[TenTec] Whirlpool Duet, Neptune, Orion

[Robert & Linda McGraw K4TAX]

Rich:

The fact that you did not observe any interference is attributed to the fact 
that your load does not radiate nor does it receive for that matter.  That's 
an indication of a good load.

Now, in most cases the control system of the washer does cause the chopped 
AC to create a good bit of noise on the HF bands.  The fact that it is on a 
different circuit from the radio has little to no bearing on it either.  The 
neutral is common to both sides of the line and the neutral, depending on 
load balance, is always a few millivolts above true ground.  A few 
millivolts will radiate.

I'd expect if you have a antenna near the washer you'd hear the noise. One 
of the other folks that complained indicated that his vertical is outside 
the wall where the Duet is located.  In another case, the fellow has his ham 
shack in the same room as the laundry equipment.

If you aren't bothered with it then good, don't consider "fixing it".  On 
the other hand, these machines do have controllers that cause and radiate RF 
emissions.  The controller takes the 120VAC single phase and converts it to 
3 phase, quasi sine, to control the motor speed and direction.  There are 
steps that can be implemented to improve, reduce or totally correct the 
issue.  These include adding filtering in the form of common mode chokes. 
Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not have any support in this area so 
you are on your own.  The problem does not really come under FCC compliance 
unless an official complaint is filed and even then, one could expect little 
action.

73
Bob, K4TAX


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Cardwell" <richardcardwell at adelphia.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 8:35 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Whirlpool Duet, Neptune, Orion


> We have had a Duet Washer for two years now and I never noticed any
> interferrence. So after following this discussion for a while, I put in a
> load and listened to 20m and 40m  with the result that there is NO
> dedectible interferrence. Am I missing something here? My rig is on a
> separate circuit so maybe that is a factor.
>
> Good news for a change.
>
> Rich, AA2BY
>
>
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