running modern L.G. washer on generator.

[keithwilliams]

hello
please anybody think of a reason not to install a new washer to be used on a generator. i know that a few years ago a customer had problems with wash temperature on a zanussi. i installed a whirlpool 820 because it had mechanical thermostats as opposed to a thermistor. his problem disappeared. i concluded that voltage fluctuations were affecting the thermistor/programmer.
now i have a potential sale of a brand new l.g. washer, but i don’t want to install it and find its no good.(cos then it would be “used” if i sold it on).
any definate advice will be appreciated. i will of course ring lg in morning.
thanks
keith

[philfish]

Re: running modern L.G. washer on generator.

Hi, The only reason i can think of is if the generator does not produce a pure sine wave (which most do not unless they’re the expensive ones) then it can and often does play havoc with the electronics because of the fluctuations it produces.

I should check the generator out to make sure it is compatible.

Hth

Phil.

[electrofix]

Re: running modern L.G. washer on generator.

before you do i would ask LG they may not guarentee machine unless on mains supply

Dave

[twicknix]

Re: running modern L.G. washer on generator.

I would have thought generators would have voltage stabilizer to restrict fluctuations and perhaps lay down few ground rules – avoid putting the kettle on while the washing machine on?

[keithwilliams]

Re: running modern L.G. washer on generator.

have sent email to L G. to date no reply. a computer guy said to run it through an UPS (uninteruptable power supply) haven’t worked out cost or even if they can run up to 3KW.

[kwatt]

Re: running modern L.G. washer on generator.

We’ve had this a few times on ISE.

The standard party line is now, no, cannot be run on a genny. We do tell customers that if they want to try it then that’s fine but we will not guarantee that it will operate as it should.

Phil is right, it plays merry hell with the electronics and isn’t stable. I’ve not heard of a case where an electronic washer has been installed successfully if there was any trouble with one, they pretty much all react the same way irrespective of brand.

I’ve been told that a really good genny will be fine that mimics your vanilla UK mains but I’m not convinced.

That aside, if it’s on a genny it’s usually half way up a mountain with dodgy water and drainage as well, hence the party line.

HTH

K.

[philfish]

Re: running modern L.G. washer on generator.

Your friend is right if you run it through an ups some will produce a pure sine wave (but you have to make sure they’re pure sine wave) so you can run computers and electronic equipment etc.
Just to give you an idea i installed a 3kw pure sine wave inverter/ups on my dads narrowboat so we could use electronic equipment on board it runs off either a standard generator,battery bank or 240v shore power it sorts it all out no worries and is a brilliant piece of kit but it cost £1800 and anywhere near 2.5kw it starts to let you know your pulling a lot of power.
It’s not an easy or cheap fix and may void any warranty on the appliances.
Sounds like your getting yourself involved in a big expensive headache.

Phil

[electrofix]

Re: running modern L.G. washer on generator.

used to do a few disco’s in my youth did a few on the beach had to have a different generator on the turntables otherwise rercords would change speed when generator did
i found the best way to sort the problem was to run a 500w flood lamp to stabilise genny
using a washing machine is similar as loads are placed and removed the motor needs time to react hence voltage and frequency variations

Dave

[keithwilliams]

Re: running modern L.G. washer on generator.

thanks for all the advice. in the end when i got there she had an ancient miele so i fixed that instead. i’ll certainly bear all this in mind for the future as i am in a rural area.
thanks

[keithwilliams]

Re: running modern L.G. washer on generator.

finally a reply from LG
they do NOT recommend using their machines on a generator.
however they did not mention what effect doing that would have on the warranty.
k

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