Thread Number: 26372
Re-program water level - 2007/2008 GE FL Washer |
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Post# 404760 , Reply# 1   1/9/2010 at 07:51 (5,192 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)   |   | |
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[rant] I would really like to see manufacturers add a [WATER PLUS] button that would actually bring the water level up to the glass, if not higher. Or perhaps when you increase the soil level to heavy, there were an option above heavy, like [MUDDY] that would do the trick. I really don't understand this race to be the MOST EFFICIENT when all the manufacturer should be doing is ensuring they meet the energy star guidelines. Funny, they would sacrifice cleaning to be the MOST EFFICIENT. Furthermore, why can't more manufacturers offer a [SERVICE MODE] where programming functions can be modified to suit special needs situations. Someone with an allergy to detergent should be able to modify the machine to rinse to their liking. Makes me wonder if there isn't some branch of medical organization that hasn't rated machines on rinsing for allergy suffers. [/rant] Malcolm |
Post# 404769 , Reply# 3   1/9/2010 at 08:31 (5,192 days old) by georgect (Fairfield, CT)   |   | |
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Add me to the list. I would like to see more water actually wash clothes. I don't own a front loader yet (waiting for one with at least an option to use more water). A front loader is efficient by default and there is no need for this extent of ULTRA efficiency. Manufacturers do it just to get more of a kick back from the government for being that much more over the "efficient" level. I read so many stories about washers smelling moldy or not getting filthy clothes clean (and having to re-wash), or taking too much time overall washing, spinning, rinsing. I grew up with a Westinghouse front loader and it never smelled, never left clothes dirty or smelly, and just went into a spin with no issues (didn't walk either). It used a decent amount of water that clothes were plunged into, not just slapped against the drum like today's FL washers. I wish manufacturers would just give us the option for more water usage already. |
Post# 404812 , Reply# 8   1/9/2010 at 12:14 (5,192 days old) by mysteryclock (Franklin, TN)   |   | |
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...as it is about this (as an example): Originally FLs were touted as being more energy efficient but the new standards being put out include measurements of water efficiency as well for a very good reason... our good water reserves are dwindling and new ones from technical sources (desalinization, etc.) are not coming online fast enough to make up the gap. Now, that being said even increasing the rinse level in an FL by 50% (a lot!) would still save approximately 2x over a typical TL washer, but that would probably exclude them from the new standards. That's why I agree it would be nice if there were "Service Manual" type instructions to allow more experienced folks to do that themselves. Did not realize that warm rinsing could make such a difference drying... thanks for sharing that. Makes me wish more companies offered that. |
Post# 404821 , Reply# 9   1/9/2010 at 12:44 (5,192 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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I can *almost* tolerate my Affinity washer's skimpy water level on normal or small loads, but it's absolutely ridiculous with the small amount of water it provides for large or bulky loads. I have a large empty Tide liquid container that I fill up usually at least twice, and add to the machine via the detergent drawer when I'm washing a set of king-sized sheets and pillow cases. This should not be necessary. With fleece sheets in particular, the machine adds so little water that they are barely soaked through, which the folks at Frigidaire/Electrolux apparently think is enough to get the job done. NOT!!! Towels are another problem. I wish I knew how to increase the water level adjustment. Then I wouldn't have to baby-sit the machine during the first few minutes of tumbling. I've had the same experience as others have mentioned in regard to suds increasing after more water is added. At this point, I don't care if the machine fails due to too much suds. I'm so not happy with this Affinity that I can't wait to replace it with something that actually can wash and rinse adequately, and also clean itself, like my Duet could. The local appliance warehouse had Bosch FL washers and dryers on sale for $399 each (after all rebates you may qualify for) yesterday. I was so tempted. Anything (well, except GE) would be better than my Affinity. |
Post# 404837 , Reply# 10   1/9/2010 at 13:33 (5,192 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)   |   | |
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Post# 404838 , Reply# 11   1/9/2010 at 13:35 (5,192 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)   |   | |
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Post# 404840 , Reply# 13   1/9/2010 at 13:42 (5,192 days old) by bertrum ()   |   | |
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Hi Malcolm, Yes Mieles and some of the Bosch washers do have a "high water option". Defeats the object of buying a "economic" machine to have 1980 wash levels,(although you may have clean clothes again)! |
Post# 404844 , Reply# 14   1/9/2010 at 14:16 (5,192 days old) by ptcruiser51 (Boynton Beach, FL)   |   | |
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That are higher-end have a "water plus" option that will add 15% more water to the cycle (so my factory rep tells me). My Maytag rep says choosing a higher soil level program will add more water on both the FL and TL "Bravos" models. Not sure about GE, but they do have a soil level program so it's worth a try. For anyone with fabric softener goo or detergent buildup in the dispenser on FL's, all Maytag, GE, Amana, and LG models have removable dispenser drawers (usually a tab in the back). You can wash them top-rack in the dishwasher or by hand. |
Post# 404851 , Reply# 16   1/9/2010 at 14:49 (5,192 days old) by aquacycle (West Yorkshire, UK)   |   | |
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^Matt, I completely agree. It's ridiculous to say that everyone has been walking around in dirty clothes. I mean, I cook dinner and I'm not very good at it and end up covered in all sorts - pasta sauce and baked bean sauce being the 2 favorites. Sometimes, it's a few days before I was them. They go into the machine, they come out and voila, the stain is gone. How is that not clean, exactley?
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Post# 404855 , Reply# 17   1/9/2010 at 15:38 (5,192 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)   |   | |
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I realize that the LG (water plus) doesn't add much more water, but I have been DYING to see a vid of the Kenmore HE washers that have the "Skincare Rinse II"..I read on a blog once where someone stated it takes the rinse water up to the bottom of the glass, and NOW Whirlpool has this on their newest models that have 4.4 cu feet drum. I don't mind the low water washing at all, but the option for a deep rinse would be perfect for me to wash all the slime away. Luckily, the current Duet I have has been adjusted slightly by me so it uses a bit more water than it did. Lots of sloshing..I know this pic doesn't look like MUCH more water, but it is! :) If anyone has seen the skincare rinse in action, please let me know what you think....Thanks
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Post# 405287 , Reply# 18   1/11/2010 at 04:09 (5,190 days old) by sudsman ()   |   | |
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The heating cycle on these machine do NOT run for a short time they run for a LONG time read some of what is actually said . some run 2 or 3 hours. maybe so there but NOT here. So there is really NO savings at all! |
Post# 405290 , Reply# 19   1/11/2010 at 04:50 (5,190 days old) by logixx (Germany)   |   | |
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Post# 405299 , Reply# 20   1/11/2010 at 06:43 (5,190 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)   |   | |
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Post# 405304 , Reply# 21   1/11/2010 at 07:05 (5,190 days old) by logixx (Germany)   |   | |
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Post# 405361 , Reply# 22   1/11/2010 at 13:14 (5,190 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)   |   | |
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Post# 405415 , Reply# 24   1/11/2010 at 16:47 (5,189 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)   |   | |
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They are suposed to "sense" how big the load is....more clothes...more water...BUT they don't.....to get good results you have to wash small loads small loads in a machine that can handle huge loads....is NOT energy efficient....at this point, you might as well go back to a top loader washing a 12lbs load, at least then the cycle time is shorter, and the machine itself would be about 1/3 the price.....just my opinion...still working on the issue...I have a few more ideas.... |
Post# 405519 , Reply# 27   1/11/2010 at 23:45 (5,189 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)   |   | |
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Spiceman That's one of the reasons I wish my duet had a bulky cycle. I hear that cycle (at least on the duet) uses a LOT more water but I have yet to see a video of it. It makes me wonder if I got one of those 4.4 cu ft duet washers which has the MAX rinse option in addition to a bulky cycle, I'm thinking that would use plenty of water. Relative works for Whirlpool so we get a employee discount on new appliances. |
Post# 405526 , Reply# 28   1/12/2010 at 00:20 (5,189 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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It's amazing in such a fast pace world that these machines have all these such fancy cycles that don't do shit. The machines are so well over priced as well. I think it is a disgrace that we do not have the option to choose how much water we use to wash. I believe in savings but this is totalty redicilous. I had a LG that I kicked to the curb because it leaked and the service was terrable along with the fact it took forever to go into a spin. It was a nightmare trying to get a load of wash done! It is pitiful what this country has come to. Talk about front loaders, I just keep thinking about the simplicity of a westinghouse and look at what we have today and it sickens me. When they started to make front load machines here in the 90's the frigmore was the best idea. Simple dial control with just enough options and enough water. (True their was bearing issues that could have been resolved) but this design was a step in the right direction. Then they came up with these to big monsters that are as useless as tits on a bull! I go into places like PCRichard ans Sears and it makes me laugh with the prices they want for these machines. Than they wonder why the econmony is doing so bad. Now Sears has their new designs as LG and looks to have kicked whirlpool aside. To me it's a mistake. The whole appliance industry has gone down the toilet. Just my 2 cent - needed to rant! Peter |
Post# 405544 , Reply# 29   1/12/2010 at 02:14 (5,189 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)   |   | |
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What I don't understand is if the manufacturers have NO CHOICE but to create energy star washers that use a cup of water to wash, why can't the manufacturers add "options" that the customer can use "if they wish?" I mean, can't the manufacturers still claim energy star ratings since their default settings would use little water? Or is that a NO NO?
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Post# 405611 , Reply# 30   1/12/2010 at 11:52 (5,189 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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On my Duet the bulky cycle did not add more water. Instead, it would provide breaks in the tumbling action to make sure the entire item got saturated. I only used that cycle once. I want my king sized mattress pads CLEAN, not just soaked. On that same machine, it was either the "Active wear" or "Quick wash" cycle that used more water. With the Affinity I have now, which is teetering on the brink of POS status for cleaning ability due to its skimpy water levels, the "Permanent Press" cycle is the shortest at 36 minutes. Otherwise, you're looking at just about an hour to run a load through, and that doesn't count all of the BS rebalancing time. |
Post# 405637 , Reply# 31   1/12/2010 at 15:13 (5,189 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)   |   | |
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Post# 405648 , Reply# 32   1/12/2010 at 16:55 (5,188 days old) by logixx (Germany)   |   | |
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Too low a water level isn't really a problem in Europe (any more!). At least from what I've seen on YouTube, there are plenty of Euro washers that use visible amounts of water during the rinse. Today, more and more manufacturers offer special cycles, Sensitive cycles, which rinse multiple times. Some offer more than just one extra rinse. Others use turbidity sensors. Check out this YouTube channel from ad1996it. He's got the newest washers. The first five videos show the brand new Bosch washer from the varioPerfect range. varioPerfect can be added to most cycles. The three settings are default, SpeedPerfect and EcoPerfect. On EcoPerfect, the cycle is extended to save energy. It might also lower the temp and add soaking periods during the main wash. On SpeedPerfect, the washer heats up faster and tumbles more aggressively and the cycle is faster. Besides the videos of the BOSCH WAS 24422 he's also got videos of a Whirlpool AWOE 8104. Both are modern European machines and yet look at those water levels on the rinse cycles! Okay, he did use options to raise the water level (-> like Sensitive) but still... I don't think any US front loader would fill that high on any cycle. Alex CLICK HERE TO GO TO logixx's LINK |
Post# 405686 , Reply# 34   1/12/2010 at 21:10 (5,188 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)   |   | |
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Mark, that's a No-No and NO... the idiots that created the standards know that if the machine has an option to raise the water level, everybody would use it always. the "water raise" can be made... instead of a spoon, with the option selected the machine will use a spoon and two drops of water. |
Post# 405733 , Reply# 35   1/13/2010 at 02:54 (5,188 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)   |   | |
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Thomas I'm not so sure about that. Most people don't give a crap about laundry and just throw it in and let it go and then when done, throw it in the dryer. The few of us that are obsessive about it and want clean laundry will use the extra water but I don't think most people would quite honestly. Maybe I'm wrong. LOL I do know that Whirlpool machines are starting to add a feature called Max rinse or skincare rinse to their machines, which they did NOT used to have at all....I still don't know how much MORE water this uses, but it's a step in the right direction. |
Post# 405738 , Reply# 36   1/13/2010 at 04:43 (5,188 days old) by askomiele (Belgium Ghent)   |   | |
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Is not how much water you use, but it's used in a efficient way! Any idea's how to do it? (reusing rinsewater?) |
Post# 405741 , Reply# 37   1/13/2010 at 05:40 (5,188 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Post# 406047 , Reply# 38   1/14/2010 at 11:19 (5,187 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)   |   | |
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I took off the old pressure switch hose......replaced it with a similar hose from the garage, first a real long one ( about 30 feet) to diplace some AIR to add more water....no luck several other tries....no luck BUT....I put a "T" in the line and routed another hose to an empty 3 liter soda bottle with a port installed in the cap, and layed all this in the bottom of the machine.....the result had added water just slightly to the edge of the door opening....about 2 inches more water....with a load of clothes I would really want more....but, the clothes are really soaked and I have suds spashing on the window.....next attempt is to put 2 bottles linked together to see how much water is added...don't want to come too far up on the window, just incase the power goes off and "pops" the door open and have a flood...... so far so good |