> -----Original Message-----
> From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu 
> [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu] On Behalf Of M.L.
> Sent: 26 June 2009 13:52
> To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public.
> Subject: Re: [OT]The water miser washing machine
> 
> My impression is that side-loaders are more efficient because 
> they typically use a direct-drive permanent magnet 
> arrangement where the top-loader uses a multi-speed AC 
> induction motor, some sort of transmission, and a belt drive 
> (variants exist)
> 
> Side loaders are well beyond the technology that cheap 
> top-loaders use. The last time I looked, the cheap 
> top-loaders still used electromechanical timers to turn on 
> solenoid valves, the pump, the motor, etc. Side loaders claim 
> to be able to measure the amount of clothes in the drum which 
> will then adjust the water to an optimal level. Most top 
> loaders have a manual "load size" pot at best, at worst they 
> run a full tank of water for even the smallest load.
> (laundromats)
>

All the side-loaders ("Front loaders" in the UK) I have ever seen inside
use a universal (brushed) AC motor and drive belt arrangement, though
there may be some very modern ones that build the motor into the drum.
Certainly seems like a reasonable idea, though any strong permanent
magnetic fields extending into the drum might not be so clever as it
will collect any ferrous particles.

Regards

Mike

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