Thread Number: 89650  /  Tag: Modern Dryers
Fisher and Paykel Topload dryer (Post images below)
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Post# 1142544   2/18/2022 at 21:55 (790 days old) by Smartdrive1100 (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)        

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Hi everyone,
I would love to see everyone’s F&P TP dryer as I am planning to get one. I would like to know more about them.





Post# 1142561 , Reply# 1   2/19/2022 at 05:09 (789 days old) by Easyspindry (Winston-Salem, NC)        
I've had one for 15 years . . .

Love it!!!

It's gas fired and has worked beautifully the entire time. The tub rotation reverses every few minutes, thus there's no tangling or balling up of the clothing. This is especially useful when drying bedsheets.

I am unable to include a picture because I am not at home at this time.

The dryer looks exactly like the matching washer because it is loaded from the top.

If the interest in a picture of the dryer remains, I will be happy to provide one when I return home the middle of March.

Jerry Gay


Post# 1142563 , Reply# 2   2/19/2022 at 06:16 (789 days old) by Smartdrive1100 (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)        
Would love some photos!

smartdrive1100's profile picture
Seem like there is plenty still doing hard work,

I’ve heard that the bearings are known to fail and that they require 3 phase power (which I don’t have).

I was wondering if I could use it on single phase on air dry and low heat or would that trip my 9 amp fuse.


Post# 1142565 , Reply# 3   2/19/2022 at 06:56 (789 days old) by gizmo (Victoria, Australia)        

Were they sold in Australia? I thought they were US market only??

 

Not 3 phase power supply - they use a 3-phase motor, but it uses its own internal electronics to create the 3 phase supply to its motor, the power supply to the machine is single phase.


Post# 1142595 , Reply# 4   2/19/2022 at 14:55 (789 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
I bought a SmartLoad DEGX1 in Oct 2004 (with an IWL12 washer).  Repaired a bad heating element and cleared lint accumulation from the filter/blower housing in 2014.

I found an LED AquaSmart / AeroSmart DE62T27D pair in August 2018.  Converted them to LCD models by changing the control panels and have been using them as the "daily drivers" since that time.  Passed the DEGX1 to my parents.

Have found two more SmartLoads DE62T27G with matching Eco Smart washers.

So, I have four topload dryers ... two in-use, two spares not yet refurbished.

Two IWL12 Intuitive Eco washers, a WL26CW1 AquaSmart, a WL37T26CW2 AquaSmart, and two WA37T26C Eco Smart washers (not yet refurbished).


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Post# 1142596 , Reply# 5   2/19/2022 at 14:57 (789 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Post# 1142615 , Reply# 6   2/19/2022 at 16:43 (789 days old) by rapunzel (Sydney)        

"Were they sold in Australia?"

Yes they were. Albeit only for a short while. Australian home laundries are not set up for gas or electric dryers that require a 20 amp outlet. If consumers want that, it costs lots of additional $$$. That is why here in Oz American full-size washer dryer pairs are primarily found in commercial operations, such as hairdressers, mining operations, caravan parks or residential settings like nursing homes.

Speed Queen and Maytag are primarily targeting commercial clients with their matching washer/dryer pairs. There probably wasn't enough demand for F&P's TL dryer to make it viable long-term here, unfortunately.

Unlike the US, in Australia appliance manufacturers never paired up with home building companies to furnish Australian houses with their products. Now we do not even have an appliance industry, only whatever stuff importers decide they want to sell here.


Post# 1142643 , Reply# 7   2/19/2022 at 20:30 (789 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Sheets cycle.  Cool down starts at 36 mins, ends at 43:24 and the anti-wrinkle function begins but it runs for only one tumble at 48:20 before I end the recording.  I apparently had the load spin at low speed or they would have dried faster.






Post# 1142652 , Reply# 8   2/20/2022 at 01:50 (788 days old) by Brisnat81 (Brisbane Australia)        

The issue in AU was that they needed a 32amp circuit and to be hard wired. A 20amp dryer circuit is rare a 32amp dryer circuit is non existent.

I wanted one, but the cost of running a circuit was almost as much as the dryer.


Post# 1142654 , Reply# 9   2/20/2022 at 02:06 (788 days old) by Smartdrive1100 (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)        

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Wow,

Seems like they are almost as easy to rip apart like their top load washers.

I wonder if there is a way to make the bearings last longer, maybe put some very high quality synthetic motor oil on the bearings?


Post# 1142670 , Reply# 10   2/20/2022 at 11:00 (788 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)        

The F&P top load dryer was my favorite of all the dryers I have ever owned. We had it in our family for over 18 years, and during that time, it only needed 2 very minor service calls, both to reset a circuit breaker. We learned from those that we had to ensure a clean and fairly straight exhaust path, as this beauty loved to breathe freely.

Post# 1142678 , Reply# 11   2/20/2022 at 11:59 (788 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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There's a resettable overheat protector thermostat on front of the heaterbox.  Reply 5, Pic 3, the thermostat with a red button on green background.  The thermostat above it and the one on lower-front of the heaterbox are to limit the input air temperature to the drum depending which element(s) are active.  A thermistor on the blower outflow housing controls the target drying temperature.

Two heating elements per Pic 10.  1,400 watts and 3,600 watts.  The larger element operates alone for Low and Medium temp.  Both for High temp.  The smaller operates alone in reverse-tumble direction (lower airflow rate).

Gas heating has differences accordingly.


Post# 1142703 , Reply# 12   2/21/2022 at 00:12 (788 days old) by Smartdrive1100 (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)        
You can change tub speeds!?

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Is changing the tub speed some programmable thing or does it come as one of the settings?

Post# 1142714 , Reply# 13   2/21/2022 at 08:49 (787 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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There's no user adjustment settings for the motor RPM.  The motor is reversing and variable speed.  The controller operates it accordingly to the required function ... closing the drum door, finding "home" position if necessary to prepare for opening, opening the drum door, forward tumble, and reverse tumble for 40 seconds every 4 mins.  Forward and reverse tumble seem to be the same speeds.  Airflow is lower in reverse due to the blower wheel design being optimal for forward direction.


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Post# 1142733 , Reply# 14   2/21/2022 at 14:25 (787 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

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That design actually makes a lot of sense, especially for older people and those with back problems.


Post# 1142747 , Reply# 15   2/21/2022 at 18:38 (787 days old) by iej (.... )        
Just a similar design...

There's a French Vedette very compact top loader condenser dryer - video is of one these machines being dismantled. These are relatively cheap machines.

 




 

These were pretty unique to the French market, I haven't seen them sold much anywhere else. France has always had an option of narrow, taller top loader h-axis washing machines and dryers which were aimed at compact old apartments. The majority of machines sold in France, however, are the same type front loaders as the rest of Europe.

 




This post was last edited 02/21/2022 at 19:25
Post# 1142866 , Reply# 16   2/22/2022 at 18:56 (786 days old) by iej (.... )        

Just to add, had a Google around yesterday and it seems Vedette was probably the last company to make those machines. They’re no longer manufactured and actually seems they may also have been the last french washing machine producer. The Brandt, Vedette and De Dietrich appliances brands are just brands nowadays.
Same with other french brands like Scholtès who used to make very premium cooktops, possibly still do, but they’re all part of bigger groups or brand acquisition outfits.

It’s getting very hard to keep track of who owns what brands these days.


Post# 1142895 , Reply# 17   2/23/2022 at 03:31 (785 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

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La Mère Denis was "spokesperson" for Vedette washing machines in 1970's. A traditional French blanchisseuse (washer woman), one supposes Vedette sought to reassure French housewives their laundry would receive same treatment. Going by how Mère Denis is whacking away at that linen one really should hope not.


enenvor.fr/eeo_actu/apresW/la_mer...









www.francebleu.fr/emissio...

Last time one checked Vedette was purchased by CEVITAL

www.cevital.com/brandt-al...



Post# 1142913 , Reply# 18   2/23/2022 at 11:04 (785 days old) by iej (.... )        

Just as long as it didn’t have « La programme Mère Dénis avec action pulvérisation totale »

They also did a very practical, fully upholstered top loader aimed at bijoux apartments or those who wanted something dedicated to just lingerie cycles, styled by designer Chantal Thomass. I’m not sure if La Mère Denis would have approved, but then again she might have thought it was great, who knows?

The taller, narrower design is also genuinely practical if you just want to make the laundry fit into a small space, out of the way and not be something that any particular bother. Those machines turn the tub around 90° and rearrange the machine so there more height / depth and less width.

Here’s one being installed on an English Narrowboat (canal barge - used for leisure trips.) Despite the very compact size, they’re a capable machine and can manage a fairly respectable amount of laundry in one wash. The only downside is the double doors, although some designs ensure the drum always returns to the correct position etc (Miele for example).






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This post was last edited 02/23/2022 at 11:30
Post# 1142914 , Reply# 19   2/23/2022 at 11:15 (785 days old) by iej (.... )        

Voilà - cuisinière combiné avec lave-vaisselle:

By Rosières

(Also available with induction, or gas burners or a mix of both.)

And, it even has a rotisserie!

France still has one or two quite interesting appliance designs. The combination stove dishwasher is something I’ve never seen anywhere else and honestly, it kind of makes sense if you’re just renting a little studio while discovering yourself in Paris or something… or if you’re just down the country, hanging out in a little place for the summer and just need to do a rotisserie and wash some plates and wine glasses and don’t want the hassle of separate appliances. Dishwasher and oven just slot into the same space as a standard slot in stove. All you need is a water and drain hookup.

It means you can have a small dishwasher without all the fuss of reorganising an old (possibly historic) kitchen.

love the way you can still find some of these unusual appliances in France. It makes things interesting.


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This post was last edited 02/23/2022 at 11:59
Post# 1142924 , Reply# 20   2/23/2022 at 14:04 (785 days old) by Logixx (Germany)        
Never heard of Rosières

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but I know this appliances as the Candy Trio.

Post# 1142947 , Reply# 21   2/23/2022 at 19:00 (785 days old) by iej (.... )        

Same owner. Afaik the Candy ones were made by the French plant. Production there only ended in 2021 after the Haier take over of Candy. Seems they are moving Rosières to higher rung of the ladder to distinguish it from Candy. I think they may be using the same strategy for Hoover in some markets too.

I actually think Candy’s quality has gone up since Haier took other which is quite an indictment of where they had drifted to.



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Post# 1142978 , Reply# 22   2/23/2022 at 23:56 (785 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

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Love my toplader AEG for many of reasons noted in that YT vid. You can see why French homes, in particular flats, like these sort of washing machines. Never understood why top loading H-axis washers never really took off outside of France and few other European countries. Of course in North America there have been top/side loading "pony" commercial washing machines for ages.

One thing YT reviewer didn't mention, and perhaps it doesn't apply to his washer, is that by filling with warm or even hot water throws off washer's programming. Thus the confused appliance will shorten wash cycle (basically substracting portion of cycle allotted for heating water), and get rid of certain other bits as well.

Both my AEG washers will do this and it's sort of a pain in summer when tap cold water is quite warm. Not only will washers abort heating portion of cycle, but usually last ten or so minutes of recirculation spraying is gone as well.

As for balance of YT reviewer's comments, they were spot on regarding energy use.

Plenty of boat owners of all sorts face issues regarding running modern washing machines on "ship" power. This was less of an issue with older washers with electro-mechanical controls where temps could be set independent of cycle, and or were dual hot/cold fill.


Post# 1142987 , Reply# 23   2/24/2022 at 05:39 (784 days old) by Smartdrive1100 (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)        

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I never knew that another brand made top loading dryers, interesting.

Post# 1142991 , Reply# 24   2/24/2022 at 06:26 (784 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        

The TL dryers as shown are no longer being made.
The last model was a condenser and discontinued many years ago from what I know.

On Laundress's comment:
If an EU washer is made for hot fill, it will say that and have 2 fill ports.
Otherwise, the machine will run into errors in its logic and thus behave erratically.

Main reason H-axis TLs don't catch on is that they are overall worse performers in ways.
They generally have smaller drums even at the same footprint.
They are considered more of a hazzle as they aren't terribly ergonomic and fiddling with additional lids isn't well liked.
And they generally use more water per kg as their sump and tub design can't be as optimized as a normal FL.

Once you try to size these up reaching down into the drum becomes harder and harder.
The loading opening is relatively small.

It's really more of a niche product as a normal FL offers more general performance and convenience for less cost overall.



That said the Miele and Electrolux desings for these have largely been unchanged for decades now and are both very good for what they are.

Electrolux makes the only ultra high speed spin washer in that format and has a ridiculously easy bearing exchange system so that basically anybody can change them out in a matter of minutes.

Mieles are obscenely durable and efficient. Quiet and heavy. And most like a normal FL to use IMO.


Post# 1142992 , Reply# 25   2/24/2022 at 06:38 (784 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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Not only the topload dryers have disappeared from the market, but also the topload combo's that were so popular for small Paris apartments. I guess they couldn't be made efficient enough to the latest standards. But the demise of this particular appliance means that there is no substitute for the only combo that some Parisians depend on.

Post# 1142994 , Reply# 26   2/24/2022 at 07:09 (784 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        
Top load combo

Yeah, they were both made by Brand, the dryer and the combo.

I think they later had that design made by Fagor as they carried the TL dryers aswell.
Then Fagor went under and with it both designs.


Though slim depth dryers started to become a thing recently and while not a direct replacement, they can be put even more wherever compared to normal compact dryers (I've seen quite a few people buy slim depth dryers and putting them in hallways).


Post# 1142996 , Reply# 27   2/24/2022 at 07:14 (784 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        
Also just remembered

There are several pretty decent slim depth combos that take the space of a TL, just with an FL loading door (so 45cm deep).

Post# 1142998 , Reply# 28   2/24/2022 at 07:54 (784 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

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Don't forget Whirlpool top loading H-axis washers.

Almost nabbed one, it was here stateside being sold by a French family who brought it over from France in a house move, but were going back and didn't want it any longer.

Should have gone ahead and taken the thing, if for nothing else but fun. But was going through it with the AEG/Electrolux at the time, and thus had hands full.


www.automaticwasher.org/c...

www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/...

www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/...

www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/...

Whirlpool holds number of patents for top loading washer H-axis for ages now, but they've done little with them far as one can see.

patents.google.com/patent/CA2148...


Zanussi H Axis Jet System Top Loader, Perspex Lid Demo





BOSCH WOH 1010 Toplader






Bauknecht WAT Prime 652







To be fair WP's top loading H-axis is wider, more like industrial side loading washers.


Post# 1142999 , Reply# 29   2/24/2022 at 08:10 (784 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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The Whirlpool models that are available nowadays are exactly the same width as the AEG/Electrolux models, they are both 40cm wide. Miele is 45cm.

Actually the Whirlpool is a relabeled Indesit product just like the latest Bosch and Siemens models and some other brands. Electrolux machines are sold as AEG, Electrolux, Zanussi and some other labels. The difference shows in the detergent dispenser. Dispenser on the lid is an Indesit product. Removable dispenser at the back of the drum is an Electrolux product. There are some more manufacturers (Miele and others), but these two dominate the European toploader market at the moment.

The quality of the Electrolux products is way better than that of the Indesit products.


Post# 1143128 , Reply# 30   2/25/2022 at 15:25 (783 days old) by iej (.... )        

I think the main reasons they didn’t take off is they’re cumbersome to load and unload through that small hatch in the drum. They’ve improved the design, but it’s still a bit fiddly compared to a porthole door.
The older models even had issues with things getting lost down the outside of the drum as there was a significant gap.

The other issue is the fact that they have a top opening and a lot of people prefer machines to be built under countertops. Even in a utility room / laundry room you’ll typically find the machines are under a countertop that gets used for putting things on and you also, obviously, can’t stack them.

I know one french household which had 3 of those top loaders in the garage next to a regular front loader dryer. They just used all three simultaneously to get through a lot of different types of laundry. The whole setup was very compact and flexible compared to one big machine.

They not exclusive to France but they’re very niche in most other markets. I mean I think you can get them here but I think I’ve only ever seen one on display once. In fact, I would say if you encounter a top loader here, it’s much more likely to be a U.S. style agitator machine. There’s always been a niche market for Speedqueen and Whirlpool. Also I have encountered the Australian brand Simpson here. They used to find a lot of use in light commercial contexts like B&Bs etc.

The rise of big capacity front loaders and the poor energy rating of the agitator machines seems to have caused them to all but disappear in recent years. You definitely used to see maybe one model on display in some larger retailers. These days I’m seeing Electrolux Pro and Miele Little Giants in that semi commercial space.

You can definitely still buy Speedqueen gas dryers here though.


Post# 1143142 , Reply# 31   2/25/2022 at 19:58 (783 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

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Don't find using top loading h-axis washer a bother, this even with "two lids". At least to one reaching down often beats having to squat down to load/unload washers with front door or porthole.

Also with my toplader can just take things out and drop into basket, again as opposed to bending over and having to haul things out of drum and dump into basket.

Some of this might come from being an American and thus quite used to top loading washing machines both fully and semi automatic.

Suppose it really all comes down to what tickles one's fancy.


Post# 1143145 , Reply# 32   2/25/2022 at 20:10 (783 days old) by iej (.... )        

It depends. If one has back problems, there are ways of raising a front loader. I’ve seen plenty of laundry rooms here that have a raised plinth for the machines taking them up a couple of feet off the floor. In my grandmothers house it was just a concrete platform in the garage. Slightly awkward if you ever need to service them, but not all that big a deal.

The other factor in this market anyway, I can’t speak for the whole of Europe, was that “top loaders” were generally seen as old fashioned by the 1970s as the first automatics here we’re almost always front loaders. There was one notable exception - a Hotpoint that basically a europeanised ‘Filter Flo’ machine with smaller cabinet to fit a the standard modular “unit” dimensions, an internal heater and a faster spin. However, in general top loaders were associated with semi automatic drudgery and seen as obsolete.

You’d kind of talk about “top loaders” in the same context as “round pin plugs,” Brillo pads, Vim scouring powder, 78s, valve radios and black and white television. If that makes sense?

I’m not saying they are old fashioned just that’s the instant perception.

Top loader tends to trigger this in my head lol :








This post was last edited 02/25/2022 at 20:27
Post# 1143161 , Reply# 33   2/26/2022 at 01:15 (782 days old) by Smartdrive1100 (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)        

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Got a video from someone about a dryer.

Any thoughts about it?


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Smartdrive1100's LINK


Post# 1143170 , Reply# 34   2/26/2022 at 06:52 (782 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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The main reason for the reduced interest in toploaders in Europe is the wish to stack a dryer on top of the washing machine, at least on the European continent where a laundry set often is installed in a bathroom rather than in a kitchen. A stacked frontloader and dryer have a smaller footprint than a topload washing machine and dryer next to eachother. Also the fact that there are no heatpump dryers available as toploader reduced the interest in topload dryers.

I still see a lot of topload washing machines in older people's homes, especially when they line dry everything. You often see it here in houses from the 70's that are on the market. Most of them owned for many years by the same owners. Often a rather new washing machine in a house with a decor from the 70's.


Post# 1143171 , Reply# 35   2/26/2022 at 06:59 (782 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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Here's a picture I posted before. The Siemens topload sets were the first topload combinations.

I told the story before, but I never get tired of telling it. lol

I mailed Fisher & Paykel this picture with some others of topload dryers when they launched their topload dryer. The campaign said it was a world's first. They responded that they would look into the matter. Their campaign was stopped and later they came with a new slogan: The world's first large capacity topload dryer. I guess it's the only time I had a little influence on the white goods market. lol


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Post# 1143175 , Reply# 36   2/26/2022 at 10:23 (782 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Smartdrive1100/Callan, your video link doesn't work.  It appears to be a link to a FB message you received.  I don't think those can be shared as working links, anyone clicking the link would need to be logged-in to *your* FB account to view it.  You'd need to save the video as a file on your computer, then upload it for public view to YouTube or other photo/video-sharing service and provide that view-share link.


Post# 1143180 , Reply# 37   2/26/2022 at 11:25 (782 days old) by iej (.... )        

The use of appliances in bathrooms also varies a lot. It’s basically completely illegal here, and in the U.K.

Our wet area regulations don’t allow any socket outlets, or light switches the you can touch, never mind washing machines, in bathrooms. The only exception is a shaver/toothbrush outlet that is connected via an isolation transformer, and that uses a different two pin plug and that’s limited to providing well under 1 amp.

So washing machines in those kind of areas just never were a thing here. You can’t even use a hairdryer in a bathroom and that’s despite RCDs (GFCI) being mandatory here (later in the U.K.) since the late 1979s sometime.

I would suspect if those top loaders are becoming niche, there’s also a probability that the economies of save aren’t there anymore. I notice a lot of them across multiple competing brands seems to be outsourced to the same plants too. I had a look across some of the French online stores and several machines looked identical.

FagorBrandt/Vedette, wherever they’re being made and despite ownership changes, seems to dominate that market niche in France.



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Post# 1143193 , Reply# 38   2/26/2022 at 13:38 (782 days old) by Logixx (Germany)        

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Ah, yes. I remember all the female exchange students being upset they couldn't use flat irons etc. in their UK dorm bathroom - the only room with a mirror. I was only irritated by two separate faucets for ice water and lava. 😁

Post# 1143198 , Reply# 39   2/26/2022 at 14:28 (782 days old) by Smartdrive1100 (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)        

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DADoES,

Oops, I thought I downloaded it as a video link, perhaps not.

I’ll try and describe it best as I can,

It doesn’t seem to have any big scratches or dints, but the lid and control panel are a bit faded and looks to have crayon marks. It seems to sound normal. It’s the only one listed, should I wait for another one or get this one?


Post# 1143203 , Reply# 40   2/26/2022 at 15:10 (782 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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Washing machines in bathrooms were hardwired here with a special switch with a cord. The switch was installed high up the wall so you couldn't touch it under normal circumstances. This was already done in the late 70's, not sure how it was before.

Nowadays the rules are less strict, I have normal Schuko outlets in the bathroom between the two sinks. I think there is a minimal distance from tub or shower so you can't touch them when you're bathing.



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Post# 1143262 , Reply# 41   2/27/2022 at 03:34 (781 days old) by Smartdrive1100 (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)        
It sold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I’ll guess I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled.

Post# 1143288 , Reply# 42   2/27/2022 at 09:46 (781 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Seems as if they're appreciably scarce on the Aus market similarly to the U.S. so best to grab whatever comes up unless the specimen is too far wrecked.


Post# 1143370 , Reply# 43   2/28/2022 at 02:36 (780 days old) by Smartdrive1100 (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)        

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DADoES,
Little bit late, one might come up in the upcoming weeks.

I’ve put an ad out asking if anyone is wanting to sell, just the waiting game now.


Post# 1143378 , Reply# 44   2/28/2022 at 06:33 (780 days old) by iej (.... )        
Logixx:

Absolutely zero sign of the bathroom rules on wiring here being relaxed. If anything they’re now even stricter. You can’t use any kind of open light fittings, they all have to IP rated. Also a lot more use of extra low voltage for lighting and fans (under 48V).

In kitchens you can no longer install sockets under sinks either, which means dishwashers are often connected to a fused connection unit with a switch, which must be accessible. Historically, dishwashers would have had a plug and socket which was commonly under the sink.

Considering that RCDs have been mandatory here since the late 70s and the number of people killed by electric shocks per year is basically zero, I never quite understand why our regs keep tightening and tightening relative to the continent. It’s at the stage we’re resolving problems nobody has. We’ve always had mandatory shutters. Non grounded sockets were outlawed in the 1930s and aren’t encountered anywhere. You’ve to ground bond all the plumbing, including metal sinks and connect pipe work together with bonding straps and heavy gauge earth wires, just in case. That’s done even between the hot and cold taps under sinks. We’ve just mandated AFCIs (arc fault interrupters) in houses. Use of plastic distribution boards was banned - has to be metal boxes with a door over the breakers now and must be accessible from a wheelchair position basically - so it’s now a flush unit with a door located in a hallway.

We had some interesting discussions with an architect as you can’t install sockets below a minimum height nor light switches above a minimum. Both must be reachable from a sitting position, so in new build all the outlets are rather high up - used to be about a foot from the ground. Now about a meter. The switches are all about the same height as a door handle would be. They used to get about 1.5m up. The net result was that because sockets were so visible, we went for much more expensive fittings.

I can’t speak for the U.K. but the non-mixer tap tradition has definitely died out. There’s literally no reason whatsoever for it in regulations or standards. It was just a thing because it was a thing.

Interestingly Brexit has made non mixer taps hard to get here. The vast majority of fittings available are continental style. There’s a slight issue as the plumbing systems here are often low pressure, large diameter due to the British inspired approach of using gravity fed hot and cold water other than in the kitchen - also finally dying out!

Houses here have a buffer tank in the attic which is filled by the mains and that supplies the feed to the hot water heater and cold water to the bathrooms and toilets. The logic behind it was when Victorian era water mains were small and demand for showers shot up in the early 20th century those tanks provided a buffer between the mains and peak demand. They are a ludicrously complicated work around though and the mains have long since caught up. However, most houses still have double headed pumps boosting pressure to showers and all of that! Only kitchen taps and washing machines / dishwashers are directly connected to the water main.

One of these Grundfos pumps sits under my house - when you turn on a tap or shower it activates with a flow switch and gives you 4 bar pressure and high flow by simultaneously pumping the hot and cold sides of the supply. You’ve no interaction with the pump, but it kicks in the moment you open the tap. There are about 3 companies do them and most homes have them fitted - big heavy brass centrifugal pumps in either end. They connect to the plumbing using braided, sprung, flexible hoses to avoid noise/vibration, but if there installed somewhere silly, you’ll hear them.

You definitely get a very good flow on the showers though!


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This post was last edited 02/28/2022 at 06:48
Post# 1143410 , Reply# 45   2/28/2022 at 15:17 (780 days old) by rapunzel (Sydney)        

"I never quite understand why our regs keep tightening and tightening relative to the continent."

For something to do and to justify their regular paycheques. It's administrative fluff from desk jockeys.



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