I'm trying to brainstorm trying to reverse engineer a washing machine to control it. I'd like to use an arduino to see if there's a protocol for the washing machine for different settings (cold, hot, etc). I've got a kenmore 11046462501.
I know that i can use an arduino and completely take the main board out of the equation, but I'd like to know if anyone knows anything about washers. Is there a pin out that I could stick the arduino between to read the messages (if there's some sort of serial messager) or some way to read the way the front button voltage when the buttons are pressed? If you watch this video: Cloudwash: the connected washing machine on Vimeo, there's a point where he puts a shield in to control it.
why not start with a schematic of the control board in the washer.... it might be available in the service manual..at least in 'block form'..go fromthere
backwoodsjack:
why not start with a schematic of the control board in the washer.... it might be available in the service manual..at least in 'block form'..go fromthere
I just basically went through that with my 6 year old LG washing machine. Good luck finding a schematic (I turned over an amazing number of rocks looking too). It was one of the "inverter" ones and I suspect the driver was what failed (it failed to run with an error code and testing from the service manual I found kept pointing back to the driver board). No schematic or part number available for the driver chip and the whole board was encapsulated in silicone. No replacement boards (or even rebuilt ones) were available from any of the usual parts places that stock those things either. Used to be anything you bought came with a schematic. Not these days - not only does it not come with it, there does not seem to be anyone that even has one (I can't even get any kind of manual for my new truck either - they simply are not available (well, the dealers can get access to the online version for $$$$$/month).
let's just throw the cards on the table. this is clearly an X/Y problem.
you have an agenda you are not telling us
you have a goal you are not telling us.
instead of having us chase mythical demons, just state you actual goal.
first off, no one, not us, and not you are really going to reverse engineer any part of a washing machine. that subject line is wrong.
second, you want to do something, we get that. but every maker of every washer and probably withing the same brand, will have different protocols for how it works. so any hacking of serial data will be for one washer brand and one particular model. when you see the exact same unit with the exact same knobs and door and such, but has different features, it is probably because it is different and has different software.
so, just state your true objective, the people here will help as much as we can. and I can assure you that with an actual goal, it is much easier on everyone.
Robin2:
Stand in front of it with a stopwatch and clipboard and write down what happens.
20 secs
3 revs CW
20secs
3 revs CCW
...R
I would add that you could put on a CT (see openenergymon ) to help you time motor operations.
if you look at the control board, there are wires that connect.
make a new board that has all those wires pass thru. then monitor what each line does and when. you will get the raw signals in the time frame they are sent.
a door closed signal has to be present for it to start, or else the chime rings.
an off balance condition will trip a fault that will shut down the spin cycle
water level has to be such that old water is not cycled in with the new.
This is a subject that has been exercising my mind for the occasional 5 minutes for the past few years as I wait for my ancient small washing machine to give up the ghost.
I don't know what it is about the wash cycle that is critical for getting clothes clean and, obviously, one solution is to reproduce what a working machine does. But figuring that out could very tedious.
The door operation, the filling and emptying and the heating (if necessary - mine takes hot water from my shower because the heater has failed!) are straightforward. The interesting stuff is the motion.
I wonder if it might be simplest just to devise a system from scratch that behaves roughly like the original?
Mine is old enough to be entirely electro-mechanical.
I'm very much with Robin2; Don't attempt to reverse engineer it, re engineer it. Write out what it does or what you want it to do, make up a block diagram, define the I/O, decide on what interface, switches, pushbuttons, relays or contactors you need, assemble these on some sort of mounting then do the software. That's on my bucket list for washing machine, dryer, stove and hot tub. Check with your wife, she may have very good ideas gained from experience on how it should work.
One thing to be very careful of is safety--make certain you comply with the local electrical codes re grounding and keeping fingers out of live parts.
The makers of these appliances have no intention that they should be repaired. They want you to buy a new one or at least a new circuit card at a ridiculous price!
When you look at how they are connected, you can easily make a board that is nothing more than an extention card.
then monitor what and how long the existing thing does it's magic
then once you feel like you have it wrapped up, make a board that creates the same signals.
suggestions,
use your smart phone as the interface and alert.
automat soap. restaurant dish washers have automatic soap dispensers.
test the water for whatever.
rinse first, then soap and wash,
rinse, test water.
re-soap or final rinse.
as a note, soapy water is good for the lawn. a whole wash will deliver lots of water and detergent is like fertilizer.
I know with mine that the controller board failed on (LG), it used their "inverter technology" - the controller card actually generated 3 phase AC at a variable frequency (and phase) to run the drum in both directions at various speeds - everything from tumble for wash up to the spin dry. There was a big 3 phase stator and a series of powerful magnets on the drum that the stator was able to drive. As far as the "fill" goes, what they seem to do these days is fill it a little bit, then tumble it so what ever is in there absorbs the water. Repeat several times until the laundry is saturated and just a little extra water in the bottom ( the old ones used to fill to some level determined by a pressure switch then just wash from there). Newer ones make the big deal about how much less water they use. Don't forget to program your new controller to play some silly tune that people get tired of when it is done!! (maybe user selectable tunes?)
Why would there even be a serial communication inside the washer? The main chip is going to be blobbed in silicone or something hard and 99% of all the electronics will be all on one board or maybe two with a ribbon cable between them.
Tom's photo looks like a main board with a keyboard. The ribbon cable is probably just the raw button contacts - no processor or anything on the keyboard. Most of the washers I've pulled apart don't even have that - they can only afford to put one PCB in the thing.
