Here's another post explaining how a top-loading washing machine works, hopefully you get some good info from this post. Thanks again for reading!
Doing the laundry used to be an all-day ordeal, washing every piece of clothing by hand, and then hanging it out to dry. The washing machine has been around since 1691, and the first electric washing machine was advertised for sale in 1904, and in 1947 GE introduced the first top-loading washer. With new advances in technology, we have new features such as: child safety locks, variable temperatures, delay start time, and other options. In this article I won't go into any more detail about the history of washers, but I will keep my promise and explain how a top-loading washing machine works.
The top- loading washer has an inner tub where you put your clothes. That tub has a bunch of little holes in it which lets the water drain into the outer tub. The outer tub is solid and it holds the drained water. In the middle of the tub there is an agitator. The agitator moves in a semi-circle, back and forth, submerging your clothes into the water. This movement helps loosen stains, and also distributes the detergent around evenly. The motor is what moves the agitator during the washing cycle, and also again during the spin cycle. In most styles of front loading washing machines the motor actually can run in two directions; clockwise and counter-clockwise. While the motor is in one direction, it works through a transmission (or clutch) which spins the inside tub up to 800 rotations per minute (rpm). This causes the water, by centrifugal force, to be pressed out of the clothes, and then the water is pumped out of the washer. When the motor is running in the opposite direction, it uses the transmission to move the agitator during its cleaning cycle.
The water inlet valve, or the fill valve, is what controls the temperature of the water that enters the washer. This water valve has three components which are: a hot water solenoid, a cold water solenoid, and a mixing valve body. When electricity flows to either of the solenoids, water pours through the valve and goes into the inside tub. If the electricity stops, then the water will not flow through. This inlet valve also has three hoses attached to it, one for hot water, one for cold water, and one that is directed to the inner tub to fill it with water.
Next, I'll explain the timer and start switch. The timer is usually identified by the biggest knob on the control panel. Sometimes that is not the case; timers can also be an electronic display or a fully electronic interface. The timer basically tells the washer what to do at a certain time and for how long, and it also provides electricity to those components that need it and at a specific time as well. When you set the timer to the cycle which you want to use, you either push or pull the timer knob to start the washer. A top loading washer can also have several selector knobs/switches, which are most often located next to the timer knob. These switches can have several different functions such as: water temperature, water level, spin speed, etc.
Some types of washing machines use what is called a coupler to attach the motor directly to the transmission; it makes the connection without needing a belt. Most other washers use a belt to connect the motor to the pump or transmission. If the tub or agitator were to become jammed, the belt serves as a "weak link", and it would fail, instead of damaging the transmission or other important parts of the washer. The motor can usually start up in less than a second, which is a little harsh for some inner components of a washer, so most washers use an automatic clutch to lessen the effect of the motor starting up. When you lift the lid on a washer, most of the inner parts stop, however, on all machines the spin cycle stops. This brings the drum to a halt, so most washers use a special braking unit which is similar to the brakes of a car.
In summary, I hope after reading this article you have a better understanding on how a front-load washing machine works, and how all the components work together to get your clothes clean.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
How a Gas Range Works
Happy Thursday! Here's a short post about how a gas range works. I hope you find it informational! Thank you for reading. :)
Gas ranges are typically more expensive than the electric ones; however, most people prefer to cook on a gas range than on an electric range. You can control the size of the flame quite easily, and you can estimate the temperature by the size of the flame. Also, a gas range will cool down and heat up quite quickly. So that is why most people don't mind spending some extra money for those features. In this article I will explain to you how does a gas range work, so you can make an informed decision next time you need to purchase a range.
You will either need propane or natural gas to run your stove, first of all. The gas then will need to be ignited to create a flame to cook with. This is done by one of three ignition systems: standing pilot ignition, electronic ignition, or the newer-style crystal ignition. Most older gas ranges use the pilot system; basically there is a small constantly-burning flame underneath the center of the cooktop. Then once you turn the burner on, the gas travels through a small size tube to the pilot light. That process ignites the flame; it travels up the tube and ignites the burner. Electric ignition is found in many new style gas ranges. When you turn the knob to light the burner, a transformer and a spark plug generate a spark which then lights the burner, and igniting the gas. The piezoelectric crystal ignition system is less common, and it has a little pin that attaches the crystal to the control knob. When you turn the knob, the small pin bends the crystal. This crystal then creates an electric spark and ignites the burner. That is basically how a gas range works, and next I will explain some safety concerns that you should be aware of when looking to purchase a gas range.
Now that you (hopefully) understand how a gas range works, here are some safety concerns that I feel should be addressed. The first thing I will mention is gas leaks: if you smell gas, you should exit your home immediately. Gas leaks can be extremely dangerous, and life threatening. Refrain from using anything that could ignite the gas, such as: lighters, telephones, and other electronic devices could set off a spark. The next concern I will mention is to make sure your gas range is properly installed and hooked up to the gas line. You can circumvent the problem of a gas leak if you hire a reputable serviceman to install your appliance and hook it up to the gas line for you. Contact your local gas company and they can probably tell you who they would recommend to install your appliance correctly. The last safety concern is carbon monoxide poisoning, if you are using natural gas. If the gas doesn't burn completely it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, so you should get a range hood installed that vents to the outside. Also, it isn't a bad idea to get a carbon monoxide detector in your kitchen as well.
Gas ranges are typically more expensive than the electric ones; however, most people prefer to cook on a gas range than on an electric range. You can control the size of the flame quite easily, and you can estimate the temperature by the size of the flame. Also, a gas range will cool down and heat up quite quickly. So that is why most people don't mind spending some extra money for those features. In this article I will explain to you how does a gas range work, so you can make an informed decision next time you need to purchase a range.
You will either need propane or natural gas to run your stove, first of all. The gas then will need to be ignited to create a flame to cook with. This is done by one of three ignition systems: standing pilot ignition, electronic ignition, or the newer-style crystal ignition. Most older gas ranges use the pilot system; basically there is a small constantly-burning flame underneath the center of the cooktop. Then once you turn the burner on, the gas travels through a small size tube to the pilot light. That process ignites the flame; it travels up the tube and ignites the burner. Electric ignition is found in many new style gas ranges. When you turn the knob to light the burner, a transformer and a spark plug generate a spark which then lights the burner, and igniting the gas. The piezoelectric crystal ignition system is less common, and it has a little pin that attaches the crystal to the control knob. When you turn the knob, the small pin bends the crystal. This crystal then creates an electric spark and ignites the burner. That is basically how a gas range works, and next I will explain some safety concerns that you should be aware of when looking to purchase a gas range.
Now that you (hopefully) understand how a gas range works, here are some safety concerns that I feel should be addressed. The first thing I will mention is gas leaks: if you smell gas, you should exit your home immediately. Gas leaks can be extremely dangerous, and life threatening. Refrain from using anything that could ignite the gas, such as: lighters, telephones, and other electronic devices could set off a spark. The next concern I will mention is to make sure your gas range is properly installed and hooked up to the gas line. You can circumvent the problem of a gas leak if you hire a reputable serviceman to install your appliance and hook it up to the gas line for you. Contact your local gas company and they can probably tell you who they would recommend to install your appliance correctly. The last safety concern is carbon monoxide poisoning, if you are using natural gas. If the gas doesn't burn completely it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, so you should get a range hood installed that vents to the outside. Also, it isn't a bad idea to get a carbon monoxide detector in your kitchen as well.
Friday, May 20, 2011
How a Refrigerator Works
Happy Friday readers! Here is a quick posting about how your refrigerator works. I hope you like it, have a great weekend!
Back in the olden days, before modern refrigeration techniques, people used different methods to preserve their food. Pickling, salting, and canning were common ways to keep food for longer periods of time. But now we have a fancy piece of technology called a refrigerator which allows us to keep our food fresher, longer. In this posting I will explain how a refrigerator works.
The first thing you need to know about refrigeration is the Second Law of Thermodynamics which states: "When two surfaces of different temperatures come in contact with each other, the surface that is at higher temperature cools and the surface at lower temperature warms." Also, another principle to know is that as gas expands it gets colder in temperature. So now that you understand that, let's move on and I'll explain the different parts of a refrigerator and how they work.
The first part you should know about is the refrigerant; this is the part of the refrigerator that is used for cooling. In older styles of refrigerators Freon was used, now the refrigerant is usually ammonia or HFC's. As the liquid refrigerant changes its temperature and pressure it results in keeping the refrigerator cold. The refrigerant evaporates at a low temperature and that helps keep your fridge cool. Next I'll tell you about the evaporator; basically all it does is absorb heat from inside the refrigerator. There are also heating coils that encompass the entire back of the refrigerator, they carry the refrigerant throughout the machine. The compressor is a heavy piece of metal that is powered by a motor, and its function is to raise the pressure of the refrigerant and in doing so, increasing the temperature of it. The condenser condenses the vaporized refrigerant, converts it into liquid, and lowers its temperature. The expansion valve is a thin copper wire which reduces the pressure of the refrigerant in its liquid state. Next I'll explain the process of how a refrigerator works while it's running.
Refrigerators have a cycle that changes the pressure, temperature, and state of matter of the refrigerant, and here is how it works. The refrigerant as a gas starts out going through the compressor, as the gas is compressed it increases in temperature and pressure, and here it becomes a heated vapor. Next, the refrigerant passes through the heating coils that surround the refrigerator, as heat is released the temperature of the refrigerant decreases due to heat loss. Now the refrigerant passes through the condenser, again reducing its temperature. The pressure though, remains the same and then the refrigerant returns again to its liquid state. As it now passes through the expansion valve, it reduces the pressure of that refrigerant, causing some of it to evaporate and expand; yet again reducing its temperature. During this evaporation the refrigerant is present in the evaporator and it absorbs the heat from the food inside the refrigerator, cooling it. Aka: The Second Law of Thermodynamics. Next the refrigerant heats up again to its gaseous state and the cycle then repeats.
In conclusion, I hope this article has helped you understand more about how your refrigerator works!
-Balcums
Back in the olden days, before modern refrigeration techniques, people used different methods to preserve their food. Pickling, salting, and canning were common ways to keep food for longer periods of time. But now we have a fancy piece of technology called a refrigerator which allows us to keep our food fresher, longer. In this posting I will explain how a refrigerator works.
The first thing you need to know about refrigeration is the Second Law of Thermodynamics which states: "When two surfaces of different temperatures come in contact with each other, the surface that is at higher temperature cools and the surface at lower temperature warms." Also, another principle to know is that as gas expands it gets colder in temperature. So now that you understand that, let's move on and I'll explain the different parts of a refrigerator and how they work.
The first part you should know about is the refrigerant; this is the part of the refrigerator that is used for cooling. In older styles of refrigerators Freon was used, now the refrigerant is usually ammonia or HFC's. As the liquid refrigerant changes its temperature and pressure it results in keeping the refrigerator cold. The refrigerant evaporates at a low temperature and that helps keep your fridge cool. Next I'll tell you about the evaporator; basically all it does is absorb heat from inside the refrigerator. There are also heating coils that encompass the entire back of the refrigerator, they carry the refrigerant throughout the machine. The compressor is a heavy piece of metal that is powered by a motor, and its function is to raise the pressure of the refrigerant and in doing so, increasing the temperature of it. The condenser condenses the vaporized refrigerant, converts it into liquid, and lowers its temperature. The expansion valve is a thin copper wire which reduces the pressure of the refrigerant in its liquid state. Next I'll explain the process of how a refrigerator works while it's running.
Refrigerators have a cycle that changes the pressure, temperature, and state of matter of the refrigerant, and here is how it works. The refrigerant as a gas starts out going through the compressor, as the gas is compressed it increases in temperature and pressure, and here it becomes a heated vapor. Next, the refrigerant passes through the heating coils that surround the refrigerator, as heat is released the temperature of the refrigerant decreases due to heat loss. Now the refrigerant passes through the condenser, again reducing its temperature. The pressure though, remains the same and then the refrigerant returns again to its liquid state. As it now passes through the expansion valve, it reduces the pressure of that refrigerant, causing some of it to evaporate and expand; yet again reducing its temperature. During this evaporation the refrigerant is present in the evaporator and it absorbs the heat from the food inside the refrigerator, cooling it. Aka: The Second Law of Thermodynamics. Next the refrigerant heats up again to its gaseous state and the cycle then repeats.
In conclusion, I hope this article has helped you understand more about how your refrigerator works!
-Balcums
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
How to Replace a Whirlpool / Kenmore Dryer Belt
If your dryer belt shows signs of wear and tear, it's probably time for you to replace it. This common issue is quite an easy fix, and in this post I'll let you know just how to do it!
Learning how to replace your dryer belt can help save you money. You don’t have to be a do-it-yourselfer to put on a new dryer belt. It is quite a common repair, and you’ll only need a few tools to do it. You’ll need: Phillips screwdriver, putty knife, 5/16th socket or nut driver, and a small container for the screws. This article will explain how to replace a Whirlpool / Kenmore dryer belt, for the models with the lint filter on top.
If your dryer has the lint filter on the top, here is the way to replace the belt. The first thing you should always do before performing repairs on any appliance is unplug the unit from power. Not doing so could result in severe damages to yourself and your appliance. Slide out your lint filter, and remove the two screws that are exposed. Next, take your putty knife and slide it under the top of the dryer, pop up the top by lifting up on the left and right corners on the front of the dryer. Then lift up the top, flip it back, and prop it on a wall if you can.
Now that the inside of the dryer is exposed, you will need to remove the front panel to get to the belt. There are two screws you need to remove to take off the front panel, and they are located on the left and right inside corners. Once the screws are taken out, you can lift off the front of the dryer. Sometimes you’ll need to remove the door switch to completely remove the front.
Now you can remove your old belt. You may need another person to help you to hold up the drum for this part. Take out your new belt, and place it over the drum with the grooves touching the drum, make sure it is not twisted otherwise it will just fall off once you start your machine. Next, you’ll need to get under the drum where the motor and pulley are located. The belt will need to go through the pulley, and attached to the motor shaft. If this was done correctly, the pulley will apply tension to the belt.
Now you’re done with the installation of your new dryer belt. And to finish you’ll need to re-assemble your dryer. When you put back the front panel of your machine, make sure the tabs on the bottom are lined up with the panel itself, it should just snap into place. Replace the screws on the inside right and left corners, then flip the top of the dryer back down. This should also snap back into place. Then just put back the screws on the top where the lint filter goes, and slide the lint trap in. The last thing is to plug in your dryer, and you’ll be back in business.
I hope this helped you learn how to replace a Whirlpool / Kenmore dryer belt!
If you have any other questions feel free to comment, or call us at (715) 392-4808.
-Balcums
Learning how to replace your dryer belt can help save you money. You don’t have to be a do-it-yourselfer to put on a new dryer belt. It is quite a common repair, and you’ll only need a few tools to do it. You’ll need: Phillips screwdriver, putty knife, 5/16th socket or nut driver, and a small container for the screws. This article will explain how to replace a Whirlpool / Kenmore dryer belt, for the models with the lint filter on top.
If your dryer has the lint filter on the top, here is the way to replace the belt. The first thing you should always do before performing repairs on any appliance is unplug the unit from power. Not doing so could result in severe damages to yourself and your appliance. Slide out your lint filter, and remove the two screws that are exposed. Next, take your putty knife and slide it under the top of the dryer, pop up the top by lifting up on the left and right corners on the front of the dryer. Then lift up the top, flip it back, and prop it on a wall if you can.
Now that the inside of the dryer is exposed, you will need to remove the front panel to get to the belt. There are two screws you need to remove to take off the front panel, and they are located on the left and right inside corners. Once the screws are taken out, you can lift off the front of the dryer. Sometimes you’ll need to remove the door switch to completely remove the front.
Now you can remove your old belt. You may need another person to help you to hold up the drum for this part. Take out your new belt, and place it over the drum with the grooves touching the drum, make sure it is not twisted otherwise it will just fall off once you start your machine. Next, you’ll need to get under the drum where the motor and pulley are located. The belt will need to go through the pulley, and attached to the motor shaft. If this was done correctly, the pulley will apply tension to the belt.
Now you’re done with the installation of your new dryer belt. And to finish you’ll need to re-assemble your dryer. When you put back the front panel of your machine, make sure the tabs on the bottom are lined up with the panel itself, it should just snap into place. Replace the screws on the inside right and left corners, then flip the top of the dryer back down. This should also snap back into place. Then just put back the screws on the top where the lint filter goes, and slide the lint trap in. The last thing is to plug in your dryer, and you’ll be back in business.
I hope this helped you learn how to replace a Whirlpool / Kenmore dryer belt!
If you have any other questions feel free to comment, or call us at (715) 392-4808.
-Balcums
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