Gas Dryers and Washing Machines [RE-wrenches]
Joe Schwartz, Home Power
joe.schwartz at homepower.com
Sat Sep 9 00:39:41 EDT 2000
<x-flowed>Bob,
> Staber comment: Yes they are designed for owner repair, but
>I found that I was taking it apart and working on it much more than
>I ever wanted
>to. Granted this was 3-4 years ago and it could be a better product
>now, but I
>have a long memory when it comes to less than pleasant experiences.
I second the less than pleasant comment regarding the Staber. Awhile
back I replaced a broken lid on a one (it may have even been the same
machine you worked on). First off, who ever heard of a washing
machine with a plastic lid? A heavy basket of wet laundry dropped
there could be enough to crack it. To replace the lid the entire
wiring harness needed to be removed as all the wires passed through a
hole in the lid's plastic frame. Duh. The fix also involved
disconnecting hoses from cheesy plastic fittings and reefing on the
main circuit board to remove the final connections of the wire
harness. The board flexed so seriously I couldn't believe it didn't
break. I saw plenty of what I consider to be weak design points in
there. Maybe I was just having a bad day, but I cussed more that
afternoon than I can remember.
Thanks in part to the Staber, I've become an even bigger fan of
mainstream appliances. Both washers and reefer/freezers are getting
darn close and even surpassing the efficiency levels of the old RE
industry standbys. Mainstream appliances often cost way less. The
savings can buy more PV's to make up for lower efficiencies. These
appliances typically have far and away nicer controls and features.
They can usually be delivered and set up right where you point your
finger, and they can be SERVICED LOCALLY. Amen.
Take it easy,
Joe Schwartz
>Regards,
>Bob Maynard
>Energy Outfitters
>800-GO-SOLAR
>
>"Ian Woofenden, Home Power" wrote:
>
> > Hi Bob,
> >
> > At 2:17 PM -0700 9/6/00, Bob Ellison, Alternative Energy Systems wrote:
> > >When they first came out the local store spent a lot of time with me on a
> > >learning curve, MAYTAG told them that the power usage was 285
>WH. Maybe they
> > >have changed things sense then? They even told me that it was not designed
> > >to be super efficient.
> >
> > I don't know where that came from. Bob Maynard recommend the Neptune
> > to me as one of the most efficient models out there, and I've checked
> > ours multiple times with the Brand meter.
> >
> > >Any idea how it does on water use?
> >
> > No. Does Brand Electronics make a water use meter? ;-)
> > Is there a simple and cheap water use meter out there. It would be
> > interesting to play with.
> >
> > >Heard a rumor you were in my back yard recently any truth to it??
> > >
> > >Bob
> >
> > We landed back on the island today after a 6 week 8K mile trip from
> > here to Maine, with various stops along the way, including SolWest,
> > three days at Mick Sagrillo's, a rendezvous with the SEI wind
> > workshop in Colorado, and tracking down a wind homebrewer on the
> > coast of Maine (see HP79). Not sure how close we got to you, since we
> > went through NYC (big mistake) on the way to Maine, and skirted
> > around it on 84 on the way to Philly on the way back.
> >
> > It would have been fun to make lots of RE stops, but I had the whole
> > family, and their attention span for windmills is shorter than mine.
> > We did see a lot of wind generators and PVs, and the kids sang out
> > when they saw them. Maybe I should go solo with the bus for the RE
> > Wrenches Tour...
> >
> > (Where'd you hear that rumor?)
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > Ian
> >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: Ian Woofenden, Home Power [mailto:ian.woofenden at homepower.com]
> > >Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2000 3:10 PM
> > >To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> > >Subject: RE: Gas Dryers and Washing Machines [RE-wrenches]
> > >
> > >
> > >Hey Bob,
> > >
> > >I've measured our Neptune at 105 WH (AC, post inverter) per load with
> > >a Brand meter, which is better than the Staber.
> > >
> > >Perhaps you are referring to stats on a model with a built-in water
> > >heater? One salesman mentioned that the new model would have this
> > >(questionable) feature.
> > >
> > >We are really pleased with this machine.
> > >
> > >Ian
> > >
> > >At 8:17 PM -0700 8/30/00, Bob Ellison, Alternative Energy Systems wrote:
> > >>The last info that I had on the Neptune is that it is NOT an efficient
> > >>washer. It draws considerably more than the Staber and a HUGE amount of
> > >>water, I have been told that it constantly replaces water to cut down on
> > >>sudsing..... So it uses lots of water and pump run time.
> > >--
> > >Ian Woofenden <ian.woofenden at homepower.com>, Fax: 360-293-7034
> > >Associate Editor, Home Power magazine, The Hands-On Journal Of Home-Made
> > >Power
> > >Editors are Professional Idiots - We misunderstand text so our readers
> > >won't.
> > >
> > >HP subscriptions: $22.50 per year, PO Box 520, Ashland, OR 97520 USA
> > >800-707-6585 (US), 541-512-0220, or download current issue at
> > ><http://www.homepower.com>
> > >
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> > --
> > Ian Woofenden <ian.woofenden at homepower.com>, Fax: 360-293-7034
> > Associate Editor, Home Power magazine, The Hands-On Journal Of
>Home-Made Power
> > Editors are Professional Idiots - We misunderstand text so our
>readers won't.
> >
> > HP subscriptions: $22.50 per year, PO Box 520, Ashland, OR 97520 USA
> > 800-707-6585 (US), 541-512-0220, or download current issue at
> > <http://www.homepower.com>
> >
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> >
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> >
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> > RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com
> >
> > To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
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> >
> > Hosted by Home Power magazine:
> > www.homepower.com
> >
> > For info contact list moderator by email:
> > michael.welch at homepower.com
> > ___________________________________________________________
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>
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>___________________________________________________________
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>Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
-------------
Joe Schwartz
Home Power Magazine
PO Box 520, Ashland, OR 97520 USA
email:joe.schwartz at homepower.com
Web: http://www.homepower.com
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To unsubscribe send a message to:
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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
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