Thread Number: 33356
My latest Duet Mod. -- Tub lights! 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 502046   3/6/2011 at 22:19 (4,660 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

Last fall I picked up an older Duet FL washer. I mainly wanted to experiment with it and that’s what I’ve done. Thanks to all the info here the first thing I did was to adjust the water level, a little touchy but it did the trick. The next thing I did was cut the lines to the temperature sensor and added a 2.2k resistor to raise the wash temp just a bit when using the heater. It does not generate a super hot boil type wash but it does get up to about 160 degrees now.

The final thing I did today as to add some tub lighting. I’d been thinking about it for some time had to open up the base of the machine today, the pump had worked loose, and so I decided today was the day. I had been planning this and had accumulated the various items I needed:

4- 6 led flashlights

5v DC transformer

wire.

First I disassembled the flashlights:  

(Sorry -- Pict 2 and 3 reversed...)

Post# 502047 , Reply# 1   3/6/2011 at 22:20 (4,660 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

Then I soldered on some wires, if you are doing this decide how you are going to route the wires and cut them to the appropriate length.
Post# 502049 , Reply# 2   3/6/2011 at 22:21 (4,660 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

Before I set the lights I tested all of them to make sure all was connected correctly....
Post# 502050 , Reply# 3   3/6/2011 at 22:21 (4,660 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

Then I got out the trusty hot glue gun. I had held the flashlights at various positions to determine the approximate placement. The only one I was pretty careful with was the one place at about 8 o’clock, if it’s positioned just right it makes the water sparkle as it fills. the rest I eyeballed into position. Odds are you cold get away with 2 or 3 lights, but they are cheap so put in as many as you like.
Post# 502051 , Reply# 4   3/6/2011 at 22:22 (4,660 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

Then I popped off the filler trim just below the detergent drawer and drilled a hole to feed the wires through.
Post# 502052 , Reply# 5   3/6/2011 at 22:23 (4,660 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

I used the heavy stranded wire that was attached to the wall wart transformer from an old cell phone. This type of wire can stand the flexing from opening and closing the door better than solid strand wire. Plus, it has a heavy outer cover over the inner wires to avoid friction wearing the wires over time. I filed the hole a bit to smooth it and also wrapped the wire with electrical tape where it passes through the frame.

Here is the finished product:

Post# 502053 , Reply# 6   3/6/2011 at 22:24 (4,660 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

Makes it very easy to enjoy the tumbling of the wash load!
Post# 502054 , Reply# 7   3/6/2011 at 22:25 (4,660 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

As an after thought I think if I was doing it again I’d place some tape or something over the back of the led assembly, light leaks out as you can see. I had considered mounting the light on the plastic outer panel, and that might be better, but I opted to put them on the glass inner surface to get the lights further in the machine.

Anyway it took a little over an hour on a quite Sunday afternoon, and I’m quite happy with the results.

Post# 502065 , Reply# 8   3/6/2011 at 23:35 (4,660 days old) by aldspinboy (Philadelphia, Pa)        

aldspinboy's profile picture
Matt that is simply AMAZING !!!

FANTASTIC !!!

I got to study your Thread.



Very nice work you should be proud...Thanks for sharing.


Darren k

Post# 502073 , Reply# 9   3/7/2011 at 01:04 (4,660 days old) by A440 ()        

Very cool!
Post# 502099 , Reply# 10   3/7/2011 at 05:43 (4,660 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        

mark_wpduet's profile picture
I want one for mine

Post# 502521 , Reply# 11   3/8/2011 at 19:42 (4,658 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        

laundromat's profile picture
I used the battery operated string lights on my Affinity.Great views of it working. Especially at night with all the lights out.I only wish the washer was next to my bed!Watching my clothes get thoroughly washed,rinsed and spun out all lit up while doing so is a hell of a lot more fun than watching tv!

Post# 502596 , Reply# 12   3/8/2011 at 23:08 (4,658 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

True.  It's funny, I have my computer setup across from the washer and I enjoy sitting in my computer chair and watching the water and clothes tumble.  Also the water sloshing is relaxing.
Post# 502679 , Reply# 13   3/9/2011 at 09:11 (4,658 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        

LOL, it is something about "moving water",   washers, dishwashers, even coffeepots....MattL thanks for the idea, post and pics.  alr2903
Post# 502681 , Reply# 14   3/9/2011 at 09:16 (4,658 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture

Very cool Matt, I'm certainly impressed.  You know I like to do appliance mod's to make them even more fun!

 

Congrats on a job well done.
Post# 502737 , Reply# 15   3/9/2011 at 12:52 (4,658 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

Thank you Robert, kind words from the master!  I think your lighted dishwasher is what got me thinking of this.

 

One issue I still need to resolve is if I want to wire the lights into the circuit so they come on when the unit is running.  I could wire in a basic relay, perhaps tie it into the display lights, but I might want the lights to operate when the unit is off.  I think the easiest solution would be to put a toggle switch on the back and just flip it on and off.

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