The spin speed of our Maytag is supposed to by 1000RPM.  Serious Gs are generated at the 1ft radius.  (Yes, I'm too lazy to actually calculate it).

...Alan

-----Original Message-----
From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu] On Behalf Of Carl Denk
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 3:29 PM
To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public.
Subject: Re: [EE] - Water saving - was - Legacy ports for peopleplayingwithelectronics

Was said:
> In modern top loading machines that I am aware of the drive,
> whether of agitator or drum, is provided by a direct drive multiphase motor.
In our say 10 year old Maytag top loader, the drum (rotates for spin
cycle) and agitator set on top of a a gearbox. Rotates one direction for
spin, and other direction for agitate. The ordinary looking reversible
AC motor drives the gearbox with a V-belt.
> Re spinning - I'd think that, once spinning with any speed, the g forces in
> a horizontal axis machine would balance the load nicely around the drum and
> that there would be relatively minimal torque variations during the cycle. g
> forces are easily calculated - but I haven't done it (how fast DO they
> spin?)
>
The spin might be more than 60 RPM probably, and is sufficient to cause
an out of balance condition. Clothes like a large load of bath towels or
bedding occasionally bunches together toward one side, and a limit
switch will shut down the washer including a loud warning buzzer. The
motor, etc. is sized sufficiently that loading does not create a low
speed condition.

The water level, temperature, and water saver are all manually selectable

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