Super...

[Unimatic1140]

Here is the machine going back together with a used but clean new back tub and drum (in about hour 4). The seal is a lip seal, Frigidaire used a lip seal on the early Unimatics but found that water had leaking into the mechanism too often and change to a carbon face seal which holds back water much better.

I suspect all washer manufacturers now use lips seals as they are probably cheaper, so this doesn't surprise me.

 

[favorit]

No-knob Duet - Euro version

Here the second Duet is sold as an heavy duty machine. Once was called Maxy 100 and came in Champagne/Blue/Grey.
Now it comes in White or black (see link)

...anyway I go crazy for the Whirlie W/D combo behind the antenna

@ Bertrum - Duets are US versions of Dreamspaces

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www.whirlpool.co.uk

 

[Unimatic1140]

FEH!

Oh and as for Miss Chestermike:!!!

Better tangled than moldy mister. Hidden out of view behind each of the boots in both machines I found this! Ewwwww, mold, it took a good 20 minutes of hot water and scrubbing with 3M green pads to remove it. This isn't just a Whirlpool problem, I've heard that this is a problem in all American front loaders. I hope the Euro machines with 220volt heaters fair better.

 

[Unimatic1140]

And in the drain outlets I found this really stinky orange sludge. I've never seen anything like it in a vintage machine, mold was also growing in the one of the opaque drain lines.

 

[sudsmaster]

I was sort of hoping that Robert would mate the two machines for a mega contra-rotating Duet Squared.

But I'm sure he will do something even more cool with the one he's got left.

 

[eddy1210]

I knew it

I knew it was just a matter of time before you got into the front loaders! You'll be dreaming of boots just like Jon very soon.
Can't wait to see the pimped up machine. Oh, you can just throw away that antenna too, everything is digital nowdays anyway LOL

 

[toggleswitch2]

oh gawd a "diaper washer"...EWWWWWW.

FASCINATING!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Time for School

I didn't really expect to find all that stuff although none of that really is such a big deal. Most people I talk to really like their Duet machines. I even recommended a TOL set to my Dad and his wife and she really likes it. So I will give it a Whirl myself for a few weeks as is and see what I think.

The first step in making a monster machine like this is some education on my part. I need to learn how the heck I'm going to control the motor. I thought the motor was a DC motor when in fact now that I get a look at it its a 3-Phase asynchronous induction type of motor. The interesting thing is that to run the motor there are only 2 wires coming out of the computer and they lead into the motor controller. I was thinking I would use the machines motor controller as it would be too difficult to build one, but I need to understand what the computer is sending to the motor controller via those two wires. I believe it varies both the voltage and frequency to adjust motor speed and direction. As you can see from the diagram below the computer (dotted line on far right edge) only sends a IN/OUT signal, a Vcc signal and a ground. This is where I'm going to need help from any of you electronic experts out there. This will be more challenging for me than when I built the Super Unimatic.

When I get some time I will take some measurements of the IN/OUT line and the Vcc line during different phases of the motor operating and let everyone know what I find.

 

[swestoyz]

Looks like a blast Robert!

I personally don't deal with VFD's at work, but I hear the guys talk about them all the time. I once asked for a demo as I wanted to see what one was like. All I have to say is - COOL! I don't know specifics on brand or functions but the tech did say there are some that will interface through a serial connection to a PC for PC control - which I suspect is what you are after. The best part is you'll get the DC braking, etc, which the factory MCU may or may not have. Plus, you get the benefit of thermal protection which I suspect may not be factory. The playing field completely changes with 3 phase.

All's fun in an afternoon's trip to the library!

Ben

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www.grainger.com

 

[mark_wpduet]

So

Does the Duet have the aluminum spider since you have seen it taken apart?

 

[tuthill]

Awesome Robert, looking forward to seeing the progress on this one!

 

[alr2903]

Robert, i am looking forward to see how this turns out, i don't see how you can make that "thing" more fabulous than the SuperUnimatic. Robert all this flap about bearing failure and such. Are the bearings in these newfangled F/L's, as beefy as those in the vintage Westy or your whirlpool combo? Im disappointed that your 50 year old F/L designs are in good shape, and these New machines have bearing failure, in such a short time. well good luck with your project and be careful, that bustin loose and chewing though the outer drum even though it is plastic is very scary. arthur

 

[tlee618]

Robert this is really going to be exciting!!! Thanks for taking the time to share this adventure with all of us. One has to wonder if this experience won't turn you into a "front-loading washer fan"!!!! It's fun looking at the pictures you have posted as I reconize many of the parts in the pictures after having had so many problems with my Sears HEt4 washer.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Spank me? I DARE YOU !

oh Terry you hush now! *LOL* Even through we all know it is bound to happen eventually, let's play along and agree with Robert as he says "NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!"

(ducks and runs.)

 

[chestermikeuk]

Mould

Hi Robert, no moldy bits here, just the build up of black stuff sometimes in the dispenser, but thats related to fabric softener!!!

So this machine, has just two suspension strutts?? and two concrete blocks top & bottom for stability??

Am looking forward to seeing just what water level & usage these machines can operate operate at efficiently!!

Hi Terry, what have you had wrong with yours etc??

Cheers, Mike

 

[vivalalavatrice]

Vai Robert!!!

Sei tutti noi...

I'm really close to you, as I just finished my Super just this last fall.

I'm really impatient to see the videos!!!
GREAT! This challenge sounds me like Josephine Cochraine said "if nobody's going to invent it... well, I'll do by myself!"

Bye
And keep us up-to-dated!!
Diomede

 

[gansky1]

Not too surprising on the sludge. Filthy clothes, detergent ignorance and cold water will bring about this result in any machine, top or front loading. How many have ever raised the top of a GE Filter-Flo and found a similar coating of goo? A Whirlpool/Kenmore belt or direct-drive can get just as gross. Families with small children and/or babies generate mountains of some of the most disgusting laundry - turning their washing machines into sewage processing units. The tendency for people to not prep or pre-treat their laundry, stains and special items in any way also contribute a fair share of trouble to the plumbing of appliances. Just wait until they take the phosphates out of dishwasher detergents, we'll see sludge like this in those machines too.

Hopefully, you'll be able to design a set of programs to combat these forces!

 

[pulsator]

Before ya know it, there will be a "Clean Dishwasher&qu

I can't wait to see what you do with this machine Robert!!! You'll have to make it do the classic Price Is Right buzzing sound each time it fails to balance and has to try again!! I think another trip to Minneapolis will be in order soon!!!

 

[gansky1]

Clean Dishwasher Cycle

LOL!

Don't forget the Cold-Water Cascade for "Virtually Clean Dishes"

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Thank you Gansky for beating me to it. This has long been my annoyance with the Neptune owners. Granted, the machines had their issues BUT alot of those mold, mildew and smell issues were because of user AND saleperson indifference and/or stupidity. They bought a high end, high performance washer and treated it like the old $199.00 beater they just got rid of. Trying to educate that (set in her ways) little old lady about how to use it and what kind of soap to use is like knocking down the great wall with your skull but hurts worse. Worse when the salesperson (who knows diddle about the product) tells them to use the wrong detergent, etc!

The newer Whirlpool units actually HAVE a clean cycle and instructions on how to use it, recommending bleach only. It helps! See below picture.

"The seal is a lip seal". It looks exactly like the lip seal on the MAH style Neptunes. The end result looks just like a failed Neptune tub bearing/seal too.

Robert, in one of your pictures I can see just a piece of a Maytag wringer but with a clear tub! Could you post a pic or two of it as I've never seen a clear tub before? PLEASE???

RCD