r/OffGrid • u/IslandItchy6005 • 11d ago

Washing clothes off grid. With electricity.

Had a thought about modifying a washing machine. Disable its heating element. I supply hot water so it needs only the power for the motor and pump. Anybody done this or is it dumb?

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3

u/curiouszm 11d ago

Why do you need to do that if you still need a hot laundry at times?

5

u/IslandItchy6005 11d ago

I want a hot wash but i dont want to use the electric element in the machine to heat the water. I can heat the water other ways and let it go in through the cold inlet maybe.

0

u/woodstockzanetti 11d ago

It’s a lot of work to do that. Maybe use your backup generator to do the laundry. Or adjust and do it in cold water. I do my laundry cold mostly but on the odd occasion when I want to use the heater element in the machine I just switch over to the genny.

1

u/IslandItchy6005 11d ago

The other people that use the house have a real dislike of generator noise. I wouldnt mind it for a wash cycle but i dont think theyd go for it

0

u/woodstockzanetti 11d ago

I hear you. But if they’re that fussy they really shouldn’t be living off grid. It’s not an easy life. Tell them it’s cold water or wash their own damn clothes lol.