Speed Queen with Boosted Wash

[Chetlaham]

Has Speed Queen ever made a washer (commercial or residential) with a built in heater? I always assumed they never did. Or is this for an export model? Or (hopefully) their 2018 models? Here is why I ask, page 7:

https://www.ajmadison.com/ajmadison/itemdocs/AFN50RSP_Manual.pdf

I know, manual does not match the wash entirely:

https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/a...MI_JC4mK2o1wIVSp7ACh1XBAufEAAYASAAEgI8JvD_BwE

 

[launderess]

They did, but not for long

You'd have blinked and missed it! *LOL*

IIRC that SQ washer was one of the early models just before Alliance was able/got whole hog into domestic laundry, something about that pesky contractual agreement when they purchased Speed Queen IIRC.

Recall seeing adverts for the SQ washer with boosted heating, but as had the Miele and there were still other things didn't like overall about SQ front loaders then, didn't bother. Could sit down and weep now because haven't seen one either NOS or otherwise on offer since.

Models in question were from the 2004 year, and were called "Homestyle" washers and again (IIRC) SQ was then targeting these machines to OPL use such as beauty parlors, gyms, and so forth, but perhaps domestic use as well. Again this had something to do with Alliance being bound contractually from selling SQ washers for domestic use for a certain period of years after buying the brand from Raytheon.

Model numbers: FTS91A*N, FTS90A*N,LTS90A*N, LTS95A*N
http://www.promptserviceappliance.c...STAR-Qualified-Commercial-Clothes-Washers.htm

Manuals: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/164579/Speed-Queen-Lts90a.html#manual


You can see from this parts breakdown for SQ front loaders where the heating element and other associated parts are/were located:

http://manualzz.com/doc/803003/parts---alliance-laundry-systems
[this post was last edited: 11/5/2017-16:56]

 

[Chetlaham]

Bummer, I knew it was to good to be true. Any idea as to why it was discontinued?

 

[launderess]

Have no idea

Why Alliance discontinued offering heaters to their domestic front loaders. But IIRC you *may* be able to find them on 220v/240v machines sold for export.

http://www.eastwestintl.com/220_volt_appliances/washer_dryer.htm

Now if said machines will run on "American" 120v/220v power versus straight 220v power I do not know, but that question is easily enough answered by Alliance.

You notice from the manuals listed above SQ is vague on amount of time using boosted hot adds to cycle (30 to 60 minutes). Am guessing this is because the manual was written to cover both 120v and 220v washers. The manual one linked above speaks to connecting washer to 220v power; but SQ sold their domestic/Home Style OPL washer as 120v. Again one remembers this because seriously looked into the things, but short cycle times and rather puny rinses didn't move me.

 

[launderess]

From the archives

Also may clear up any incorrect information provided by Moi:

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?15879

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?12885

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?4869

Specifically regarding models with heater:

New Speed Queen Front Loader Features a Heater

This was over on THS. It seems SQ has redesigned some of their "Commercial HomeStyle" washers and now offer a front loader with both rear and front controls with a water heater. SQ claims the heater will boost hot water to 140F. See manual below: Launderess...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[Chetlaham]

You might be right though. Since heaters are common over seas, speed queen might have been trying to compete. I sure wish the 2018s had a heater be 120 or 230.

 

[mayfan69]

Speed Queen with heaters

I queried Alliance some time ago about the current models with a heater.

If you look at the parts diagrams there are definitely versions with a heater for the export market.

The answer I got was it was for the 'Chinese domestic market' so even Australia doesn't get a version with a heater.

Cheers
Leon

 

[launderess]

From archived links:

This is washer in question, SQ model #CTS90awn

http://www.plessers.com/Speed_Queen/cts90awn.htm

These came with or without "boosted hot" IIRC, but don't know if model numbers changed if heater was added.

If you read the above archives you find the machines had various shortcomings. So in the end Alliance likely figured best to ditch the heater option rather than spend money on R&D to make it work with their washers.

Keep in mind at least in early days SQ domestic front loaders were really nothing more than commercial machines with a different outside package. In some respects that is/was a good thing (rock hard build quality for instance), others not so much.

On the domestic commercial/laundromat side SQ H-axis washers have connections for steam that heat water. Do not think any offerings use electricity because the market would be small due to cost of use.

Case in point; my AEG Oko-Lavamat will heat tap cold water up to near boiling (95C) in ten minutes or less. This using a heater rated for at or a bit over 2kW.

OTOH the SQ with "boosted heating" would likely have taken ages to heat tap cold water to 140F with a puny heater and 120v. Hence the cycle was called "boost", idea likely was that like a dishwasher machine only raised temperature of already hot tap water, to 140F.

However if the pre-wash was done in cold water (which can vary in temp by time of year and geographical location), the wash is going to be quite chilly, that will in turn lower the overall "hot" tap water. More so if the washer didn't or doesn't spin some of that pre-wash water but merely drains it away instead.

 

[launderess]

"I sure wish the 2018s had a heater be 120 or 230"

Again all may not be lost, simply contact one of the vendors that sell SQ washers for export and see if any models have heater. If so there you are then... Well providing vendor will sell to you (cannot see any reason why they shouldn't), and your home has the proper electrical wiring.

 

[yogitunes]

IIRC, these were also named under the Amana nameplate...

but your right, gone in the blink of an eye.....

one of the few Flers available during the introduction of the Neptune and Fridgemore....

advantages at the time were stainless steel inner and outter tubs, and 4 shock absorber suspension...

was considering this at first, but was placed in stores, and yanked faster than you could think...

 

[appnut]

I THINK Jetcone ended up with one.  I know someone in the club did.  If SQ did it once, they can do it again, but they won't, jerks.  I think it's because this option/feature wouldn't mesh with the brand name that includes "Speed". 

 

[launderess]

Another washer there must be a story behind

Alliance must have had a reason for pulling the washers with heaters so fast, and or not offering any such version since.

One barely had enough time to reconsider before noticing those units were no longer to be found for love nor money.

It is interesting that even on the resale market, few if any have turned up over the years. This while plenty of the non-heated versions from same period appear often enough.

Since this SQ washer behaved like (very) old European washers when heating (slow tumbles with long pauses), there wouldn't have been that much wear and tear on the wash from the lengthy heating period. When you consider the main wash that followed was only less than ten minutes long....

But then again maybe that was the point. What good is it heating all that water only to dump it out nine minutes later?

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Appnut: RE heated SQs

I think Jetcone ended up with an Imperial/SS set of SQs. I know Jeff LeFever has one, I saw it when I visited him last spring.
WK78

 

[launderess]

Will say it again

If you have a 220v power available, you'll be much better off with a Miele 19xx or even 11XX or 12XX series washer over one of those older SQ units with or without a boost heater.

The machines were really nothing more than commercial/laundromat washers in domestic clothing. The fixed cycles left much to be desired and all but assured you'd still need to pre-treat, soak or whatever anything but the most lightly soiled laundry.

Would guess even a Maytag Neptune would be a better bargain than one of those SQ units.

As one said at the time; Alliance went with sturdy built washers that aimed for speed more than anything else. That works on the commercial/industrial side because those laundries rely upon the same powerful chemicals of old (chlorine bleach, alkalis, acids, etc...) to power out soils and stains. OTOH enzyme based laundry products need time (at least fifteen to twenty minutes IIRC) to get the job done.

Marks and soils my Miele or AEG will remove totally with ease are still there after using the SQ washers at local coin-op laundry with SQ washers. In fact no longer bother using enzyme detergents when going to laundryette, but any of the vintage stuff in my stash. That and or before heading out pre-treat or soak things in order to get a jump.

 

[Chetlaham]

I'm with appnut. They can do it again and should for a variety of reasons. If this nation wants to take FLs seriously, then give us the real thing. Speed Queen is setting itself back by not including a heater.

@Laundress: I will check out the 230 volt versions. There has to be one.

 

[foraloysius]

This Huebsch is available with a heater. It's the 230V/400V/50Hz/3phase model. The heater is 4800 Watts

http://www.huebschwasmachines.nl/huebsch/wassen/4-professioneel/24-nf3j

 

[mrb627]

Blink of an Eye?

I wouldn't consider it a blink of an eye.
I believe it was available for 6+ years over a couple of model series.
( before they came back to the home-style marketplace )

Malcolm

 

[combo52]

SQ FL Washers With Heaters

Malcolm is correct these were available for over 6 years maybe more like 8 years.

 

SQ stopped selling them because they did not sell well, I am in agreement that they should still have them, how many of you have written SQ and asked them to start selling them again ?

 

I give SQ feedback about the lack of WHs in their FL washers at every chance I get, I am actually going to be in a training meeting for SQ sales and you can be sure they will get some feed back about this.

 

John L.

 

[logixx]

Dito on what Louis said: the Euro models use 4.8 kW heaters.