Thread Number: 1274
Any one hear of this 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 57037   2/12/2005 at 11:50 (7,012 days old) by compwhiz ()        

Staber? any one hear of theses people?

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Post# 57039 , Reply# 1   2/12/2005 at 12:14 (7,012 days old) by cybrvanr ()        

Those seem to be a favorite of peole living "off grid" (IE not connected to municipal power). In fact, they even state that operating the washers off of inverters, generators, or other power sources will not void the warranty. From what I've read on the web page, they seem to be pretty nice washers as far as the contstruction goes too. I mean, how many washer companies these days build their machines to be user-serviceable!

I would like to see one of them in action. How good do they wash? How noisey are they? That type of thing.

Post# 60202 , Reply# 2   3/16/2005 at 21:42 (6,980 days old) by compwhiz ()        

They do have those just look

Post# 60211 , Reply# 3   3/17/2005 at 02:16 (6,979 days old) by rchris ()        

Notoriously noisy on the spin cycle because of the six-sided drum. I dunno - some people might like their washer to sound like a helicopter in flight.

I was interested in one last year since I am on a septic tank and like the idea of FL efficiency with TL convenience - I just wish there were a matching dryer.

With more front loaders up on pedestals now, the "I dont want to be bowing to my lowly washer like I were being received by royalty" argument is becoming academic, innit?

Post# 60215 , Reply# 4   3/17/2005 at 07:02 (6,979 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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I don't remember where I read about the Staber---That Home Site, perhaps--- but I recall seeing comments about them being noisy, with lots of vibration and prone to breakdowns. If you're good with repairs, that may not be such a big issue.

Having made those less than glowing observations, I'm still glad there's an indie company out there trying something different.

Post# 60237 , Reply# 5   3/17/2005 at 08:48 (6,979 days old) by pulsator-power (connecticut)        

The helicopter sound is intriging!

Post# 60271 , Reply# 6   3/17/2005 at 12:28 (6,979 days old) by rchris ()        

Yeah, I gotta agree that *is* intriguing.

Then, I start applying that rule I apply when I am test driving a car: Anything that bothers me a little during the test drive is probably going to bug hell outta me 5 years down the road. I actually did not buy a very nice car once because the "dead pedal" was positioned too high and I couldnt get comfortable.

Post# 60321 , Reply# 7   3/17/2005 at 19:36 (6,979 days old) by compwhiz ()        

I say the staber machines suk they charge over $1000 for it and it is not even digital and and they have like $100 worth of shit in there pmf

Post# 60329 , Reply# 8   3/17/2005 at 19:58 (6,979 days old) by arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)        

Hello Compwhiz, thats a big statement to say the Staber machines suk. Digital is not everything, if anything, cheap digital parts on expensive washing machines lead to break down and HUGE customer disappointment.

Yes Staber machines are expensive but they are selling to a small market and are not able to make the profits like the big boys do.

I say congrautlations to Staber for offereing something different in todays world where everything is largely the same.

Post# 60332 , Reply# 9   3/17/2005 at 20:11 (6,979 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Staber machines are a little strange but interesting. I'd like to acquire a demo machine with a clear front because they do seem fun in the videos...not as splashy as a Bendix but more like a Westinghouse with the six-sided drum. It's something different...and rare; sort of like a modern-day Launderall. The only drawback, from what I've read, is noise.

Digital is NEVER the "way to go"; the Calypso is a good example. A failed control board would most likely be much more expensive to replace than, let's say, a timer.

Post# 60333 , Reply# 10   3/17/2005 at 20:15 (6,979 days old) by cybrvanr ()        

In theory, electronic componets SHOULD be more reliable than mechanical componets...the problem is that the electronic componets are not made durable enough to withstand the job they are performing.

In theory too, electronic componets should cost less to produce than mechanical componets...which has always baffled me why mechanical timer washers always cheaper than electronic-timer machines. I've taken a washer timer apart before, and those things are pretty intricate inside, and look to be rather tedious to manufacture. Electronic circuit boards however can be manufactured pretty cheap, especially with all the corner-cutting the industry does.

I worked at Unisys a while back, and they had an old Univac printer. The printer used a sincle AC 120 volt induction motor to drive the carrage back & forth (like an old manual typewriter) and advance the paper. Clutches, solenoids, and other complex mechanical componets would engange to perform the job of printing. The head was stationary, like in an old typewriter, and the paper moved back & forth. The machine was very animated, and quite fun to watch, especially with the cover off, the problem was that it required routine service, like changing the clutches and belts frequently. The machine was also expensive new, one of the older techs said the machine cost over $5000 new!!!!

Today, we can buy an Okidata computer printer for $200 and it will last for years without any service. Those printers are loaded with stepper motors that drive the printhead motor, and the carriages directly These are the only two moving parts in the printer, everything else is electronic...very boring, but rock-solid reliable!

In a washer, I see the days when stepper-motors directly driving wash drums will be upon us. Instead of agitating fast & slow, spinning, and all the other stuff being handled with gears, clutches and transmissions, the interior of the washer will be very plain....nothing with a motor, washtub, and a few circuit boards....Hopefully they will be refined and as reliable as modern computer printers, although it will be rather boring watching a modern washer with the cover removed!

Post# 60350 , Reply# 11   3/17/2005 at 22:05 (6,979 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        
electroncally driven washer motors

 Those days are with us now-it may not be with stepper motors-but with Switch Reluctance motors and Direct drive DC motors.Maytag uses a Switch Reluctance motor in their FL Neptune washers. Emerson Makes the motor and circuitry to run the motor.
Fisher Paykal uses a Direct drive motor in their TL washer to work both the agitator and to spin the tub.Its motor could be considered a DC square wave unit like in a direct drive phono turntable.By changing the polarity and phasing of the waveforms the motor can oscillate(agitate) or turn (spin the tub)They had a "glass front" static FP washer at he dealer here where you could see the boards that run the motor and the motor itself.No transmission.
I think I will still stick with the traditional systems-better long term reliability and durability-esp in the lightening prone South as we are in.Lightening "killed" -for the second time-the control board in my WP KA dishwasher.Replaced it with an older Hobart KA machine.Even have a spare timer for the Hobart machine.-but no spare "timer" board for the WP KA machine.Not sure how much it would cost.I could replace it though if I had it.
Maybe some day they will make up a washer with the electronic drives thats reliable and durable-but I am not counting on it soon.although I have read in other places that the FP machines seem to hold up well versus the Maytags.
I did see a demo of a 250-500Kw SW transmitter that had auto-tune using stepper motors to move the coils and variable caps.Was impressive. The ones I use are manual tune.Only one I use is auto-tune and it was built in Germany in 1985. It works well.Sometimes needs manual help during high winds.That blows the antenna "confusing" the tuning circuits.

Post# 60358 , Reply# 12   3/17/2005 at 22:44 (6,979 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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My 1999 F&P SmartDrive sat in 12" to 14" of water for about 8 hours back in November 2004, during a flash flood on Thanksgiving Day. I know both the SmartDrive motor and the pump motor were submerged. The power cord was still connected for some of the time, until we got there to rescue the grandmother. The SmartDrive motor does have current applied when power is connnected for a braking effect, even when the machine is otherwise "off." It does 'feel' like a stepping-motor, there's a vague cogging effect when turning it by hand. I let it dry out for about a week before giving it a try, and it has been running fine.

Post# 60369 , Reply# 13   3/17/2005 at 23:20 (6,979 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

I get the same "cogging" effect while turning some Technics TT platters by hand-the DD models.-the lower priced ones.sometimes hear it while listening to piano music played on it thru headphones.
that does show amazing durability when submerged in water-esp when plugged in-usually thats instant death and destruction for SS devices!
DD motors such the FP washer motor and the DD TT motor will quickly stop when pure DC is put into them.They need the Square wave pulses to make them rotate or move.The DD TT's have a pulse of DC put into their motors when the stop button was pressed.One model had a mechanical brake in it as well because of the mass of its platter-the SP-10's A broadcast workhorse when TT's were last used in radio stations.

Post# 64312 , Reply# 14   4/25/2005 at 23:44 (6,940 days old) by shanonabc ()        

electronic components, when exposed to steam, degrade at a higher rate than mechanical controls

Post# 64334 , Reply# 15   4/26/2005 at 05:51 (6,939 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
steam degradation

 That problem is easily solved.

The original electronic timer on my '78 KM dishwasher was two open circuit boards and a touch panel mounted in the door. The supporst pegs that held the touch panel would break and the buttons would start to go into the door when pressed. I imagine the electronics would'v eventually died from exposure to all the moisture and such. It was repaired under warranty, and the new timer was completely enclosed in a sealed plastic box. This timer lasted right up until recently.

Post# 64414 , Reply# 16   4/26/2005 at 20:45 (6,939 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
I had two!

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Now Jeff Adelphi has them. We swapped for two GE Combos. I'll take the Combos anyday!


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