Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 17, 2025 ...

Washer Dryer

June 12, 2014, 09:28:57 pm

Has any one installed separate washer/ dryer? Will the existing shelf above splendide support a dryer or does it need additional reinforcement?  110 or 220 volt dryer I do not plan on using it unless we have 50 amp shore power.

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Re: Washer Dryer

Reply #1 – June 12, 2014, 11:24:40 pm

Is your generator 220 or 110 volts? They can wired either way and operate the same.

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Re: Washer Dryer

Reply #2 – June 13, 2014, 12:01:26 am

@Bruce I think you would be happier with a propane dryer. Most coaches are only wired for 120 so it would still take a long time to dry. Also you could even run the dryer when on 30amp. Dryers are really lightweight compared to the washer so the shelf should be ok but wouldn't hurt to beef it up a little just be be sure.

see ya
ken

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Re: Washer Dryer

Reply #3 – June 13, 2014, 10:03:36 pm

Barry currently the generator is 110, somewhere on the forum are the instructions to change it to 220. Ken I might give gas a little closer look.

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Reply #4 – June 14, 2014, 04:15:18 am

I removed the Splendide combo and replaced it with a stacked Bosch Axxis washer and dryer. The dryer is 220v.
 I ran a 220v line from the breaker box and put a 220v outlet on the wall above the hot and cold water lines/faucet for the washer hook up. Works great!
I only use this when 50amp service is available.
I did have to cut and raise the vent pipe so I could get the units far enough back to close the cabinet door. The units attach to each other so the shelf was not needed.
 Flexible dryer duct was used to attach the dryer to the existing vent. I also put wood blocks in the cabinet so there is no room for the units to slide back and forth.
At first I thought a LP gas dryer might be better if I were to do it over. The gas is available right by the gas burners in the kitchen. The more I think about it now I'm glad I stuck with the electric. The thought of a open flame and the dryer lint build up in such a confined area would worry me. Its not like at home were its easy to clean out the vents and get a look at whats happening behind the units.
As of NOW I'm not concerned about using the generator to power the washer dryer. I believe if I wanted to convert the generator to a 220v feed it would not be a major undertaking. I have way to many projects now to address that. Maybe in the future.

I find that having the separate units makes laundry a much more productive job. I like having the ability to conveniently do laundry. I need to pack less clothes and linens, I can put sheets down for the dogs to lay on when their dirty or wet, then just throw them in the wash.
The old Splendide still gets used in the house. I find it great for a small load that I can throw in and forget about.

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Re: Washer Dryer

Reply #5 – June 14, 2014, 07:00:27 am

Manuals for the PowerTech generators are available on-line at:
Manuals | Power Technology Southeast Inc

One note that mine provided re:120 vs 240 outputs:

"                                VOLTAGE CONNECTION
The generator may be connected at the terminal board to deliver 120/240 volts to a 3 wire grounded neutral system, or 120-volts only to a 2 wire distribution system. If any equipment requires 240-volts, then the 120/240-volt connection must be used. If all equipment requires 120-volts then the 120-volt connection is preferred, even if two lines leave the same switch box. The two lines at the inputs to the switch box are both connected to the un-grounded 120-volt lines from the generator. The 120-volt connection enables the Electronic Voltage Regulator (EVR) to hold the voltage very close to the 115 or 120 volts, as initially adjusted, regardless of the power distribution amount the different distribution lines. The 120-volt connection is recommended if the entire electrical load requires only 115 or 120 volts.

Although the 120/240-volt connection may also be used when all loads requires only 110 volts, it should be pointed out that this connection, the 240-volts, is regulated and the lightly loaded phase, or line, will deliver a high line to neutral voltage and the heavily loaded phase will deliver a low line to neutral voltage. The heavily loaded line may have such a low voltage that air conditioning will have more difficulty in starting, and long starting lines may overload generator and trip circuit breakers. "

Note the last paragraph.

For What Its Worth...

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Re: Washer Dryer

Reply #6 – June 14, 2014, 11:33:54 am

I think you will find that changing genset to 220 volts is just a matter of changing a couple of wires from one terminal to another.

I have no experience with the change over, but many coaches are wired from factory at 220.

220 option protects the coach's neutral from overloads. I am aware of potential issues when both legs are not balanced, but all the 220 coaches seem to work just fine.

And it is easy to change to 220 and just as easy to change back to 120.

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