clamp meters and dishwashers

Stephen formulated the question :

I don't really see how a clamp meter will help you diagnose the problem, any more than simply checking the voltage appearing across the solenoid and simply listening to see if it clicks open.

I can only test it with the tank in place (otherwise there would be water everywhere!) With the tank fitted, the solenoids are on the "inside" so I cannot hear them. There are two next to each other, so I think it would be hard to distinguish which one is clicking open. There is some water flowing and I think the noise of the water might drown out the noise of the solenoids.

I can't check the voltage at the terminals because the connectors are insulated, hence I thought a clamp would be useful but it would have to fit in the space behind the tank. I suppose I could disconnect the terminal block and test the voltage at the terminals of that though.

Thanks, Stephen.

Clamp meters usually read high currents.

NT

I don't know anything about washing machines, but a solenoid valve will become magnetised when it is active, such that an allen key or similar will stick to it to give you an indication that it has closed.

Neither current flow, nor voltage across a solenoid, or checking for magnetism will guarantee that the solenoid valves are actually opening, only water flow will prove that.

True, but checking there is a current or voltage proves the fault is at the solenoid and not before it.

Washing up bowl from a pound shop, and just five minutes to wash by hand is far qucker than pissing about stacking a dishwasher (which is far better employed in the workshop anyway)

Get some thin insulated wire, maybe 10/0.1 trap this between the two mating parts of the connector, connect to a meter outside.

If the wires to the solenoid are accessible and separable, you can sense mains with a volt stick.

I have had a sensitive DC clamp meter from Pico (attaches to a normal DVM) for at least ten years. I think I have used it about once.

A direct drive machine from LG. Nice design, big door, amazingly quiet (amazingly so), easy user interface and the lack of half the bits that go wrong in most machines should bode well for longevity.

Why bother with that? Just buy ten bowls for a pound and toss them out when used.

(amazingly so), easy user interface and the lack of half the bits that go wrong in most machines should bode well for longevity.

Thanks, that sounds interesting. What are the bits that go wrong in most machines?

Thanks, Stephen.

The Greeks do that and look at the state that got them into