Sorta, kinda sneak peak

[murando531]

I can see your point combo52. Perhaps the electronic appliances I was exposed to were the lucky ones to actually survive for that long. I guess what I meant was exactly what kb0nes pointed out perfectly; cost cutting. If they would pay attention to the basics and put high-quality components into the control board systems as Frigilux said, though maybe not quite NASA-grade, the electronics would most certainly outlive the rest of the machine. I have high hopes for the SQ's because of their reputation for quality, but it's Samsungs and LGs and new Whirlpools that I'm wary of because for the most part aesthetic appeal is taking the place of function and longevity.

 

[washman]

In 20 plus years

of dealing with "business class" POS systems, I can certainly say in that arena overall quality and longevity has gone the way of the cassette tape.

I can remember IBM model 70, model 60, even the valupoint machines that would last and last and last. The old TI 880 printer was a tank, after thousands of pages, you MIGHT have to change the print head.

We now push Dell machines, the Optiplex series and they are garbage. Not at all uncommon to place service call for a motherboard. PSU last on average 8 months. Their flat screen monitors are scarcely better.

HP and Dell laser printers are a five star joke. Sure they SAY they have a life cycle of 20,000 pages but I have yet to install one that made it to the halfway point w/o a fuser or roller biting the dust.

Sure, SQ can put high quality electronics in there. So can every one else. Problem is, who is going to pay for it? You honestly think the cheap american moron is going to see any value in that?

We've been beaten over the head for so many years now that cheaper is better I can't imagine SQ bucking that trend and sourcing commercial grade electronics lest they price the machine beyond reach of the cheap minded consumer.

Nice concept. But I'm glad I have my mechanical machine that has a timer switch that I can buy and replace myself.

 

[frigilux]

For many SQ fans, the big question concerning electronic controls may be "can I still raise the water level to fill the tub?" Guess we'll find out when the new models roll out.

I rarely need to set the water level past Medium---which is level the tub fills to on the highest setting from the factory---but that may not be the case for others. On the rare occasion I do set it to the maximum level (tub fills to top), I'm glad that option is available.

 

[henene4]

@washman I guess, who would have bought a SQ before would do this as well with the new line.
Electronic control boards are not overly hard to replace. Just as well as with a timer, you first disconect any wire to it, remove it from the machine. Than you fit the new one in and reconect all wires. The only thing that you have to do further is programming the board. And every but one manufacturer in the EU supplies a manual for the reprogramming. Only Indesit boards need a special reader and matching chip card. So I guess who could replace a timer could replace a board as well.
And I can only ask again: Why would SQ risk its reputation for high water level wash and durability? Until now, these were the only real selling points.

 

[washman]

hard to say henene4

I'm not privy to their business plans. They never sent me a memo outlining how and why. I'm just taking a guess of sorts.

I agree, the electronic boards, depending on design, are not hard to replace. But they are expensive, at least according to what I have read.

I think I saw a NIB timer for my SQ fetching $60 US on Ebay. Somehow I doubt a control board for any machine will be that cheap.