Thread Number: 49916
New Equator Combo!
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Post# 720859   12/12/2013 at 16:47 (3,759 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        

peteski50's profile picture
This just came out - amazing it claims possible to vent or not to vent. Never thought that was possible. To bad its not bigger!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO peteski50's LINK





Post# 720866 , Reply# 1   12/12/2013 at 17:54 (3,759 days old) by paulc (Edinburgh, Scotland)        

paulc's profile picture
Looks to be a Haier machine.

Post# 720916 , Reply# 2   12/12/2013 at 20:50 (3,759 days old) by cuffs054 (MONTICELLO, GA)        

You would think after my 1100 experience I wouldn't be interested in this machine, wrong! I want one bad!

Post# 720966 , Reply# 3   12/13/2013 at 04:09 (3,758 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        

laundromat's profile picture
Stay Away. Atul is trying to get funding. Notice they claim to have introduced the FIRST washer dryer combination.All of us know damned right well that's a bald face lie.Bad Karma to come to him.

Post# 721084 , Reply# 4   12/13/2013 at 19:49 (3,758 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
New Equeator Combo

combo52's profile picture
It would be nice if this company could get their act together and sell a 240 volt version of one of their pathetic little machines, I understand that most FL washers and dryers made in the rest of the world are usually only 24" wide and it would be cost prohibitive for a reseller like Equator to actually get someone to build a REAL Full Sized Combo, BUT if a machine is only going to be able to WASH & DRY a 3-5 pound load, LETS do it in an hour, maybe an hour and a half NOT THREE HOURS, almost all homes in the US have 240 current available, or even haven forbid Natural Gas.

Until these importers address the pathetic drying performance of these combos they will NEVER get even a tiny share of the laundry market here.

John L




This post was last edited 12/13/2013 at 21:03
Post# 721097 , Reply# 5   12/13/2013 at 22:01 (3,758 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        

laundromat's profile picture
Well said,John. Those here who either have or had one of these after a Bendix, Whirlpool,Easy or Norge were not at all impressed once having seen or used them. LG needs to come up to bat and reintroduced the electric(220/240 volt) and gas version of both the twenty four and twenty seven inch models.It would be win/ win situation.

Post# 721123 , Reply# 6   12/14/2013 at 08:45 (3,757 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Combo!

peteski50's profile picture
I also feel the size of these units are to small. What really gets me is that these so called American manufactures don't make them. Most of these FL units made today should have a Drying function especially given the fact that they already have heaters. Even on 110 volt they can still dry 2/3 full drum. So many people leave their clothes in washer for hours anyway. Now GE and WP have a option to keep tumbling the clothes for a few hours when done (how stupid) - when they could be drying. The public should be offered option for a 110 or 220 volt. Especially the fact that these FL washers sold here in the states are so massive. I believe the reason they don't do this is because they are making so much on the dryers, which is crazy to spend so much $ on any dryer. Also when they made combos here several years ago we didn't have stackable units at that time. It also surprises me that vent free dryers aren't made here especially when some people still have problems with venting outside.
Another complaint I have heard is why isn't their 27" under counter units being made like the Westinghouse and frigmore units.
Just my 2 cents!
Peter


Post# 721222 , Reply# 7   12/14/2013 at 17:44 (3,757 days old) by washman (o)        
Yeah right

"Designed in USA and assembled in a state-of-the-art facility in Asia, the new energy and water-saving Equator Super Combo™ has a spin speed of 1000 RPMs and a capacity for 13 pounds of laundry. It also features high-tech electronic controls with a VFD-lit panel that displays cycle progress and remaining time. Other features included a delayed start option, child safety lock, adjustable leveling legs, coin trap, add-a-sock option, and a wrinkle guard setting. An optional booster fan can be ordered to allow dryer venting for as far as 50 feet. All units are self-cleaning and are available in white or silver with a MSRP of $1,399 and $1,499. The Super Combo™ comes with a five-year limited warranty."

State of the art factility in Asia? Well, by golly, Asia covers a rather large area!

How about this......"we have it made in China because that is about the absolute cheapest place we can make these darn things"

Spin speed of 1000 RPM? I supppose I should be impressed. IIRC, Frigidaire washers from the 40's and 50's spun over 1000 RPM.

But what really killed the deal for me was ".....high-tech electronic controls with a VFD-lit panel that displays cycle progress and remaining time."

High tech electronic controls? Sounds a tad redundant to me. And given the rather piss poor track record of electronic washers today, I doubt this one would be any more reliable.

Thanks but no thanks. 1400 dollars is a tad much for something made with slave labor.


Post# 721264 , Reply# 8   12/15/2013 at 02:52 (3,756 days old) by dj-gabriele ()        

From the posted characteristics I would say that my 1985 combo does a better job all around... plus it's totally stainless steel inside and out! And not a single part of it is "made in Asia"!

And no, it did't cost 1400 USD even when new!
Go figure, of those 1400$ the real price of the machine is in the 100$ range... including shipment from China, import/export duties and all the company expenses!

Any modern washer/dryer over here would have a spin speed of 1400/1600 rpm, combo at 1000 rpm were already on the market 30 years ago! Plus... 13 lbs capacity!? That's not even 6 kg! Now there are on the market machines in standard 60x85x60 cm frame that can hold 10 kg of laundry and actually dry (not the exaggerated claims of 7 kg or more... stupid Asian manufacturers!) 5 kg without much fuss!


Post# 721302 , Reply# 9   12/15/2013 at 13:06 (3,756 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        
italian combo

I like my "splendide"Antonio Merloni 24"combo-it's a handy size and washes good;water cooled condenser dryer takes about 2 hrs though.In the U.S.,the splendide is most often found in large RVs,campers,and houseboats, My splendide was made in 2002.

Post# 721305 , Reply# 10   12/15/2013 at 13:24 (3,756 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Electronic Controls?

mrb627's profile picture
Every manufacturer uses them, even Speed Queen. They certainly seem to work okay in their commercial machines.

Malcolm


Post# 721420 , Reply# 11   12/16/2013 at 09:22 (3,755 days old) by paulc (Edinburgh, Scotland)        
Equator Hybrid

paulc's profile picture
I know this has been discussed before, the full size H/A topload washer dryer. Will run on 220v and be build in the USA, is now on the website.







CLICK HERE TO GO TO paulc's LINK


Post# 721429 , Reply# 12   12/16/2013 at 10:06 (3,755 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Equator 220 Volt TL Combo ?

combo52's profile picture
I will not hold my breath, we do not even have 220 volts in this country, nothing built in this country in over 60 years has been built for 220 volts, this company is so out of it it is amazing they have survived till now in any form, LOL.

John L.


Post# 721495 , Reply# 13   12/16/2013 at 17:48 (3,755 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        
nothing built in this country in over 60 years has been buil

ronhic's profile picture
..... for 220 volts

Er, I think you may have forgotten the export market.

Speed Queen and Maytag/Whirlpool all make 220-240V appliances in order to service the majority of the globe that don't use 110V....


Post# 721515 , Reply# 14   12/16/2013 at 19:58 (3,755 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
220 Volts ?

combo52's profile picture
There has been NOTHING BUILT for US domestic use that is made and labeled for 220 volts in over 1/2 a decade, WP does build export appliances for other voltages, and most of our appliances operate and are built for 120 Volts, not 110.

Post# 721521 , Reply# 15   12/16/2013 at 20:26 (3,755 days old) by darthwolf ()        
W/D Combo

I confess i had my doubts about the combo units.... However i am living in an apartment that does not have traditional hookups at all. Other apartments in the area have hookups that are on the outside of the apartment of home ( Personally i think it is stupid to do this without some form of protection for your unit .... and i would not want to spend a couple of grand$$$ on a machine for it to be stolen) I purchased an LG washer/dryer combo with the portable hook up kit and I LOVE IT !!!!
Granted there are limitations to the units ( the drying feature) but if they are used correctly they have been a lifesaver !!!!


Post# 721522 , Reply# 16   12/16/2013 at 20:32 (3,755 days old) by darthwolf ()        
W/D combo 2

In operation....

Post# 721523 , Reply# 17   12/16/2013 at 20:35 (3,755 days old) by darthwolf ()        
W/D combo

If anyone is interested let me know i will film the unit in operation. : )

Post# 721565 , Reply# 18   12/17/2013 at 01:39 (3,755 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        

laundromat's profile picture
Yes,please do! I sold tons of the LG Combos. Most of them were the bigger twenty seven inch models. Not one of them was ever returned.

Post# 721573 , Reply# 19   12/17/2013 at 02:58 (3,754 days old) by darthwolf ()        
Response to Laundromat

Greetings

Yes i did almost by the larger unit but at the time i thought that the smaller one would be more manageable for me. I have not been disappointed with my unit. What other experiences with the combo unit could you share?


Post# 721609 , Reply# 20   12/17/2013 at 11:06 (3,754 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Combo!

peteski50's profile picture
I have the same exact LG combo WM3455HW and I like it. The drying is slow but I hang up a lot of things anyway. I got it at PC Richard when I used to work their and got $300 off at employee discount. This one works better than the origional larger unit I had about 6 years back. Their was many service issues with that larger unit. Plus their was no one that serviced these issues at that time. Now I think the larger unit was discontinued.
It is still disappointing that no USA company will make a full size combo. I still think they wont do it because they are making good money on the dryers. It is also ashame they stopped making the frigmores. I now work at home depot and some customers are requesting full size washers that will fit under a standard counter. That frigmore would have also made a great combo!
Peter


Post# 721653 , Reply# 21   12/17/2013 at 16:02 (3,754 days old) by joe_in_philly (Philadelphia, PA, USA)        

joe_in_philly's profile picture
So, based on this video and the campaign funds raised, I don't have much confidence the Equator Hybrid will actually be produced. The idea sounds good, but the presentation and mock-up machine leaves a lot to be desired.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO joe_in_philly's LINK


Post# 721677 , Reply# 22   12/17/2013 at 17:57 (3,754 days old) by warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        

I looked at their web site. It seems to me that the combo with the vent/condenser choice is available at present and is separate from the "Hybrid" being worked on. Have I misread?

I had an Equator 1600 (3600?) bought in '01. I loved it and had no problems except for the infamous lint build-up that drastically reduced drying efficiency. Had I stayed in that situation longer I'd've bought the matching (vented) 120v dryer that was then available. My plan was to wash at full capacity then put half the clothes into the separate dryer and let both run at the same time to increase throughput.

Perhaps Darthwolf could stack a separate condensing dryer (I believe I've seen on-line both 120 and 240 volt models) on top of his LG combo and do the same? As a long-term side benefit, doing this would reduce the amount of lint to be cleaned out of the ducts of the LG. This lint issue has been noted at length elsewhere on the web.

I know Equator has a bad reputation, but I had no problems with it of any kind. When I moved I gave the unit to a friend-of-a-friend and last I heard it was still going strong with zero problems except for having to lift the lid and clean the lint out a few times per year.

Just my 2 cents. ;-)


Post# 721743 , Reply# 23   12/18/2013 at 00:58 (3,754 days old) by darthwolf ()        
W/D combo

I heard about that issue where lint buildup was a problem for these units. I use CLR in my unit with the "tub clean" cycle once a month .... then i run it through a second "tub clean" cycle without anything. My family back in KS all have front loaders and use CLR very faithfully and we never had a problem. I really don't place too much faith in those tub clean tablets or packages ( plus they are expensive !!!)

In the future if i get the matching LG dryer and have the traditional hook ups i might do that.... I am also weighing the option to see if there is a condensing dryer that runs on a 120 v. available.


Post# 721764 , Reply# 24   12/18/2013 at 06:13 (3,753 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

"There has been NOTHING BUILT for US domestic use that is made and labeled for 220 volts in over 1/2 a decade, WP does build export appliances for other voltages, and most of our appliances operate and are built for 120 Volts, not 110."

" we do not even have 220 volts in this country, nothing built in this country in over 60 years has been built for 220 volts,"

Could you clarify this, please? Are you talking about washing machines only, because electric ranges, clothes dryers, AC units, water heaters and some heaters operate on 220 volts.




Post# 721781 , Reply# 25   12/18/2013 at 08:06 (3,753 days old) by washman (o)        
Even so,

"Every manufacturer uses them, even Speed Queen. They certainly seem to work okay in their commercial machines. "

Probably because commercial machines are not built to a price point and they are expected to run 24/7/365.

But not every manufacturer uses them on all their machines.



Post# 721909 , Reply# 26   12/18/2013 at 21:21 (3,753 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Have A 220v Condenser Dryer

launderess's profile picture
Well actually the panel says 200v-240v but we're not on that right now; and it takes ages to dry an average load from my Miele. Cannot imagine how long eleven or even six pounds of laundry would take in a 120v condenser dryer.

Unless you are trying to hide the evidence of a dryer from a landlord or something those compact Whilpool/Kenmore or other brands vented dryers are faster IMHO.


Post# 721983 , Reply# 27   12/19/2013 at 09:24 (3,752 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
200, 208, 220, 230, 240 Volts

combo52's profile picture
In the US we have 120volts comming from regular outlets and 240 volts for heavy appliances, there are also some areas that have 120-208 volts if your home has a 3 phase power supply.

Appliances built here for US use are labeled 120-240 volts, many are also labeled
120-208 or 240 volts which means they will work on the lower 208 voltage at slightly reduced output in the case of central A/Cs and significantly reduced heat output [ 25% reduction ] in electric ranges, dryers and electric water heaters etc.

While we generally do not have any control about the voltage at our homes it certainly looks and sounds better when talking to others and giving advice if you actually know the facts.

In our service we see problems when customers are using European appliances [ mainly electric ranges and clothes dryers that are rated for 200-220 volts, when these appliances are used on 240 volts we see a lot of heater and safety fuse failures.


Post# 721985 , Reply# 28   12/19/2013 at 10:19 (3,752 days old) by hoover1100 (U.K.)        
220v problems on 240v supply

The UK has a 240v power supply, mainland Europe has 220v power supply. Since the late 80s this has been referred to as 230v to standardise things. In reality though, the UK still has a 240v supply and mainland Europe is still on 220v. Electrical goods sold here are sold without modifications accross Europe and I have neve head of appliances failing more in the UK than other European Countries, they just pull slightly higher wattages here.

Matt


Post# 722045 , Reply# 29   12/19/2013 at 16:00 (3,752 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
One saving grace from European condenser and one assumes vented dryers is they do tend to run on lower heat and not "fry" one's clothing like some American electric dryers could or still do for all one knows. IIRC most EU dryers top out at <3500 watts, while USA electric dryers are in the 4K to over 5K watt range IIRC.


@Combo

You have no idea how much bother those EU ranges and other kitchen appliance that require electric heating elements cause some Manhattan kitchen renovations. They often pull way more juice than many older buildings have for entire apartments much less just the kitchen. One assumes this is because in Manhattan at least gas is the preferred or often found for cooking so there aren't "range" circuits on the panel already.



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