Thread Number: 27090
Neptune or FriGEMore?
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Post# 416193   2/16/2010 at 22:33 (5,153 days old) by volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)        

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Of all the used front loaders on the market these days, these two types seem to get the most discussion here. I am not looking to obtain either one, but I am curious as to which one is the better of the two and where their strengths and weaknesses are.

This could be lively,
Dave





Post# 416216 , Reply# 1   2/16/2010 at 23:42 (5,153 days old) by mixfinder ()        
Longevity

Both Peter and I have Neptune frontloaders. His is one of the original run that received a free factory update on the wax motor and control board. Neither machine has had a repair since. It washes daily for a household of 4 adults. My set is just 4 years old and digital which came from a family of 5 before me. I prefer the dial and pushbuttons the older machines have because it makes it so much more flexible. The Maytags do an adequate job. I am still on a frontload learning curve. The Maytags are easier to remove the laundry because of the huge dorr and tilted tub. All things considered I would choose a Maytag if we're talking older models and a Sammaysungtag if new.

Post# 416238 , Reply# 2   2/17/2010 at 04:23 (5,153 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)        
Pros and Cons

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Probably for the reason being, these designs first introduced a whole new wave of frontload washers, sure there were others out there like Asko, but at a highprice/small capacity didn't strike anyones real interest...and as new products come out you always have proto-types with glitches...but my opinion is these first few designs started a whole new wave in energy/water conservation, but the newest ones with the washing with drops of water have gone too far...probably the best choice is to pick a machine with a lower TIER for energy use...the idea is the lower the TIER, the more water that is used for better results, at least to our liking, per pound of laundry, and the worst part of the new machines out there is theres no way of making adjustments to water levels as before...so it kinda makes me hold on to the sets I have cause the new ones are getting worse....

I have 2 sets, the first one I got in 2000, and just did bearings last year, the second set I got off craigslist last year and also had to do bearings, other than that no real issues...


Post# 416241 , Reply# 3   2/17/2010 at 04:29 (5,153 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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This set is also part of my daily drivers (did I mention I have a family of 8, laundry non stop)...prefer the older version with the small door, where you could adjust the water level from inside, not so with this new one, so I Improvised with a little extra tubing and a 3 liter bottle, which allowed me to increase the water level anyway...

Post# 416252 , Reply# 4   2/17/2010 at 06:24 (5,153 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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I have a 2002 Frigidaire front-loader which has given me no problems at all. It has been oversudsed many times and I use liquid chlorine bleach on several loads a week.

Prior to this washer, I had an original-issue 1996 Frigiaire/Electrolux-based. Used that until I moved in '02. Never had a problem except for the timer, which I broke. It is still in service for a building with two apartments.

Although others around here have had bad experiences with Frigidaires, I can't complain.

Note: The top-loading Frigidaire is a 2006, which I use for a couple of loads a week, as it's fun to watch the indexing tub. The front-loader is my daily driver.


Post# 416266 , Reply# 5   2/17/2010 at 08:12 (5,153 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
FRONT LOADER CHOICES

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The frigidare FLs are OK but the MTs are better built and much more repairable. The MT dryers are much better also the frigidare dryers are among the worst ones out there for many reasons.

Post# 416269 , Reply# 6   2/17/2010 at 08:57 (5,153 days old) by mr_jms ()        
Maytag Neptunes

I have the second issue model Maytag Neptunes (with pushbuttons), purchased May 1999. Never had any issues with them. I am completely satisfied with these machines.

Post# 416502 , Reply# 7   2/18/2010 at 06:17 (5,152 days old) by nurdlinger (Tucson AZ)        
Identical Cousins

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These are the Kenmore offerings of the Frigidaire models shown by Yogitunes. I have owned them since July of 2005 with no problems and no complaints. My laundry load is not heavy, however, maybe two or three loads per week.

Post# 416509 , Reply# 8   2/18/2010 at 07:34 (5,152 days old) by tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

The main problem I saw with the Neppies was a result of their stupid suspension, two struts from below in the middle of the outer tub and four springs suspending it. With this arrangement, an unbalanced load could start the tub fishtailing where the ends would pivot side-to-side. You could look into the back and see the whole suspended mechanism swinging back and forth. If Maytag had done it right, they would have used 4 struts underneath, 2 in front and two in back, but it was a cost cutting thing. Of course, I was prejudiced against any front loader without a window, but the trouble it could have with the balancing was the third strike for it in my book. I think someone here figured out that you could not choose Max Extract with jeans because it only gave two tries at balancing while the regular spin gave more tries. So after jeans went through the regular spin, the machine could be set for Max Extract if you wanted that for jeans.

When Maytag came out with the Neptune, you would have thought that they had invented the horizontal axis washing machine; forget about Bendix or Westinghouse. Forget that Maytag even offered a tumble action horizontal axis wringer washer sometime in the 20s, I believe.


Post# 416531 , Reply# 9   2/18/2010 at 10:49 (5,152 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Frigidaire!

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My mother has the Frigidaire version washer since August 2005. So far no problems and she is very Happy with it.
Peter


Post# 417018 , Reply# 10   2/20/2010 at 02:53 (5,150 days old) by volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)        
To clarify,

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I meant FriGEMore as the smaller round door style like the one pictured by Frigilux. Is this style still being made? They seem to be a more BOL machine, but have higher than expected reliability due to the mechanical controls. Their greatest weaknesses that I know of are the tub bearing (is this replaceable?) and the spider corroding.

These little FriGEMores seem to be pretty reliable, but how do they perform in a stock configuration (not much water)? The Neptunes, however, seem to be generally more rugged and may perform better, but seem to have more mold problems and there are some out there with the wax motor and control board issues.

Interesting,
Dave


Post# 417486 , Reply# 11   2/22/2010 at 01:09 (5,148 days old) by spankomatic (Ukiah,CA)        
My life with Maytag Neptunes

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I bought the first generation Neptunes in 1998 (dial and push buttons). Went through 3 wax motor locks and motor control boards. They also replaced the boot on a recall for mold problems (which I did not have). I got a full refund (lemon law)for the washer and got to keep it. Maytag finally got the wax motor lock right and the washer is still running today at my brothers house. The dryer too,is still running and never had any problems.

My sister bought the Neptunes in 2003 (touch screens) and still has them today,no problems.

I bought Kenmore HET3 front loaders in 2004. Hated both the washer and dryer and took them back after 6 months and got Maytag Neptunes again (touch buttons). Still have them today,no problems at all.


Post# 417487 , Reply# 12   2/22/2010 at 01:10 (5,148 days old) by spankomatic (Ukiah,CA)        

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2

Post# 417488 , Reply# 13   2/22/2010 at 01:12 (5,148 days old) by spankomatic (Ukiah,CA)        

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3
One of the features I like about the Neptune,no dispencer drawer to pull out. Just flip the lid and dump it in.



Post# 417489 , Reply# 14   2/22/2010 at 01:15 (5,148 days old) by spankomatic (Ukiah,CA)        

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4
Neptune dryer I like the lint filter in the front and the cool down cycle,continuous tumbling for 10 min before it goes into that on and off tumbling thing.


Post# 417556 , Reply# 15   2/22/2010 at 10:17 (5,148 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Martin and Jim

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What model is your Neptune? 5500 or 6500?

Post# 417565 , Reply# 16   2/22/2010 at 10:59 (5,148 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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I have the 5500 series....no hot water heat option, but not needed, my hot water is set at 160 degrees...

Post# 417779 , Reply# 17   2/22/2010 at 23:38 (5,147 days old) by spankomatic (Ukiah,CA)        

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I have the 6500 series...

Jim


Post# 417863 , Reply# 18   2/23/2010 at 11:16 (5,147 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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Thank you gentlemen!

Post# 417885 , Reply# 19   2/23/2010 at 13:00 (5,147 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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I refurbished/repaired a 5500 dryer for my neighbor in December 2006, he got it via FreeCycle. He bought a 6500 washer new from Lowe's in August 2007 so as to have a matching pair.


Post# 418083 , Reply# 20   2/24/2010 at 00:55 (5,146 days old) by spankomatic (Ukiah,CA)        

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Out of curiosity...What was wrong with the 5500 dryer? What did you repair?

Jim


Post# 418086 , Reply# 21   2/24/2010 at 01:32 (5,146 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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The front drum support wore down, the edge of the drum tore completely through it and shredded, jamming the works. A sharp strip of the drum edge was protruding through across the loading port. I disassembled and thoroughly cleaned the whole thing, replaced the drum, front support shroud, one rear support roller and the belt idler. The peeps that gave it away knew what it needed, even had looked up the required parts, but didn't want to make the investment. They had previously replaced the matching washer (5500 I assume) and decided to replace the dryer instead of repairing it. They offered it on FreeCycle with disclosure of the problem, even advised what the repair cost would be per their investigation.


Post# 418088 , Reply# 22   2/24/2010 at 01:34 (5,146 days old) by spankomatic (Ukiah,CA)        

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Thanks for the info!

Jim


Post# 418100 , Reply# 23   2/24/2010 at 04:32 (5,146 days old) by SactoTeddyBear ()        
My Maytag Neptune Set:

Is the 1st of the Series, but the 2nd Edition of the "3000" Washer and a Gas Matching Dryer. I had gotten the Retro-Fit Kit several years ago and had a Repair Tech come out to do the Repairs, but I had too many Boxes, etc surrounding the front of the Machines and the Tech didn't feel that he had enough space to take off the Front of the Washer, to do the Retro-Fit Repairs. I personally think and feel that he just wasn't a very good Tech and didn't want to wait for even a short time, for me to move some of the Boxes, to give him some more room.

Unfortunately due to my "OCD" getting more severe, I tend to do way too much procrastinating, so I've not gotten the Washer's Retro-Fit Repair completed yet. I've also not been able to use my Maytag Neptune's for some time now. That is why I've got my LG Compact Combo, with a Compact Kenmore Dryer on top of it, to do my Laundry in. They are sitting on a Dolly in my Kitchen and they both actually have a pretty good size Capacity, for their Sizes.

Peace and Kind Regards, Steve
SactoTeddyBear0503...


Post# 418137 , Reply# 24   2/24/2010 at 11:08 (5,146 days old) by jasonl (Cookeville, TN)        

I would definitely get a Frigemore again, especially the models with the water level adjustment.

But "MISS SPOILED ROTTEN" loves the Oasis. Wait till it breaks (not if, when) and I say "Well, we can't afford a new Oasis but there's a used Speed Queen top loader for sale" lol.


Post# 418745 , Reply# 25   2/26/2010 at 13:11 (5,144 days old) by Volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)        
Here are the FriGEMores

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I'm glad they still make these, but how do they compare?
Dave


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Volvoguy87's LINK



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