We unfortunately can't fit a washing machine in the car, but we have a bucket with snap on sealing lid. We sit clothes in the soapy water for 24 hours. Next day rinse a few times. Simply soaking in general does most of the work.
Radar said
08:56 AM Feb 4, 2019
Bobdown wrote:
We have a NCE 2.5 kg washing machine in our van, it doesn't get used unless we are in a Caravan Park with power and water.
My question is it able to be used while we are free camping?
The power is rated at 235W and a full load would use approx 20 L of water.
Would a 300W inverter power this machine? Can I use the van pump or does it need mains pressure to work?
It would only be used sparingly but would be handy in between CP's and Public Laundrys, might as well use where possible.
Cheers Bob
Hi Bob
I don't have any letters or numbers after my name, just plain gut feelings and did ask a lot of questions.
We went down this path in August 2018 and tested on a number of times shortly after, looks and works a treat. I think 4 or 5 times so far.
I believe the 300 will run it, but what I learnt was the start up of the washing machine the inverter is really not big enough wattage to handle it successfully continually. I originally was planing to purchase a 600 watt inverter then found Repco had a 1000 pure swine for a few dollars more for $285, now this size come with cooling fans, very quite operation, permanently fixed to the caravan, wired in with good size wire, short distance from our batteries.
The first test was done at home with town water, 200 amps of batteries, 340 watts of solar, a beautiful Brisbane September morning within a hour or so our batteries were fully recharged.
The other washers were done where there was town water available on site, a couple of times I just bucketed the water across, mostly to save our good tank drinkable water.
Our main thought was we were having trouble wringing the clothes well enough, having the spin dryer sitting there doing nothing and now earns its keep.
Having the the pure swine inverter fixed to the caravan allows us to plug in the electronic equipment for recharging, so much easier, I even used my small 750 watt grinder to helpn a caravaner out running it though the inverter, once so far.
A great investment that will get a workout in the coming years. Radar.
That will solve the power issue, but what do mean you bucketed it across?
I vaguely remember being told it only works on mains pressure, does it work off the van tank water?
Don't know why Caravan manufacturers don't make everything 12 V, I know some Off Roaders come with large inverters,
But surely in this day and age everything could be simplified......like when are we going to get Solar hot water for vans.
Just don't like carting the washing machine around if we don't get the use out of it.
Cheers Bob
Radar said
02:00 PM Feb 4, 2019
Bobdown wrote:
Thanks Radar,
____That will solve the power issue, but what do mean you bucketed it across?
I vaguely remember being told it only works on mains pressure, does it work off the van tank
Hi Bob
The reason I cared the water across it was easier then moving the caravan to the tap and it was a tap for all to use. So I got a bit of extra excercise.
I am not sure about using caravan pump pressure, I did have a blocked filter at the machine and it still worked the same but took along time to fill, so I would imagine the caravan pump would work ok.
My only thoughts is I do like to save my good water where I can just in case the water at next camp not good.
Farmhat said
02:20 PM Feb 4, 2019
G'day Bob. Our NCE works well off the vans pump.
Joe.
Bobdown said
05:28 PM Feb 4, 2019
Farmhat wrote:
G'day Bob. Our NCE works well off the vans pump.
Joe.
Solved.......trial and error.
Tried the machine (with 240V power on) and the pressure pump on, result no water in the machine.
Connected my hose to tap on A frame and connected to mains inlet, pressure pump started and filled machine.
Turned it full and didn't take long to fill, would only do small loads to conserve our water for other uses.
All I need now is an inverter and it can used when free camping.
Thanks all.....Bob
Kisha said
07:46 PM Feb 4, 2019
Hi Possum, thanks for posting re the washer, I like the idea that one can spin hand washed articles of clothing without using the wash cycle, I have all the mod cons, however delicates I do by hand and I even use a 1950 wash board that stands permanently in the laundry sink . I will be off to Aldi for one of these washers. Take care.
Regards Kisha.
JayDee said
08:03 PM Feb 4, 2019
We had the portable twin tub spin machine in our old van. It work a treat for us.
But the new van has a 5 kg Lemar which operates via power. However when bush camping we stock pile the washing and then we run the gennie and this powers the machine for us to complete some very large washes. Water is the main issue, but the woolwash mix does not need a rinse cycle and we then double up on the water.
We always look smicko every time we we are out and about sight seeing.
Happy Days
Jay&Dee
Cupie said
11:54 AM Feb 5, 2019
JayDee wrote:
We had the portable twin tub spin machine in our old van. It work a treat for us.
But the new van has a 5 kg Lemar which operates via power. However when bush camping we stock pile the washing and then we run the gennie and this powers the machine for us to complete some very large washes. Water is the main issue, but the woolwash mix does not need a rinse cycle and we then double up on the water.
We always look smicko every time we we are out and about sight seeing.
Happy Days
Jay&Dee
Yep, and it still goes well.
I have it mounted on an easily secured & moved plinth that fits beside the Engel in the Patrol & when it's working, it sits on top of a couple of milk crates to improve draining.
Cost me a lot less than the Aldi product. Thanks to a great deal from a fellow Nomad ..
-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 5th of February 2019 11:54:54 AM
We have a NCE 2.5 kg washing machine in our van, it doesn't get used unless we are in a Caravan Park with power and water.
My question is it able to be used while we are free camping?
The power is rated at 235W and a full load would use approx 20 L of water.
Would a 300W inverter power this machine? Can I use the van pump or does it need mains pressure to work?
It would only be used sparingly but would be handy in between CP's and Public Laundrys, might as well use where possible.
Cheers Bob
I have a 300w inverter but it can produce 600w for short periods.
Based on that I think you are safe power wise. I'd make sure you have a 25amp fuse for it though.
I'd prefer to use one of these
https://www.rvpartsexpress.com.au/sphere-ecospin-portable-washer.html
Wedged between the A frame leaves one hand free for a stubby.
Specifications
Dimensions: 350mm x 350mm x 343mm
Load Capacity: 2L
Recommended Wash Time: 2 minutes
Recommended Spin Time: 30 seconds
Warranty: 12 months
-- Edited by Eaglemax on Sunday 3rd of February 2019 04:25:35 PM
We unfortunately can't fit a washing machine in the car, but we have a bucket with snap on sealing lid. We sit clothes in the soapy water for 24 hours. Next day rinse a few times. Simply soaking in general does most of the work.
Hi Bob
I don't have any letters or numbers after my name, just plain gut feelings and did ask a lot of questions.
We went down this path in August 2018 and tested on a number of times shortly after, looks and works a treat. I think 4 or 5 times so far.
I believe the 300 will run it, but what I learnt was the start up of the washing machine the inverter is really not big enough wattage to handle it successfully continually. I originally was planing to purchase a 600 watt inverter then found Repco had a 1000 pure swine for a few dollars more for $285, now this size come with cooling fans, very quite operation, permanently fixed to the caravan, wired in with good size wire, short distance from our batteries.
The first test was done at home with town water, 200 amps of batteries, 340 watts of solar, a beautiful Brisbane September morning within a hour or so our batteries were fully recharged.
The other washers were done where there was town water available on site, a couple of times I just bucketed the water across, mostly to save our good tank drinkable water.
Our main thought was we were having trouble wringing the clothes well enough, having the spin dryer sitting there doing nothing and now earns its keep.
Having the the pure swine inverter fixed to the caravan allows us to plug in the electronic equipment for recharging, so much easier, I even used my small 750 watt grinder to helpn a caravaner out running it though the inverter, once so far.
A great investment that will get a workout in the coming years. Radar.
www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-sat-9-february/saturday-detail-wk06/ps/p/portable-washing-machine-3/
Thanks Radar,
That will solve the power issue, but what do mean you bucketed it across?
I vaguely remember being told it only works on mains pressure, does it work off the van tank water?
Don't know why Caravan manufacturers don't make everything 12 V, I know some Off Roaders come with large inverters,
But surely in this day and age everything could be simplified......like when are we going to get Solar hot water for vans.
Just don't like carting the washing machine around if we don't get the use out of it.
Cheers Bob
Hi Bob
The reason I cared the water across it was easier then moving the caravan to the tap and it was a tap for all to use. So I got a bit of extra excercise.
I am not sure about using caravan pump pressure, I did have a blocked filter at the machine and it still worked the same but took along time to fill, so I would imagine the caravan pump would work ok.
My only thoughts is I do like to save my good water where I can just in case the water at next camp not good.
G'day Bob. Our NCE works well off the vans pump.
Joe.
Solved.......trial and error.
Tried the machine (with 240V power on) and the pressure pump on, result no water in the machine.
Connected my hose to tap on A frame and connected to mains inlet, pressure pump started and filled machine.
Turned it full and didn't take long to fill, would only do small loads to conserve our water for other uses.
All I need now is an inverter and it can used when free camping.
Thanks all.....Bob
Hi Possum, thanks for posting re the washer, I like the idea that one can spin hand washed articles of clothing without using the wash cycle, I have all the mod cons, however delicates I do by hand and I even use a 1950 wash board that stands permanently in the laundry sink
. I will be off to Aldi for one of these washers. Take care.
Regards Kisha.
We had the portable twin tub spin machine in our old van. It work a treat for us.
But the new van has a 5 kg Lemar which operates via power. However when bush camping we stock pile the washing and then we run the gennie and this powers the machine for us to complete some very large washes. Water is the main issue, but the woolwash mix does not need a rinse cycle and we then double up on the water.
We always look smicko every time we we are out and about sight seeing.
Happy Days
Jay&Dee
Yep, and it still goes well.
I have it mounted on an easily secured & moved plinth that fits beside the Engel in the Patrol & when it's working, it sits on top of a couple of milk crates to improve draining.
Cost me a lot less than the Aldi product. Thanks to a great deal from a fellow Nomad ..
-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 5th of February 2019 11:54:54 AM