Activator washing machines: what is it and how to use it?

Modern life is constantly being replenished with technological innovations, especially with regard to household appliances. Multifunctional automatic models have completely ousted their "old" predecessors from the market. At the same time, activator-type washing machines continue to be in demand today, like automatic machines, since they have high quality and reliability in operation.

The washing machine of the activator type is a device for washing clothes, in which the soap solution is set in motion by a paddle disk made of durable reinforced plastic.

The blades in such machines are convex ribs, which outwardly resemble elements in drum models. Many believe that the activator machine is intended exclusively for summer cottages, as it has unpretentiousness in operation and compactness. In fact it is often used by families and students living in rented apartments, country lovers and owners of houses where there is no water supply.

The main advantages of activator machines include:

• small size, which makes it easy to store and transport equipment;
• ease of care and management;
• the ability to increase the duration of the spin and wash;
• a high rate of purification, which is 65% (for automatic models it does not exceed 50%);
• the ability to wash with detergents intended for hand washing and any water hardness;
• low price;
• capacity up to 10 kg of linen.

As for the cons, they are also available: in the washing process, human participation is necessary (you need to rinse by hand), no spinning, heating water in a separate container, minimal functionality and the inability to build equipment under the curbstone.

The design of activator type washing machines is very simple and consists of such basic parts as a timer, a motor, an activator and a loading tank. The upper part of the machine is equipped with a hinged or removable lid through which linen is loaded, and the lower part is equipped with an electric motor and an activator. The main component of the unit is an activator, which is a rotating element that circulates water. The activator is usually in the form of a disc or a screw, it is located either on an inclined bottom of the tank (asymmetric) or on a flat (axisymmetric).

On the outer circle of the activator, special short blades are placed, which are responsible for the creation of additional water flows. Thanks to the non-uniform whirlpool, the laundry is evenly distributed in the tub and washed efficiently. The principle of operation of washing machines of this type is as follows:

• first, water is poured into the tank, washing powder is added and laundry is loaded;
• then the timer starts and the duration of washing, spinning is selected (if a centrifuge is provided in the model);
• after that the motor drives the activator, and the washing process begins;
• as soon as the timer gives a signal to complete the work, gets the linen (you need to rinse it separately in another container by hand, or simply pour clean water into the machine).

The last stage in washing is spinning, which, if a centrifuge is available, is performed in an automatic mode, and if not, manually.

Summing up, it is worth noting that activator units extremely rarely fail, but if this happens, then it is easy to find spare parts for repairing them. Most often, in such models, the motor breaks, the timer or the plastic tank bursts.

Washing machines of the activator type differ among themselves not only in design features, but also in the scope (mini, household, industrial), the presence of additional functions and the volume of loading. That's why each model has its own advantages and disadvantages, which are important to consider when buying equipment.

The most common are activator machines with wedge gear and electromechanical control. They have the simplest form of a time relay, an activator and a water tank. Some models also have a spin mode. They are additionally equipped with a drive handle and a rubber roller.

Semi-automatic units are more advanced, which, unlike the previous version, include in their design not only a washing tank, but also a centrifuge. The centrifuge and activator motors in similar models are driven by a time relay.

Deserve special attention and automatic machines. They are available with a spin function and heated water. In addition, such models have a washing program that allows you to select the degree of soiling of the laundry and the type of fabric. To set the desired mode, use the electronic control panel. Among automatic machines, it is especially popular bubble model, which is characterized by an increased quality of washing.

In the system of each activator machine, one or two tanks can be provided. The first option allows only one wash, and all operations take place within a single tank. The second option is intended both for washing (in the first tank) and for drying clothes (in the second tank).

Activator-type washing machines have proven themselves well in the household appliance market, and despite the fact that such units are considered "outdated" in terms of technical and functional capabilities, many housewives still continue to use them. The most common models of such machines include the following options.

• "Baby-2"... It is a compact device for small wash batches, as it is designed only for a load of up to 1 kg. Water consumption for washing is 28 liters, washing duration - 5 minutes, rinsing - 4 minutes. The activator for such models is mounted in the side wall, and the motor is located outside the tank. This further increases the safety of use of the unit. The only drawback of the machine is that water with a temperature higher than +80 degrees cannot be poured into its washing tank.

• Renova WS-40PET... This is a semiautomatic device that is great for summer cottages that are not connected to a central water supply. The weight of this unit is only 12.7 kg, so it can be easily transported. The main advantage of the model is also considered a moderate power consumption (360 W), the ability to load laundry up to 4 kg and two washing modes (this model has two tanks). Disadvantage - during operation, the machine vibrates strongly and can arbitrarily drain water from the tank.

• Frigidaire MLCE10ZEMW. The manufacturer has equipped this machine with the ability to connect cold and hot water systems. In such units, you can wash both coarse fabrics and delicate laundry.The design includes a drying centrifuge and a washing chamber, which makes the equipment functional. There are no downsides to this model.

It is equipped with a touch screen color display, is designed for a load of up to 5.5 kg of laundry and is completely silent.

Washing in activator type machines is simple and convenient, because to start the working process, it is enough to switch the relay located on the control panel; it is not at all necessary to connect the unit to the water supply system. At the end of the wash, all the dirty water is drained into the sewer through a special hose attached to the bottom of the tank. In automated models, pumping is driven by a pump.

Install the unit in such a way that so that a minimum distance of 5 cm remains between it and the wall, otherwise noise will be generated from vibration. In addition, the washing machine should be provided with convenient access to the water tap and sockets. The unit is set to a certain height sufficient to drain the water, giving preference to a solid and level base.

In order for the equipment to serve for a long time, it is important to observe the following rules for its operation.

• First of all you should carefully read the manual for the technique and study its structure, principle of operation. If the machine is used for the first time, it is advisable to wipe it with a damp and then dry cloth.
• Then you need to sort the laundry into groups depending on the color and degree of soiling. Before washing, cotton items should be soaked, and heavily soiled areas should be soaped. The weight of the laundry is calculated only when dry.
• After the preparatory measures, it is necessary to fix the drain hose in the upper position and pour in the detergent. Do not use detergent powder with low foam formation, it will be ineffective. Next, the washing mode is selected using a special switch, water is poured and a timer is set.
• Before rinsing, you should spin and drain the water from the tank. The time for rinsing is selected depending on the amount of laundry and the type of fabric.
• The work of the machine ends by lowering the drain hose and draining the water from the tank. Then the plug is removed from the socket, the cord is hung on a special hanger and the laundry is removed.

During the operation of machines of the activator type you should try to avoid impacts and mechanical damage. The plastic elements of the unit must not be allowed to come into contact with active substances such as dichloroethane and acetone, as well as with objects heated to temperatures above +80 degrees. You can only clean the contaminated surface of equipment with a soft cloth that can be moistened with soap or soda solution.

Throughout the entire period of operation, it is necessary periodically lubricate the motor bearings. The unit can only be stored in a dry room, the air temperature in which is not lower than +5 degrees and the humidity is not more than 80%. If malfunctions appear during operation, then you do not need to rush to fix them with your own hands. First of all, you should find out the cause of the breakdown, assess the degree of its complexity and seek help from the masters. Sometimes self-repair can lead to negative consequences and a threat to life.

An overview of the WS-40PET semi-automatic washing machine, see below.