The Quest for Maytag Permanent Press

[eurekastar]

Ever since I acquired a Maytag A407 a few years ago, the poor machine has gone through various changes.  The A407 was a one speed and I wanted a two speed washer, so I converted it to an A606 non PP.  Then I decided I had to have a Permanent Press model.  My quest finally came to an end today when the mail arrived!  The A407 has now morphed into an A608*.  I added the asterisk because it lacks a bleach dispenser. 

 

I got it installed and ran it through its paces and it works beautifully!  I had to modify the wiring harness, but that was pretty easy to do. 

 

 

 

[hippiedoll]

WOWZERS...

that 608* looks great!
I love 2-speed washers.
And that orange pilot light is outta sight!
I likes lights, windows, and buttons.

You did a great job converting your Maytag into a 608*!

WOOOOO HOOOOOO....

 

[eurekastar]

Is Cool Down Sequence Correct?

The timer I installed is a re-manufactured Mallory timer.  The cool down sequence isn't functioning according to what is outlined in the service manual.  The sequence begins about 14:30 in the video.  Would someone take a quick look?  Is it a problem with the timer or did Maytag change the sequence? 

 

I have a Kingston timer and couldn't get it to work.  I finally figured out why only after buying this Mallory timer.  However, the mounting holes are stripped out and I'm not sure how to overcome that problem.  Thanks!

 

[eurekastar]

Timing?

I timed the first spin and it lasted about 53 seconds or about 8 seconds longer than it should have.  The second spin lasted about 6 seconds before going into pause.  I wonder if the first spin threw the sequence off on the timer.  The shirts in the washer are mostly cotton, so I wonder if that caused the spins to slow, thus throwing off the sequence. 

 

Thanks for any expert responses!

 

[DADoES]

 
Presumably the beginning spin on the cool down is ended by the pressure switch resetting so slower drain rate (or larger tub / higher fill?) would increase that time.  Fill on that increment is then back to the selected level, which triggers another spin for whatever time remains on the increment.  53 seconds spin + ~8 (7) seconds of spin = 60 seconds, one timer increment.  45 seconds spin + 15 seconds spin per the chart also = 60 seconds.

 

[eurekastar]

@ DADoES

I think I might run a medium size load to see how the Cool Down sequence functions.  Thanks!

 

[mickeyd]

The first spin depends on the water level: a low water level spin last only a few seconds; higher levels take more time to get the level down to that magic PP moment, which is why they write 45 seconds as approximate.

Irrelevant aside: I LOVE Maytag's PP cycle when set to LOW water level. All at once, the very short spin stops abruptly, the water and small load swirling madly and stopping fast, the gush of new water in, all at the same time, like high speed camera work--so darn exciting, thrilling, even. Breathless.

 

[eurekastar]

I ran a medium load on Permanent Press tonight and the timer functioned as it should.  The first PP spin lasted 40 seconds, then a new fill.  The second PP spin lasted 20 seconds, then a second fill, 1 minute pause, 1 minute agitation, 1 minute pause, and 2 minute spin before the final rinse. 

 

Now I'm wondering if the pump belt is slipping a little too much thereby not pumping out water fast enough on the previous Large load I ran.  That's something I'll have to think about!

 

[DADoES]

 
The trick is (as far as I understand) that the first cool down spin/drain is not timed, it's controlled by (reset of) the water level pressure switch.  The second spin is timed only in that it's the remainder of the 1-min timer increment, which isn't long-enough to drain/reset the pressure switch a second time.