Simple questions on Bosch 800 operation

[guidelines]

Our wonderful KDTM404ESS failed recently -- the dynamic wash arm stopped working and upon further inspection, the unit was leaking. It was disappointing to have it fail after just 5 years, especially because it was such a great machine at cleaning and no filter to empty! As many of you know, it is a VERY hard time to buy appliances -- we ended up with a Bosch 800 series, the SHX878ZD5N.

Installation went well, despite Bosch's terrible instructions which vary from vague to downright wrong. Thank goodness for YouTube! It didn't even come with an owner's manual -- just as well, I downloaded one and it's equally unclear.

I find starting the machine just a bit irritating as the Start button does not beep and there is no countdown in the display, as there was on the KitchenAid. It's an act of faith to close the door and see if it will actually start. I know, not a big deal, but annoying. The good news is, it seems to be excellent at cleaning.

I'm more puzzled by the on/off operation. After a cycle, the display flashes with settings of the previous cycle and each time you close the door, it beeps. This behavior stops, if I push the On/Off button to turn it Off. Will it eventually turn itself off or are you expected to do this each time you unload the machine? It's confusing as there is an Auto-Off setting according to the manual is supposed to factory default to 1 min after the cycle.

Thanks for any insight/tips.

 

[chachp]

Mine shuts off..

 

<span style="font-family: helvetica;">We have the auto off feature set and it will shut off on its own.  I don't remember what we set it at, but it beeps a couple of time when its finished then after a little bit it will shut off on its own.  If I open it too soon after it finishes, I will have to use the On/Off button to shut it off.</span>

 

[henene4]

Factory setting

Check the settings.

Our non top-control EU model flashes until you press start.
Things go solid.

IIRC the fully integrated ones flash until you press start.
Then they go solid.
Then you close the door.

Once you open the door, what time does the machine display?

If it is the full cycle time, that is strange.

If it is a partial time it isn't done.

Maybe the newer ones save the last settings and just turn on on opening to signal sanitisation and such.

 

[guidelines]

owner's manual lead me astray

Above posts to double-check factory settings pointed me in the right direction. Contrary to what the manual states, the factory setting for Auto Power Off on my machine was 00, never turn off.

And agree, the display flashes until I press Start... and there is a beep with Start -- guess there was too much ambient noise yesterday.

It's fully integrated. I'll have to test the time displayed when the door is opened while in operation.

Thanks much.

 

[tomdawg]

Reply to guidelines

I have a 878 as well. Mine is the pocket Handel as well. I really like mine too, cleans fast!
As far as the auto power, you can set it to turn off, as far as starting the dishwasher, you should hear a beep after a long press. Then you would have to close it in like 5 seconds.

I attached some pictures in the manual of how to set auto power off- I do have extend extra dry. It really helps with drying items.

 

[guidelines]

Long Press to Start

Yes, the long press on Start is the other thing I’ve learned the past few days!

We noticed right away how much faster the Bosch drained, evidently a powerful pump. Last night, I was sitting in the other room and thought the drain sounded funny. Sure enough, the hose from the air gap is near-plugged and the air gap did its job. Unfortunately, it was facing the wrong way and went all over. I quickly cleaned it up, but water got into the silverware drawer. The melamine/particle board expanded to the point the drawer box must be trashed. Now, I need to come up with a new drawer box! One more thing.

 

[henene4]

Drain pump

They use a "driven" pump.
Not sure if it's AC or DC.

You'll notice that the pump cuts out not more then a second after it finishes draining.

The electronics can sense both pumps.
The wash pump senses for low water level, cavitation (to much foam), if it is blocked or if it runs totally dry.
The drain pump sense if it's blocked or empty.

The wash pump is quasi-AC driven via an Inverter, integrated in the main control board.
You might notice it takes 2-3 minutes until the washing starts. If you listen closely, you'll here the wash pump ramp through multiple speeds after the initial drain and before the fill. That's its calibration run.

Not sure if the drain pump is run similarly.
It certainly isn't calibrated regularly.
But if it is run straight from the AC and just current sensed or run via an Inverter as well I can't say.

 

[appnut]

I'm next

This past Thursday I noticed my Dynamic Wash Arms weren't working appropriately during the wash cycle. Ran a looad Saturday with similar results. Ran a Rinse & Hold after I emptied dishwasher and bottom arms weren't turning. Last night as I was loading the dishwasher (and this morning) I noticed the interior lights wouldn't come on when I opened the door. Only if I pushed a cycle button. Was ready to run a load this afternoon. Made cycle and option selection (was going to turbo zone) and pushed sta4rrt and after countdown, time display would only flash. Called Tri-Supply, which Glenn had pointed out to me about 4 years ago. They didn't have any KitchenAids for up to a few months. So ended up picking what was available, a Bosh SHXM88Z75N. To be installed next Tuesday. This is going to be a steep loading learning curve. I've never played with a European dishwasher, but I need a dishwasher. ugh!!

 

[DADoES]

 
:-(

But also

Awaiting your report on Bosch loading patterns.  And CrystalDry™.

What age did the KM reach?

 

[awooff]

Bobs Bosch

Can't wait to hear your report and thoughts after a few runs..

 

[appnut]

Thank you Glenn & Aaron. 5 Years, 6.5 months. Take about 6 weeks of that off during September/October 2017 due to diverter valve failure and pump module replacement. when the pump module had to be replaced, took longer due to repairman not realizing this was the new micro Clean water wash system and he ordered the pump that was intended for one that had a filter to be cleaned. In fact the first time the guy was here, when he opened the dishwasher and started studying it, his comment was, uhh, I've never seen one like this before. I had to stand there and explain the design intent of the pump and when it was introduced on Sears web site.

 

[guidelines]

5 years

Sounds like 5 years must be life expectancy for Dynamic Wash arms -- too bad.

Although, 5 months in and I'll tell you I am very pleased with the Bosch. Crystal Dry is quite effective and plastics can sit on the bottom rack with no worries. The machine is very quiet, especially when full (when sparsely loaded, small plastics can bang around from the power of the wash jets). My experience using Finish Quantum and Cascade Platinum has been consistently excellent (scraping only, never rinsing!). In addition to the adjustments I mentioned above, I eventually found the default rinse aid setting was too high.

Looks like the model you mention has a different 3rd rack, a slight cycle option difference, and should be even quieter than ours! Looking forward to reports -- Best of luck!

 

[appnut]

Michael, I was hoping you'd see this. I've been thinking about you for the last week. After already reading thorough the manual, I agree the default rinse aid might be too high. I've still got some Cascade Platinum pacs, I'm assuming they'll fit in the dispenser.

 

[parunner58]

Bob,

Nice DW, We have the SH800 series but it's about 4 years old. we have the older third rack and use it for all the silverware. I took out the regular silverware basket so I have more room in the bottom. It will be just trial and error for loading it. I use only the auto cycle and sanitize since we got it. I think you will like it. Even with 3 people in the house it still take 2-3 days to fill it up. To me it holds about 5 less glasses in the second rack.

 

[appnut]

Thank you Mike. Glad you saw this, means a lot!!!

 

[tomdawg]

You will love it!

I have the 878 with old style rack. Had a kitchen aid before this one. I feel that it holds more and holds odd dishes better- not to mention there’s more space in between racks than the older KitchenAid machines. As far as cleaning, hands down, much better. It’s like selecting turbo zone all over. Just impressive.

You might find Bosch seem a little louder than kitchen aid because you hear the water flushing around more.. plus it’s smaller so the opening is much larger. I used the old KitchenAid sound insulation to help pack in the sound and seems to help.

Good luck!

 

[littlegreeny]

Bob, sorry to hear your Kitchenaid didn't last very long! My sister in law has that exact same Bosch model you purchased. It is very nice and super quiet. They love the CrystalDry feature...It actually works! I spent time studying their dishwasher and loading the racks. It's a quality machine and I'm confident it will last you much longer than your Kitchenaid.

 

[logixx]

Am very pleased with my Zeolite dishwasher. It really does dry plastics well and spotlessly. Although, full disclosure, the results are comparable to my old Bosch - if I opened the door right when the cycle ended and waited 10 minutes for the load to cool off from the 158F rinse. Zeolite achieves that result without having to open the door.

I would advise, however, to open the door not too long after the cycle has ended. I haven't left dishes in there overnight, but I will say that the door is wet when I unload the dishwasher in the evening and open it the next day. Don't know if the moisture released from the mineral would eventually condense on the dishes or not.

My water is 6 gpg and the rinse aid dispenser set to 1.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

spray arm operation

Do they run simultaneously or do they alternate during the cycle?