Pimping a Speed Queen with lights

[kenmoreguy89]

Hi everyone.
I was attempting to put a service light on my Speed Queen, at first I opted for a 12v led strip but in the future I may think to cut the frame and put a light or neon inside, there is enough room...
Anyways I understand little of the wiring of this machine.
Ideally I would like the light to turn on as I pull the knob and shut itself at the end of the cycle, or at worst light up when knob is pulled and turned off when pushed.
I connected it to the timer motor wires though this way of course light is on only when timer motor is fed so only on agitation and spin not during filling.
Do any of you did this or know how to help me?
It looks so nice lighted up!!!

 

[hippiedoll]

Very cool!

I like the mix of vintage lights idea to a newer washer.

LOOKS GREAT!

 

[eurekastar]

I can't help you but I love the idea!

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Thanks.
Yeah I think the light fits just right in this model.
I did this light improvement to a couple of other machines and it was very easy in those but this one is complicated.

Here is the schematic and diagram I found online, it is the same as the one of my machine.
I cannot identify a proper hot cable that gets fed as I pull the knob and shuts off as I push and a neutral, if not neutrals that I thought were neutral that suddenly becomes an hot-live one as I shut the machine off.

I need a live and a neutral that stays live and neutral always and shuts off the circuit as I push the knob.
The lid switch is weird too.
Connectors changes polarity if machine is running and one is anyways always fed.
Also...
As I change the direction of the plug I change the polarity (we do not have polarized outlets in Italy) and in one direction I get live cables even when I shut the machine off.
If I insert the plug in a certain way the circuit goes in reverse and when it shuts off with the knob it shuts off the neutral line but I still get voltage inside the machine.
So I just need to identify two cables that when powered will have a proper circuit to have a 12v attached to (lone day I will probably put a 220v line forl a neon and starter) and that do not matter what polarity the machine gets when one is hot the other one will be neutral respectively.

 

[yogitunes]

the SQ machines that did come with the light use a separate switch mounted in the upper left of the control panel cap....

which of course operate the light separate from the timer control.....it operates even with the machine off...

granted we do like lighted control panels!....whether factory or self installed...

I think there is a thread somewhere of members machines that light up!

does your Speed Queen Disco?

 

[kenmoreguy89]

That's so cool Martin!
No i do not plan to make it a disco version LOL.
I keep it in the bathroom and I do not think to throw disco wash parties in my bathroom if not with a few washing fella Haha!
Thank you for the original factory lighted panel info.
Well, putting a switch would be so easy indeed, but I do really like the idea of having it lighting up with its knob.

You know....if the machine is on the stop portion of the timer the knob would then act as a switch itself...I think it makes sense as the user would really need the light while doing laundry and pushing the knob would mean you're done.
But if nobody can help me I will probably go with the separate switch idea...

 

[kenmoreguy89]

I was looking at these profiles, those shapes and trims would fit in many machines giving them an original light panel look.
I think I might consider putting one on the whirlpool belt drive granted I manage to fix it.

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[kenmoreguy89]

Working link..
Hopefully...

Ci scusiamo per l'interruzione.

 

[lowefficiency]

Would a simple pair of 120VAC relays get you to where you want?
One in parallel with the timer motor wires, the other in parallel with the fill valve (or pressure switch).
The normally open relay contacts would then be wired in parallel, such that your light strip receives power any time either relay is active.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Dave I don't understand well hence I don't know if they would.
Can you please explain more of what you have in mind? Thanks

 

[combo52]

Adding a Console Light To A SQ Washer

Hi Federico, you can wire to the BP wire coming out of the timer if you want it controlled by the push-pull of the timer, or as Dave mentioned you would need two small relays to power the light automatically from the timer motor circuit and the fill circuit.

 

I took a florescent console light off a dead 90s Amana washer and it just plugs into a SQ, but you have to switch it on and off.

 

John 

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Thanks John the problem is I cannot locate the BP wire in the wire harness!
That schematic is not clear.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

I mean I don't understand which wire is it and what is connected to.
I don't understand the drawing of the cntacts of preeeure switch.

 

[sfh074]

Lamp socket harness ......

One wire would go to the pnk/blu wire of the machine .... and the other lamp wire would go to the solid wht wire of the machine. Timer knob in and out will operate in light.[this post was last edited: 12/14/2020-17:00]

 

[kenmoreguy89]

I made a video.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Bud:
I can only locate one solid white wire and following it comes back from under the cabinet hole and goes directly to the blue wire (supposed neutral) exiting the machine.
So if that's the neutral (that based on how you put the plug it may become a live) do I have to connect the other side to the Pink with blue strips/marks?
That one exit the timer harness goes to pressure switch contact number 3 and there it splits in the faston connector and the split portion goes to the lid switch.

 

[sfh074]

Yes .....

Pink with blu strip and the neutral white wherever you can tap in to it.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Ok Thank you!!!

 

[kenmoreguy89]

I did it

Connected .
But it doesn't work
Connected one side on the Pink and blue and other tucked in the plain white wire faston connector that becomes the blue wire exiting the machine.
It starts filling but no light.
The strip and transforner works if connected to power...