why you won't find a SQ in a box store.

 

[norfolksouthern]

Is it possible...

...bypass the lid switch on the top loader? Or is it somehow synched to the auto balancer like on a Maytag to the degree where it would be unwise?

NorfolkSouthern

 

[gyrafoam]

The voice of experience-------

Thank you, Surgilator_68, for the insight into what is going on at SQ.
Clearly they strive to create a quality product.

 

[gregm]

lid switch

under the back console (the top of the machine does not come off) behind the timer is the lid switch which can be disconnected and you can join the wires together, obviously just use a wire nut or elec tape when joining them and make sure they're covered. I just shimmed the existing switch so it stays open

 

[pulsator]

Do the residential Speed Queens still have a unbalance switch? My commercial coin-op version advertised that it "no longer needs an unbalance switch due to the superior suspension system." It has yet to go off balance...

 

[mysteryclock]

Updates?

Surgilator_68,

Updates to fix walking? Can you describe the original problem and what was done to fix it? How well does it handle out of balance spins or heavy loads now?

Personally I hadn't even discovered the residential SQ models until a few months ago, so they're all "new" to me!

 

[favorit]

Miele pulse spins

Launderess you wrote right about pulse spins. The machine doesn't waste time balancing as it doesn't care that much if these bursts aren't sharp balanced. The balance ctrl is more precise @ the last hi speed spin.

The pulse spins also decrease wrinkling, as the load is tumbled before and after each spin burst.

I do notice this difference (more wrinkles)in those programme that haven't pulse spins ( "separate rinse" and "separate spin")

 

[surgilator_68]

Off balance switch

It was designed to handle a moderate off balance load with reduced spin speed. However it is still possible to get it to the point of banging around.

 

[surgilator_68]

Updates

The problem is that the machine has so much torque when it starts to do the pulse spin routine it would make the machine jump and walk forward with each attempt. When it would jerk with so much force the basket would also strike the door glass. This would only happen when severely over loaded, improperly loaded or with a very off balanced load even after it tried to rebalance. (there is only so much a computer and sensors can do to correct user error.)

So to correct the problem they redesigned the door boot using a more pliable rubber. The original design was a very thick and heavy gray rubber. They also redesigned the shocks to handle the torque and shortened them by 1/4 inch. And to further eliminate any possible remaining movement they include 4 big sticky foot pads. We have not received any complaints on vibrations or walking since.

Many will argue that the spin/balance profile could have been changed and yes, it most likely could have. But doing so would have put this rather fast, no nonsense machine into the same category as most of the other machines out there that take 2 hours to complete a load, after spending 30 minutes deciding if it should spin or not.

Jason

 

[surgilator_68]

Over priced?

Yeah, they are a little costly. But I can't see paying the same or more for a machine made of plastic, with lots of buttons, bells and whistles that has to be junked in a few years because it's either too costly to be repaired or has had so many repairs the consumer gives up on the machine. Where is the ecological and financial sense in that?

We are different than the average consumer. We want or think we want or need all the cutesy options, but in reality how many of us really use every option we have? And how many of those options could you do without before your life is severely impacted in a negative way?

Personally, after spending 12 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week fixing everyone else's broken appliances I'm glad to come home to my simple appliances that do the job without having fits or having to push 21 buttons to get something done. Except for this damn microwave. I wish it would blow up so I can justify getting another one. I HATE IT!!!!

The average american household wants to get the daunting task of housework done with little effort or thought on their part. This also includes the time and money spent waiting for parts, repairs, time away from work, orgies or whatever they deem more important. Most people who understand what real quality, reliability and performance is about won't flinch at the cost of something good. There are ways to work around a missing feature, if you want to invest the extra few minutes to reset a control or to pause the machine for a soak. As for those who don't want to be without those features, well, there is a machine out there for everyone. And as the old adage goes, pay now or pay later, either way you will pay. Sometimes twice.

Just my two cents.

 

[mysteryclock]

Wow!

surgilator,

Wow! That must have really been something to see (or run away quickly from!) I guess when they advertise the HP rating of their motor they really aren't kidding, eh?

It was good of them to offer a mea culpa and an update. Broadly speaking was this done under warranty or at a reasonable cost to existing owners?

Thanks for the info!

 

[yogitunes]

A Few Notes

I used a cable tie to hold my lid switch down at the back of the machine ...there's a "L" bracket there to hold hown the top and I tied it to that....

I also wished for a faster wash speed....I wonder if there is an ugrade like the maytags....the older SQ had a faster stroke that the water would slash up from the agitator...

and Yeah..my frigidaire FL spends more time adjusting the load than actually spinning and yet the timer shows 1 minute left and will take about 15 minutes to spin and comlete...

 

[gregm]

tub "indexing" ?

I notice my SQ toploader tub does "index" counter clockwise to the left during agitation. Is this because the machine is "NEW" and after a break in period will stop ? If the machine has water and no clothes it does NOT do it, if it has clothing and water it does.

 

[mrb627]

Videos

I found videos on youtube.

 

[surgilator_68]

WOW

It is all covered under warranty with no cost to the customer.