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dr 36/24 trace inverter to run a new washing machine
By getterdone, Section Controls Posted on Tue May 06, 2008 at 03:01:42 PM MST
i hope this will work

i just bought a new frigidare washing machine [front load]. i hope it'll work with my trace 36,24 inverter. it's mod sine.
what do you all think? i'm pushing it with plenty of batteries.
has any one had this experience?
guess i'll find out in a couple days.

dr 36/24 trace inverter to run a new washing machine | 11 comments (11 topical)

Re: dr 36/24 trace inverter to run a new washing m (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by luv2weld on Wed May 07, 2008 at 09:41:33 AM MST

Not enough info to even start an argument!
What model number inverter??
i'm pushing it with plenty of batteries. Don't know
what that means.----12, 24, 100??? What type batteries??
Is the washer a super-duper all digital??? The more electronics,
the more likely it will want a true sine wave.

We are completely off grid.
We have been using a top loading Kenmore for about 4 years---no
digital. Very little electronics. When we started using it, we were
running a Xantrex DR1524 inverter and a bank of 24 phone company batteries.
We have upgraded to a Xantrex PS2524 inverter and 24 Trojan L16H batteries.
We did not have any problems with either system. We upgraded because
we keep adding electronics to the load---satellite TV, satellite internet,
refrigerator, freezer, etc.

Give us a little more info and we'll try to help you.

Ralph
"The best way to kill time is to work it to death!!"

Re: dr 36/24 trace inverter to run a new washing m (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by getterdone on Wed May 07, 2008 at 10:55:09 AM MST

the inverter is a xntrex dr 3624.
the batt is a 48v forktruck thats wired 24v, to supply the inverter.
the frigidaire front load washer is electronic,controll type.
i hooked it up to a colman 2000 watt inverter [a cheapy] and it wouldn't work.
all was fine until it went to spin cycle.
the colman inverter does not like to be grounded, and the washer [in the manual] says it needs to be. also states that it is not recommended the power supply be nothing but utility power.
your not going to find any manufactured product that is recommended for the type of power we're producing pure sign or not.
i've only had one thing that the dr 3624 would not run, i think it was a clock, i dont remember.
i need this washer to work. or one like it; [front load] to keep down on water usuage.
in searching the board i recall some one was using a LG brand front load with no ill effects.
oh, the colman inverter is 12v and installed in my truck and only used to heat veggy oil, and a 1/2hp veggy oil pump.
i just thought i'd try to see if it would work with the washer.
no such luck. i wasn't to suprised.
i'll take the washer on this trip and try it, fingers crossed.
if it dont work, back to the store
it'll go. and try a different brand. LG i guess.
does any one have a frigidars brand front load washer that they are using on a mod. sign inverter?
If I were smart I'd be dangerous
[ Parent ]

Re: dr 36/24 trace inverter to run a new washing m (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by dnix71 on Wed May 07, 2008 at 05:37:22 PM MST

After the last major hurricane here, I only had a 1000 watt two-stroke generator and that wouldn't spin my washer. It wouldn't agitate about half the time either. The neighbor loaned us a 5500 watt generator that had the power to run it.

Grounding and isolating the neutral is for your safety, but a 3500 watt generator would probably do it. I don't know if they make them anymore, but old country folk had washers that had a small lawnmower engine on it to drive the transmission. That's a lot more efficient than making electricity.

Re: dr 36/24 trace inverter to run a new washing m (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by getterdone on Wed May 07, 2008 at 08:16:58 PM MST

a gas power washing machine sounds neet to me, but......
my wife wouldnt see it that way.

If I were smart I'd be dangerous
[ Parent ]

Re: dr 36/24 trace inverter to run a new washing m (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by dnix71 on Wed May 07, 2008 at 08:27:19 PM MST

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL5nnP7dySw&feature=related

is a video of an old Maytag with a gasoline engine. Some had a driven wringer at the top. They look and sound funny, but they got clothes clean.

[ Parent ]

Re: dr 36/24 trace inverter to run a new washing m (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by elvin1949 on Thu May 08, 2008 at 01:41:45 AM MST

dnix71
I have an old Kenmore wringer washer with b/s motor. Uses a lot of water. He is trying to save water.
later
Elvin

[ Parent ]

Re dr 3624 trace inverter to run a new washing (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by jmk on Thu May 08, 2008 at 05:24:34 AM MST

As long as you can supply the inverter with juice than it will work fine. The fridge will be running all the time so as long as that doesn't run your bank voltage down. Motors are the hardest things for the inverter to power up. They take a surge of power to start after that they use about what they are rated at.
jmk

Re: Re dr 3624 trace inverter to run a new washing (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by getterdone on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:21:54 AM MST

jmk, suppling power to the inverter is not a problem.
i can run my lister if i have to. it hits the batt bank with 80amps 24v dc. [charging direct to batt bank]
is it you that has an LG brand front load washer?
any way i thowght it was, and it works fine.
like i said, this one seems to be a slow start or something to that nature. it starts by going forward then backwards,[i think to even out the clothes] starts slow then ramps up fast.
i've never owned a front loader, so i dont know if all brands do the same.
question to everone: has anyone had this same issue trying to run a front load washer?
i will report my findings as soon as i can so others will know.
If I were smart I'd be dangerous
[ Parent ]

Re: dr 36/24 trace inverter to run a new washing m (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by luv2weld on Thu May 08, 2008 at 08:20:46 AM MST

Judging from the symptoms you gave us, it's the motor that
doesn't like the inverter. If you have to stay with that inverter,
then I guess it won't work. Some motors just do not like square
wave power. Does the owner's manual on the washer say what kind
of motor it is???
If you have a larger inverter ( or can borrow one ),
then maybe it would work.

Ralph
"The best way to kill time is to work it to death!!"

Re: dr 36/24 trace inverter to run a new washing m (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by getterdone on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:02:03 AM MST

when i plug it into utility power it appears the motor may be slow start, variable speed type. thats the way it seems,on utility power anyway. i may be sol on this brand,[type] of washer. i'll take it with me ,as i'm leaving this weekend to go back down there.
i'll try it, if it dont work i'll take it back. and try another brand.
i do have the option to buy one of ,my buddy that died, trace pure sine inverters.
problem is money that i dont have. i was hoping to buy some of his solor pannels, i hadn't forseen this problem with the washer.
i only have a limited amount of money to spend.
remote living is nice but, there are problems one has to deal with,and this is just one.
only people that understands are people like you'all.
it's nice to have someone to work through, kick around, and resolve problems together.
any other suggestions would be welcome.
getterdone!

If I were smart I'd be dangerous
[ Parent ]

Re: dr 36/24 trace inverter to run a new washing m (3.00 / 0) (#11)
by luv2weld on Thu May 08, 2008 at 09:45:01 AM MST

Maybe your buddies wife would be willing to work with you
and take payments for the panels and inverter. If they
are a good deal you'll be kicking yourself later if you
let them get away.
I know that sometimes people are either sold on a particular
brand or dead set against it. Have you considered Sears,
Maytag, Whirlpool, etc.???? Our Kenmore works great on modified
sine wave.

Here is a thread from an earlier discussion of the same problem.
http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2006/12/16/14140/864

This link explains what the different type of inverters are
and what they may or may not run.
http://www.windsun.com/Inverters/Inverter_selection.htm

This link has a few interesting tidbits of information too.
http://seagrant.uaf.edu/bookstore/boatkeeper/inverters.pdf

Ralph
"The best way to kill time is to work it to death!!"
[ Parent ]

dr 36/24 trace inverter to run a new washing machine | 11 comments (11 topical)

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