shopsmith99
May 5, 2015, 06:57 AM
WE are considering installing a kenmore stackable washer dryer in a mountain
Cabin that has a spring fed gravity flow water supply and we need to know what
Flow rate and water pressure is needed to operate this kenmore system ?
drtom4444
May 7, 2015, 11:57 AM
If I was installing a washing machine in a cabin I would have at least a 30-50 psi water supply. Anything less than that and it will not rinse properly during the rinse cycle when it spins and sprays water to get the soap out. You could end up with soap still in your clothes unless you rinse them twice (Which some machines can be set to do.). To more easily get the right pressure you can put a holding tank on a tower or up a hill at least 70 feet above the tap to get 30-50 psi (psi/.432= height, so 30/.432 = 69.4 feet) or you can have a pump and a pressure tank set at 30-50 psi where 30 is cut-in and 20 is the differential to get a 50 psi cut-out so the pump cuts in less often. (See: http://www.sta-rite.com/resources/images/13433.pdf ) I looked at the specifications for Whirlpool washers and they will operate at 15-125 psi water pressure. ( See: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/Whirlpool_WasherMVWC%2BWTW.pdf) However, LG washers work at 4.5-145 psi, but that does not seem to be realistic because the lower the water pressure the longer it will take to fill and soap will be left in the dispenser and in the clothes on some washers. (See: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/WM3677xx%20LG%20Washer%20%26%20Dryer%20Combo%20Rep air%20Service%20Manual.pdf) I hope that this will help.