Time for a new washer - new gorenje wave active line

[henene4]

SensoCare

SensoCare machines generally were very recommendable budget machines.

For 230€ you get a 6kg (54l) 1400rpm brushed motor machine with more cycles and options then anything at a comparable price.
Add a 50€ extended warranty and you have a decent machine for the years coming.

They do have some drawbacks:
Longer cycle times in general.
Rinsing can be an issue on larger loads.
Verry small loads are washed verry inefficient due to the filling algorithm.
Sometimes weirded option exclusions.
Limited lifespan.

One quick question: The SensoCare line had a delicates hand wash cycle that allowed a prewash and so did the sports cycle that allowed prewash, both were verry good for curtains.

Does the WaveActive have a similar cycle (high water level, thorough but gentle action, prewash, preferably no interim spins)?

 

[rolls_rapide]

@henene4:

"Very small loads are washed very inefficiently due to the filling algorithm."

What happens? Does it use too much water?

I have noticed with the Panasonic that small loads that call for the minimum of water, have a weird effect on the fabric conditioner compartment flush. Usually, there are three measured conditioner fill-flushes with a normal load. Very small loads sometimes seem to cause a partial 'hiccup' fill, where the compartment partly fills, but never achieves the siphon level.

A similar effect seems to be when an extra rinse is automatically added due to inability to spin between rinses (out of balance or excess foam; sometimes both). These extra 'auto' rinses fill via the prewash compartment. I am presuming than the cross water flow partly dribbles into the middle (conditioner) section by gravity.

Personally, I think these extra automatically-inserted rinses are a complete waste of water. Basically they fill via the prewash section, tumble back and forth for a few minutes, then pump out, no recirculation pump, no spin, progressing directly to a proper rinse.

Proper rinses on the other hand, fill via the mainwash compartment, tumble to and fro, activate the recirculation pump about three times per rinse, topping up with water where required, then drain, then spins or attempts to spin several times.

"Limited lifespan."

How so? Bearings? Electronics? Crumbling concrete?

"Rinsing can be an issue on larger loads."

I think that the proper rinses could indeed be doing with a few minutes longer to thoroughly rinse. They seem to be rather short, and drain shortly after doing topping-up. I would lengthen those, but get rid of the half-hearted auto rinses.

I don't know why in this day and age of computerisation and sensors, that in order to tackle foam suds-lock, they can't just switch the fill valve on for, say, 5 seconds, then pump out for 30 seconds. And repeat where required. It would save gallons of water and clear the excess suds.

 

[henene4]

We have a slim line SensoCare here in the flat share, and there are several things to notice.

First, it always fills to same level on the first fill except for the 17min cycle, and that level is about 1/3rd up the drum. Isn't much water per se (it's a 42l drum, so maybe 10l).
But for half a load, that is plenty of water, for less even more so. So you can end up with your load of 5 T-shirts swimming on a cotton cycle.
Same minimum fill is used for rinses.

Rinse interim spins tend to easily sudslock. If they do, as long as you do not select the Anti Allergy cycle, all it does is stop the spin, add water until the first trigger point of the level switch, drain again, and run the next rinse.
The bigger the load the more problematic that becomes.

They are the cheapest budget machines after all.
For less than 300€ for most models you can't expect much.
There are weak spots on PCBs and motors, so it's often 3 years and out.
Bearings most surprisingly not all that often.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Thank you for the reply.

 

[henene4]

Side note

When my brother moved out from home 2 and a bit years ago I was tasked to search for appliances for his flat share and they did buy THE bargain washer to this day: A Gorenje SensoCare W6840.

That is a 6kg (54l) 1400rpm A+++ rated washer with the typical SensoCare cycle selection and wash system, brushed motor.

Retails for a staggering 220€ here in Germany. Back then you paid 230€ for the cheapest price including shipping. The same store offered a 5 year warranty for just 45€ for that machine as it is a cheap thing to replace.
Today that same store charges 35€ for delivery, but from time to time they do have sales.

That machine does basicly exactly the same as our slimline does, so I do make the assumption that no matter which drum size of machine you buy (42l, 54l or 64l), the same cycles, sensing algorithms, PCB, motor, pump, piping are used, basicly EVERYTHING is interchangable.
Heck, as far as I remember even the cycle times are the same.

I think that was the key to their price: Mass. Just use the same parts in a plug and play design and you save tons in production.

I do suppose with their new generation they did essentially the same, but the prices are now higher than before for similar features, except for the TOL where many new features are prevalent.

I will gladly recommend any Gorenje machine to a relative or family member of they are ok with the few draw backs.
Biggest gripe for most would probably actually be cycle time's, they aren't eternal, but quick is certainly different.

Maybe they worked on that for their new machines.

 

[gorenje]

P.S.

Here in Slovenia we get 5 years of warranty on any Gorenje appliance for free. Without additional charging.

 

[gorenje]

@ Henene4

Well, on the Wave Active generation the prewash on the handwash (wool) cycle isn't possible anymore.

But it is possible on the Down Wear program.

 

[rolls_rapide]

On the Panasonic, the 'Wool/Handwash' programme has no option for prewash. 'Delicates' does have prewash. As does the 'Sportswear' programme.

It is interesting that you mention the same bits being used across the ranges. I came across a service manual for the Panasonic. It seemed to suggest that the tub drum assembly (sealed together as one component) in my 8kg machine, was actually listed as a 10kg component.

 

[henene4]

Panasonic Tub

Panasonic used one tub across their upper line machines.
Same for Gen 1 and 2, redesigned for Gen 3 and 4 and a new one for Gen 5.