the coals in the motor
Steam-powered washing machine, is it?
this post was submitted on 05 Oct 2025
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Carbon brushes, most likely. They wear down over time.
What brand of washing machine uses a universal motor? That seems like a terrible idea for a high demand appliance with such a large footprint.
Edit: Apparently some older front load units use a brushed DC motor. Another commenter mentioned this as well. TIL.
No idea. I've only changed brushes in steering pumps for ships. I've encountered pumps older than myself, and they still work fine as long as the brushes are changed from time to time.
I tell my boss I can save us thousands by rebuilding our procons rather than buying new ones. Nah we keep buying new ones. I'm thinking I'll rebuild em myself and sell em on eBay.
If the brushes are expected to last longer than another part whose failure makes the unit a total loss then what do they care?
But yeah that's going to be noisy both in terms of audible noise and electrical. We have much better options these days and they aren't even that expensive.
Haven't unlocked electricity in the tech tree yet.
They sure don't make 'em like they used to
Official member of the SuperfixeruperMan Club.
That's a massive brush. Guess they wanted it to last long enough to get out of warranty.
After I looked at everything else the problem with our dishwasher was a malfunctioning motherboard that could "only" be replaced by a certified professional. I at least fixed our dryer once and our vacuums as needed, so I got that at least.
What is it?
It's a big metal box you put your dirty clothes in, but that's not important right now.
Take your up vote and GET!
Motor brush. Its a chunk of carbon that makes contact with a bit on the motor shaft.
Hol up. Do most washers use brushed DC motors??? Why? That's such a strange choice of motor for that application.
Value engineering: engineering the value right out of the product and into the shareholder pockets
Older front loaders i think. The speed and direction control is much simpler compared to modern BLDC.
I assumed they would just use capacitor commutated AC motors like most 'dumb' motors running on single phase.
I also assumed during the wash cycle it would just switch direction before the motor could accelerate to full speed, then the spin cycle was full speed. I didn't realize any more speed control was necessary.
BLDC?
Brushless DC, a type of electric motor that as the name states, does not use brushes.
I've done the same on our front loader. Though top loading machines are the exception rather than the norm here.
Hardest part of the job is just shifting the machine to get access. Once you're in, it's 5 minutes to swap them out and another 5 to scrub your hands after, because I'm an idiot that forgets gloves 🙃
Great Job! Washing machine repair is one of the great skills. Mostly because they are heavy and new ones take a bit to arrive.
Except for the control electronics they're relatively simple machines.
Two days ago my partner fixed the washing machine while I watched a YT video on how to fix a dishwashing machine.
I had to remind them I taught them how to do an oil change, but it didn't do much for my handiness points.
I am proud of you, sir!
What's that for a component?
Coal. Transfers electricity between the motor housing and the rotor inside the motor.
Ive never heard of carbon brushes referred to as coal. Is it a language thing? They are made out graphite, which is also mined, but its different enough from say https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthracite. I think graphite is actually closer to diamond than it is to coal, in terms of chemical makeup.
Probably. In Swedish many forms of Carbon share the same word "Kol". It is the word for the element Carbon, but also the fuel Coal. Carbon brushes are called kolborstar "Carbon/Coal brushes".
Fine job 🦾
Your hands are dirty.
Mans working with coals
Your mom is dirty.