Speed Queen Q For DanManTN

[aldspinboy]

First of all here is something that i think you might like.
What is this agitator lol ?

What does the ( Knits ) cycle do...Does it bypass the temp, or slows the agitation on the -Delicates-program or shorten the wash time ?
Thanks i am a little boggled on that cycle.

Darren k.

 

[mtn1584]

I can answer that.........................

On the AWN542 top-loader the fabric selector switch controls the wash/spin speed independent of the cycle selector knob.
REGULAR=FAST/FAST
PERM PRESS=FAST/SLOW
KNITS=SLOW/FAST
DELICATES=SLOW/SLOW
You can select longer wash times by selecting the Regular Cycle on the Cycle Selector knob. You can choose the speed with the fabric selector knob.

Knits cycle allows bulky sweaters to be washed at slow speed, but allows a short fast spin for more water removal.
Mike

 

[jeffg]

Darren, we use the Fabric Selector knob as a speed override. For example, when washing cashmere and other fine knits, we give them just a minute or two of fast agitation, to get the fibers thoroughly saturated, then switch the Fabric Selector knob to

 

[jeffg]

How strange, half my text disappeared when I posted that.

Second try:

Darren, we use the Fabric Selector knob as a speed override. For example, when washing cashmere and other fine knits, we give them just a minute or two of fast agitation, to get the fibers thoroughly saturated, then switch the Fabric Selector knob to "Knits" for slow agitation for the remaining part of the wash cycle.

Another example is washing dress shirt. We start the final spin at Perm Press (slow), and switch the knob to Regular (fast) just for the last minute. It extracts as much water as spinning them the entire time at the faster speed, with much less wrinkling. Shirts come out of the dryer ready to wear.

 

[danmantn]

Are you speaking of the agitator in your background? I don't see a pic if you attached one.

Funny you should mention this as I just made a little chart to hang near the washer to answer these questions. I wish they would put agitation/spin speeds on the labels verses fabric types. For example, I usually just use Knits for all my delicate type items (sweaters) and choose the time from the regular cycle...never use perm press...does anyone? I don't like the slow spin speeds...and Knits provides high spin speed. Besides, you get the cool down in the dryer to help with wrinkles.

The AWN542 has all conceivable cycle possiblities...you can truly customize uses the fabric settings, or for those who don't know that much about the machine, they can set the correct cycle based on type (PP, Delicates, Hand Wash, Soak, PreWash). So, it works both ways.

By the way, the "Wrinkle Out" program on the dryer rocks. Perfect for keeping you from pulling out the iron in most cases. And at 30 minutes total from start to finish (with a cool down), it's perfect to start, take a shower, and ding, clothes are done!

I put the chart below together from the information in the owner's manual and technical guide, hope it answers your questions:

View attachment danmantn++2-19-2010-19-03-0.jpg

 

[danmantn]

Ah, I switched to Chrome and can see pics now. Yes, that 3/4 cup dispenser looks VERY familiar. I find it odd they have a 3/4c versus a 1c...as big as that thing is. But, then again, I can FULLY disassemble that puppy and clean every last bit of it. How old is that bottle?

I saw my SQ set on the new Jay Leno about a month ago...some skit where they put a cat in the washer.

 

[mtn1584]

Dannyboy...I use the Perm Press Cycle

I usually use it for my jeans, shirts, dress shirts, and slacks..I like the fast agitation, and slow spin speeds, I also dry this same load on low or perm press. I find that the slow spin on this cycle reduces wrinkles. I dunno...it's just me I guess.
Mike

 

[danmantn]

I'll have to experiment...as I hate wrinkles. I will note on the dryer that I get the best results (approx 1 hour) using DELICATE and REG/DELICATE AUTO settings.

I thought it was a typo in the manual when it said that Delicate will dry large loads quickly, while Regular/high heat will dry small loads quickly. Doesn't seem to make sense, but hey, it's working for me. I love the SQ dryer--clothes are never scorched (I set it for a tad under "More Dry").

 

[aldspinboy]

Mike & Jeff Thanks for the response and answers.
Yes i think Robert is tweaking the system, people are having problems seeing there pics and post's today.

Jeff is that you in the pics or is that a show...Anyway i like the way you set and monitor your washer i do the same thing on some of my machines, if we could only program them the way we like i guess we would have nothing to b@@th about or talk about lol.
That is way cool , when you burst your spin on perm press cycle.

I have that on the Bosch on reduced iron spin at the end program it will burst at 800 rpm for about 15 sec.
Don't use it often only on dress shirts.

Mr. Speed Queen DanMan what are your thought's...

Darren k.

 

[danmantn]

I've done the regular agitation, then switch to low (especially on sweaters that like to float to the top unless you get mean with 'em for a few minutes)...that seems to work. I haven't tried the change of speed during spin--always concerned that might not be good for the motor.

Speaking of the motor, the SQ makes a deep noise when in slow agitation--apparently, not the preferred speed by the machine. lol

Monitoring the wash is 99% of the fun! When I take comforters to the laundromat, I'm usually the only one actually watching the machine...everyone else seems to leave, go smoke, or yack on their phones. I love to watch the orchestration of mechanics going on...a modern marvel for sure.

I can remember monitoring our old wringer washer when I was a child (complete with a stick) to make sure everything was moving evenly. I guess that's where all this stems from.

 

[aldspinboy]

Thanks Dan very nice machine that bottle is about Five or six yrs old,i went back to find more but they have changed the bottle.
And thanks for the chart.
I like to cheat to from ironing i put them in the Bosch on medium for ten min and done, when in a hurry lol.
Keep experimenting !
Jay leno had a cat in the washer, thank goodness it was a skit.

Darren k.

 

[mtn1584]

Dannyboy...

Please don't change the speed while the washer is agitating, I would shut the machine off, then switch the speed, and turn the machine back on. If I misunderstood you I'm sorry.
Mike

 

[jeffg]

Mike, we shut the washer off when changing agitator speeds, is it really necessary for spin speeds too?

 

[danmantn]

I hadn't been stopping for agitator speeds--oops, and have never changed spin speeds. Then again, haven't changed agitator speeds that often...maybe 3 or 4 times.

I have dress shirts on Perm Press now in the washer, then the dryer (but will use delicate heat)...we'll see the outcome.

 

[mtn1584]

Jeff

I don't see a problem going from slow spin to fast, but I wouldn't do it in reverse.
Mike

 

[danmantn]

Well, I tried the PP cycle on the wash and dryer (but used delicate heat as I always do). Took about 12 minutes longer...but I didn't really see any difference in wrinkles (they were less compressed when they came out of the washer, and had more water in them of course). After the dryer, seemed about the same to me. But I didn't have a wrinkle-ometer, so I couldn't be very precise in measuring the wrinkles.

 

[jeffg]

Dan, is your dryer gas or electric? You should see much less wrinkling with a gas dryer, because the hotter flame creates steam from residual water in the clothes. Electric elements don't get nearly as hot as gas flames and don't create that steam.

Try this on the next load: during the final spin, use the slowest spin speed and stop after about 90 seconds. Dry on the hottest temperature the fabrics will allow (for cotton, full heat), and after 30 minutes check to see if they're dry. If the clothes are still damp give it another 15 minutes and check again.