Posts: 60
Threads: 16
Joined: Sep 2014
If you have smaller loads the 'RV' style all in one washer dryers work well, specifically the Splendide models
http://www.splendide.com/splendide_wd2100xc.htm
We have one in our RV on the mainland and it does a great job. Drying is not too hard because it spins the heck outta the clothes first. Winds them up like a turbine engine and goes for a long time so there's not much water left when the dryer turns on.
According to the specs the max draw is 11 amps which is a heck of a lot less than a 'regular' 220v electric dryer would draw.
The other nice thing is that they are compact and you can usually fit one in a bathroom or under a counter in the kitchen like the Europeans often do.
Posts: 2,654
Threads: 42
Joined: Sep 2006
Avoid the matched stacking units. I had the washer go bad and I couldn't find a dryer that would mate up to it so I had to fix the unfixable. What a major PITA. The rear drum bearing went bad. I had to buy the whole drum that included the bearing. That sucker had to come totally apart. I understood why the repair guys said it wasn't fixable. It was but......
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Sealed Bucket in back of car. Plenty agitation ... : )
aloha,
pog
Posts: 11,035
Threads: 751
Joined: Sep 2012
Sealed Bucket in back of car. Plenty agitation ... : )
When wash cycle complete, give kids on passenger side of car the clean clothes to hold out car window. Then whirl 100-200 times around new roundabout until excess moisture spins out of laundry. Repeat as necessary.
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
Posts: 7,734
Threads: 686
Joined: Jun 2011
quote:
Originally posted by oink
Avoid the matched stacking units. I had the washer go bad and I couldn't find a dryer that would mate up to it so I had to fix the unfixable. What a major PITA. The rear drum bearing went bad. I had to buy the whole drum that included the bearing. That sucker had to come totally apart. I understood why the repair guys said it wasn't fixable. It was but......
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
We have a stacking unit and I dread the day one of them dies like you describe (though I'm sure in my case it will be one day after the extended warranty expires). But in our case stacking was the only option considering our small space.
Speaking of warranty service, if you have a stacking w/d unit or an over-the-range microwave, warranty normally does not include appliance removal or re-installation. Generally they will work on either top or bottom appliance so long as the units don't have to be separated. If they have to be separated then its the owner's responsibility to do that (and put them back together). Though a good repairperson will help you stack/unstack them, but being its a 2-person job they won't send a second person out to help and if you're not strong enough to help them.... not covered by warranty. With the OTR microwaves some of the repairs can be done without removing them, but removal and re-installation of the appliance is not considered part of the "repair". These "terms" differ by manufacturer and extended warranty company. Manufacturer warranty claims supposedly won't send a repair person to your place for an OTR repair unless the microwave has been removed from over the range and the repair person isn't allowed to help you.
Posts: 1,930
Threads: 71
Joined: Jun 2012
Tesla Powerwall is going to start being carried by Solar City Hawaii. What is really needed in a residential home is a power conditioner plus UPS (uninterruptible power supply). A 10kWh Powerwall is $7200 to buy outright. It could power a house for a few days with just the storage batteries but with solar panels, would provide almost continuous clean power.
http://cleantechnica.com/2015/05/07/tesl...ity-scale/
“For a 10 kilowatt-hour system, customers can prepay $5,000 for a nine-year lease, which includes installation, a maintenance agreement, the electrical inverter and control systems. Customers can also buy the same system outright for $7,140, Bass said.”
"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*
Posts: 14,120
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
A 10kWh Powerwall is $7200 to buy outright.
No longer available:
http://blog.wholesalesolar.com/tesla-dum...all-model/
Posts: 4,254
Threads: 96
Joined: Mar 2014
Did they actually produce any to begin with? The article implies that production of the smaller 7kwh model is yet to commence.
Posts: 1,219
Threads: 52
Joined: Dec 2014
The Australians are all over the concept of decentralized power, not always off grid, but instead building "mini-grids" that are highly localized and self sufficient with subdivisions and apartments being built to supply their own power and send excess to the grid. I wish I could remember the name of the documentary I just watched about it, but it was clear they have crossed into the affordable solar and wind power realm, with really efficient integrated home/battery/grid systems that make alternative energy both cost effective for the consumer, but also for the community and power companies.
Edited to add:
Found the name, it is part of an Australian series called Catalyst, this episode was Battery Powered Homes. A buddy gave me a copy, so I have no idea where you can find it on the internet.
