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mixfinder

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May 1, 2006
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Our 17 year old Speed Queen had definitely seen better days as it banged and squealed its way through a load of laundry. MacCray laundry services agreed to upgrade to a front loader if we signed a new contract. I was expecting a Neptune set and surprised to see the Speed Queens unveiled. The washer does a load in only 31 minutes with out a spin between wash and it's one and only rinse. The machine does not ramp up to a warp speed spin like many front loaders do. Its making the building happy as the washer holds more clothes and the dryer is larger and faster than the old one. $1.50 for wash and $1.00 for dry. No water is visible while the machine washing. I tried adding more through the detergent drawer and it pumps out as soon as the water reaches the bottom of the glass.

mixfinder++12-3-2009-11-22-6.jpg
 
Smalls overflow

Smaller articles of clothing catch between the inner and outer tubs and get smashed against the glass during the wash. There is a plastic guard that keeps them from sliding between the two.

mixfinder++12-3-2009-11-23-55.jpg
 
Distanced from my Laundry

I was given the use of a Neptune set which seems to do an okay job. It feels very odd to do laundry and not be able to see or experience the process. It was never about the washing but getting to watch. The touch screens lead you through a series of cycle choices but I am old fashioned enough to like dials.

mixfinder++12-3-2009-11-28-12.jpg
 
Those SQ machines are quite pretty! But only ONE rinse? In an FL washer???? YIKES!!!!

On that note, I wonder how programmable those commercial machines are? Can they be programed with higher water levels perhaps? More rinses? Warm rinses? I know they boast about the fact that they are now CEE Tier III energy certified, but, I wonder if (and hope) that can be changed! ;)
 
Sounds a bit like the ones I endured

a 9 minute wash cycle, 3 low level rinses and only did a few measly spin bursts between the rinses, where it actually turned the pump off when it went into spin!

They were a year or so old, and would overfill and flood the laundry at least once a week without fail.

The doors visible rattled when they span, they sounded like death on spin and walked across the floor despite being completely level.

The matching dryers became unberably hot even on low heat, weren't big enough to hold a full wash from the washer and left things horribly creased and shunk, even sturdy cottons.

People here seem to think these machines are great, but from my experience they were almost as useless as the neptunes I've used, and those were pathetic! Both were much better than the helical and orbital commercial Maytag toploaders I've used though.

My whites are still recovering over 6 months later! I doubt they ever will fully.
 
Programmable

Jaime, these machines would take longer and offer more rinses if they were a home use model. Perhaps someone here can tell me if there's a way to cheat their little brains to get another rinse and get a faster spin. Prior to MacCray we had Automatic Laundry services. MacCray takes up to 4 days for a service call and the level of customer service seems more abrupt that the interface with Automatic Laundry which was always pleasant and helpful. The pump does turn off during the drain period between wash and rinse which seems counterintuitve. The machines are quiet and sit rock solidly while spinning. Even with my criticisms machines are light years better than the top loaders and for that I can be glad.
 
I'd say the irony is you have to pay twice to get a wash and thee rinses and it will still take a full hour.

I'll take 30 minute Wascomats that bolt down. Pre-wash, wash and three rinses as well as interim and final spins and all in about 30 minutes.
 
Free Wascomat

Sweet toggles, have you got a lead on a free Wascotmat I can use to take the place of the Neptunes?
 
The fact that wascomat is now owned by electrolux escaped me. I had a fall housecleaning and washed pillows, matt pads, all the comforters the biggest machine with the electrolux emblem, looked brand new, it took SEVENTEEN quarters, thankfully i had tossed a whole coffee can, full of change into the backseat. The next size down took 15 quarters. Ladies at the laundromat are always so nice to guys. " Now baby you put those heavy pads in the dryer on the end, it's the hottest". alr2903
 
Jamie,
these SQ are board-controlled, for sure they're full programmable. My guess is the administrator has programmed just one single rinse to save further water . Mac Cray sounds Scottish .. maybe with other relations in Genoa ;-)

Older machines had a key (meaning a door key) to allow certain settings. Today there's kinda PIN code to enter menu settings (e.g. the Little Giants can be locked with 4 basic cycles or 12 cycles or the whole choice)

It's a pity, such a well built machine castrated by a dull cycle compilation. No wonder if so many people in the US complain about FLs. I bet that SQ has not any delicate/high level cycle programmed, just hot/warm/cold with low level and period

Kelly, a mesh wash bag is the solution to wash properly those small items that usually get trapped between glass and boot.

Ciao
Carlo
 
Mesh Bag

There are 15 units, 33 tenants and 7 are under the age of 5. It is baby socks and lingerie that seem to get plastered to the glass. I doubt the laundry awareness of my tenancy goes much beyond stuff and dump so not much hope of mesh bags. The small items appear as if they're going into the pump but there is a hard plastic sheild that protects against it. Since there is no tilt to the washbasket all the laundry has a tendancy to flop against the glass in a vain attempt at escape.
 
The SQ's are certainly nice looking but one rinse?? Yuk. I'd bet they are able to be set for other options by the owner, Peter will probably know for sure. When the Neptune coin-ops first came out, you could pay extra for a longer wash cycle but I don't remember what all the options were for that.

You can hold the door switch button in on the Neptune for a while to see the wash cycle but once it gets to a certain point, it will stop and cry for help if it doesn't sense the door locked fully.
 
~lead on a free Wascomat.

No I don't know. I DO know that Wascomats are pricey, even used. But PeterH owns a laundromat. Maybe he can guide you to some websites or laundromat chat boards.

I have a feeling that if you ask for it, it will manifest itself.
 
MAH7500's!

I will get a set of those someday. They are just about the only F/L set that has a chance of kicking the MAH4000's to the side...

RCD
 
Did someone say Wascomat? Well, If he still has them, I know a source that you could get some. They are 3 phase machines, and yes they ain't free. Gen4, 5 are still expensive used. Gen 3 you could find for not too much. Look in you area for distributors and businesses that sell them. They may sell you one for scrap price.
 
I think the home version of the SQ FLs have longer wash cycles (45 minutes for a regular wash) and default to two rinses, with a switch for a extra third one.

I also have the same problem with small kids socks and kid-sized washcloths ending up on the rubber boot next to the door glass in my Bosch 500. I always try to check a few times during the wash & rinse and often have to pop open the door and toss 'em to the back of the drum.
 
Quantum Control

I think you can change programming with...

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