> As mentioned in one of the opening paragraphs, this washer has a tendency to take longer than it says it will.
I feel like that's true for every washing machine that has ever existed
I hacked my washing machine
161–169 of 169 posts
Re: I hacked my washing machine
#162Earlier quoted context omitted.
So, maybe. And also maybe not. https://www.forskning.no/forbruk-ntnu-partner/er-vaskemaskin... (in Norwegian) quotes research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The article says that a washing machine used to last 20 years, and now only lasts 10 years. However, it also says that machine usage has doubled, from four to eight times a week. So, the new machine lasts the same number of cycles, but t…
An article from 2025 is pulling data from a 2003 study that compares usage from the 1960's to what I assume is 2003, right when He and CPU controls were starting to become popular. My 1990's Whirlpool lasted for 25 years before a barrel support rusted out. It had a mechanical timer and did a good job cleaning my clothes. Now I have this awful HE LG thing that I ALWAYS use the bedding mode otherwise it just mashes the…
I solve this problem by only wearing burlap sacks.
Re: I hacked my washing machine
#163Earlier quoted context omitted.
My washing machine is a "dumb" machine from the '90s. The wash cycles run based on the position of a glorified timer knob: it doesn't have a computer or sensors to detect if it needs extra time aside from the water fill stages. Thanks to this consistency, I just set a 40 minute timer on my phone, and it's always done by then. Can't get much simpler than that. If I need reminders, there's always the alarm snooze funct…
It's actually really, really easy to get the state of a "dumb" washing machine (or any other electric machine) into Home Assistant using a smart plug. You can use something really basic like "power draw for > n seconds followed by no power for > m seconds" to detect when a cycle is finished. You can get way fancier and look at power draw curves to determine what part of a cycle it's in, or which cycle, if you really…
How about using sound?
Extra credit for discerning washer vs dryer, recognizing "done" buzzer/bell, etc. Might be useful if your dryer has a "wrinkle guard" feature; buzz and then keep tumbling on low heat.
For the washer, you could probably also discern portion of the cycle (fill, agitate, spin, drain).
Re: I hacked my washing machine
#164Earlier quoted context omitted.
Correct. Have several houses on the land, and it made more sense to put the machine where it was both equidistant between them and where the washing line is.
No, the obvious over engineered solution would be to mount the machines on a train (or tracked vehicle for bonus points) that can come when called and go where needed!
The problem (scratch that, "the most interesting challenge") with that is that a washer needs a water supply line, water release outlet (if not for chemicals, might not be the issue on a farm) and electricity (perhaps a simple problem to get power connections to it through the rail like trains).
Re: I hacked my washing machine
#165Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is (largely) what I have for my "dumb" washer. What makes mine unique is the washer is in my apartment building's cellar, too far for Wifi. So I have a LoRa transmitter that routes the message to a LoRa receiver on my home network. Unfortunately, as you noted, I haven't figured out how to handle the dryer as the load is too much for all the smart plugs I've found. I wish there was a clamp-style monitor on an ext…
You can use a vibration sensor for the dryer.
I tried that, and found dryers actually vibrate so little that most sensors have a hard time reliably detecting it.
Re: I hacked my washing machine
#166Earlier quoted context omitted.
No, the obvious over engineered solution would be to mount the machines on a train (or tracked vehicle for bonus points) that can come when called and go where needed!
The problem (scratch that, "the most interesting challenge") with that is that a washer needs a water supply line, water release outlet (if not for chemicals, might not be the issue on a farm) and electricity (perhaps a simple problem to get power connections to it through the rail like trains).
I’m envisioning docking stations - power is relatively easy with pantographs and similar things, water could be gravity fed into holding tanks …
Re: I hacked my washing machine
#167Earlier quoted context omitted.
The problem (scratch that, "the most interesting challenge") with that is that a washer needs a water supply line, water release outlet (if not for chemicals, might not be the issue on a farm) and electricity (perhaps a simple problem to get power connections to it through the rail like trains).
I’m envisioning docking stations - power is relatively easy with pantographs and similar things, water could be gravity fed into holding tanks …
Nah, you just put a 5-10kwh battery on there, along with a small water tank and pump - a load of washing (in Europe) only uses 50L and about 2kwh tops - up to 5 with drying. The rest of the battery powers the drive train for the vehicle. Then you just have a dock for charging and water replenishment. We only use zero phosphate eco detergent, so waste can be dumped wherever. Maybe position it to water some plants when it drains.
You know, my whole life is madcap projects (today is running half a km of fibre down the inside of a live water main) so I’ll update you when I have a mobile laundromat.
Re: I hacked my washing machine
#168Earlier quoted context omitted.
I occasionally do a washing load before bed that I know I might not wake up for to put into the dryer. Fortunately, my machine has an "extended tumble" cycle of sorts that will keep the clothes fresh all night at the expense of a bit more water, but while saving my bedtime routine. We end up with a lot of these nighttime loads because we're toasted all day watching kids and we prioritize laundry off-peak electricity…
I use the Delay feature. It will wait to start the wash for a settable amount of hours.
Ooooh, I need to see if I have this one! There's a companion app, but I've opted not to set it up yet. Don't really need my appliances in wifi.
Re: I hacked my washing machine
#169Earlier quoted context omitted.
I’m envisioning docking stations - power is relatively easy with pantographs and similar things, water could be gravity fed into holding tanks …
Nah, you just put a 5-10kwh battery on there, along with a small water tank and pump - a load of washing (in Europe) only uses 50L and about 2kwh tops - up to 5 with drying. The rest of the battery powers the drive train for the vehicle. Then you just have a dock for charging and water replenishment. We only use zero phosphate eco detergent, so waste can be dumped wherever. Maybe position it to water some plants when…
Sounds cheaper to just get multiple washing machines instead :D