Thread Number: 57322  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
Can I rewire my 208/240V Bosch Washer to run on 120V?
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 796519   11/29/2014 at 20:41 (3,406 days old) by david (CA)        

I only need to hook up a washer and don't want to rewire the house in order to hook this up. Can I rewire it? Can I use a step up transformer to get it to 240V? I don't see why it should need three phases. I have both a hot and cold water hook ups so it doesn't need to heat anything. The washer shouldn't need so much power. Maybe it's just working off the 120V, 20A anyway and the 240V is for the ventless dryer it is usually paired with. Any help with this would be fantastic.

Thanks,
David





Post# 796520 , Reply# 1   11/29/2014 at 20:46 (3,406 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

Does the house have a 240 volt dryer outlet you could use?

Post# 796523 , Reply# 2   11/29/2014 at 21:07 (3,406 days old) by cuffs054 (MONTICELLO, GA)        

David, be careful not to confuse 220V with 3 phase. They are two different animals that may or may not have mated.

Post# 796579 , Reply# 3   11/30/2014 at 03:53 (3,406 days old) by glenfieldmathk1 (Glenfield-Leicester-UK)        

You could always plug it in and see what happens.
It will be using 240/220V for the heater, the rest is probably only running of 110V or less anyway! As You've said - hot water enters anyway, so it should be fine. Its not like your plugging a 110V into a 240V plug which could be a disaster!


Post# 796581 , Reply# 4   11/30/2014 at 04:19 (3,406 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
What's the model number of this particular Bosch?

Post# 796598 , Reply# 5   11/30/2014 at 07:06 (3,406 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        
Well...

The US Bosches are AFAIK pretty much simmilar to an EU Bosch. This means PCB, motor, valves, pump and everything else runs at 220V.
But if you hook it up on 110V, it should either somehow work or (depending on the age of the machine) give you an error code or do nothing at all.
A step-up transformer should work, given your electric system can carry the load (it should pull about 10A maximum at 220V).
And keep in mind that this washer might use the heater anyway, even if you hook it up to hot water.


Post# 796727 , Reply# 6   11/30/2014 at 20:07 (3,406 days old) by david (CA)        

Wow! I got so many responses. And so quickly. Thank you for all the input. Seems like the best option is to buy a step up transformer and give it a go. This has been a huge help. I'll let you guys know what happens.


Post# 796729 , Reply# 7   11/30/2014 at 20:16 (3,406 days old) by david (CA)        

The model # is WFL2060UC.


Post# 796733 , Reply# 8   11/30/2014 at 20:39 (3,405 days old) by jerrod6 (Southeastern Pennsylvania)        

I wouldn't even try it.  I have a 220V Miele and everything down to the fill valves are 220V.  I would just pay to run a 220V line to the machine and be done with it.  Plus 220V provides faster heating and I think it actually uses a bit less energy than 120V. 

 

My washer uses the heater even if you select a warm wash, because it is located in an unheated basement so in the winter whatever hot water enters is immediately cooled down once it hits the drum and clothes. 

 

If you rather not,  then try the step up transformer.  I think this is what the 120V Mieles have inside of them anyway.


Post# 796761 , Reply# 9   12/1/2014 at 01:22 (3,405 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture
220V operates more efficiently than 120 does

Post# 796763 , Reply# 10   12/1/2014 at 02:38 (3,405 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
You Cannot Run 120v/208v-240v Miele Appliances

launderess's profile picture
On a step-up transformer. If it was just a case of pure 220v (or whatever) power then perhaps. But certain bits of the Miele need that 120v "leg" as it were. You would have to look at the schematic for the particular washing machine in question to determine what powers what.

Post# 796801 , Reply# 11   12/1/2014 at 10:57 (3,405 days old) by iej (.... )        

Miele's machines are (or were) effectively European 230V machines adapted to the US market, rather than being built for it.

I think Bosch's appliances are less likely to be like that.


Post# 796841 , Reply# 12   12/1/2014 at 16:22 (3,405 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
AEG, Asko, Bosch, Fagor and a few other European washers and dryers were all pure 208v-240v. Miele for reasons known to themselves went with American "dryer" type power of 120v/208-240v connection.

IIRC some of the very early Miele units could be made to run purely on 208v-240v power, indeed Miele USA sold conversion parts to do so, but it didn't last.

Ironically Miele's rotary ironers were designed to run on 208v-220v power on either 50hz or 60hz for worldwide sale. Considering those units pulled just as much power for their heaters (about 3kw or so)don't see why the same couldn't have been done for washing machines and dryers.

The other worry is that Miele uses a four prong plug for it's washing machines and dryers. You aren't going to find that on a step-up transformer. You'd have to change the plug on the washer I shouldn't wonder


Post# 796974 , Reply# 13   12/2/2014 at 10:57 (3,404 days old) by iej (.... )        

American electricity is very complicated for major appliances!

Post# 797461 , Reply# 14   12/5/2014 at 00:56 (3,401 days old) by Chetlaham (United States)        

chetlaham's profile picture
Unless the machine has internal 120 volt parts and just 240 for the heater it will not work (heater will have 1/4 the power). 3 phase? That sounds like a classic Euro machine for 230/400Y power.

If you need straight 240 its easy. Most washer circuits by code are dedicated. It just means swapping your single pole with a double pole breaker and changing out the outlet to a 240 volt version (like an American 6-20r). Easy if you know the basics of home wiring. Also make sure the machine is ok with 60Hz.

BTW, do you have an electric dryer plug near by, that is 240?


Post# 797462 , Reply# 15   12/5/2014 at 01:03 (3,401 days old) by Chetlaham (United States)        

chetlaham's profile picture
Just to add 240 is not more efficient than 120 in terms of power billed. Watts are watts no matter what. However, if you toss in a transformer, that will take up power even when the machine isn't running. Also, check the machine wattage when using a step up transformer. A 20amp 120 volt outlet can only supply 2400 watts max. Euro circuits tend to be 16amps at 230 volts so some Euro machines do pull more than 2400 watts.

Considering the size, cost and weight of a large transformer rewiring the wall socket for 240 is the best option IMO.


Post# 797519 , Reply# 16   12/5/2014 at 11:03 (3,401 days old) by iej (.... )        

That being said the UK and Irish outlets limit things to 13amps @ 230V. That's actually often a lowest common denominator for European products as they don't design multiple variants. So machines usually don't go beyond 3000W and most seem to be less than 2800W.

Post# 797539 , Reply# 17   12/5/2014 at 13:16 (3,401 days old) by Chetlaham (United States)        

chetlaham's profile picture
Very good info! The British plugs are 13 amps and fused due to the ring main, even though Schukos can handle more. So the 2800 3000 watt explanation makes a lot of sense.

If the OPs machine is no more than 3000 watts that will be perfect. 3000/240= 12.5 amps, so no need for larger wire. Same circuit will do.


Post# 797563 , Reply# 18   12/5/2014 at 16:41 (3,401 days old) by david (CA)        

It works! Great your input, everyone. I'll just have to turn the transformer off when I'm not using it.

Thanks


Post# 797567 , Reply# 19   12/5/2014 at 17:23 (3,401 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
As One Said Previously

launderess's profile picture
WFL2060UC is made by Bosch and is a "pure" 208v-240v washing machine. That is it has a three prong "European" plug versus the four for a Miele. That being said as one mentioned such machines in theory will run on a step-up transformer.

According to specs the unit pulls 2200 watts which is just shy of the max you can safely get from a 15amp 120v, especially for long periods of usage.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Launderess's LINK


Post# 797576 , Reply# 20   12/5/2014 at 19:06 (3,401 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Watts are Watts

launderess's profile picture
Main benefit for using 208v-240v for heating in washers, dryers, and ironers is that it will get you to the desired temperature faster and recover sooner than 120v.

If the target temperature say is 140F and you are starting from 40F either 120v or 220v (or whatever) will get you there, the question is how fast. However it is not a matter of saving power by using higher wattage. You still are going to need the same amount of energy to reach that temp regardless. It is perfectly possible to reach boil wash temps using 120v power from cold water. It will take ages but you will still get there.

There is nothing my Pfaff ironer at 3kW at 220v does better than my vintage Frigidaire does at 1.7kW at 120v except reach the desired temp faster and recover quickly.

The other thing of course is there are limits to how much power you can get from the outlet/wiring. In theory you can push a 120v outlet to run at 100% capacity for long periods of time, but I shouldn't think it will like it over the long run. You would really have to know what is going on with the wires inside the walls and such. If lucky the things were over engineered to take some abuse.


Post# 797640 , Reply# 21   12/6/2014 at 03:12 (3,400 days old) by Chetlaham (United States)        

chetlaham's profile picture
In terms of energy well said!

Circuits can be pushed to 100% as long as nothing else is on them loading them beyond 100%. There is an 80% rule in the code for things that run over 3 hours, but its more (though no one will say it) around circuit breakers accumulating heat in commercial electrical panels where every circuit is near the max. In residential nothing will happen pushing a breaker to 100% 24/7.

Basically to the OP it goes down like this:

14 gauge wire is good for 15 amps

12 gauge wire is 20 amps

10 gauge wire is good for 30amps

As long as the breaker matches the wires all is ok. :D



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy