Panda Spin Dryer Feedback

[thomasortega]

... and i just finished another project 5 minutes ago (2:49am)

It was kinda strange working on a project named "poo". Even more strange was spending the last 2 months watching poo. then testing poo, putting poo in the poo, running over 1 thousand poo cycles, taking poo apart several times and finally writing the "poo" report. Now I'm literally with poo right next to me in my bedroom. and I'm typing with the keyboard on my lap, sitting on my desk and with both feet resting on poo.

Now I can proudly say I successfully did s**t or be super proud for having designed the very first s***ty washer in the world.

 

[ozzie908]

Poo

Is it a diaper washer?

 

[thomasortega]

yep. the very first washer specially designed for diapers that you don't need to "manipulate" dirty diapers before loading them in the washer.

Just change the baby and throw it in the washer (the diaper, not the baby), even if they're "heavy".

That's a huge help, considering the absurd price of disposable diapers.

 

[philcobendixduo]

Panda Laundry Spinner Update

Today, my Panda laundry spinner spin basket "broke loose" when starting to spin a second load of towels.
Thankfully, it was not at full speed when this happened or the results might have been disastrous.
The first load I did spun fine but was noisy - as if unbalanced in a way to make it "buzz" loudly.
My guess is that a suspension component has either broken or become detached.
The spin basket seems to be still attached at the motor connection.
When I have time, I will try to take it apart and see just what happened.

I emailed Panda (address on their website) and the mail was immediately rejected due to "mailbox full".
So much for getting any help from them!
[this post was last edited: 6/24/2022-10:00]

 

[pinkpower4]

I still have the Panda spin dryer and now Ninja...

The Panda has held up well doing wash for our family, which includes pets. Washer I use has a spin of about 700 rpm, so clothes are partially spun out before going into Panda. The Panda can get loud at times.

I also bought the Ninja as I wanted to get one before the price of everything went up. Overall, I have to say I prefer Ninja as it seems to balance better, is quieter, and seems to extract a bit more even though rpm is same or close. However, Panda is two years old and the Ninja is a recent purchase.

I think my clothes are a bit cleaner as this extracts more water/residue left behind. Clothes dry in about 1/2 or 1/3 of the time, so saves time too. I'm sure this saves wear/tear on dryer and seems to make my electric bill less every month. At this point, I'm also sure I'm coming out ahead in savings with the Panda. It's hard to say how much of a difference it really makes in the electric bill vs. cost of spinner itself.

philcobendixduo will be curious to see what issue is with your Panda and if it's fixable.

 

[philcobendixduo]

I haven't been able....

.....to figure out how to take the Panda apart to see what broke.
Anyone here know how to disassemble it?

In the mean time, I need a spinner so purchased the Laundry Alternative Ninja via Amazon.
I just used it for the first time yesterday and was quite pleased with the balancing, noise and performance.

While I prefer the look of the Panda over the Ninja, time will tell just how well the Ninja holds up over the years.
I do like that the Ninja is made in Argentina and not China!

 

[bradfordwhite]

It's probably not worth tring to fix old ones due to technology and safety improvement in the new ones. And as you know you can get the new one for like $175 delivered.

I always fear whats going to happen when/if the tub comes detached while it's operating. As plastic and metal ages it can lose strength you know what I mean.

 

[thomasortega]

I won't tell anybody that The Laundry Alternative is bringing a brand new model that is made of super high grade stainless steel and it's a bit bigger than Panda and Ninja.

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

How many pounds of Wet laundry can it hold

Or with the drum be based off your normal standard of measuring a washing machine’s size? I’m just curious

 

[thomasortega]

You can spin a full load from a 1990s whirlpool DD washer in two loads.

 

[bradfordwhite]

I have the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ninja 3200</span> blue that does a great job.

I used a hole saw and put a clean 2" hole in the middle of the lid so I could use a spray hose to add fresh water while it's spinning. Works great.

It would be nice if they offered an accessory, that would work on all the spin driers and perhaps some of the washers without pumps. That would be a simple shallow tub with a pump and hose in it so it would self empty.

----
I also have the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Niagra semi-automatic tumble washer</span> which does a great job cleaning. I generally like how it works.  It was so thoughtful to include a automatic fabric conditioner dispenser

I did have to take it apart because something got stuck in the pump and it jammed. That was an eye opening experience.

In the back right corner there was this weird sump area where all kinds of dirt and debri had settled. This is also the area where the pressure switch vessel sits. The area doesn't clean out. What was the point of that? I found dirt, a couple nails, and a paper clip in there from all the things I've washed over the last year since I've owned it. What a stinky mess that would become in short time.

I ended up taking a saw and cutting off that sump and filling the area over with flat plastic and water tight mastic. I left the pump alone as it worked fine. I had to replumb a water pressure tap off the opposite side of the pump with 1/2 pvc pipe.

Maybe you guys could make a premium version of this washer with:
A. both Hot and Cold water valve

B. Move the pump to the front bottom of the tub and put a lint filter above the pump that is accessible through a hole in the bottom stand of the washer so the consumer can clean it out occassionally.

C. removable drain hose.

D. take out that sump where the gunk gets trapped and reconfigure the pressure hose apparatus.

E. A 2" hole in the top near both front corners under the lid, so one can spray water directly into the tub to rinse it thoroughly.

 

F. Add a bell or buzzer after the wash so one can be reminded to spin out the clothes at that point in the cycle, for better results.  Maybe even have the wash cycle end there so one can spin out, return the clothes, and just turn the cycle one click to go into the rinse phase.  Or have a switch so the consumer can choose whether they want it to stop or just continue on.  A simple on/off switch to patch a loop in the timer.

------

Can a replacement pressure switch be purchased? When removing mine the back cracked and it no longer holds air. I had to use a standard 3 level pres. switch from a GE washer and at the low setting it fills correctly but it's a bit bulky to fit under the control panel.

 

Also, how does one remove the axle covers on the inside of the tub?  I didn't want to mess mine up so I didn't do anything that would damage the finish.  It would have been nice to remove for disassembly as I chose instead to cut the plastic tub on one side down to the axle bearing so it would flex enough to remove the tub so I could work on fixing the tub.  

 

As for the belt-is it normal for it to fit so tight?  To get it on I had to loosen the bolts on the drive wheel and the motor mount to get it on and then retightened.

 

-------

 

Otherwise it's been a great compact washer.

 

[philcobendixduo]

1987 Kenmore DD load to Ninja Spin Dryer

I am able to spin dry a full load from my 1987 Kenmore DD in 2 batches in the Ninja.
As an example, a full load of towels - 4 bath, 4 hand, 4 wash cloths and 4 fingertip towels is a full load in the DD.
I put 2 of each towel in the Ninja for load one and the same for load two.
If the bath towels were the larger "bath sheets", that plan might not work.
I'm still happy with the Ninja and I ended up donating the broken Panda to Goodwill.

 

[thomasortega]

@bradfordwhite

Did you read the manual? That area is EXACTLY to prevent foreign objects to enter the pump and jam it.

Cleaning it is easy, you don't need to take the washer apart. The user manual has detailed step-by-step instructions to remove the drum baffle. (I copied that idea from a westinghouse laundromat so, if you ever cleaned a westy laundromat drain filter, you know what I mean).

Shoot me an email at [email protected] reporting the defect you had with the pressure switch. Don't forget you're still under the 3-year hassle-free warranty, so I can have a replacement shipped to you free of charge in a heartbeat. I'll need the original order number and your favorite delivery address.

 

[bradfordwhite]

#42

"That area is EXACTLY to prevent foreign objects to enter the pump and jam it."

 

Well, it didn't work.  I remember that January day going to do laundry and all I got was the buzz of a jammed motor. Then I started looking for the access and started learning how the whole thing is put together.  I was amazed how much gunk ended up coming out of the washer tub.  It really washes good but I was hoping the dirt was being pumped out and into the drain, not collecting inside the washer.

 

I don't know why anyone would want a sump that doesn't get rinsed out when it drains.  My Whirlpool Duet has a 2" rubber flex hose leading to the lint filter on the very bottom of the washer tub.  Any junk ultimately ends up in the filter.

 

It's a good washer though.  Now that that area is cut out and sealed over. 

 

I will email you and thank-you.  

 

[volvoman]

@thomasortega

"...New models to be released the next few weeks (Scirocco washer-dryer combo, Babysitter Washer, Babysitter dryer, WonderWash PRO, Special washer-dryer combo, and the twin tub Square-D and the dishwasher DishyWashy also don't have any discount other than the regular discount coupon available on the website...."

All of these intrigue me, but I haven't seen these on the website. Am I correct to assume that these are either still in the R&D phases, or have been tabled?

 

[thomasortega]

Nope, my boss wants me to look like Jack Nicholson on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

It was like a huge step on the brakes and start a twin tub project "for yesterday" and a tumble dryer "for yesterday".

I don't know why I ended up having a stroke a couple of weeks ago. I absolutely love when I spend time giving my blood to a new project and then the big boss puts everything in a Tupperware container and toss it in the freezer. (Of course I'm being sarcastic)

In parts he's right. The economy scenario changed abruptly, so all premium products were put on hold until we put those two basic models on the market.

There is also a stainless steel spin dryer coming very soon to compete with the Chinese one.

1200 rpm, high grade SS and ONE bell and whistle feature. It's basically a Panda made with better materials and NOT made in China.