Whirlpool Catalyst Refurbish

[ozzie908]

Please tell me why

Does the machine do a spray rinse after the fabric softener cycle, Surely that washes out the softener you just put in???

Confused.

Austin

 

[DADoES]

 
Don't know, can't say. If Extra Rinse is selected, softener release is shifted to the 2nd, but I don't recall from the one time I used Extra Rinse thus far if the sprays are also shifted. It does not spray in the first spin, seems typical of machines of the time period (2002). I have a Kenmore 90 that does the same (1999).

 

[DADoES]

Softener Dispenser

 
The softener cup does not spin.

It holds the softener dose until release, at which point water flows up into the cup through the slots in the centerpost, overflowing the dose through openings in the dispenser base beneath the cup, down through the tub ring and into the tub. When the water flow stops, majority of the remaining water siphons out through the centerpost slots. The cup is flushed twice in succession.

 

[DADoES]

Dispenser Hoses

 
Water flow is directed to the dispensers via the multi-solenoid inlet valve assembly.

Detergent is flushed by water flowing from around the rim of the dispenser body.

Calypsos have the same dispensers. I believe the design was first used on them, then on the Catalyst models.

 

[DADoES]

Bleach Dispenser

 
The bleach tray holds 1 cup of liquid. Reference the pic above, the bleach dispenser hose leads to a T-union (bleach venturi). The bleach water valve inlet hose attaches to the right side of the venturi (left side when the machine's top is flipped right-side up), another hose leads from the venturi to a connector atop the tub ring. A short burst of water through the venturi creates a vacuum/siphon effect on the dispenser hose, which pulls the bleach from the tray. The bleach dispenser is "siphoned" three times in succession during the last few mins of the wash period.

The Calypso's bleach dispenser has some water pushed into it via the venturi as part of the siphon effect (flushed several times), I suppose for purpose of rinsing the tray and hose to avoid bleach spotting on a successive load. I have not observed that happen on the Catalyst, the bleach simply drains out.

 

[foo123]

Well Done.

You wouldn't know it was the same washer.

Is the splashguard spin rattle fixable? Sounds like somebody's Mother-in-Law eating corn on the cob with loose dentures.

Judging by the amount of rust everywhere, it looks like the splashguard was unsuccessful in controlling water excursions inside the cabinet. So did you replace those rusty spring clamps with any sort of stainless upgrade?

What were they thinking? Covering electrical components with baggies seems kind of a Mickey Mouse method of waterproofing, although it appears to have worked better than the splashguard.

What prompted you to replace the washer top? It looks to be in relatively good condition in your photo.

What is your assessment of the machine's wash/rinse performance? Does the catalyst feature make any difference or not?

Could you please post some before photos of the dryer?

 

[foo123]

Sock in the pump!

Looking at your photos of the splashguard, you have to wonder what on earth those Haier Heads who sold you the machine were doing with it to get a sock into the outer tub.

 

[mrb627]

Kitchenaid Series

I know that there was a model or two in the Kitchenaid line that had the triple dispenser system. Did any of them include the Catalyst System?

Malcolm

 

[MaytagA710]

DADoES thanks for posting all the detailed pictures and videos, I have been dying to see a Catalyst machine in action on YouTube! Thanks again.

 

[brastemp]

How long is the washer soaks when you select this function?

 

[a440]

Great Job Glen!

I thought I would never see another in action!

I always thought this was a very cool and effective design!

Thanks for the videos.

Brent

 

[washoholic]

You’re AWESOME dude!

Thanks for the videos, Glenn.

 

[DADoES]

Comments

 
Noises vary from load-to-load depending on oscillation intensity.

Regards to the rusting ... the machine came from a bay-side area within miles of the coast, Gulf of Mexico ... so both moisture and salt-air exposure. All hose clamps are replaced. A few had permeated into the rubber. The old top doesn't look so bad, but I wanted the machine to look nice. The edges of the lid had rusted and the lid gasket was gone ... so the top had some rust staining from contact with the lid.

Can't say about the catalyst treatment, as I've not subjected it to extensive stain/soil testing. It should have some effect based on observation. There's not much water involved, so the detergent solution should be very concentrated. I did notice in a couple instances that the detergent didn't dissolve very well, lot of powder on the items ... which of course it did dissolve during agitation. Perhaps liquid detergent by nature would work better. Since so little water is used, it's unlikely to be at warm or hot temperature unless the water heater is very close. Catalyst is quite similar to F&P's EcoActive process, which uses more water and rotates the basket at 25 RPM instead of a full-out 420 RPM spin. Calypso does the same sort of process as a pretreatment while fill progresses, rotating at 60 RPM.

Soak can be used as an add-on option to any cycle, or as a stand-alone cycle of 10, 20, or 30 mins soak time. When used as an option, soak time is not directly selectable, I assume it varies per the selected agitation time / soil level.

The first washer I bought was a KitchenAid, with the massive SureScrub™ version of the dual-action agitator. I'd not otherwise had exposure to the smaller Whirly version. Interesting to note that the KA version does provide improved rollover. I ran a LARGE load of casuals/shirts in the Catalyst which had quite lethargic rollover at medium agitation speed (didn't seem to be much chance for shredding, LOL). I recall running similar loads in the KA to noticeably better rollover (also at medium speed, KA does not use high motor for agitation). I have not run a Heavy cycle / high agitation yet in the Catalyst, but I have done so in my Kenmore 90 ... it's brutal!

 

[foo123]

Go on, then...

Slap the KA agitator in for a fun run.

As an aside, How would you rate Whirlpool's efforts at noise reduction?

 

[geoff]

Malcolm

I have the KitchenAid version with triple dispenser and they never did have a Catalyst model. I remember looking because that was a feature I wanted. When it came down to a WP with Catalyst or the KA. The KA won..

Geoff

 

[foo123]

Catalyst evaluation

Any further information regarding the catalyst wash/rinse performance?

Any interest in a test run with a KA agitator?

 

[autowasherfreak]

I was just watching the video 3 final spin, and noticed that the end of cycle signal is the same as my Cabrio.

 

[DADoES]

 
I didn't get to do an extensive amount of playing with it.  It's not mine.  A friend bought the pair to use in a rental property, which seriously pains me being as the tenants will undoubtedly destroy them.  The washer has been moved there now although there are as yet no renters.

Anyway ... I've moved the Kenmore 90 into the house in place of the Catalyst (Calypso, IWL12, Kenmore 90, Neppy TL).

- The Catalyst is quieter so the extra cabinet and tub insulation has some effect.  I wish now I'd gotten the padding to go under the base, just to see how much more it helps.

- The Kenmore has better rollover.  Not sure why.  Both have the same 3-speed profiles.  The agitators seemingly are identical other than the Kenmore having a Triple Action auger, but it seems to have better rollover even on smaller loads when the auger doesn't come into play.  I did not swap-in the KA agitator for a test.  I could do that with the Kenmore 90 but considering how aggressive is the highest agitation speed, the KA agitator would be outright dangerous!

- I like the Catalyst's softener dispense, which raises the rinse level by an inch or so.  Rinse levels are typically a little low due to trapped air so the extra fill compensates.

- I used the soak option once, it works nicely, adding a soak period with some brief agitation before the main wash.

- As stated previously, I didn't do enough testing to determine how much effective is the Catalyst treatment.  It uses so little water as to always be cold unless the water heater is VERY nearby and the machine is even purged/prepped first ... but perhaps cold is the intent to avoid setting stains.

- Variable drain-time saves time.

- Automatically restarts when the lid is closed after opening during spin.

- On the whole a very nice DD Whirly with interesting features.

 

[foo123]

You started with this:

Center Post Before

 

[foo123]

Finished With This

After