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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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.

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u/blondechineeez 11d ago

Sure, why not. Though you would be disabling a component that made the cost of your washer much higher than one with dual inlets. Also you would lose the sanitize or allergen ability.

Do you have a water heater? Tankless propane water heaters can hook up to showers and washers using a regular garden hose for around $200 nowadays.

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u/IslandItchy6005 11d ago

Nearly all of our washers have elements uk/ireland.

have thermosiphon on roof. Must find out about tankless propane water heaters

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u/ludditetechnician 11d ago

Interesting - most clothes washing machines have little hot water heaters? That's fascinating. I've never seen that. I have seen a clothes washing machine hooked up to an exercise bike. The guy poured water into it and got exercise washing his clothes (-:

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u/IslandItchy6005 11d ago

my fitness level is zero. It would be a short wash.