Thread Number: 23196
Equator Washer/dryer combo
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Post# 362049   7/6/2009 at 09:42 (5,378 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)        

everythingold's profile picture
Great little unit. Uses steam too.




Post# 362050 , Reply# 1   7/6/2009 at 09:43 (5,378 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)        

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Perfect for small places.

Post# 362052 , Reply# 2   7/6/2009 at 10:17 (5,378 days old) by dj-gabriele ()        

Oh lovely!
For a second I tought it was my previous Philco washer as it is virtually the same!
I'm sure you'll be very pleased the way it washes and rinses!
I loved the shape of the drum with metal paddles!

Does that model have an inbuilt heater other than the one used for drying?
What speed does it spin 800rmp, 1000rpm? I guess it is a slow spinner!
How long does it take to dry a load?


Post# 362054 , Reply# 3   7/6/2009 at 10:30 (5,378 days old) by norfolksouthern ()        

I saw an Equator at a dealership about 10 years ago, and the price was reasonable but still beyond my ability to afford it. I think the it was only available for a couple years, maybe less. They used a condenser to extract moisture from the clothing during the drying cycle. It's a very unique machine indeed. I don't think you should have any problem finding a home for it, Matt.

NorfolkSouthern


Post# 362143 , Reply# 4   7/6/2009 at 16:29 (5,378 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)        

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It is a very unique machine. It does not wash or dry clothes like a "normal" machine. It only goes into top speed spin once! It uses steam to clean and de-wrinkle, and then it condenses like Thomas said. It takes awhile to do a load, but it is compact, ventless, and runs off 110. matt

Post# 362154 , Reply# 5   7/6/2009 at 16:54 (5,378 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        

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Mmmm....sold in Oz as a Bendix...

I wouldn't have said they were unique, just a normal washer/dryer combo....


Post# 362155 , Reply# 6   7/6/2009 at 17:01 (5,378 days old) by aquarius1984 (Planet earth)        

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"It does not wash or dry clothes like a "normal" machine."

I never knew Philco did the steam thing?

My ex mother in laws Philco version of this machine must of been faulty cos it did what normal machines do by using water to wash and rinse the clothes then tumble dry them just like any regular tumble dryer by blowing hot air into the tumbling drum.

The hot steam instead of being vented was cooled by a consensor and pumped away down the drain.

There is nothing special about these machines nor in the way they operate.

Its a bog standard FL with a fan and a condensor unit.
Same internal set up as any American Combo washer dryer you care to think of.



Post# 362176 , Reply# 7   7/6/2009 at 19:23 (5,378 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Equator, Malber

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Are just some of the brand names under the Merloni Group's umbrella. However there are two branches, apparently the senior Merloni divided his empire between two sons.

One group owns Asko amoung other brands, the other Malber and Equator.

Steam:

Equator and Malber combo units were pretty much the same back then. Neither used steam to "clean", but rather were front loading washing machines with condensor drying systems. Such systems required a fan (blower) and merely turned the hot air from the wash into water, which was pumped out of the washer.

IIRC, a member had one of these machines.

Both early Equator and Malber units were of decent quality and sold well in major urban areas such as NYC where small living quarters meant consumers liked the idea of combining both washing and drying into one unit. Sadly as with most such units, they really excelled at one thing, washing. Drying required one do a small load (half capacity), and even then it took ages. This meant one could not use the machine for another load of wash until the drying was complete. Worse one had to leave the machine hooked up to the sink.





Post# 362220 , Reply# 8   7/6/2009 at 22:28 (5,378 days old) by spookiness (Alexandria VA)        

I was researching these several years ago for a kitchen renovation proposal for a friend (It was a tiny condo)

There were several model variations, if my memory is correct:
-Wash only
-Combo with condenser dryer
-Combo with vented dryer


Post# 362262 , Reply# 9   7/7/2009 at 04:15 (5,378 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        
Equator

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I used to work for Equator and your machine was one of the last of their empire's "hay days".Atul Vir,The owner and president of Equator corp.,was my boss.He had been unadvised of the moving of the Philco of Italy Division from Italy to Spain and the machines made there were faulty.They kept making them the same design but left out the $1.29 conversion transformer needed to make them operate on 60HZ instead of 50HZ.causing imediate failier and a few nasty house fires.Over 30,000 units were recalled casing havuk among customers and dealerships that were authorised for sales and sevice on Equator.The Merlonies were rude,abnoxious and not ready to be suid.Atul got back his losses and then some but,instead of handling it properly and taking care of his dealer and service techs they had working on his products and needing imediate parts shipped and re-embersement of their expenses in handling calls,he slacked up causing anger and discust among the many different dealers that carried the Equators. After spending the money on lavish art,cars,antiques and laying of 2/3 of the crew,Atul filed for bankruptcy.He couldn't have the Merlonies make his machines anymore so,he bought some land in China and hired a few guys to build,open and run the factory.The current models (EZ3700CEE and EZ1750's) are no where near as nice or well constructed as the original EZ100 +.I worked there in Houston for about 2 years and 75% of my paychecks bounced and 90% of them were partials.Sometimes,I'd have to go on service calls to be sure the so called tech they sent out truly fixed these.

One time,we went out to replace a faulty pump on an EZ3100.The tech forgot to bring the remnounting screws and just let the pump stay hanging.I tried to explain to him that,once the pump motor came on,it would break without being mounted.We left to go get the screws and never went back.Three months later,the same customer called and I made sure we had the correct parts needed and we finaly got it right.I told him not to even think of charging her.I am so glad I left there.Too much drama for me.


Post# 362309 , Reply# 10   7/7/2009 at 08:56 (5,378 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)        

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Good to know, thanks everyone. And I realize that this machine is nothing unique abroad, but in the US, they are very different from a "regular" washer/dryer. matt

Post# 362326 , Reply# 11   7/7/2009 at 09:58 (5,377 days old) by favorit ()        

As DJ-Gabriele, Launderess an Laundromat said it's a Philco/Bendix after the Antonio Merloni Co purchased it.

The quality has nothing to do with old, real Philco Italiana machines. Same machines are sold as WegaWhite in MercatoneUno stores (ugly clones of Ikea)

I guess moisture is water-condensed as all other combos do (even the pricey miele's one WT 2670 WPM )


Post# 362692 , Reply# 12   7/8/2009 at 20:25 (5,376 days old) by supremewhirlpol ()        

I remember seeing one of those back in 2002. It was a washer only and it had a small capacity compared to the Whirlpool Duet that was sitting next to it. I have not seen one in a store since then.

Post# 362697 , Reply# 13   7/8/2009 at 20:49 (5,376 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

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Unit is standard sized "euro" washer, that is rated to hold 11 lbs or so of dry laundry. While eleven pounds sounds like a small amount, one can fit quite allot in there.

L.


Post# 362698 , Reply# 14   7/8/2009 at 20:52 (5,376 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        

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They were rated at 6kg here...or 13 lbs for washing and 3kg for drying

Post# 362716 , Reply# 15   7/8/2009 at 22:52 (5,376 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Equator!

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I had this same exact machine. I am so Sorry I gave it up. Like a fool a bought the problematic LG. The Equator was a real awsome machine.
Peter


Post# 362868 , Reply# 16   7/9/2009 at 16:29 (5,375 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)        

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This is a great little unit. I can sell it in my shop, just thought someone on the site might be interested. HAGD matt


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