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Author Topic: Speed Queen washer (TR7) extreme RFI in AM & Ham radios  (Read 531 times)

AI5BC

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Re: Speed Queen washer (TR7) extreme RFI in AM & Ham radios
« Reply #15 on: December 22, 2022, 11:02:11 AM »

I have a sure-fire fix. Cost you nothing and completely eliminates the problem. So simple a kid can figure it out.

Don't run the washer when you play radio.
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K6BRN

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Re: Speed Queen washer (TR7) extreme RFI in AM & Ham radios
« Reply #16 on: December 22, 2022, 03:31:40 PM »

The plugs on the back have a tendency to break off.
Well, if they did I'll fix that little problem.
By the way, SpeedQueen (Alliance Laundry Systems) responded back to my inquiry of this problem. They will be sending to me a free RFI/EMI filter.
I'll try them both as a comparison to see which is more affective.
Thanks,
Jan N8CBX

In general, I really like the Tripp-Lite surge protectors.  But be careful with the direct plug-in (no cord) versions - they can fail in a dangerous way if at all stressed - as by a heavy washing machine cord.  Hate to belabor a point - but this is a safety issue.  Here are a few easy to find examples from one site:

https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B00006B81D/ref=acr_dp_hist_1?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&reviewerType=all_reviews#reviews-filter-bar

"The Tripp Lite direct plug in surge protector has a flaw. The plug is attached to the metal box with plastic. It easily loosens from the metal box. I had one that loosened enough that it shorted out, sparks, smoke and all. I am attaching pictures of the shorted out surge protector, what the early stages of a loosening plug looks like and the burn marks on my wall from the short out. I am also replacing all of my direct plug ins with the Isobar 2 surge protector strip with 6 foot cord"

"I've always been a big fan of Tripp Lite products. I own a Tripp Lite UPS and several "Isobar" surge protectors from 4 to 10 outlets. All are excellent and have been in service for years with no problems.  This product, on the other hand, is an embarrassment to the company's reputation. I purchased two "Isobloks" in mid-2020, both are now broken after being plugged/ unplugged probably 5 times each. The male power connectors on both surge protectors have cracked into several pieces, and will likely pull out of the units themselves if I use them again."

"As many have written the plug pulls out and short.  Scared the crap out of me.  Does a great job but the failed design is a flaw that I can’t let go without commenting.  I didn’t take a picture I just tossed it out.  I forgot it had a lifetime warranty.  Oh well."

"As others have noted, even with gentle, careful use, over time the plug for this unit pulls out of the box and exposes live wires. Do not waste your money buying this unit. If you bought this unit, do not use it. Ours is now in the garbage, where it belongs."

"I used this for my washer and dryer because I live in AZ where monsoon season lightning storms can cause power surges that damage advanced appliances with electronic controls. this seemed like an ideal solution for that. This weekend I was doing laundry and the dryer would not power on. I inspected the unit and it appeared to have worked itself away from the wall slightly. When I went to push it back into the wall, there was a pop and a flash and that was the end of that. Fortunately the circuit breaker did it's job, but now I have to shop for a replacement."

"Watch out, this unit has a serious safety issue.  When my wife unplugged the power cord of her Dell XPS13 laptop from the ISOBLOK 2 the surge protector sparked and popped, singeing the surge protector, the outlet cover and blowing a circuit breaker. The spark was caused by the surge protector 3-pronged male plug separating from the metal housing. This happened even while holding the surge protector in place to prevent it from pulling out of the outlet. The attached pictures tell the whole story.  There is a metal bar on the surge protector designed to screw into the wall plate and hold the unit in place. This feature may work with standard wall plates but it will not work with Decora style plates."


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N8CBX

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Re: Speed Queen washer (TR7) extreme RFI in AM & Ham radios
« Reply #17 on: February 15, 2023, 04:02:56 PM »

I installed the "Tripp Lite Isobar" and it did nothing to suppress the RFI. It's purpose is a "surge protector"...Don't buy one.
I finally received the proper RFI/EMI from Speedqueen (for free) and that fixed the RFI problem in ALL my radios, including my AM broadcast radio. Now I can hear WLW in the clear!
Jan N8CBX
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Dayton Ohio - The Birthplace of Aviation

K6BRN

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Re: Speed Queen washer (TR7) extreme RFI in AM & Ham radios
« Reply #18 on: February 16, 2023, 06:00:30 PM »

I installed the "Tripp Lite Isobar" and it did nothing to suppress the RFI. It's purpose is a "surge protector"...Don't buy one.
I finally received the proper RFI/EMI from Speedqueen (for free) and that fixed the RFI problem in ALL my radios, including my AM broadcast radio. Now I can hear WLW in the clear!
Jan N8CBX

Hi Jan (N8CBX):

Glad to hear you solved the RFI problem and that Speed Queen supplied the RFI/EMI filter.  What does it look like?

Every RFI/EMI situation is a little different.  I've had great luck with the Isobars at two QTHs, when attaching them to Whirlpool front-loaders with touch controls.  In those cases the problem was with RFI/EMI getting INTO the machines on 40 and 80M from the AC line, when running QRO. 

Your problem was with RFI/EMI getting OUT of the machines onto the AC line, apparently, and INTO radios, which are MUCH more sensitive to noise thsan washer controls are.  So perhaps the tiny ISObar you picked simply could not provide the level of suppression required. 

And the bigger ISObars DO have quite a bit of EMI/RFI protection, including wound ferrites and balanced toroidal chokes.  Here are some details:

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/8-outlet-120-v-surge-suppressor-25-ft-cord/apd/a2494040/power-cooling-data-center-infrastructure.

Of course you picked the smallest, cheapest direct plug in model with the least room for this circuitry and a known safety issue you were warned about.  One reason why I use the 6 and 8-outlet corded units for my applications.  I've never had a problem with them - in use at my stations and on sensitive appliances, for decades.

In cases where I needed MORE suppression and when manual winding of ferrite chokes/toroids on the supply/signal lines was not enough (generally for sound systems/receivers), I've used AC line isolation transformers, which do better but are more expensive - unless you pick them up at a swap meet as I do.

Regardless, glad you're up and running.  The Speed Queen machines tend to run forever.  I gave away a top-loading washer/dryer pair that was 30 years old in favor of the more efficient front loading Whilrpools.  The Speed Queen washer still worked fine and washed well, but it used a huge amount of water for each wash cycle.  The Whirlpools have their own quirks and are not as solidly built, but they're very efficient (and seem to be RFI/EMI quiet but RFI/EMI sensitive), which is important in CA and at another QTH that uses a septic system.

Hope to hear you on the air soon!

Brian - K6BRN
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WA3SKN

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Re: Speed Queen washer (TR7) extreme RFI in AM & Ham radios
« Reply #19 on: February 19, 2023, 03:45:43 PM »

Isn't it amazing you only get the filter if you ASK for it?
Just be glad it was not your neighbor that had that noise generator... try explaining it to him (or her)!

-Mike.
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