Wascomat Gen 6 Issues

[helenrw]

I have a store full of Wascomat Gen 6's with Compass Control, and we've always had a couple issues with the way they're designed that end up requiring us to have an attendant for most of the day.

I'm wondering if we missed something obvious. Anyone have any suggestions for the following? Maybe something in the programming we overlooked?


1. A few times a week, instead of starting a cycle, the display will show "Ready to Unload" and beep like it's done.

It's not obvious to the customer that they have to open and re-close the door - then display will change to "Push to Start" and they can finally wash.


2. If even the smallest bit of clothing gets trapped where the washer door is, the washer will leak under the front panel and all over the floor. By the time there's enough water to make the leak obvious, there's no way for the customer to stop the cycle. Any way to re-route the leak to floor inside the machine?


3. I'm not sure what kind of coin drops we have, but they are manual (no digital displays) and the coins slide between two sections that are held together with a metal slide. Sometimes one of the sections gets stuck in a coin-return position, and any quarters you put it get returned right away. We have to open the top of the machine and poke the section back into place. Is there a magic setting for the metal slide, or some other way to make it more reliable?

[Adamski]

Originally Posted by helenrw

... 1. A few times a week, instead of starting a cycle, the display will show "Ready to Unload" and beep like it's done. It's not obvious to the customer that they have to open and re-close the door - then display will change to "Push to Start" and they can finally wash.

That shouldn't ever happen. It's a design/programming defect. Complain to your Wascomat distributor.

2. If even the smallest bit of clothing gets trapped where the washer door is, the washer will leak under the front panel and all over the floor. By the time there's enough water to make the leak obvious, there's no way for the customer to stop the cycle. Any way to re-route the leak to floor inside the machine?

This problem can happen on any brand of front load washer. We generally just put a bath towel down on the floor to catch the dripping water. Also advise the customer to be more careful about loading the machine properly the next time.

3. I'm not sure what kind of coin drops we have, but they are manual (no digital displays) and the coins slide between two sections that are held together with a metal slide. Sometimes one of the sections gets stuck in a coin-return position, and any quarters you put it get returned right away. We have to open the top of the machine and poke the section back into place. Is there a magic setting for the metal slide, or some other way to make it more reliable?

The sub-chassis is binding with the main chassis. The best way to fix this problem is to remove the entire coin drop from the washer and set it on a desk where you can observe what is happening. Prop it up level with some stacks of sticky notes or similiar items. Insert coins. When one sticks, push the coin return. Does the coin come back to you? Did the sub-chassis return to its closed position after releasing the coin return button? If not, what is causing it to hang open?

I have found that Munzproofer drops have a finger on the sub-chassis that protrudes through a hole in the main chassis. This finger can rub on the sides of that hole and cause the sub-chassis to hang open. I file off the sides of the finger and taper it to more of a point to eliminate the drag. Sometimes a quite a bit of filing is required. Once the drag is eliminated, the problem does not return.

[chslaundry]

Originally Posted by helenrw

1. A few times a week, instead of starting a cycle, the display will show "Ready to Unload" and beep like it's done.

It's not obvious to the customer that they have to open and re-close the door - then display will change to "Push to Start" and they can finally wash.

this is a very annoying design/programming defect. when you start the CC, it'll briefly flash "Push Button to Start" (paraphrasing) in small font under the title of the cycle, even though the machine will start within a second or so. but the customers who actually read the display (or those who just like to push things) will push the button, thus bringing up the "change/resume/stop" cycle option. the "ready to unload" message must be tied to the locking mechanism. basically, the button allows the customer to change the wash cycle, to add laundry, or to remove a stuck article after they've started the machine. of course, opening the door does require draining (and refilling) gallons of water.

in the programming options, you can actually reduce the length of time (post-start) for which the button can be pressed to stop the machine. the default is 2 minutes. i've reduce mine to 30 secs but placed signs everywhere reminding the customer to select the cycle before starting the machine.

[jh]

Originally Posted by helenrw

I have a store full of Wascomat Gen 6's with Compass Control, and we've always had a couple issues with the way they're designed that end up requiring us to have an attendant for most of the day.

I'm wondering if we missed something obvious. Anyone have any suggestions for the following? Maybe something in the programming we overlooked?


1. A few times a week, instead of starting a cycle, the display will show "Ready to Unload" and beep like it's done.

It's not obvious to the customer that they have to open and re-close the door - then display will change to "Push to Start" and they can finally wash.

Most likely your washers offer a certain amount of "regret time" for customers to stop a cycle after it starts. I set mine to 3 minutes. It acts like a Dexter emergency button. Once the cycle starts, if the customer presses the knob (intentionally or accidently), the screen will show 3 options: change the program, stop the program, resume the program. The default selection is "stop the program". Therefore, if the customer press the knob more than once, the machine will stop and the screen shows "ready to unload". You can remove this option in the programming menu so a cycle can't be stopped by pressing the knob.

Originally Posted by helenrw

2. If even the smallest bit of clothing gets trapped where the washer door is, the washer will leak under the front panel and all over the floor. By the time there's enough water to make the leak obvious, there's no way for the customer to stop the cycle. Any way to re-route the leak to floor inside the machine?

Sometimes the clothes will be released from the door as the basket turns. Sometimes a jean stuck at the door can produce enough force to stop the motor from turning. Sometimes the clothes are released but the water continues to leak through the door. Well, you can leave the "regret timer" option on so the customers can stop the cycle...

Originally Posted by helenrw

3. I'm not sure what kind of coin drops we have, but they are manual (no digital displays) and the coins slide between two sections that are held together with a metal slide. Sometimes one of the sections gets stuck in a coin-return position, and any quarters you put it get returned right away. We have to open the top of the machine and poke the section back into place. Is there a magic setting for the metal slide, or some other way to make it more reliable?

Most likely those are Munzprufer coin drops. Spray the two moving pivot points with silicone-base lubricant.

[mjwalsh]

Originally Posted by jh

Most likely your washers offer a certain amount of "regret time" for customers to stop a cycle after it starts. I set mine to 3 minutes. It acts like a Dexter emergency button. Once the cycle starts, if the customer presses the knob (intentionally or accidently), the screen will show 3 options: change the program, stop the program, resume the program. The default selection is "stop the program". Therefore, if the customer press the knob more than once, the machine will stop and the screen shows "ready to unload". You can remove this option in the programming menu so a cycle can't be stopped by pressing the knob.

Well, you can leave the "regret timer" option on so the customers can stop the cycle...

John,

A bit off topic but ... does this mean that with the "change the program" the customer can also add more money to increase the number of fills at anytime???

mike

[jh]

Originally Posted by mjwalsh

John,

A bit off topic but ... does this mean that with the "change the program" the customer can also add more money to increase the number of fills at anytime???

mike

Mike,

Yes and no. The customer can add and pay for extra wash/rinse. But probably not at "any time". I have to double check what the "regret time" limit is.

[helenrw]

Thanks all.

Not sure if the customers are pushing the Compass at the beginning of wash - it happens often enough so it's not a surprise, but not enough for us to observe it happening from start to finish.

Enough customers start the wash without choosing the appropriate wash program first, so we try to keep the regret time as long as possible so they can change to Hot or Cold as necessary without us having to interfere.

Guess we'll have to make a sign?