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Author Topic: Washing Machine gets error  (Read 403 times)

KW1L

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Washing Machine gets error
« on: December 30, 2022, 06:52:42 AM »

I have a 18 month old washing machine.   
After the machine completes it wash and sits idle it gets a error code of bad motor control board. The error code happens randomly.  After one wash or after many washes.  I can reset the error.
Under warranty the control board has been replaced but the problem came back. The tech rep checked the washing machine, AC wiring and called factory support.  They will replace the board again.
Is it possible when I transmit on 40 or 10 meter that RF is getting into the washing machine and causing the error?  I run 100 watts on CW and SSB (TS-590s)
Unable to force the error when I transmit.  Washing machine is on it own circuit.
Any advice?
« Last Edit: December 30, 2022, 07:02:59 AM by KW1L »
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K1KIM

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2022, 07:32:07 AM »

I would surmise if you can't duplicate the error when transmitting then it's not your radio.
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So Many Toys.......So Little Time!

K6BRN

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2022, 08:09:14 AM »

What model of washing machine is it?
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KW1L

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2022, 08:18:25 AM »

What model of washing machine is it?
Maytag model mvwc565fw2... thanks
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K0CV

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2022, 08:46:42 AM »

My Whirlpool washer gets a lid lock light actuation any time I transmit on 20 meters or higher with my indoor attic mounted fan dipole. Only way to fix is to disconnect from power source. I put in a separate extension box with suppression but didn't solve the problem. Only solution (in math class we would say the trivial solution) is to shut off the extension box for the washer and disconnect it from any outside source.
I have also gone thru two washer control boards (replaced under warranty) but the source seems to be the gas drier that sits next to the washer. The tech that did the replacement said that the reason that washing machine instructions tell you to connect the washer to a separate line to the circuit breaker box is the voltage spike that gets released from the solenoids in the gas drier that turn the gas on and off. Since I installed the suppression extension box for the washer, no further problems with the control board.
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KD0REQ

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2022, 08:57:52 AM »

put a suppressor on the dryer 120 volt cord also.
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K5LXP

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2022, 09:39:14 AM »

Careful with what you say or you'll end up like the Hatlo cartoon:



You tell the repair guy that "I wonder if my ham radio caused this" and you'll be on your own for repairs from now on, whether it's your fault or not.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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AI5BC

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2022, 10:15:01 AM »

put a suppressor on the dryer 120 volt cord also.
That is some funny stuff. Electric dryers are 240 VAC.
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K6BRN

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2022, 11:03:07 AM »

The washer has knobs and it also has touch controls, which oddly enough seem to indicate sensitivity to conducted EMI on the Whirlpool front-loaders (like mine).  Probably the same on yours.

So - one easy thing to try is a Tripp-Lite IsoBar.  Get the 4 or 6-plug version with cord.  The two-plug,  direct-plug-into-the-wall version tends to break in an unsafe way.

This solved my problems: (6-outlet with indicators)

https://www.amazon.com/IBAR4-6D-Isobar-Spaced-Protector-INSURANCE/dp/B0000513T0?th=1

It might solve or help yours, if the problem is RF or other noise on your power lines into the washer.

You did NOT indicate the dryer has ANY problems, so I presume that's OK.

Oooops!  My wash is ready.  Time to put things in the dryer.  I'm working 10M right now at 200 Watts, FT8.  But most of my intermittent problems were on 40M.

Good luck!

Brian - K6BRN

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K6BRN

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #9 on: December 30, 2022, 11:04:19 AM »

x
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K6AER

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #10 on: December 30, 2022, 11:12:21 AM »


Several things are probably going on. I’ll bet you have a nice pair of stainless steel braded water lines going to the copper water home feed system. Now your washer is really grounded.

Is your antenna in the attack or close to the roof. A 100 watt transmitter will put more RF into your electrical house wiring system than a 1 KW dipole 60 feet away.

The solution is to use rubber water lines to the washer and to connect a .05 mFd, 500 volt capacitor from the hot side of the AC wall feed to the return AC ground. This will isolate your washing machine from excessive RF fields.

IT WILL ALSO REDUCE MOTOR CONTROLLER INTERFERENCE FROM GETTING BACK ITO YOUR RADIO.
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AI5BC

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #11 on: December 30, 2022, 11:31:24 AM »


 connect a .05 mFd, 500 volt capacitor from the hot side of the AC wall feed to the return AC ground. This will isolate your washing machine from excessive RF fields.
If you take this advice will inject 2 to 3 ma of 60-Hz line current into your AC equipment ground conductor. Your GFCI receptacle will teach you lesson in proper grounding when it sees a ground fault and opens.
« Last Edit: December 30, 2022, 11:33:36 AM by AI5BC »
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K6AER

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #12 on: December 30, 2022, 12:53:36 PM »

WASHING MACHINE AC CIRCUITS DO NOT USE GFI'S. 

YOU ATTACH THE CAPACITOR GROUND LEAD TO THE RETURN COMMON LEAD NOT THE SAFETY GROUND.
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WA3SKN

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #13 on: December 30, 2022, 03:34:33 PM »

Possible?? Yes.  Probable?? No.
It sounds like a bad motor control board.  It might be the motor itself.  It might be RFI.  But Maytag is responsible for fixing it.  There might even be a filter for fixing it that they have in stock.
Let them do their job.  After they give up you get to try your ideas.  Remember, a washing machine is not supposed to be a receiver.  It should be engineered as such.

-Mike.
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K5TED

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Re: Washing Machine gets error
« Reply #14 on: December 30, 2022, 03:50:54 PM »

My Kenmore washer freaks out when I transmit with the amp. They are not on the same circuit. Put multiple ferrites on the washer cord. Still freaks out. Buzzing and dead after transmitting on any band with the amp. No other devices in the home are affected, even in the shack.
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