Dexter V Series

[gla44]

how is this line of equipment performing after a couple of years in the market?I read some of the older post and wanted some updated info based on actual performance as told by store owners.
Utility savings?

customer acceptance? (do they get less water or wash time?)

worth the much higher price? (eight grand for 55# with base)

After using would you prefer the older style?

[pete f]

I only have 1, a 55# V series, but have many "pre" V serieres in that store and others. As for customers I do not think they know any different. I can not tell about water. The newer has a different top, and the softner is not covered. The older ones the softner area is always gunking up with brown/black goo. I have to clean them every few months. If he new ones eliminate this it would be worth it, not to mention the STOP button customers can press when the door leaks becuase they left something hanging out. They can stop the washer, re set the clothes and restart it.

[ajay]

my customers tell me that their clothes come out cleaner in my machines than wascomat Gen 5 machines(which my competitor) owns. I don't argue!

ajay

[Winston]

I recently installed eleven of the new T-400 Dexter washers. So far I am very pleased with them. The washers have larger than average glass in the doors, so the customers see more water, suds and agitation than with older washers. I originally thought the red emergency stop button would be a problem (kids stopping the washers, etc) but this has not been the case. You have to push the button for 3 seconds to stop. Then a tone sounds until the door opens in 30 to 60 seconds. When the door is reclosed and the start button is pushed, the cycle picks up where it left off. This feature has been very helpful to fix the "clothes caught in the door" problem. If money is inserted with the door open, the LED display flashes "DOOR" until the door is closed. An added safety feature is the push to start button. This keeps the washer from starting if the vend price is satisfied with the door open, a child is put into the washer and the door is closed. The operation of the washer seems intuitive and we have had almost no problems with customers using them.

If the washer has too much suds (whiteout) the error code F8 may appear on the LED display. When customers notice this we point out that this is an oversudsing code, and advise them to use softener to cut the soap. This has helped reduce the end of cycle complaint that "my clothes didn't rinse out". Actually the F8 code means "failure to drain in 7 minutes", but it is usually due to oversudsing.

About the only problem was excessive soap coming out the overflow at the rear of the machine. This was solved by running a hose from the overflow directly to the drain line (after the "P" trap).

The other problem is that these new machines make my older washers look shabby!

[pete f]

I did not realize the new Dexters had a push to start button. I had that on 2 SQ EC series 25# washers I had and had many calls. I asume becuase many of my customers can not read. I know SQ had a heck of a problem on the Horizens when they first came out and the push to start button deal. Everyone pushed the arrow that pointed to the button. I would never buy a push to start machine again. Sounds like Dexter got a deal with lawyers. Dexter should sue the parents for child neglect. If a parent lets a kid play in the street and the kid gets killed by a Ford do they sue Ford for making a killing machine?

[DaveLevenson]

If a parent lets a kid play in the street and the kid gets killed by a Ford do they sue Ford for making a killing machine?

Yes, they probably would; Ford has deep pockets!

My Wascomat Gen-6 machines with Emerald controls have a Start button. It is actually a toggle. Push to start, push again to pause. Push and hold it in for a longer time, and it's a rapid-advance. This is a real pain. Some customers don't realize that they need to push it at all, and the machine doesn't start. Some push it more than once, sometimes leaving the machine in a paused state. Some unintentionally rapid-advance through part of the cycle. All of these produce confusion and some produce customer-service calls.

Wascomat's answer, when I asked if the start button could be overridden, was that they don't recommend Emerald controls in unattended stores.

[gla44]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like the V series does have many features added.

However i am sorry to hear that the "something caught in the door" problem has survived another generation. i am sure dexter is aware of this problem yet they refuse to fix....huge messy problem for us owners. the problem is unique to dexter and i have not seen this on other machines.

[ajay]

I believe the button serves multiple purposes: for a caught string 2) for safety.

I love my dexters!! no complaints!

[Winston]

I think Gla44 might be referring to something else when speaking of the "something caught in the door" problem. What I meant was a leaking door due to an article of clothing trapped between the door gasket and the body of the washer. All of my washers (Wascomat, Speed Queen, Continental, Primus) are subject to this problem. It's not really the fault of the washer, but the customer's lack of attention when closing the door. To manage this problem the emergency stop button has been very helpful.

As for the push to start button, we have had no problems with its use.

[pete f]

I think Gla44 might be referring to something else when speaking of the "something caught in the door" problem. What I meant was a leaking door due to an article of clothing trapped between the door gasket and the body of the washer. All of my washers (Wascomat, Speed Queen, Continental, Primus) are subject to this problem. It's not really the fault of the washer, but the customer's lack of attention when closing the door. To manage this problem the emergency stop button has been very helpful.

As for the push to start button, we have had no problems with its use.

No, it is a DEXTER problem. I have had IPSO, SQ and Milnors, none ever had the problem. My Maytags do have the problem, to a smaller degree, the door is built the same way.

[ajay]

agreed with dexter's door issue!!

that's why the stop button is wonderful!! Now, I can tell my customers to hit the stop button over the phone and use the mop in the back to clean up!! Prior to this change, I was seriously thinking about NOT buying anymore dexters for unattended store. Now, dexters are back on my list for my next store.

ajay

[Anonymous]

My new store has all Dexters and were very happy with the washers. But the stack dryers have lots of issues. We have had several down for several days. The parts are covered under the warranty but the labor in not. Were getting killed with labor costs to fix our new machines.

[pete f]

My new store has all Dexters and were very happy with the washers. But the stack dryers have lots of issues. We have had several down for several days. The parts are covered under the warranty but the labor in not. Were getting killed with labor costs to fix our new machines.


I suggest you watch the service guys work on them. Most repairs to Dexter dryers are quite simple fixes.

[mr_soap]

What kind of issues?
How old are your machines?