Maytag mvwp575gw ATC Update -- The Good, Bad, and Ugly.
*****
Is there a way to combine the hot and cold main faucets in a washer outlet box to one? Then I can run a Y connection to the Maytag and just control the temperature from the main faucet (like I do for my portable washer when hooked to the kitchen sink). ATC would have to be disabled.
The Good
I have a gas water heater that is set at approximately 120 degrees F and tested the Maytag mvwp575gw with ATC enabled. Hot hose is connected to hot inlet valve, and the cold hose is connected to the cold inlet valve.
With ATC enabled for the main cycles (Bulky, Delicates, Mixed, and Powerwash), I am getting close to 120 degrees F. for a hot wash and around 100 degrees F. for a warm wash using a candy thermometer to check the temperature. When observing the fill portion of the wash cycle, it does not switch back and forth between filling with hot and cold water. Can someone else test this?
Hot is TOO hot to keep my hand in the water. Warm would be a good temperature for a bath. The temperatures work well for me, and I can use bleach or Lysol laundry sanitizer when needed. Increasing the temperature of the hot water heater increases the risk of water burns and my bill.
The Bad
Selecting Presoak, Extra Rinse, or Presoak/Extra Rinse for the Normal "Eco" cycle results in not only a full tub wash and full tub rinse (and extra rinse if selected) but also REAL HOT water. Go figure. Sigh.
The Ugly
However, Normal "Eco" hot and warm are noticeably lower when no other options are selected!!! :-( . Since this is the only half tub wash fill, this may be an issue for consumers.
More details.
This washer does seem to alternate between EITHER the hot OR cold valve to achieve the target temperature. I ran a "Warm" wash cycle. If I turn off the cold valve, no water will come into the tub when the cold valve is activated. If I turn off the hot valve, no water comes into the tub when the washer activates that valve. In other words, it does not appear to be mixing hot and cold at the same time for any cycle even Normal "Eco". It alternates back and forth between letting cold or hot water into the tub.
_____
The confusion occurred because I had a portable washer hooked up and had mixed a hot and cold line for it. The cold water was turned off from the main faucet, but the Maytag was pulling water from that mixed line from the other washer. There was no shutoff valve between the mixed line for the portable washer and the Maytag's cold inlet valve. Therefore, it *seemed* like just turning off the main cold faucet would work for getting hot water into the tub for a Normal cycle even without mixing a line. It goes downhill from here.
_____
The shutoff needs to be on that part of the hose itself that needs to be controlled and not just the main faucets. However, I would not use the brass Ys with the levers that are designed for cold water and outdoor use for this.
If you want to control the temperature for the Normal "Eco" cycle, the only way I can think to do this is to mix a hot and cold line to the cold inlet valve. There must be shutoff valves approved for indoor and hot water use on each of those lines. If you want a Normal "Eco" hot wash, you need to turn off the cold shutoff. If you want a Normal "Eco" warm wash, you can leave both on. IMPORTANT: Incoming water temperature greater than 104 degrees F (most likely for a "Hot" Normal "Eco" wash only) requires relocating the thermistor, so it reads the air instead of water temperature. Relocating the thermisor also means you will have to manually adjust the hot and cold tap to achieve the desired temp for the main cycles too. It may be easier just to use that mixed line for warm Normal "Eco" washes only.
After the washer fills for the wash portion of the cycle, remember to turn off the hot shutoff valve on this mixed line unless you want a warm rinse.
The hot valve on this mixed line should be turned off when selecting Bulky, Delicates, Mixed, or Powerwash. Otherwise the hot valve may be pulling from this mixed line too (which includes a connection to the cold).
The other option is coming up with a safe way just to run hot water from a hose manually into the washer. Start the wash cycle's fill. Pause. Manually fill. Unpause.
It may just be easier to use the portable washer I have for those smaller loads. I am finding it harder to part with even though it was originally purchased for my daughter to use at her apt.
The lack of temperature control for the only half tub cycle that only has a spray rinse will be a deal breaker for many now that the Speed Queen TC5 is out.