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Post by entourage on Feb 27, 2013 4:03:16 GMT
We want to install a washing machine onboard.
Has anyone had good/bad experiences with machines? Entourage is a 42DS with 2000w inverter - this will limit our options a little. We intend locating machine in forward shower/head.
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Post by sailbleu on Feb 27, 2013 6:50:24 GMT
Yes I do. Like in your plan I installed mine (40DS) in the forward head. But , I made it removable , let me explain. Sorry , but I never took pics , which is a bit of a shame. Anyway , I made a table or platform that goes onto the sink and over the head , legs streching on the other side right next to the head for support. On that table (the part on top of the head) the small washing machine is placed , the drain is put into the sink. The machine is straped down so i cannot tumble. All contact points with sink , wall and so on are secured with soft patches do avoid damage from rubbing parts Further , I can still use that sink because I have cut its shape out of the table/platform. Also the head is still useable be it with some caution and a bent back.
We run our machine on a generator though , the use of an inverter requires a running engine no ? I must say I made that construction when we left for a 6 month Med. trip some yerars ago, lot of anchoring you see. No machine needed when you frequently visit a harbour , the all have machines is it not. Only used it that year , but it came in very handy. Starting from next year (sailing the seven seas) it will be standard equipment again. One setback though , but maybe it all depends on the kind of machine you buy , it is very agressive , meaning that the propellor underneath ( to stir things up) puts alot of strain on the clothes resulting in wear. My machine is ever so light in weight , very simple desing , but like I mentioned , not gentle to the fabric.
Regards
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Post by Tafika II on Feb 27, 2013 14:21:59 GMT
Hi Sailbleu, Can you advise what make and model washer/dryer you installed? Thanks!
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Post by sailbleu on Mar 1, 2013 9:28:50 GMT
Oh Tafika , I have to look it up , but it was/is a very cheap model , bought it on ebay.de and it's probably a Chinese make.What isn't these days. But it did the job , no heater though , but since it was (will be) installed in the head it was easy to fill it up with hot water from the shower. No fancy eco programs and so on , simple device. Mechanical timer , start/stop washing , drain machine , start centrifuge. All manual settings. Of course using a washing machine requires a watermaker , in my opinion that is.
Regards
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Post by Tafika II on Mar 1, 2013 15:36:41 GMT
Sailblu, thanks for the reply. My wife doesn't want to give up the forward head, so we use the old method...hand wash or the laundromat
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Post by sailbleu on Mar 1, 2013 16:44:39 GMT
Sailblu, thanks for the reply. My wife doesn't want to give up the forward head, so we use the old method...hand wash or the laundromat No, no , Tafika , we didn't give up on our forward head , not in the least , everything is still accessible . But then again , maybe my forward head layout is different than yours , 40Ds you see Regards
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Post by Tafika II on Mar 1, 2013 20:08:06 GMT
We are a SO42DS so they are different. The original Entourage thread is a 42DS. Thanks for clarifying this.
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byo
Junior Member
Sun Oddessey 43 Deck Saloon, Yvonne (captain) and Bruce. boat name Blue Heaven
Posts: 20
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Post by byo on Mar 1, 2013 23:37:08 GMT
Hi entourage, on Ebay in Australia you can buy a 5kg load portable twin tub washing machine with spin dry function that draws 240 watts when washing and 120 watts on spin, length 50cm width 37cm height 56cm which we run from a 400watt inverter and store when not in use under the forward cabin bed, we have a SO43 Deck Saloon. These sell for $130-00 Aussie Dollars Cheers, Bruce.
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Post by entourage on Mar 15, 2013 22:42:43 GMT
Thanks all for your comments. We are currently thinking the twin tub approach will work and while it will take over the forward head we can work around that. We think we will attach with straps to the forward wall of the head and plumb into the water supply and drains. During commissioning we had extra power points (240v) installed in both heads so should be able to plug in ok. And if we can keep wattage down may be able to run without engine.... We currently have 440ah and have just installed 400w of solar panels. Fingers crossed! Cheers Lyle & Mad
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Post by sailbleu on Mar 16, 2013 4:38:56 GMT
Entourage , 400 watt of solar ? Where did you loose all those panels ? I'm very curious because I'm in the mids of reconstucting my solar capacity on the davits. By means of sliding , turning , kind of an umbrella system I will have acces to about (close to) 500 watt and a 160 watt of flexible panels on the sprayhood. So a total of nearly 700 watts theoretically of course. I'm not showing off here , like I said , I'm very curious how others solve the energy problem and where and how they install their solar panels. It's never too late to learn you see.
Regards
Ps: since you started the topic I dont consider this to be too off topic
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Post by entourage on Mar 24, 2013 0:44:07 GMT
Sailbleu We have gone for the SolbianFlex panels and have them sewn onto the bimini. 4x100w fit nicely fore&aft and only weigh 1.5kg each so dont need massive structure to hold them. I'm hoping to post some pics soon. Only just installed so in process of assessing performance. Sun angles here in Hobart are getting lower each day and sudden burst of winter with low cloud most of the day has made this difficult but when the sun does shine we get good current flow. Stay tuned. cheers Lyle & Mad
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Post by sailbleu on Mar 24, 2013 6:34:51 GMT
Will stay tuned of course , always interested in other solutions. I also did consider using the bimini as a platform , but mine isn't set all the time you see. On my sprayhood I intend to use the same fixing one uses for the sprayhood itself. The tenax things , atleast something similar , made them myself in a way so they can get sewn onto the hood . That way I can get the panels off in no time , you never know. Like to see your pics though. Regards Edit: couldn't help myself and googled my way around the solbian panels. Man that really is some fancy stuff you have there. Fancy price also ! These are my panels by the way , definitly not that lightweight or flexible as the solbian , but what can you expect for about 300$ for two 80 watt panels
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Post by entourage on Mar 25, 2013 20:46:09 GMT
AS you say - a bit pricey but they dont need special structure to support and from water level are almost invisible. We're happy with them.
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