We're debating putting in an LG 4.3 ft3 ventless washer/dryer in the pre-wired/plumbed under the buffet space located curb side just before the door from the kitchen to the bathroom. I've heard conflicting reports about the usefulness/viability of ventless units in RVs, and I was thinking about having them add two vents to the cabinet itself to deal with the moisture that DOES get out instead of condensed:
A fan powered vent would blow either outside (if it's humid or you already have condensation issues due to weather).
Alternatively, the fan would blow out a vent into the rig itself if the air is really dry and the humidity would be welcome.
The existing cabinet already has the louvered doors, but my read of the conflicting stories of success and abysmal failure of ventless units is that it depends on your local humidity. So, it seems like additional ventilation would be a good idea, and I like the idea of being able to recapture some of the moisture for really dry climates.
Thoughts?
Good idea? Crazy? Suggestions of better implementations?
The washer dryer we're looking at is:
LG Electronics 4.3 cu. ft. DOE High-Efficiency All-in-One Washer and... (http://www.homedepot.com/p/LG-Electronics-4-3-cu-ft-DOE-High-Efficiency-All-in-One-Washer-and-Electric-Ventless-Dryer-in-White-WM3997HWA/205140182?N=5yc1vZc3ot)
James
I have an Asko WCAM 1812 that I was going to install in our previous bus conversion. I set it up in my shop for a little while just to try it out. It washes fine & spins out very dry, not completely dry but better than a regular washer. The drying feature is OK in a pinch but you would almost be better off to just hang the clothes in the bathroom or on the awning. Like I said, they are almost dry when they stop spinning.
I still have this unit if anyone is interested. It's in almost brand new shape. May have washed 10 loads. I don't know how I would ship it though. It is HEAVY!!!! It's in Delaware in my shop. Make me an offer. I have pics.
TOM
Not sure about the current models but the older Spendide unvented washer/dryers used a tremendous amount of water that emptied the tank and filled up the grey tank and were very poor at drying even then.
They are much poorer at drying but you can put a vented one in with very little work.
We had the 2000 series and agree it seemed like it could fill the grey tank in a single washing. Some time back we updated it to the 2100 series and it uses a significantly less water. Don't have any real numbers but thats just an observation from the times we have run it when not on full hookups.
And that was the vented version...
From what I have observed is that the ventless take a very long time to dry clothes, would only consider the vented units, like the 2100 splendide like Steve and Michelle have.
I wasn't aware that vented combo units existed, all the combo units I saw have been ventless. The 2100 is a vented unit? Are there others?
Actually I do see one:
WESTLAND 2100XC Vented AC Washer-Dryer Combo | West Marine (http://www.westmarine.com/buy/westland--2100xc-vented-ac-washer-dryer-combo--10495745)
But I think that's just a Spendide 2100 clone/re-brand?
Are there better choices?
James
I think the LG we are looking at uses something like 13 gallons on the cold setting and it's a 4.3 cu ft machine. Anyone know how does that compares to the Splendide? Although I understand the drying times are like 4 hours long. ::)
James
Westland Sales is the US company that sells/services/warrantees Splendide.
love our vented 2100 (like Michelle we upgraded from the original). Definitely a good unit - drawback is small load size compared to residential units, but compact size and good on water usage
How long does it take to run though an average load?
James
12 cycles, so it varies. You can wash 2x what you can dry.
Michele is expert on this question, past my pay grade!!!
The 2000 uses 27 gallons per full cycle if memory serves me. Only installed vented units long ago. Too many complaints from the ventless users back in the late 80's early 90's.
Nothing's changed near as I can read from the ratings on the lg.
Works but really made for those who CAN'T vent and need a small cabinet machine.
Running 110 volt for six hours dry camped costs lots of gen fuel.
The 2100 manual says "Wash cycles use 7 to 18 gal. of water"
Vented or not, the biggest challenge you will find is how to avoid wrinkles during drying. There are several threads with tips on what folks have done to help avoid them, or at least reduce them a bit.
Pat Hatfield is/was the reigning Laundry Queen ;)
It usually takes a couple of hours if you're running the dry cycle, probably 4 hours total if it's towels. The machine can handle 1 set of queensize sheets or 2 bath towels plus a couple of hand towels per load. When we're living in the coach in the summer (so shorts and light shirts, not a lot of heavy stuff), I do laundry probably 5 times per week (sheets and towels are 2 of those loads). Shirts and shorts get hung on the rack mounted to our ladder or hung on hangers around the bedroom ceiling insert.
Nikki Wynn has a good article and video here The EASIEST Way to do Laundry in an RV (http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/easy-rv-laundry)
Very good point about running the genset for that many hours, hadn't thought of it in those terms.
Heh. I tried to tell Susan we should keep the clothing carousel in the back and use it as a laundry drying system! :p
She made some comments about someone getting smacked with wet noodles IIRC.
If the space for the washer dryer was located in the kitchen and currently being used for storage (useful but inefficient use of the space and possible to do with out) would you want to put in the washer dryer? Seems like a change that might well pay for itself for full timers? We just lack the experience of actually using one of the Splendide units.
James
And another disadvantage to an on-board washer-dryer, Nancy says, is that you don't get to meet all those interesting people in the campground laundry ;D .
We had a space for one in our rig, but since we're full-timers, we converted the space to shelves, which we need much more.
Heh. The core of our dilemma as full timers with a 12 and a 13 year old... Is it worth the loss of storage? Or should we consider putting a dishwasher in the place in the kitchen plumbed for a washer dryer and use the extra space for storage?
Or just turn the whole thing into storage? It's currently got pullout shelves but doesn't utilize NEARLY all the space. I can see that there is a need for focused internal discussions. :p
James
We have the Splendide 2000 in our 36 ft U270. Been using it full time for 7 years and will continue to use it until it dies, then replace it with the 2100. We can do 3 loads and still have some room in the grey tank, but usually like to plan no more than 1 load a day.
I also have a "clothes drier" that I hang off the ladder so in good weather, we can hang and air dry clothes. We do use laundry mat sometimes for larger loads or when we were at Quartzite and conserving water.
Bottom line- if it is easy and makes sense for you- do it and have fun.
Cya down the road
Our vote as full-timers would be strongly for more storage. You can never have enough, and you'll have 2 more people in the coach than most of us. You'll usually be near a laundry at an RV park or laundromat, and you've already got 12 &13 year old dishwashers... ;D When boondocking, it could be a great experience learning to wash dishes (or take showers) with the least amount of water. Makes you appreciate what most take for granted.
Well, looks like we're going to opt for more storage over the washer/dryer. We'll probably preserve the hookups in case we ever need to revisit the decision, but it's a HUGE cabinet right opposite the fridge and thus prime storage space. I think we'll keep it as it is currently as the last remodel put two pullout shelves in there along with the floor. They don't go all the way to the back of the cabinet stopping about 8" short to clear the hookups for the washer/dryer. So there's a bunch of unused space back there still that we may re-address in the future if needed.
One option would be to put a refrigerator/freezer chest back there with access ports cut into the corian if we decide down the road that we really do need more refrigerator/freezer storage than we'll get in the new Vitifrigo 8.1 cf fridge.
James
8.1 CF is pretty small for your clan....
Yes and no. We've got experience in using small fridges both from living on boats (for a few years before we got married) and for more recently (too complex to discuss here as it involves asbestos and legal issues) sharing space for the last three years. I'm not prepared to argue for MORE space when both Susan and Elizabeth are both on the side of the 8.1 DP2600, out of my pay grade if you know what I mean. :-)
I haven't been able to find anywhere in the documentation for the Dometic RM7832, or anywhere online, what the actual cubic feet on the RM 7832 is. But I don't think it's much different than the 8.1, and the DP2600 looks to have more use(ful/able) space.
That said, I actually agree and was on the side of the Samsung (which is uber-weird to anyone who knows me). Given firm and overwhelming agreement of the cooks in the house against it, at least I have my contingency plans if they are needed down the road. :-)
::shrug::