SQ FL Revision?

[peteski50]

speed queen!

thanks for the info - so you can get up to 4 rinses if needed and thats Great!
I waited so long to see one of these in action and I appreciate all your efforts doing this!
Peter

 

[stricklybojack]

Malcolm..

.
are you in the market? I mean, how long can you keep that wallet holstered before you'll be taking delivery on a new set yourself?
As i recall you having confessed here, that it is in your nature to do so, sooner rather than later...

 

[mrb627]

Rinses...

The settings can be programmed for up to five rinses. The suds routine, will add an additional two, if the machine detects it.

I'm always in the market. Just a matter of time.

Malcolm

 

[mark_wpduet]

I like it

but I did not see a "deep" rinse -

I'm sure these machines will last decades.

 

[qualin]

So, which model is newer? The completely flat control panel or the one with the chrome ring?

Glad to see someone uploaded a video of the washing action..

First thing I noticed is that it is considerably more finicky when it comes to balancing the load, doing these short low speed spins to pin the clothes to the tub and then going back to tumbling a few times.

Other interesting thing is how it steps the spin speeds, ramping up to final speed.

Overall, I'd say the new machine is much more intelligent than the older one, making it considerably more friendly for wooden second floor installations...

 

[mrb627]

Once you see the ring....

The model with the ring is newer.

I am not sure the spins are being finicky. Looks like a couple slow pulse spins before it starts gauging whether or not it can spin. It does appear to speed up and slow down trying to get the ball bearings in alignment before spinning ramps up.

Malcolm

 

[alr2903]

I do not want to seem change resistant,  I am just not convinced there is enough rinsing action for my clothing. Especially briefs, tee's and socks?  It seems adequate for towels and sheets.

 

[mr_b]

To me it appears the reason for slowly ramping up the spin speed allows much of the water to be removed, lightening the clothes weight, before the dynamic load balancing is applied. No sense un-necessarily spinning all that water weight at high speed if you don't need to, which probably makes it easier to dynamically balance the load.

 

[stinkerb06]

Dryer Beeper

Is it extremely possible to record and upload a video showing what the dryer beeper sounds like?

 

[mr_b]

The dryer beep sounds identical to the washer beep which you can hear at the very end of the washer video. Not very sexy (it isn't no LG beep/tone) and not very loud. If you are not in the same room as the washer/dryer you will not hear it.

 

[bud]

Water level

Does anyone know of a way to raise the water level? Does a tech need to do it, or will they do it, or should it be done by the owner?

 

[mrboilwash]

Apparently this washer can be programmed up to an impressive number of 5 rinses and high water levels are not really beneficial for the cleaning process in a FL except for washing delicates. I wouldn`t mess with the water level you might even risk a flood.

I really like what I`ve seen in the video, it`s certainly a sturdy no frills get to the point washer ! The interim spin speed could be a little bit faster but I guess whith the option to all those extra rinses there shouldn`t be a problem. Have to say I am really relieved (lol) that the pump did not shut off during interim spins.
They should think about offering a model with a heater to enable true warm-hot-sanitize temperatures on the flick of a switch.

 

[qualin]

KB0NES:
I like the piano hinge design. It looks sturdy. My own washer has it. It serves its purpose well and does exactly what it is supposed to do.

Bud:
I don't know, but I do wonder if they use the same pressure switch as what they use in their older washers. It probably wasn't designed to be user adjustable, but I have to wait and see. Hopefully someone will post a thread about it! My hope is that the modification is as easy to do as it was on the old ones.

In saying that, the older washers could only do three rinses if the extra rinse switch was turned on. I personally felt that raising the water level was needed, otherwise I'd have to leave the "Extra Rinse" switch on all the time.

The only downside I can see to programming one of the new washers to use five rinses all the time would be a lengthy cycle time.

I wouldn't doubt it if someone from Alliance was reading these messages boards and listened to all of the complaints involving water level. Why else would they design their new top loaders to use a high water level to begin with?

One thing I would have liked to have seen would be separate pressure switches for washing and for rinsing. The wash pressure switch could use a conservative water level while the rinsing pressure switch could use a much higher level so that the need for lots of rinses isn't as necessary.

 

[qualin]

One small comment.. I honestly like the look of the chrome ring myself. It seems to indicate to me that the control panel would be a much more easily swappable unit, should any of the membrane buttons wear through.

 

[kb0nes]

I like the piano hinge design. It looks sturdy

Well looks can be deceiving. I walked around the show floor that day opening doors and leaning on them a bit. Other machines were Whirlpool, Maytag and GE. From my highly scientific test the SQ door seemed to be the most flexible.

The piano hinge isn't likely the fault, it seemed to be the door structure itself. In a way I like the idea of a continuous hinge vs 2 seperate points. I doubt it will pose a problem (unless kids swing on the door) but it just seemed to inspire a bit less confidence then what I expect from a heavy SQ neo-commercial machine.

 

[julianweber]

Water Level

Qualin:

The previous model AFN50F that I have has a pressure switch with two actual switches inside it. One is set for a higher level than the other and it is for the purpose of detecting an overfill condition. The housing is actually made to house three switches inside and if we could figure out which model is fully populated with all three switches we could have a switchable low/high water level and still retain the overfill protection.

I have thought about wiring some transistors together that would use the high water level switch when the Rinse light came on.

If some of the repair folks on here could find the part number for the pressure switch that has the three setpoints I might take this project on.

 

[qualin]

Juilian,

Seems to me like the AFN50F/AFN50R would be very good for modding.

However, I'm sure that most of the things that AW'ers would want done would be far beyond the scope of my knowledge and ability to do.

(i.e. Things like recirculating spray and a water heater.)

Setting the pressure switch to use a higher level on rinse doesn't sound too difficult. There's lots of space inside of the console.

 

[bttdxn]

Speed Queen Repairs/Warranty

Been reading all of the personal reviews on washers/dryers and am now very intrigued with Speed Queen since my 12 year old FL Kenmore appears to have bearings/seal issues from my research. As suggested by some, called local laundry mat to see what they had in hopes of "trying out" the Speed Queen. He said all he had were Dexters (which is what I believe the other local laundry mat has installed) and he said "do not buy a speed queen"! Said he has had to replace bearings twice at $2000K, but never with the Dexter. I am not sure Dexter offers a home version, but anyway, has anyone had to replace bearings and/or have they used the warranty with Speed Queen. The warranty online states "limited" etc. so not sure how useful that will be when the time comes.

Steve in San Diego, thank you for the video! I have read your other posts elsewhere and appreciate all of your expertise and insight you provided. Someone mentioned the noise level of the machine from your video. Do you find the machine loud? Which model do you currently have?

Thanks to all!

 

[kb0nes]

Bette,

First off welcome to the group.

I'd suggest taking the advice of the local laundromat with a grain of salt. $2000 seems like a lot of money for a bearing replacement service. Commercial service can cost more then residential. Also you need to be sure he was speaking of similar machines, not larger commercial ones etc.

When researching on the Internet reading reviews etc., keep in mind that in general you only read about machines that gave troubles. There is just no way to know how many machines are out there performing properly to derive accurate statistics from. It is human nature to be more likely to write a negative review then to willingly dish out praise for something that works properly. Since you don't know the sales numbers higher volume products will automatically have more negative reviews as well, possibly making them look artificially bad. Advice from good service people and an independent dealer is important, although beware, they may be trying to sell you something too

Sounds like you have done pretty well to get 12 years with your current washer. The SQ machine should easily outlast that machine on overall mechanical durability.

 

[mr_b]

The Speed Queen model I have is the AFNE9BSP113TW01 and I think its sound level is reasonable. You can hold a normal conversation with someone standing next the washer during the spin cycle. The next time I do a batch of laundry I'll measure the noise level with a sound level meter held 6 feet away. Since my washer/dryer are in the garage, noise is not a concern anyway.