Washing Machines and Warrantees[RE-wrenches]

Thu Aug 31 19:50:46 EDT 2000

Staber used to have 2 circuit boards, depending if on sine or mod sine
inverters, don't know if they still do as I can't e-mail them and ask!!!

The newest ones use considerably less water than the older ones, and also
can now use powered detergent.

The only problem that I have with Staber is not with their washers but with
their computer mail program, it keeps returning my mail as recipient
unknown, no matter who I send it to this is getting to be a real irritant!
Lost the last sale to the utility anyway, so the power lines win this time.

Just more of my thoughts,
Bob Ellison

-----Original Message-----
From:	Phil Undercuffler [mailto:phil at positivenergy.com]
Sent:	Thursday, August 31, 2000 10:45 AM
To:	RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject:	Re: Washing Machines and Warrantees[RE-wrenches]

    I spent some time researching this issue last year, communicating with
Frigidare, etc.  Both Maytag and Frigidare will void the warrantee if their
units are run on ANYTHING other than utility power--PV, generator, sinewave
or mod-sine, it doesn't matter.  I have also heard from others that neither
units will work on modsine--the neptune interprets the power quality in an
interesting manner; it thinks the tub is oversudsing and so it cycles
continually through a rinse cycle.
    In contrast, Staber supports renewable systems, will run on a 600 watt
inverter, can work without pressurized water (Sylvia at Staber sez many of
their clients have summer places on lakes:  small power systems, no water
except whats hauled from the shore.  One 5 gallon bucket for the prewash,
another for the wash!)
    I've had one here at the shop for a year now (still gotta finish the
laundry plumbing at home, knowwhatImean...) and I really like it.  Huge
capacity, the spin cycle really gets the water out, great company/tech
support, and it's easy to work on if it ever needs it.
    Only caveat:  the unit works better with a full load.  Often a partial
load will get out-of-balance, which will keep the unit from going into full
spin, as well as making lots of noise.  Once I got the hang of loading it
(ie, don't mix heavy jeans with light sheets) that hasn't reoccurred.

----- Original Message -----
From: Frank Fowler, Crystal Pines Alt. Energy <cpae1 at aol.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2000 10:38 PM
Subject: Re: Gas Dryers and Washing Machines [RE-wrenches]

> I have a customer who purchased a Frigidare washer and kept having
problems
> getting the thing to run correctly. After many service calls to repair the
> problem, the service tech reported to the company that the machine was
being
> run from inverter power, and they canceled the warranty. Needless to say
my
> customer was ticked off and told them to stick it where the sun don't
shine.
> He raised such a fuss that they finally just took it back and he purchased
a
> very simple low-tech washer. Everything is fine now. He has a DR3624
inverter
> and I was informed that it should run OK, but it didn't. Fortunately, he
was
> very good about the whole thing and he is still a loyal customer. Lesson
> learned: If your customer is going to use a mod. sine inverter, get a
Staber
> or a low-tech washer with no digital components.
>
> Frank Fowler
> Crystal Pines Alternative Energy
> cpae1 at aol.com
>
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 michael.welch at homepower.com
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 http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

To unsubscribe send a message to: 
 RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
 www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine: 
 www.homepower.com

For info contact list moderator by email:
 michael.welch at homepower.com
___________________________________________________________
T O P I C A  The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics