'Smart' Washing Machines

[No ideas for a name]

My Zanussi washer seems to have developed a bit of an arcing problem from the motor area - it is 14 years old and has had just one door seal, and one set of motor brushes about a year ago, so I have probably had my money's worth.

I thought it would be trivial to choose a replacement but actual information seem to be a bit thin on the ground.

Ideally I would like another Zanussi, only real requirement is it has some simple 'smart' control.
BUT - I want LOCAL smart control - I don't want any external dependancy.

Basically all I need is a 'start' command. So HA can trigger a start 'at best price'/lowest demand/excess solar (but I can sort that easily)
.
Hoover has hOn - but it isn't clear if this is local - and the manufacturer did threaten to sue the developer of the Home Assistant integration (though I think that was dropped)

Samsung has its own system - I have no idea how that works.

Anyone have any useful info and real world experience on this?

[SP_]

Some of these washers are annoying, and must be started manually not remotely, for safety reasons. They can be stopped remotely. Our LG won't start via the app unless the power has been turnedo n manually first, via the LG App or HA. Worth checking.

[No ideas for a name]

SP_ said:

Some of these washers are annoying, and must be started manually not remotely, for safety reasons. They can be stopped remotely. Our LG won't start via the app unless the power has been turnedo n manually first, via the LG App or HA. Worth checking.

Thanks, this is the trouble... all these things that you find out after you have bought it and it doesn't do the most basic functions.

Real-world answers seem to be the only reliable data - it seems impossible to find out from the manufacturer's data whithout great analysys.

[55palfers]

A washing machine needing an App.

Madness.

[scenario8]

This is quite interesting (in so far as I don't really understand what problem were looking to solve with this “smart functionality”).

We want a washing machine that we’ve already loaded etc to switch itself on at a time it recognises as being the optimal from an energy cost perspective. The ability to do so away from the machine is not wanted - just optimal timing. Is this marginal energy cost saving period not predictable? Is the marginal difference in energy cost really that significant?

I suppose I’m really asking “is a delayed start not adequate?”

These are genuine questions as I suppose I’m a bit of a dinosaur and haven’t yet fully understood quite what smart technology brings to the party. When I replaced my very old dishwasher last year the manufacturers seemed very keen to boast about the smart element (in the marketing jargon) while not really explaining very well quite what the appreciable benefits were to an ordinary user).

I hope you get the answer to the question you’ve asked, too!

[heisthegaffer]

We're with octopus with the cheap elec rate during the night, originally to charge my PHEV.

Is this not sufficient for running the washing machine?

[Rough101]

I’ve Samsung, it runs through an app called Smart Things, so it’s externally dependent. It seems to need GPS activated for set up, I don’t know if this is to ensure the devices attached are in the same place as the appliance.

You don’t need to use it though, you can just delay start from the panel if you want, I’m not sure if the app can cut this short and start the cycle on demand though.

I’ll sometimes activate crease guard on the drier if I can’t get to empty it at the end of the cycle, but other than that I don’t use it, it’s live all the time, so you can see remaining time estimate etc. and I believe. It gives access to the diagnostic menu, but I haven’t tried.

As all use an external served and internet, I’m nit sure any will meet your criteria.

[Simpo Two]

55palfers said:

A washing machine needing an App.

Madness.

Quite. I start my WM when I want to do the washing. I'm not going to start modifying my life to please the electricity companies.

[55palfers]

Simpo Two said:

55palfers said:

A washing machine needing an App.

Madness.

Quite. I start my WM when I want to do the washing. I'm not going to start modifying my life to please the electricity companies.

Over 35 years ago I had an early video recorder with a perfectly functional timer. I'm sure the 10p chip could be put in a machine to select a start time and wash programme.

[dickymint]

LG Super Smart here - it's brilliant I just lob the dirty stuff on the floor and walk away. At some time or other it all just reapers in my wardrobe

[No ideas for a name]

dickymint said:

LG Super Smart here - it's brilliant I just lob the dirty stuff on the floor and walk away. At some time or other it all just reapers in my wardrobe

Ha... does it have the shopping and cooking option?
Sounds expensive, but probably well worth it.

[Jamescrs]

No ideas for a name said:

Thanks, this is the trouble... all these things that you find out after you have bought it and it doesn't do the most basic functions.

Real-world answers seem to be the only reliable data - it seems impossible to find out from the manufacturer's data whithout great analysys.

I think the point is that what you are wanting isn't a basic function. The basic function of a washing machine is to wash clothes/ bedding etc. What you are looking for is somewhat more complex than that and likely that the additional cost you will pay for the smart functions required will outweigh the cost savings over a basic washing machine

[No ideas for a name]

Jamescrs said:

I think the point is that what you are wanting isn't a basic function. The basic function of a washing machine is to wash clothes/ bedding etc. What you are looking for is somewhat more complex than that and likely that the additional cost you will pay for the smart functions required will outweigh the cost savings over a basic washing machine

I am probably over thinking it... maybe the best answer is to put £100 worth of new motor on the existing one. The only thing I am wondering is, it is 14 years old, and the next part may be on its way out too - bearings maybe. No reason to suspect that, but everything does have a finite lifespan.

It isn't really about saving money - as you say, any saving would be millipence - particularly if a new 'smart' machine has a premium over a non-smart one. The dishwasher, with its 'delay by 3h' button, is fine most of the time, but if you put it 'on' after tea, it then starts during the evening news (for example)... if I don't start it after loading it - then I forget by bedtime.

Very old, mechanically 'timed' machines you could just switch on at the plug and it would start - later machines need to be powered on, then a program, or delay, or start button to be pressed.

Maybe such a machine with trivial remote start, just doesn't exist.

I am with everyone who thinks having an 'app' to start it is mental. That is why a simple, local, IP based control was wanted.
I can't imaging that with a machine with external dependancies, they would still be supported when the machine is still useful ten or more years later.

[ARHarh]

No ideas for a name said:

dickymint said:

LG Super Smart here - it's brilliant I just lob the dirty stuff on the floor and walk away. At some time or other it all just reapers in my wardrobe

Ha... does it have the shopping and cooking option?
Sounds expensive, but probably well worth it.

Reminds me a of a conversation with a colleague many years ago.

Me "Hi Dave, did you have a good weekend?"
Dave "Yep, got a new dishwasher - The sort you screw on the bed"
Me with puzzled look " what???"
Dave "Yep, the girlfriend moved in"

[CoolHands]

Isn’t the cheapest price always at night? So you don’t need an app, just a normal delay timer which they all have to do it at midnight.

[Griffith4ever]

55palfers said:

Simpo Two said:

55palfers said:

A washing machine needing an App.

Madness.

Quite. I start my WM when I want to do the washing. I'm not going to start modifying my life to please the electricity companies.

Over 35 years ago I had an early video recorder with a perfectly functional timer. I'm sure the 10p chip could be put in a machine to select a start time and wash programme.

Why are you three even in this thread?

Op - I use HA extensively so understand your motivation. People mock the ability to turn on lights in the same room with voice control.... Until they are sat with dinner on their lap, and a drink in one hand and need certain lights on or off.

I have HA manage a soldering iron and glue gun in my workshop. It'll turn them off if I forget to.

[No ideas for a name]

Griffith4ever said:

Why are you three even in this thread?

Op - I use HA extensively so understand your motivation. People mock the ability to turn on lights in the same room with voice control.... Until they are sat with dinner on their lap, and a drink in one hand and need certain lights on or off.

I have HA manage a soldering iron and glue gun in my workshop. It'll turn them off if I forget to.

I have decided that it is easier to just replace the motor.
If I could have gone to the shop and come back with a basic machine that had a network API, then I would have gone for that - but no, it seems manufacturers try to add stuff that I imagine people don't need.

I may add a trivial remote trigger - should be easy with effectively volt free contacts 'pushing' the start button via Shelly switch or an ESP32 device.
All I want is to 'arm' the machine (turn it on and select a program) when I fill it, and 'trigger' it (press start) using HA.

Looking in to some of the so called smart stuff was interesting. Extract from Hoover..

Wi-Fi technology allows you to connect to this Washing Machine via the Hoover h0n app on your smartphone, so you can choose and monitor your cycles, as well as download additional programs. You can also use the machine with Alexa and Google. Try saying: "Alexa, ask Hoover h0n how to remove chocolate stains".

What a load of b0locks.

[richatnort]

Could you find a washing machine with physical buttons and buy a switch bot so you could turn the washing machine in via this

https://uk.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-bot

We stayed in an AirBnB once and they used this on the intercom to let us into the building.

[ashleyman]

I quite like the app. No more checking if it's done just turn it on, press go. Then my phone pings when it's ready to take out.

[No ideas for a name]

richatnort said:

Could you find a washing machine with physical buttons and buy a switch bot so you could turn the washing machine in via this

https://uk.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-bot

We stayed in an AirBnB once and they used this on the intercom to let us into the building.

Thanks... I have not come across that before. That would work... only thing I would need to do is use a Bluetooth bridge as all my HA stuff is WiFi based... but not a problem.
I will investigate that as it is a logically neat solution even if the stick on 'lump' is a bit ugly.