Stupid modern Kenmore question

[lordkenmore]

I'm wondering if recent Kenmore machines have a sensor gadget that senses the actual water level in the tub which determines when it stops filling. It seems like it would be the logical thing, but it also seems to me that they could devise other schemes, like something that senses the amount of water flowing through the intake valve. Reason I ask is that I may be forced to use a modern Kenmore (Supposedly "about 5 years old"--although we all know how accurate those "about" statements can be!). Chances are that I'll want to add hot water manually.

Thanks for any info!

 

[brisnat81]

Whirlpool based machines have always had a sensor that detects the water level in the tub. (Its a pressure switch) On newer machines the pressure switch measures the pressure digitally rather than just recognizing a set point (Analog) the computer can then calculate the water to an actual depth. Thus in some front loaders, if you over fill, it will trigger a drain.

The new part is the flow meter. Usually implemented as an overflow protection to make sure that if the pressure switch fails, the machine will stop filling after a maximum amount of water has entered the machine. It can also detect whether the taps are turned on or off.

I'm not sure what your point or question is, you can add water to any machine if you choose too, its just a question of whether there is a limit before the machine recognises what you're doing.

 

[logixx]

Question is whether you want to top-off the water level or whether you want to add the wash water manually to get a "hotter than ATC" fill.

If you just want to top-off, you can do that. At some point, the washer will probably flash an overfill error - but this *should* only happen once the water level is really high. If you want to manually add pure hot water instead of the washer's tempered ATC hot by turning off the tap, you could run into problems. The washer will sense the rising water level in the tub, yet the flow meter will signal that there is no water entering the machine... and cause an error code.

Alex

 

[joe_in_philly]

I have one of the original Kenmore HE3t washers (2003), and it has both a pressure switch and flow meter.

If you want to add more water manually, you have to wait until the machine stops filling for the wash. If you don't, you rinse levels will be off.

The way my washer works is that it measures the amount of water it adds for the wash, stopping the fill process once the water level sensor detects enough water. It doesn't use the same level for the rinse, but rather adds a percentage more for the rinse - ignoring the water level sensor during the rinse. So a large load of towels, which soak up a lot of water, have a higher rinse level than a smaller, lighter load, like dress shirts.

If you add water during the wash fill process, then the washer will "think" the load didn't absorb much water, and the rinses will have less water than they need. But if you wait until it is finished, it is not a problem. You have to add a heck of a lot of water to trip the overflow switch, cause it to drain the water and display an error.

You can add extra water to a rinse at any time, as soon as the rinse fill begins. The washer will still add its predetermined amount of water, so you will get a deeper rinse.

I noticed a bug in the software, at least in my machine. It occurs if you add extra clothing after the wash cycle finishes filling, even if the add a garment light is on. If the added items absorb a lot of water, extra water is added to the wash to compensate, but it doesn't include the extra water it added into the rinse water calculation, so the rinses will contain a shallow water level. Also, if you start a load with sopping wet clothes, then the rinse amounts will also not contain enough water.

Joe