Wascomat Redesign (add-on)???

[Howard]

I hate it when I get a phone call from someone whose Wascomat is stuck in the wash cycle because the drain is clogged.

Since there are several engineers posting (I think), how about a simple add-on timer design for the wash cycle that will shut the machine off after ten minutes of continuous washing?

[Kitty]

They all need redesigning in that respect. Wasco's are a real pain to clear!! The huebsch machnes we purchased last has a 4" drain hose versus the 3". Nowhere near the problems.

Clearing the drain valve is pretty darned simple, do you have an attendant you can teach?

[buddy]

That's exactly what i have done. Taught the attendant to cleanout or even take apart the drain valve in Gen4 machine and rebuilt them. I pay him fixed $50/week to take care of all drain valve problems. I supply him with tools and parts.

[Anonymous]

Hey, Big H

i've never viewed the guts of a Wasco. But it can't be too different from the rest. I assume that it has a pressure switch that needs to activate when the dump valve dumps and drops the water level. And normally when the dump valve Doesn't dump, the pressure switch DOES NOT activate and the machine keeps running indefinitely (all while the timer is on hold)

If this assumption is correct, Instead of an electronic timer, how about a air pressure bleed off that you could hook in-line with the hose to the switch. You could adjust it so that it would always bleed off and activate the switch in 10 minutes or so, no matter if there is water in the basket or not. Just a first thought. I'd think you could get a simple adjustable air bleed for a few bucks. It would have to bleed off very little air, under very little pressure, over a significant time period for this to work.

However, then the machine will shut off and still be full of water when they open it. But they do get there clothes back.

[Rondo]

My Wasco Gen 5 & 6s just stops and displays a error code that tells me the drain valve is stopped up. The door does unlock but it's not a good idea to open it until you unstop it. But I have the Emerald series. They have an all together different designed drain valve that is water activated rather than electric. Howard I'm guessing you have a Gen 4. I've only had 2 blockages in 3 years, but if someone puts a rubber back rug in one It will stop it up quick where a standard valve (3 or 4") won't. I think a Dexter will go ahead and finish the cycle, but a Maytag/Unimac will just wash forever like a Gen 4

[Kitty]

I am constantly unstopping the 3'drain hose of some of our Huebsch machines. Constantly pulling a drivers licenses or the wire from an underwire bra. I can't believe the thousands, of wire bras that become detached!

The wasco is much harder to clean out in my opinion, But in any case, we simply turn the breaker off and then clean it out. Isn't this the only way to do so?

[Anonymous]

Rondo - All Gen5 & 6 Wascos have the water activated drain, not just the Emeralds.

[Howard]

These are water pressure activated drains . When partially or completely clogged (bra wire, lint, rubber pieces, plaster, etc.), the machine remains in the current wash cycle, full of water, until the water is released. This could be hours if there is no one there to stop the machine and open it up. It also ruins belts.

There MUST be a way to add-on a timer with a simple circuit that shuts off the machine after a set amount of time.

It wouldn't cure the problem, but it sure would diffuse an "emergency", as well as save belts.

usually, after the machine if OFF, some -or all - of the water will seep out before the door unlocks. Even if it didn't, the water on the floor is better then the 30 minute one-way drive, the aggravated customer, and the potential damage to the machiine.

Anyone know how to set a timer up? It has to be energizd by a washing cycle, time the application of power, and when the time exceeds the speicified amount, turn the power off.

[Anonymous]

i'll take another shot at this. You must not have liked my air bleed solution. That's OK - I didn't really either. but i don't like the in-line timer idea cause it would seem you would need to re-set it and other issues. But maybe i don't understand what you're thinking.

How about wiring an in-line time-delay breaker or a heat induced breaker between the pressure switch and the motor relays. I think they are made with a resistor gaged for the appropriate amperage to generate heat. Their pretty cheap and you can get many different kinds. When enough heat is generated, (after running a long time) they shut off and re-set themselves (so you wouldn't have to stop your fishing to re-set it) I think they are a simple bi-metallic type resistor switch so when it cools down it re-sets itself.

[Howard]

I will run out to the local electronics nerd shoppe today and see what I can buy. Your latest idea seems be just the ticket.

Maybe I will patent it and sell it o all the other unattended Wascomat owners. Will you want a royalty (in return for a small, cash, upfront, no strings, advance)?

[Ken]

I think Dexter is the only washer can run "dry".The washer timer will keep going even drain or water value are out.
All others are control by pressure switch.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused here, I typically have the exact opposite problem with my Wascos. I have never had a situation where the drain won't open - the problem when you get crap in it is that it won't fully close. The water keeps going in, but the cycle never advanced because the water is going out as fast as it is going in. It pisses off customers cause it wastes their time, and it pisses me off because it is a lot of money going down the sewer.

[Anonymous]

Big H
All i want is my "well meaning" reputation back.

After my stupid "crotchety" comment, i thought i'd have to pay penance for a year.

[Howard]

I kind of like "crotchety". The more I hear it, the better it fits.
Plus, it is fun being different on something as impersonal as a bulletin board.

If I get tired of it, perhaps I'll be superhowardhero!

[CharlieS]

What a timely thread! I just had this happen to me this week, where a W75ES never came out of wash cycle. These are Emerald Series, and I never got an error code from the machine. I had the attendant shut off the machine, and about 5 minutes later it opened up.

#1 - Why didn't I get an error code?

#2 - I routinely, (Ok, every 3 or 4 months) pull all the drain valves open and inspect them. Last time I only found 3 bra wires in 32 machines. No error codes then either.

#3 - Ok, I'm a little confused. Usually, mine don't show any external signs of problems when they have a bra wire. I figured they were keeping the drain open, not clogging it closed.

#4 - Do you routinely find wires stuck in the drain line, as compared to the drain valve? Is this something else to consider?


Thanks
Charlie

[Anonymous]

not sure what the Wasco drain valves look like. But the Dexters are big 3-4" (i think) motor driven ball valves.

I had one stick closed just a few months ago on a 40#er. My attendant tells me it happened right after someone washed some clothes with lots of sand and gravel in it. I was able to pop the valve open with a screw driver as it is made to be "normally open" with some kind of spring load force. But I never actually found anything (like sand) that caused it to jam closed. I replaced it with a new one and have the old one on the "parts that need to be fixed" shelf.

[buddy]

It's amazing what sorts of things find it's way to the Drain Valve through tiny holes in the basket.

I frequently find Bra Wires stuck in Wasco Gen4 Drain.

I bet if we try to manually try to force down a Bra wire through the Basket holes we will have a hard time.

[Anonymous]

Don't think those wires are going through the basket holes, they most likely are going through the gap between the front of the inner drum and outer drum by the door.