Sick Danby

[tominsc]

Hello! I hate to have as my first post bad news but my Danby is not well.

Danby DWM5500 purchased Oct. 2004 started recently to labor during wash cycle, even with less than 10 lbs. loaded. Sometimes the drum won't even turn, after having laboring several clockwise/counterclockwise turns. It will resume it's laboring if the power switch is turned off and then back on. It will still spin though. It had done this sort of thing only a few times before with a load of towels but not often. I'm so depressed...I really liked this machine.

 

[appnut]

Is this front or top load?

 

[mistervain]

The DWM5500 is a front loader....very nice model.....

 

[pulsator]

Could it be a bad motor? Does it spin? My Haier FL's motor has trouble when loaded with towels, but usually it'll tumble, just not spin.

 

[Designgeek]

That unit is still under warranty; contact the place you got it, and/or Danby's customer service via the website. They should be able to take care of whatever caused that.

This is the first time I've heard of one of those developing a problem. Hmm....

 

[gizmo]

It sounds like the drive belt is slipping - this is a VERY minor fault so don't fret. If it is under warranty, get them in to fix it, probably a simple adjustment or at worst a belt replacement. If it is out of adjustment, I can advise you how to do it yourself.

It MIGHT be someting more but almost certainly not.

Chris.

 

[quiltnbear]

I am somewhat new to this site and love it here. I really can't help you with your washers problem but then I don't need to as the others here who know more about machines than I do will be more than happy to help you. I just want to say I also have the Danby FL washer and matching reversing dryer, and I am totaly happy with them. I am a lover and believer in the quality of the vintage machines but these Danbys are the very best new machines I have had in many many years. Hope yours needs only a minor fix and continue to work well for you far into the future. Scott

 

[tominsc]

Thanks for the replies. Well, it's out of warranty unfortuneately. I don't think the belt is loose. I took the top and back off and did a load of towels and watched the belt and motor shaft. The belt doesn't slip at all and seems tight. When the motor starts to labor to turn the drum it makes a vibrating sound and you can tell it tries harder by reving up the rpms just to get the drum turned over. I see how I can tighten the belt but I don't think that will help. It seems like the problem is with the motor.

I really like this site. The thread about the TV sitcom appliances is great. I almost fell off my chair when I saw Lisa Douglas plugging up her extension cords! I remember they had to climb up the telephone pole just to use the phone. I guess Hooterville Telephone wasn't part of the Bell System.

Tom

 

[thor]

Tom, your frontloader actually has two motors sharing the same metal housing and shaft; one for the washing action (low rpm's) and the other for spinning (high rpm's). Depending on the design, each of these two motors may have its own capacitor. Sometimes they have just one capacitor for the spin motor, sometimes they have two capacitors, one for each of both motors. As per your description, it seems to me your wash motor capacitor is faulty, or the low rpm motor is faulty. That might be the reason why your wash motor has low torque.

 

[thor]

Tom, I might have added that sometimes the two capacitors are housed in a single (same) housing. So, this type actually looks as if it were a single capacitor but with multiple connectors, when it actually houses two different capacitors.

 

[tominsc]

Hmmm. That makes sense since it will spin no problem. I was wondering about the capacitors. I noticed one rather large capacitor. I'll have to check and see if there are two.

Tom

 

[tominsc]

I wonder where I can order parts for this machine. I did a google search and so far I haven't seen anything. I wish Sears had sold these. Then it would be easy! Sigh.

 

[bpetersxx]

I sent to www.danby.com to their service area and asked them to send me a parts list for the DWM5500 so I should have it next week

 

[gizmo]

I don't think Thor is correct. Some washers do have this "two motors in one" design (my Asko does) but I don't think the Danby does. Danby is made by Gorenje, their motors are universal motors (brush motors) with electronic control. (unless Danby uses a diferent motor technology to Gorenje-made machines sold here in AU.)
The symptom of the motor struggling, accelerating sharply and sounding like it's labouring - could be loose belt (try tightening it, it is such an easy thing to do and on these flat belt machines it can be hard to see slight slipping) also suspect worn motor brushes (easy replace) or a faulty electronic motor controller (hope not).

Good luck with it

Chris

 

[sudsmaster]

In any case, be careful when dealing with big motor capacitors. They store an electic charge, one that you may not wish to have discharged through yourself.

A symptom of a bad motor capacitor is that the motor will struggle to start turning, but if you give it a spin by hand it will catch and run normally until you shut it off. The capacitor is there to provide the starting current for single phase motors. Three phase motors, by their very nature, don't need a starting capacitor. More efficient, they are.

 

[Designgeek]

I'd say wait until bpetersxx has the manuals; they may have troubleshooting info for this particular issue.

Another possibility is to write to Danby customer service and describe the problem in as much detail as possible, including what you saw when you opened up the access panel on the machine. Danby is pretty responsive to inquiries, chances are you can get in touch with someone over there who can talk you through a troubleshoot. And then if needed, they can probably sell you the parts you need to fix it, or direct you to an authorized service outlet that can.

 

[bpetersxx]

I got the parts manual its not great but it shows the parts in the machine and the part numbers

 

[tominsc]

I tightened the belt and it seems a little better but still is laboring. I was thinking of tightening it a little more as I didn't move the motor very much. I still think it's probably either the capacitor or the motor.

 

[gizmo]

The belt needs to be REALLY tight. Loosen mounting bolts, place a lever between motor body and the drum, lever the motor away from drum to keep belt tight, tighten bolts while holding lever. This may need three hands...

The belt may be worn, too. Try rubbing a little DRY soap (bar soap) on the inside edge of the belt. (the grooved surface) The soap counteracts any greasy residue on the belt, making it a bit sticky. If this works, the belt is worn out. (the soap isn't a "cure", just a diagnostic trick.)

Still have my fingers crossed for you.

Chris.