New Whirlpool designed Hotpoint... with a split tub!

[solsburian]

Hi all,

it looks like there are a few new (I presume) entirely Whirlpool designed washing machines being sold under the Bauknecht and Hotpoint brands. Example is the H7W945WBUK which is available from ao.com. Looking at the Hotpoint parts website, the exploded part diagrams (link below) show that it has a direct drive style motor, as well as having a splittable tub with replacement spiders etc. available (though currently out of stock). Hopefully with the EU regulations around repairability coming into force, hopefully we will see more of this.

https://parts.hotpoint.co.uk/category/model_H7W945WBUK

 

[washerguy02]

Really glad to see split tubs back in Hotpoint machines after like 12 years. Makes a refreshing change for Hotpoint. Just shows how Whirlpool are improving Hotpoint

 

[miele4life]

certainly a very smart design there, looks like a Whirlpool design to me judging by the drum, I'm sure they'll sell well like Hotpoint's do.

 

[solsburian]

@washerguy02 Absolutely, I wasn't expecting that. According to the specs on ao.com it also includes a pre-wash option, which I'm glad to see A point of note is that it is made in China unlike previous Hotpoint models.

@miele4life Yes the drum lifters look identical to the non Indesit designed ones found in other Whirlpool models.

On a side note, looking at the Hotpoint dryers on ao.com, there looks like some additional Whirlpool deigned Vented and Condenser models which are made in the UK (Yate) according to the specs on the website. Though a possible cause of concern is that the local council has purchased the dryer factory in Yate and are leasing it back to Whirlpool, which is a cause for concern for the future of the plant.

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/council-buys-whirlpool-tumble-dryer-5247213

 

[appnut]

Please explain the term split tub. Thank you.

 

[rolls_rapide]

"Please explain the term split tub."

The outer tub is made in two halves, or sometimes more like two-thirds to one-third ratio, or three-quarters to one-quarter ratio.

The conventional way was to bolt or clip these halves together with a tub seal in between the halves. Easy to split apart for spider, drum bearing and drum bearing seal renewal.

Then they decided to get rid of the bolts/clips, and glued or sonically welded the halves together. Not serviceable - and the whole tub (with drum and bearings in situ) has to be replaced.

 

[rolls_rapide]

And furthermore, some of the cheapskate manufacturers also moulded the pressure vessel 'bottle' into the two halves of the outer tub. That meant it could feasibly block up without easy access to it - even worse with a sealed 'non-splittable' outer tub.

 

[appnut]

Thank you very much!!

 

[rolls_rapide]

You're welcome!