4 ms·

I disagree. I would like a machine that I could start when I want, I don't like when I start a load before leaving the day then having it sit in the damp until

I disagree. I would like a machine that I could start when I want, I don't like when I start a load before leaving the day then having it sit in the damp until I get home to put it in the dryer. I would prefer to be able to start it an hour before I was going home so it would be ready for transfer to the dryer then. I also would like phone notifications, it is sort of in a corner of the basement so I don't hear the alarms.

_Wintermute 4y ago
Every basic washing machine I've owned has had an option to delay the start for an adjustable amount of time.
- rileymat2 4y ago
  My schedule is erratic and unpredictable at the beginning of the day, but I can estimate when I have an hour left.
  - Wistar 4y ago
    This is also true for me, and, I suspect, for many people.
nonethewiser 4y ago
I guess there is some utility then. I find that to be very narrow and outside my personal preferences but recognize that you find it useful. In theory you don’t need a computer/internet to start it later, but that would require you knowing when you want to start it upfront. Meaning there is still a unique capability for the smart washer.
Dead_Lemon 4y ago
A mechanical controlled washing machine with a mechanical timer on the plug would, reliably, achieve the same thing. no need for networks and external servers. A timed controlled smart plug, with current monitoring, would be able to achieve the IOT aspect of the problem.
- dicknuckle 4y ago
  It would need to be a very specific kind of washing machine (that hopefully probably exists) to make your idea work. A fully analog/mechanical washing machine is just a big mechanical timer controlled relay behind the knob like a toaster oven. If you set it without power, it just runs through the timer without doing anything. The machine would need to have a timer mechanism that is turned by an electric clock motor, not a mechanical spring with gears etc. Or you could possibly set up an electric actuator that blocks the knob from turning. Then trigger both the power-on relay and the actuator retraction to do both at the same time.
  - pwg 4y ago
    >The machine would need to have a timer mechanism that is turned by an electric clock motor, Pure mechanical timer based washing machines have been driven by electric clock motors (line powered) for at least 50 years (as that is as far back as I remember knowing how they worked). So if line power is out, the timer does not run. Of course, the delay timer on the line would need enough power handling capacity to carry the load of the washing machine.
  - titzer 4y ago
    > A fully analog/mechanical washing machine is just a big mechanical timer controlled relay behind the knob like a toaster oven. If you set it without power, it just runs through the timer without doing anything. My washer has dials to select the modes and then a final push button that activates an internal relay (guessing from the loud mechanical switching sound it makes when it goes on). If all you need to do is complete the circuit of the push button. You can just unmount that push button and hook its wires up to your timer mechanism which completes the circuit when the timer expires. The dryer on the other hand does have a mechanical timer. But that doesn't activate until you turn the dryer on with the push button. So you could set the time of the dryer and not turn it on either, and use the same mechanism as above.
  - Dead_Lemon 4y ago
    Toaster ovens use spring wound timers, as they are simple and easy to mass manufacture. Its a simple time off delay Mechanical Washing machines don't use spring wound clocks, they run of the AC frequency of the mains. It generally drives a small solenoid that increments the clock. The control drum is significant more complex than a toaster ovens timer My current electronic washing machine saves its current cycle state when it looses power, and happily continues when power resumes 2 hours later (unlike my dishwasher, which does not). Although You'd have to start it before turning off the relay, so not as easy as the old mechanical dials
dzhiurgis 4y ago
It’s nice, I’m with you, but if your machine have tiny screen with remaining time (yes it’s not very accurate) - “hey siri set timer for 90minutes” works fine enough.

_Wintermute 4y ago

Every basic washing machine I've owned has had an option to delay the start for an adjustable amount of time.

rileymat2 4y ago
My schedule is erratic and unpredictable at the beginning of the day, but I can estimate when I have an hour left.
- Wistar 4y ago
  This is also true for me, and, I suspect, for many people.

nonethewiser 4y ago

I guess there is some utility then. I find that to be very narrow and outside my personal preferences but recognize that you find it useful. In theory you don’t need a computer/internet to start it later, but that would require you knowing when you want to start it upfront. Meaning there is still a unique capability for the smart washer.

Dead_Lemon 4y ago

A mechanical controlled washing machine with a mechanical timer on the plug would, reliably, achieve the same thing. no need for networks and external servers. A timed controlled smart plug, with current monitoring, would be able to achieve the IOT aspect of the problem.

dicknuckle 4y ago
It would need to be a very specific kind of washing machine (that hopefully probably exists) to make your idea work. A fully analog/mechanical washing machine is just a big mechanical timer controlled relay behind the knob like a toaster oven. If you set it without power, it just runs through the timer without doing anything. The machine would need to have a timer mechanism that is turned by an electric clock motor, not a mechanical spring with gears etc. Or you could possibly set up an electric actuator that blocks the knob from turning. Then trigger both the power-on relay and the actuator retraction to do both at the same time.
- pwg 4y ago
  >The machine would need to have a timer mechanism that is turned by an electric clock motor, Pure mechanical timer based washing machines have been driven by electric clock motors (line powered) for at least 50 years (as that is as far back as I remember knowing how they worked). So if line power is out, the timer does not run. Of course, the delay timer on the line would need enough power handling capacity to carry the load of the washing machine.
- titzer 4y ago
  > A fully analog/mechanical washing machine is just a big mechanical timer controlled relay behind the knob like a toaster oven. If you set it without power, it just runs through the timer without doing anything. My washer has dials to select the modes and then a final push button that activates an internal relay (guessing from the loud mechanical switching sound it makes when it goes on). If all you need to do is complete the circuit of the push button. You can just unmount that push button and hook its wires up to your timer mechanism which completes the circuit when the timer expires. The dryer on the other hand does have a mechanical timer. But that doesn't activate until you turn the dryer on with the push button. So you could set the time of the dryer and not turn it on either, and use the same mechanism as above.
- Dead_Lemon 4y ago
  Toaster ovens use spring wound timers, as they are simple and easy to mass manufacture. Its a simple time off delay Mechanical Washing machines don't use spring wound clocks, they run of the AC frequency of the mains. It generally drives a small solenoid that increments the clock. The control drum is significant more complex than a toaster ovens timer My current electronic washing machine saves its current cycle state when it looses power, and happily continues when power resumes 2 hours later (unlike my dishwasher, which does not). Although You'd have to start it before turning off the relay, so not as easy as the old mechanical dials

dzhiurgis 4y ago

It’s nice, I’m with you, but if your machine have tiny screen with remaining time (yes it’s not very accurate) - “hey siri set timer for 90minutes” works fine enough.