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wagonmaster2 · 09-11-2019, 10:56 PM

Our front load washer is a Whirlpool in a 2015 Newmar DS.
Question is, how does the washer determine how much water to run in starting the wash cycle? Does it measure by quantity or depth of water in the tub, or is it a timing thing?

Reason for question is the CG water pressure where we are doesn't seem very strong and doesn't look like the tub has as much water in it as usual. We can run the water pump while the washer is filling to get more water but don't think this should be necessary.

Didn't know where else to ask a question like this.

Cassy · 09-12-2019, 02:25 AM

I keep an empty gallon water container and add water via the laundry dispenser when I want more water in the tub.

JFXG · 09-12-2019, 06:48 PM

Your coach water pump will cut in at about 40psi. If your pump runs even when attached to CG water, that means the CG pressure is less than 40psi. Just run the washer with your pump on, and your machine should take the proper quantity.
That said, I believe these machines add a quantity of water commensurate with the weight of dry clothes in the load, but I’m not sure exactly how it is done. I do know that you will NOT see a free waterline sloshing across the viewport. The clothes will be a very wet, sodden mass that tumbles in the drum as the drum slowly turns in alternate directions. There is no floating involved.

Ray,IN · 09-13-2019, 09:13 PM

I think water quantity is determined by weight of clothes. I think the washer uses the same technology for balancing loads for spinning out water, to determine weight of clothes.

wagonmaster2 · 09-13-2019, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFXG

Your coach water pump will cut in at about 40psi. If your pump runs even when attached to CG water, that means the CG pressure is less than 40psi. Just run the washer with your pump on, and your machine should take the proper quantity.
That said, I believe these machines add a quantity of water commensurate with the weight of dry clothes in the load, but I’m not sure exactly how it is done. I do know that you will NOT see a free waterline sloshing across the viewport. The clothes will be a very wet, sodden mass that tumbles in the drum as the drum slowly turns ngin alternate directions. There is no floating involved.

I sometimes wonder how a front loader can clean clothes at all considering how little water the machine uses and how wet the clothes actually get.

Fulltimer · 09-14-2019, 07:23 AM

While I am not a washing machine technician I have seen the insides of them a few times.The water level sensor uses water pressure that is made inside a plastic tube. Look at a straw when you put it water. As the water rises in the tube it creates air pressure on a diaphragm which is connected to a switch. Lets the washer know how much water is inside.

wagonmaster2 · 09-14-2019, 11:05 PM

That's very interesting and informative. I'm learning more about these machines all the time.
Guess then it really doesn't matter how much water pressure you have going into the machine, the more the pressure the quicker the machine will fill.
The wife has a 32 oz. plastic glass she usually adds 3-6 glasses of water after the machine stops filling, so if she was to add this amount before the machine started filling that wouldn't increase the water level since the machine would just stop filling sooner. This sound about right?

Dom · 09-14-2019, 11:24 PM

I am a tech and what fultimer said was right on. Water fills the tub, creating air pressure up the fill tube which activates the pressure switch to stop filling

oatmeal · 09-19-2019, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2

The wife has a 32 oz. plastic glass she usually adds 3-6 glasses of water after the machine stops filling, so if she was to add this amount before the machine started filling that wouldn't increase the water level since the machine would just stop filling sooner. This sound about right?

That's correct, on my Splendide, anyway.

As for your original question, I always use only my on-board water pump, and it's an anemic 1 gallon/minute. The machine takes a long time to fill, and gets to the same level whether I just let the water pump do its thing, or if I pour water in there directly as it's filling. If I "supplement" it, it just stops its own filling behavior earlier.