Roper Rinse Rash

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2011 energy compliant washer

This design tweak on the infamous DD washer owes its thanks to the U.S. energy standards set fourth for 2011.

The previous 2009/2010 Estate, Admiral, Inglis, and yes Roper machines, had four old-fashioned water levels. The same models were re-tweaked with the modified 3-level settings using a pressure switch that doesn't fully fill the tub for wash.

Its funny, but I've heard that many consumers complain about these, and some in fact write about splashy low water rinses in online reviews, but are too stupid to see the color printed instruction under the lid, either when they buy the machine or when it is in service.

The U.S. government says a washer should use only a certain number of gallons, etc and this is how WP made the low-end DD machines comply. Without these the company fails its energy complaince (and tax status).

There are a couple simple solutions, one of which WP does not want us to know about apparently. FIRST, the second pressure switch (yes Tim, there is a second pressure switch for the rinse, which is buried in the console) is a two setting switch, but the shaft for turning it is not long enough to protrude into the console. The switch can simply be re-set to the high setting and the machine will fill to high for ALL rinses. SOMEONE TRY THAT!!!

Secondly, I've heard that a jumper wire or set of jumpers is possible at the timer quick connect block. I have no proof of this however as I have not seen the wiring harness, but it seems reasonable.

My solution, and I actually considered buying an Admiral when Home Depot had them on sale for $249 recently, is to disconnect the rinse switch and jump the wiring over to the wash switch, which would give variable rinses.

Couple my solution with a new pressure switch from 2009's Whirlpool WTW5100XQ and you'd have a properly filled 3-level machine again.

I still say it would be fun to buy one of these and modify it into a PROPER washer.

Gordon
 
WE are capable of rewiring the thing to make it work acceptably. But its target buyers aren't.

Without saying so, is the government trying to force everyone into frontloaders? Because even casual users find this 1/3rd rinse fill to be unacceptable nonsense.

I prefer frontloaders, proof they don't eat clothes like a toploader does (my t-shirts last twice as long as with my Maytag). But that doesn't make it right for the government to force people to buy something they don't want.

I also conserve most everything and always have, even before it became "hip" to. But I by-gawd want the detergent out of my clothes and off my dishes and if it takes another dozen gallons so be it.
 
Thanks

Thanks for the feedback George. Seems rather sneaky on Whirlpool's part to include a hidden setting to change the rinse level to hi. I guess rather than taking the machine back from an angry customer, it would be better to satisfy the customer's request.

Malcolm
 
Coldspot

tell your sister to take the machine itself, back to Lowes, and PARK it right along the doorway into the store, blocking the doors from closing, or allowing people to get in........

trust me you will get a crowd......if they threaten to call the Police, threaten back to call the news station.......

I did this with BestBuy in 1999........PARKED the Neptune in their doorway......and I had FOX News on the phone.....blocking the entrance......had all paperwork from the repair guys.....the Cops wouldn't interfere, as long as the Exit was available for Fire Safety.....

20 Minutes later, they loaded a new machine in my truck!!!

sometimes you have to go to extremes!
 
I mean.....Doesn't it seem like if you're going to have a washer that uses little water like that that it would be in the wash portion for more concentrated detergent & it would fill higher for rinse? Sad that they did this but if they're going to do this, it seems to me it should be the other way around.
 
i just have to step in

I think that you need to live with it low water usage washing machine is the norm today and i can also think that with all the new tech in front loading washers i can estimate that by the end of 2013 2014 tops that toploading washers will no longer be sold in department stores they may still be avalable but they will be avalable as special order items and coldspot i would suggest that you have your sister return her defective washer and get a refund for her purchuse and have her try to find a 1990 or earlier vintage washer where she would not have to worry about the rinse water level and also have your sister talk direcly with the store manager not the sale clerk that sold her the machine and have your sister write a complaint letter to the store as well that she is not satisfy with the service and maybe you should suggest to yur sister that she buys a speed queen washer but not in the store where she would return her defective washer but in another store. well this is my 2 cents in this thread as well just by seeing this i can also say that this is making me think more as well.
 
 

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[COLOR=black; font-size: 10.5pt]Generally speaking (a very broad generalization), we Americans are a very selfish and wasteful lot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   [/COLOR]We’ve been so spoiled for so long because EVERYTHING has been so plentiful and inexpensive, we have become complacent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">    </span>"I'm here for me, now, because I can and don’t really care what happens to the rest of the world" kind of thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>I have to admit I’ve been guilty of this thinking too at times.</span>

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[COLOR=black; font-size: 10.5pt]So, I don’t think it’s totally a bad thing the government is trying to protect us from ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  [/COLOR]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HOWEVER…. the Feds have gone WAY too far overboard with all these regulation on EVERYTHING.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>I mean it’s just ABSURD how they’re forcing manufacturers to cut water usage on all washing machines (and dishwashers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   M</span>any have complained about the new front loaders washing in only “a cup of water” and now some of these top loaders rinsing in just 1 gallon of water?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>What the hell?!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span></span>

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[COLOR=black; font-size: 10.5pt]I cannot believe WP has done that with this machine (well I guess I can with the reasons Gordon outlined above). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  [/COLOR]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope it’s limited to the lower end Roper line!  <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be SO completely pissed at finding poorly rinsed AND damaged clothes after washing them in a machine like this!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>WOW!</span>

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[COLOR=black; font-size: 10.5pt]OK, here’s a conspiracy theory for you: Perhaps the clothing manufacturers are in cahoots with WP to cause premature ware and clothing failure so they can sell more clothing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   [/COLOR]HA!   ;-)</span>

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[COLOR=black; font-size: 10.5pt]Kevin[/COLOR]

 

[this post was last edited: 1/6/2012-16:24]
 
Kevin -

Virtually ALL the DDs in production are made this way now, but I believe there is only one or two Amana models, one Admiral, one Roper, one Inglis, and one Estate left. All but the higher-end Amana are essentially identical. There may be one or two builder's model Kenmore DDs left as well (we can't get them at Sears retail stores or online but they sometimes show up in Sears Outlets) but because these are Kenmore and not a WP company product, the low rinse fill may not apply to those.

If you recall, DDs were supposed to end production in 2010. Now that we're in 2012, this is what is left. The deep fill belt-drive top loaders that WP builds are not fill-challenged, but I believe all the WPs have that fabric softener switch that does a spin-rinse only unless the user switches the knob saying they used softener. If I had one of those it would always be "on".

This softener yes/no switch debuted on DDs - why it didn't continue I can't say.
 
With these machines rinsing they way they are doing sales of A&D or Balmex or Destin onitment will be on the rise.  Makes me wonder if Whirlpool Corp. wons one or both or more of the diaper rash brands or even a Zinc Oxide factory.  Could be lots of raw rash private body parts.
 
I plan to keep craigslisting for the old faithfuls,  A wringer machine in good shape could be a lucky thing to have to for  whites, sheets and towels.  was thinking about the kelvinator magic minute, the only agitator could be safely started with low water and concentrated detergent. Well i guess this new Whirlpool dispels that myth :-) alr 
 
roper

martin, i just about rolled off my chair when i read about you putting the maytag neptune right in front of the door at best buy!!!!! that is HALARIOUS!
 
They sell these particular washers as "Estate" washers here. They really are next to BOL.. I've seen the washers selling for slightly under $350 here.

Personally, when I first took a look at the machine, I was impressed that they used an old fashioned porcelain black with white speckled tub. Any washer at this price range usually has a plastic tub. Especially the GE ones.

Then I saw the lid and saw the "Reduced water wash" graphics. I couldn't believe it. What a really lousy compromise. Unrinsed and ruined clothing. Ugh.

If I had the money and knowledge, I would make an instructional video and post it on youtube. "Transform your Roper or Estate washer from a Piece of Junk into a Jewel."

I'm sure if the instructions were clear, anyone with a screwdriver and a small bit of mechanical knowledge could do it.

Then again, I wonder how long the video would stay up before Whirlpool files a lawsuit or something stupid like that..
 
Resource Saver

Whirlpool needs to bring back the resource saver machines. At least they wouldn't damage your clothing.

Malcolm
 
Deep Fill

The wash cycle was your standard deep fill wash phase. Rinsing was accomplished by a series of spin sprays which were recirculated then pumped out and repeated.

I heard it was a pretty effective method.

Malcolm
 

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