washing machine problem

[beau]

another problem?
I have 800 amp hours of AGM batteries and a 3000/6000 watt inverter.
The system runs the air conditioner 9,000btu easily, only using 50 amps at powerup. It also runs a convection microwave at 112 amps.
I purchased a 3kg washing machine made for the r/v industry by Dometic (sweden) It runs on shore power but will NOT run through the inverter.
Any suggestions.

[scotte]

What are the symptoms? I.e. washer won't turn on, or inverter shuts down, or? I don't have any ideas, but a more specific problem statement might help narrow it down...

[beau]

It works ok under mains power which in this country is 240 volt.
The inverter works the air con 9,000btu and a convection microwave OK.
When I switch on the dometic washing machine the lights on the dial flash but nothing happens.
Could it be that I need a pure sine inverter?

[scotte]

It's possible that the electronics on the washing machine don't like the inverter's power. You could try the old trick of turning on a hairdryer and then see if the washing machine will turn on ok. A buddy of mine has to do that to run his microwave. Not suggesting this is necessarily a good thing to do, but might help aid in narrowing down the problem.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by beau

Could it be that I need a pure sine inverter?

That's a possibility. If you could borrow a pure sine wave inverter and test it you will know.

[Tellie]

Please don't mention washing machines on board sailboats, my wife reads these posts too.

[Whimsical]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Please don't mention washing machines on board sailboats, my wife reads these posts too.

Ok lets discuss dryers and dishwashers instead
Mike

[senormechanico]

Only 3kg? Must be all Carbon Fiber.

I have a Splendide washer/dryer on board (Italian made). It DOES require a pure sine wave power source. With a psuedo-sine wave inverter the power-on light MIGHT SOMETIMES come on, but it does not run. The manufacturer has confirmed the need for pure power.

I have to say I was sceptical, but it has been a GREAT addition. Uses a total of 13 gallons of water for a wash and rinse, and when away from dock power we line dry everything, and power use is actually quite low.

We did not upgrade the inverter, but rather use the washer only when running the generator to charge the batteries. A very workable solution--for us.

Bill

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Only 3kg? Must be all Carbon Fiber.

That would be the load capacity. I think there is also a 2 kg machine available from Lemair, which is also popular with RV ers.

[beau]

Yes, it has a load capacity of 3 kg.
One of the "problems" is I have put on board TOO much stuff.
But I am not very interested in cruising on my own.
The other issue is we are currently at a marina (with mains power) but they will not let us discharge from the washing machine.
I will check with the manufacturer Dometic, but I think I need pure sine.

[scotte]

This thread got me wondering... Has anyone run a Splendide or other washer off a small Fischer Panda genset? I'm not that familiar with these generators, but I thought the smaller ones (like the 4KVA model) are not pure sine wave.

[David M]

Some things just wont work off modified square wave inverters. I learned this the hard way with my first inverter. AC motors, "wall warts" and computer PSU's were negatively affected.

[David M]

Originally Posted by scotte

This thread got me wondering... Has anyone run a Splendide or other washer off a small Fischer Panda genset? I'm not that familiar with these generators, but I thought the smaller ones (like the 4KVA model) are not pure sine wave.

If the genset turns an electric motor (which they all do) then it is a true sinewave. The cheap inverters are nothing more than a DC wave with the corners chopped off the wave form.

[Seeratlas]

One suggestion for those with washer/dryers on board. Get an old fashioned roller/squeezer and make up a temp mounting in the head or a sink near your washer. You can halve or better your drying time by squeezing as much water out after the wash as possible. At sea, you'll find the drier part more important than the washer as there's nothing like fresh DRY clothes when coming in off a cold wet watch. You can find these rollers at farm supply type outlets.

seer