The accommodation I'm currently staying in has a coin-op laundry filled with MayTag machines. I've noticed that when the empty washer drum is spun it makes a loud sloshing noise.
Initially I thought it was to make the machine sound like it was washing with loads of water, but it's apparently to balance the drum during the spin cycle.
I have to admit I can't quite get my head round the concept of the ring of liquid counterbalancing an imbalanced load. I think it's more complicated than a simple fluid flywheeel, and has some arrangement where the fluid will actively spread to counteract off-centre movement. Any ideas?
Initially I thought it was to make the machine sound like it was washing with loads of water, but it's apparently to balance the drum during the spin cycle.
I have to admit I can't quite get my head round the concept of the ring of liquid counterbalancing an imbalanced load. I think it's more complicated than a simple fluid flywheeel, and has some arrangement where the fluid will actively spread to counteract off-centre movement. Any ideas?
Hey BigClive! I've just taken a washing machine "to bits" and have come across the same sort of device in a top loader spin basket. Did you ever find out / make a video about how these work? 🙂
I am glad that you posted this video regarding the liquid balancing ring on the Maytag Neptune. I am overseeing some properties while the owners are away, and they have this same type and brand of washer. I also assumed that water was not being fully evacuated when in the spin dry mode. Glad to know that it's they way the machine is made.
I didn't know that was even a thing. I thought my machine was damaged.
At least the dryer has a window.
Thank you for posting this. Just exploded a disposable diaper in the machine and after cleaning to the best of my ability it was making this noise which I had not noticed before. I am going to choose to believe this thing off the internet and let my worry over it go.
P.S I love my relatively new Maytag.
you didn't manage to convince the launderette owner to let you take the thing apart? in the name of science? what a party pooper….
Which student accommodation is this? It cant be the newer ones at city centre, like Quartermile nor Potterrow and its definitely not most of the houses at Pollock Halls either, unless Holland House?
DeLaval showed that an out of balance turbine would find a balanced position by itself is it was mounted on a flexible enough shaft, although the mathematics always defeated me during my degree. Perhaps the fluid performs the same function?
Interesting, i have a newer top load maytag, and i always thought it was just left over water i kinda wondered why it didn't stink like mildew, lol. I imagine it would work similar to balancing beads in tires. I have some in my tires, and they will go out of balance for a few seconds if you accelerate hard until the beads "find their place" so to speak. I noticed my machine does the same. With an imbalanced load it will spin it really fast(to the point the drum bangs the sides at times) then slow down a bit and then speed up really fast and 95% of the time it runs smooth as can be. There is also fluid filled harmonic balancers available for engines, so theres gotta be some kind of proven witchcraft behind it.
why didn't you just take it apart, and had a look inside? I didn't see any Sign or Label that said "Don't take our Machines apart" 😀
Clive, I love how you have the same curiosity about every day items as I do.
Please keep up the awesome videos.
Ive found the same sort of idea in high speed cd readers, a bunch of ballbearings sit in the top of the cd clamp and when the cd spinns they are thrown out and get distributed like wheel weights.
Perhaps yours are plastic balls in oil?