WP/KM Direct Drive Catalyst

[Marky_Mark]

Hi guys

 

I'd like to add a DD washer to my small collection.  Could I please ask for your thoughts, opinions and advice on the following:

 

First, this set is available.  I really like the idea of the Catalyst but I know the electronic control is trouble prone.  Electromechanical timer Catalyst models rarely show up.  I wonder why all the writing has faded off the lid -- extremely heavy use or just the nature of the splashy Catalyst?

 

Now for the inevitable Shreadmore question.  These electronic models start out on super Shreadmore speed for the first 4 minutes of the wash and the first minute of the rinse on Normal unless you use a low or medium water level.  Is this a concern?  

 

[Marky_Mark]

Next up, we have this example, this time without the electronics but also without the Catalyst.

 

I like how this machine allows you to do fast agitation with low water levels (I can give my kitchen cloths a good thrashing) and also allows clothes to be washed on a long cycle (if desired) but still with full ability to select any agitation speed and still with a fast spin.  

 

But am I worrying unnecessarily about the fast agitation speed, as long as the machine is not heavily loaded when using a high water level and the clothes have plenty of room?  

 

Mark

 

[blockeight88]

Hello. I just acquired a Whirlpool Gold Catalyst which is absolutely fantastic. I was lucky enough to find one with practically zero miles on it. The one you have pictured may have been possibly painted? I have noticed the lettering does tend to fade away over time. Perhaps Whirlpool didn't use the best quality printing on these, or excessive moisture over the years played a role in it.

The second machine you have posted is the same one I have. I also have the matching dryer. That one just has the detergent dispensers and does not have Catalyst (I have yet to see a photo of the mechanical version with Catalyst). Both machines are excellent. If you plan to keep the Kenmore Catalyst long term, I would probably start searching for a new control panel on eBay (they do pop up every now and then).

Good luck.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Hi Matt.  Thanks for your reply.  It was actually your thread and videos about your new WP Catalyst that inspired me to want one myself!

 

I like the flexibility of the knob-controlled version but it's a shame it doesn't have the Catalyst.  

 

What do you think about the fast agitation?  Do you wish there were a way of avoiding it but still having a fast spin?

 

[blockeight88]

Fast agitation

Is perfect for large load of towels or heavy duty items. Keep in mind that on the catalyst machines, you will not be able to do fast agitation on low or medium low water levels. The Triple Dispenser three speed Kenmore, as pictured above will do fast agitation on a low water level but it’s very, very aggressive.

Both models do a slow/fast which is often branded as “Normal” or “regular” on the older machines.

 

[DADoES]

 
Whirlpool wisely programed the Catalyst to avoid instances of unnecessary aggressiveness of high agitation speed.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Yes it was wise of Whirlpool to prevent fast agitation on lower water levels.  

 

What do you guys think about washing clothes on the Normal cycle on the higher water levels?  Are you ok with the machine starting out on fast agitation before stepping down to medium?

 

Matt, do you normally select the medium agitation speed on your mechanical timer model when washing clothes?  Are you ok with your new Catalyst machine starting out on fast agitation on the Normal cycle?

 

The reason I ask is that I've read horror stories about Shredmores.  

 

[Marky_Mark]

Glenn, your table that you've posted in other threads over the years has been extremely useful.  Thank you!

 

[blockeight88]

Shredmore

I've never been one to buy into the "Shredmore" myth. Excessive wear and tear on clothing can be avoided with proper water level and agitation in conjunction with the properly selected cycle.

Starting on fast agitation then shifting to slow agitation is fine. The machine was designed for this. Keep in mind you will also have the option to do slow agitation with at max water level. That should be more than sufficient for most loads.

 

[DADoES]

 
Matt, you always underload your DD machines, never making full use of the capacity in any of your videos that I've seen.

 

[blockeight88]

Overloading

I have a few where I have packed it (just gotta search)

Sine I started becoming more familiar with Direct Drive's, I'm not quite sure what "overloaded" really is. It kind of is subjective. I have had people comment on my videos where they tell me it's overloaded and I don't think it is.

 

[Marky_Mark]

The machine in this video looked fully loaded to me but not really overloaded. Rollover was fine for the first 4 minutes during high-speed agitation. But once it changed to medium agitation, rollover appeared to stop completely.

I’ve noticed in a few videos that DDs seem to be very sensitive to load size versus agitation speed. The load in this video probably needed the heavy duty cycle for fast agitation throughout.

 

[blockeight88]

Rollover

I’m not sure if this is true and haven’t noticed anything myself yet, but I read rollover was better on the Kenmore dual action and triple action agitator versus Whirlpool’s.

 

[ryner1988]

Regarding load size in WP/KM DD's

When I had a DD, I always considered a dry load filled to the top row of holes in the tub a decently sized load. Dry clothes filled to the very top of the tub, right below the balance ring, is stretching it, but I still washed many of these loads in my old machine without an issue.

A typical large load for me was 10 standard size bath towels, around 14 wash cloths, and the weeks' worth of dish towels, approx. 5 or 6. This load always turned over just fine on high agitation. My washer didn't have separate speed options not controlled by the timer, so I never got to try this load on slow agitation.

 

[combo52]

Direct drive washers, excessive agitation

Only a few of the early direct drive washers with one speed motors had any problems with overly aggressive agitation, whirlpool quickly modified the cycles and I never had a complaint from a customer about this on the machines built after about 1986.

So I would definitely say it’s a myth that these machines are accessibly hard on things unless you’re doing ridiculous things like overpacking and washing things for too long.

John

 

[DADoES]

 
John, someone in WP's cycle programming department apparently thought otherwise at some point ... considering the electronic Catalyst's programming and some other models that do speed shifts partway through the wash period (my GSQ9669 for example).  And the KA models that ran low motor for high agitation and ex low motor for low agitation programmed into the timer, although with the larger agitator.  My KAWE760W and mom's KAWE670B, for example.  670B runs low speed on both the separate Heavy and Regular cycles, with a shift to ex low in Regular but not in Heavy.

I have a KM with Triple-Action.  It doesn't do anything extra unless the load is full enough for the auger to climb up on it for the spring action to assist with pushing it down.

 

[Marky_Mark]

It sounds like the electronic Catalyst machines have good programming that should avoid the fabric damage that could perhaps occur with fast agitation with low water levels, especially if someone inadvertently ended up washing a full load with the machine set to fast agitation on the lowest water level (not possible in those electronic models).

 

When I wash clothes in a TL, I usually select a higher water level than is strictly necessary.  I also use slow agitation and fast spin with certain loads of clothes that are not really dirty and don't need anything too dramatic.  It will be interesting to see if the DD machines are gentle enough over the course of many washes.

 

Fortunately there are hundreds of DDs for sale all the time, many of which do allow you to completely avoid fast agitation even on the longest cycles.  Here are another couple of examples currently up for grabs:

 

[blockeight88]

That Kenmore & Kitchen Aid Set

I want those. I’m literally drooling over them as I type this.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Me too!  I'm a sucker for a lighted console, even if it's only illuminating the timer

 

You have a great YouTube channel btw.  I've only just come across it and subscribed.

 

Mark