Took the plunge innit

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 15 Sep 2010, 16:48

Our washing machine has hot and cold water feeds. I think the "Eco" setting means it takes in hot water, because if you want to wash wool the instructions say don't use "Eco".

The problem is, it's developed a slight leak. Anyone we get in to repair it will probably say don't bother, and then we'll be stuck with one that only has a cold feed (because that's the fashion at the mo).

Or to use the technical term: b***er.

katie · Post by **katie** » 15 Sep 2010, 17:39

This is my first cold fill washing machine and I hope that when it goes, the hot & cold fill models will be available again. We can easily have a couple of panels mounted on a frame to use for solar hot water in due course. As for the shower, my husband already plans to change the en-suite one to using hot water and pump. It wouldn't be DIY, but we do have a very reasonable plumber & electrician.

Katie

PS all of this exchange of ideas is really useful.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 15 Sep 2010, 21:56

katie wrote:washing machine only has one hose which connects to the hot tap

No! That's got to be wrong. The one hose should be connected to the cold water, otherwise you will be using hot water for rinsing and other parts of the cycle where heat is not needed and your woollens will shrink when the water is too hot.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 15 Sep 2010, 21:59

Our solar pv was switched on about 2pm today. It was a miserably dark and rainy afternoon but we still generated 2.79kW.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 15 Sep 2010, 21:59

What's wrong with a hand operated machine like my Wonderwash? You can pour water of any temperature you like into it

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biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 15 Sep 2010, 22:13

http://www.mylivingspace.co.uk/product- ... p-bowl.php

Post by **adam2** » 16 Sep 2010, 11:09

biffvernon wrote:
katie wrote:washing machine only has one hose which connects to the hot tap
No! That's got to be wrong. The one hose should be connected to the cold water, otherwise you will be using hot water for rinsing and other parts of the cycle where heat is not needed and your woollens will shrink when the water is too hot.

Washing machines with only a single hose are indeed intended to be connected to the cold tap.
They should work correctly if connected to the hot tap, but as pointed out above the whole cycle including rinses will then be in hot water.
If the final rinse is in hot water, then the washing dries quicker.
This is ok if you have ample "free" hot water and wont be washing any woolens or other items needing a cool wash.
It would be wastfull if the solar heated water was consumed thus, and then fuel was burnt to heat bathwater etc.

phobos · Post by **phobos** » 16 Sep 2010, 11:22

biffvernon wrote:

http://www.mylivingspace.co.uk/product- ... p-bowl.php

£50 for a washing up bowl

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 16 Sep 2010, 12:14

phobos wrote:£50 for a washing up bowl

Wot!!! My Wonderwash was about £30-35, and is made for clothes washing!

katie · Post by **katie** » 16 Sep 2010, 15:06

biffvernon wrote:
katie wrote:washing machine only has one hose which connects to the hot tap
No! That's got to be wrong. The one hose should be connected to the cold water, otherwise you will be using hot water for rinsing and other parts of the cycle where heat is not needed and your woollens will shrink when the water is too hot.

My mistake - it should have been COLD tap. Sorry.

Katie

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 16 Sep 2010, 21:38

phobos wrote: £50 for a washing up bowl

Mrs V didn't pay that much for ours three years ago but even so I nearly had a heart attack. Now I actually rather like it. A rubber washing up bowl is really quite interesting. Ours is the green one. I'm glad we've got it. Sometimes Mrs V does things that seem crazy but turn out good

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 04 Oct 2010, 22:58

News flash! The chap from Bosch has fixed the leak, by replacing the drain pump. I've salvaged the olde pump because the motor was still working. Oooh look, we can fix some sails to the impeller and make a 30 watt wind turbine for the laugh...

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 04 Oct 2010, 23:20

RenewableCandy wrote:Oooh look, we can fix some sails to the impeller and make a 30 watt wind turbine for the laugh...

As it's from a washing machine, you could dry your washing on the rotating blades

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RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 05 Oct 2010, 00:25

Hey a wind turbine made out of drying laundry, now there's a thing...

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 05 Oct 2010, 01:48

RenewableCandy wrote:Hey a wind turbine made out of drying laundry, now there's a thing...

Somewhere I've got plans for making one out of cloth, plastic sheet or something similar.