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Montecarlo

By Montecarlo
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Montecarlo Contributor

Montecarlo

Posted
Posted

I'm looking to buy a small Narrowboat, mostly marina based. Would like to fit a small WM. Can't find the little Zanussi 3kg I've seen on a number of boats, or the Candy model. Whats a fairly small Washer that ' could' work on an inverter or decent genny, for the times I'm travelling. I'm told some models don't get on well with some non shore power sources. 

LadyG Veteran II

LadyG

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Montecarlo said:

I'm looking to buy a small Narrowboat, mostly marina based. Would like to fit a small WM. Can't find the little Zanussi 3kg I've seen on a number of boats, or the Candy model. Whats a fairly small Washer that ' could' work on an inverter or decent genny, for the times I'm travelling. I'm told some models don't get on well with some non shore power sources. 

I have a washing machine on board but I always use a launderette.

I  live on board and have enough to last me between launderettes. My boat is 57ft.

If on holiday it's probably best to wear oldest T shirts for a week then bin ...

You need one decent outfit , the rest are for daytime / boating 

I wash socks etc in wash hand basin with Vanish soap bar.

 

Edited by LadyG
  • Haha 1
Alan de Enfield Veteran II

Alan de Enfield

Posted
Posted
13 minutes ago, LadyG said:

I wash socks etc in wash hand basin with Vanish soap bar.

 

And do you have a problem finding them ?

 

I do have that problem, but it just tends to be one of the pair that does the vanishing.

beerbeerbeerbeerbeer Veteran II

beerbeerbeerbeerbeer

Posted
Posted
22 minutes ago, LadyG said:

have a washing machine on board but I always use a launderette.


why’s that then?

 

9 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

I do have that problem, but it just tends to be one of the pair that does the vanishing.


now then, if you used a launderette you’d find missing socks 👍

LadyG Veteran II

LadyG

Posted
Posted
32 minutes ago, LadyG said:

I have a washing machine on board but I always use a launderette.

I  live on board and have enough to last me between launderettes. My boat is 57ft.

If on holiday it's probsbly best to wear oldest T shirts for a week then bin ...

You need one decent outfit , the rest are for daytime / boating 

I wash socks etc in wash hand basin with Vanish soap bar.

 

I understand the WM needs to be used when engine is running i am worried about fire if I am steering

I have lost the instructions 

 I removed the inverter, which I expect was required 

I really dont understand my shorepower electrics.

If I'm at a marina I would use their washer and dryer.

blackrose Veteran II

blackrose

Posted
Posted
40 minutes ago, Montecarlo said:

I'm looking to buy a small Narrowboat, mostly marina based. Would like to fit a small WM. Can't find the little Zanussi 3kg I've seen on a number of boats, or the Candy model. Whats a fairly small Washer that ' could' work on an inverter or decent genny, for the times I'm travelling. I'm told some models don't get on well with some non shore power sources. 

 

I have the Zanussi ZWC 1300W (3kg). I think it's been superseded now by the 1301W model but that seems to be out of stock everywhere. It's a good machine and I've never had a problem running it from my Sterling PSW 2000w inverter, however it doesn't like the Honda EU 30i generator. It will run from the generator eventually but it can take quite a long time before it accepts mains from the genny. 

 

 

blackrose Veteran II

blackrose

Posted
Posted (edited)
12 minutes ago, LadyG said:

I understand the WM needs to be used when engine is running i am worried about fire if I am steering

I have lost the instructions 

 I removed the inverter, which I expect was required 

I really dont understand my shorepower electrics.

If I'm at a marina I would use their washer and dryer.

 

If you're not on shore power and not running the washing machine direct from a generator, then unless you have a big, well charged battery bank most people would need some sort of supplementary battery charging while running the machine. I ran mine today from the inverter and it was quite sunny here so I just angled the solar panels and poured a kettle full of hot water into the washing machine via the soap drawer as it started to help it along. No engine running.

 

It sounds like your washing machine is a bit of a waste of space?

 

11 minutes ago, LadyG said:

A small  NB does not have room for a WM 

 

It depends on how it's fitted and what else one is prepared to do without. I know a couple of people with small narrow boats who have small washing machines. The OP obviously thinks he does have room for a washing machine otherwise he wouldn't be asking the question.

Edited by blackrose
Montecarlo Contributor

Montecarlo

Posted
  • Author
Posted
17 minutes ago, blackrose said:

 

I have the Zanussi ZWC 1300W (3kg). I think it's been superseded now by the 1301W model but that seems to be out of stock everywhere. It's a good machine and I've never had a problem running it from my Sterling PSW 2000w inverter, however it doesn't like the Honda EU 30i generator. It will run from the generator eventually but it can take quite a long time before it accepts mains from the genny. 

 

 

Yep, I'm finding the Zanussi OOS to. It's good to know a 2kw will run it. I had actually thought of a 3kw genny but many find it has difficulties. I'll look out for the 1301w model. 

59 minutes ago, LadyG said:

I have a washing machine on board but I always use a launderette.

I  live on board and have enough to last me between launderettes. My boat is 57ft.

If on holiday it's probsbly best to wear oldest T shirts for a week then bin ...

You need one decent outfit , the rest are for daytime / boating 

I wash socks etc in wash hand basin with Vanish soap bar.

 

Yep, that's exactly what I did with my last NB. I'm going smaller this time so with what I've saved I'll get a washing machine set up, and a few other little luxuries. Although my prospective marina does have laundry facilities, so I may well use that. I'd forgotten about vanish soap, that's on my shopping list now. 

blackrose Veteran II

blackrose

Posted
Posted (edited)
22 minutes ago, Montecarlo said:

Yep, I'm finding the Zanussi OOS to. It's good to know a 2kw will run it. I had actually thought of a 3kw genny but many find it has difficulties. I'll look out for the 1301w model. 

 

My machine draws 1600w so it should be within the capability of most decent 2000w pure sine wave inverters and possibly some 2000w generators. I've given up trying to get my honda generator to run the washing machine, I don't have the patience for it anymore. Once it starts it's fine but it can take 20 or 30 mins of waiting until the machine accepts the generator AC wave form. At one point I was getting it to work by switching on a small oil filled radiator and then switching it off once the washing machine cycle started, but that doesn't seem to work anymore. You'd imagine electronics would either work or it wouldn't, but I guess the generator sine wave must vary. 

 

What I do now is run the machine direct from the inverter and run the battery chargers from the generator at the same time to help the batteries. In summer I don't need the generator and just use the solar panels.

Edited by blackrose
LadyG Veteran II

LadyG

Posted
Posted (edited)

I think a family or couple who really need to do washing twice a week could justify a WM, but can they cope with wet washing every day?

Depends on cash and so on, I pay about £30 , probably every three weeks. Includes everything  ideally I have laundry uplifted and delivered. Its not very expensive.

Edited by LadyG
Montecarlo Contributor

Montecarlo

Posted
  • Author
Posted
5 minutes ago, blackrose said:

 

My machine draws 1600w so it should be within the capability of most decent 2000w pure sine wave inverters and possibly some 2000w generators. I've given up trying to get my honda generator to run the washing machine, I don't have the patience for it anymore. Once it starts it's fine but it can take 20 or 30 mins of waiting until the machine accepts the generator AC wave form. At one point I was getting it to work by switching on a small oil filled radiator and then switching it off once the washing machine cycle started, but that doesn't seem to work anymore. You'd imagine electronics would either work or it wouldn't, but I guess the generator sine wave must vary. 

 

What I do now is run the machine direct from the inverter and run the battery chargers from the generator at the same time to help the batteries. In summer I don't need the generator and just use the solar panels.

Yep, I think I'll get a Sterling or Victron if my prospective boat hasn't got one. Then make sure I've decent batteries and keep the engine running. I'm mostly going to be marina based anyways. I've found a shallow depth model but ideally Id like the Zanussi 3kg. I may end up removing the toilet sink and housing a bigger  one there. 

blackrose Veteran II

blackrose

Posted
Posted (edited)
25 minutes ago, LadyG said:

I think a family or couple who really need to do washing twice a week could justify a WM, but can they cope with wet washing every day?

Depends on cash and so on, I pay about £30 , probably every three weeks. Includes everything  ideally I have laundry uplifted and delivered. Its not very expensive.

 

I live on in my own but don't feel any need to justify a washing machine, it makes perfect sense to me. I hate launderettes, depressing places. You're paying over £500/year for your washing which is fine if you're happy with that. Most of the year I run my washing machine from batteries & solar. I run the generator once or twice a week in winter so I'm probably paying about £50/year in fuel specifically to run the washing machine.

Edited by blackrose
LadyG Veteran II

LadyG

Posted
Posted (edited)

I'm paying for washing and drying, plus the powder. Its easy enough, machine takes 40 mins, so i can leave it while I go shopping. Then stick it in dryers and go for a coffee.  Bus takes ten mins both directions. No big deal. 

 

 

Edited by LadyG
Jon57 Experienced

Jon57

Posted
Posted
34 minutes ago, LadyG said:

I'm paying for washing and drying, plus the powder. Its easy enough, machine takes 40 mins, so i can leave it while I go shopping. Then stick it in dryers and go for a coffee.  Bus takes ten mins both directions. No big deal. 

 

 

Try moving to an area where it's a PIA that might change your mind. My galley is small but the first thing I did after cruising without was to fit one. 

blackrose Veteran II

blackrose

Posted
Posted
59 minutes ago, LadyG said:

I'm paying for washing and drying, plus the powder. Its easy enough, machine takes 40 mins, so i can leave it while I go shopping. Then stick it in dryers and go for a coffee.  Bus takes ten mins both directions. No big deal. 

 

 

 

As I said, if you're happy doing that and paying a lot of money for it, fine. It's an individual choice but personally I wouldn't be. 

TheShipsCat Community Regular

TheShipsCat

Posted
Posted

I'm also boat shopping and a WM is a requirement.  If it's not there I'll have one fitted.  If it is there, the question rings in the back of my mind, how do you know if it works?  If the machine is compatible with the electrics?  Not like you can run a load of wash as part of a survey.  

 

I too hate hanging out in and around launderettes, unless there's a pub built around one (more of that, please).  But even more than using them, making cruising plans around finding one close enough to the canal before you run out of clothes is a pain.  I expect to need them for big stuff like bedding anyway.

 

Seems to me that laundry goes next in line under toilets as a boater's chief logistical concern. 

 

Montecarlo Contributor

Montecarlo

Posted
  • Author
Posted
54 minutes ago, JoeC said:

How about narrow top loader? Don't know anything about this model but it shows you what I mean.

Hotpoint 7kg 1200rpm Freestanding Top Loading Washing Machine - White : Amazon.co.uk

Good idea, I've looked at a few now.Its an option.400mm width so it could fit some layouts.

1 minute ago, TheShipsCat said:

I'm also boat shopping and a WM is a requirement.  If it's not there I'll have one fitted.  If it is there, the question rings in the back of my mind, how do you know if it works?  If the machine is compatible with the electrics?  Not like you can run a load of wash as part of a survey.  

 

I too hate hanging out in and around launderettes, unless there's a pub built around one (more of that, please).  But even more than using them, making cruising plans around finding one close enough to the canal before you run out of clothes is a pain.  I expect to need them for big stuff like bedding anyway.

 

Seems to me that laundry goes next in line under toilets as a boater's chief logistical concern. 

 

I couldn't agree more

TheShipsCat Community Regular

TheShipsCat

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, beerbeerbeerbeerbeer said:

now then, if you used a launderette you’d find missing socks 👍

Yes, but the socks are someone else's and it's only one out of each pair. 

Torblimey Collaborator

Torblimey

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Montecarlo said:

I'm looking to buy a small Narrowboat, mostly marina based. Would like to fit a small WM. Can't find the little Zanussi 3kg I've seen on a number of boats, or the Candy model. Whats a fairly small Washer that ' could' work on an inverter or decent genny, for the times I'm travelling. I'm told some models don't get on well with some non shore power sources. 

https://amzn.eu/d/62nS8GJ

 

That's the wm I fitted to my boat last year, runs fine on a victron multiplus II 3kw via solar or the fog star lithium.

Uses around 1kwh of power for a 3hr hot wash although I've plumbed it into the hot water line to save on this.

It does mean every wash is a hot wash unless I let the tank go cold.

It has around a 125w motor pull and 1750w total when the internal water heater is running.

Max amps were around 70A pulled off the battery (used it 2days ago).

Alan de Enfield Veteran II

Alan de Enfield

Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, Torblimey said:

It has around a 125w motor pull and 1750w total when the internal water heater is running.

Max amps were around 70A pulled off the battery (used it 2days ago).

 

Presumably you had the engine running as well - the total (max) draw would be ~ 145amps.

Montecarlo Contributor

Montecarlo

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 hours ago, blackrose said:

 

If you're not on shore power and not running the washing machine direct from a generator, then unless you have a big, well charged battery bank most people would need some sort of supplementary battery charging while running the machine. I ran mine today from the inverter and it was quite sunny here so I just angled the solar panels and poured a kettle full of hot water into the washing machine via the soap drawer as it started to help it along. No engine running.

 

It sounds like your washing machine is a bit of a waste of space?

 

 

It depends on how it's fitted and what else one is prepared to do without. I know a couple of people with small narrow boats who have small washing machines. The OP obviously thinks he does have room for a washing machine otherwise he wouldn't be asking the question.

Good point, frankly im prepared to do without or innovate..I'll fit one in somehow. I've seen boats where the toilet sink is removed,  full size machine fitted, cabinet fitted surrounding it and a small non inset bowl put on top. Im slightly concerned about actually getting it into the boat so I'll be measuring front,back and hatch doors to see what fits in. Either that or bulk buy some vanish 🤣 i saw a 30 foot boat for sale with one fitted, I'll get it in a 35-40 footer.....🤞

7 minutes ago, Peanut said:

 

161. Narrowboat laundry: the Hotpoint WMTF722H washing machine.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6FT0zzpN_k

 

Also, episode 30, may be of interest.

 

My thanks.

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