Washing machine Saturn semi-automatic

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Semi-automatic washing machines are now very common and can be found in many homes and apartments. Many people these days cannot imagine their life without them, and they are constantly instantly helped out by the semi-automatic Saturn washing machine. Fortunately, they rarely break. If a breakdown does occur, then it is better to turn to professionals. But there will probably be those who want to fix it themselves. We will look at what to do if the centrifuge in a semi-automatic washing machine does not work.

Important! If you still want to take on the repairs yourself:
make sure you know how to work with electrical circuits and mechanisms;
Remember that incorrect handling of electrical equipment can be dangerous;
Be sure to first unplug the machine and place it in a convenient place - when assembled, the machine is more compact than when disassembled.
When making repairs, you must have with you the instructions for the machine and a kit for working with circuits.

Typical breakdowns

First you need to find out what exactly is broken in the machine. Next, you will need to decide how best to fix the breakdown.

Here are the most common centrifuge failures in semi-automatic machines:

The drum in the machine does not spin during the spin cycle. The reason may be just a problem with the centrifuge. The cause may also be too much laundry loaded into the machine.
If you experience problems with the motor during the spin cycle, the heating element is most likely broken. In this case, it will have to be replaced.
Water may leak out while the centrifuge is running. If this happens, the drain valves or seals are likely faulty and will need to be replaced. Perhaps they just need to be tightened.
If the drum does not spin and the engine is running, then the filters are clogged - they need to be cleaned or replaced. It could also be that the drive belt has slipped. You need to turn off the machine, disassemble it and return the belt to its place.
If the water level indicator stops working, most likely you have kinked the drain hose.

Important! If there is a breakdown, it is better to contact a specialist to fix it.

We have indicated the main reasons why the centrifuge in a semi-automatic washing machine may not work. Next, we will look at the Saturn semi-automatic washing machine and compare it with other models.

Differences between semi-automatic and fully automatic equipment

It’s worth first talking about the differences in the design of fully automatic machines from semi-automatic ones. First of all, there are the following differences between them:

Semi-automatic machines only have vertical loading of laundry.
Semi-automatic machines have fewer washing modes.
It is necessary to supervise washing in a semi-automatic machine - the whole process will require more effort from you.
Such equipment is smaller in size.
Semi-automatic washes faster.
Semi-automatic machines are easier to operate.
They are also more reliable, break down less often and cost less.
There are models with two tanks in which you can wash things much faster.

Follow the link to learn in detail about another washing machine for the dacha - “Malyutka”.

Pros and cons of semi-automatic machines

A washing machine like the semi-automatic washing machine “Saturn” has the following advantages:

It will be more convenient if there is no centralized water supply. For this reason, such devices are often used in rural areas.
This machine uses less electricity and water.
It is easier to use and washes clothes faster.
You can use washing powders with it even for hand washing.
You can wash everything white first, then, without draining the water, colored or very dirty items.
You can take things out of the machine and put them in it at any stage of the wash.

But such machines have their drawbacks:

You need to constantly monitor the laundry; you can’t just leave the machine and do your own thing.
The machine does not heat the water itself; you need to have hot water for washing. Disabling it can be inconvenient.
Small number of washing modes.
To rinse, you will need to fill it with clean water.
Not all models have a spin option. You'll have to do this manually.
Due to vertical loading, it will not be possible to store anything on the machine itself. This does not save space in the bathroom.

Important! A semi-automatic machine, such as the Saturn washing machine, is practical for many situations, but makes washing more labor-intensive. Although the whole process will take less time overall.

Types of semi-automatic machines

They are:

Drums;
Activator.

Important! The latter are more popular due to reliability and cost-effectiveness. In them, the motor rotates a disk, which is located at the bottom of the tank. In drum models, the drum rotates.

Semi-automatic machines may also have a different number of tanks:

If the model has only one tank, then washing and rinsing occur in this tank. You will have to wring out the laundry manually.
If the device has two tanks, then in one of them you can wash clothes, and in the other you can spin them.

Important! The cars are also distinguished by the presence of reverse. If there is one, the laundry rotates in both directions when washed.

A little about the Saturn brand

The Saturn Home Appliances holding was founded in the Czech Republic and has been producing household appliances under the Saturn brand since 2000. It supplies its products to both the Russian and European markets, Africa and the Middle East. The offered range is quite wide. It includes large and small household appliances, electrical goods for home and car, climate and lighting equipment, etc.

st 1604

The company produces its equipment in China, Turkey and Taiwan. In 2008, the holding opened a representative office in Kyiv.

Products under the Saturn brand are in stable demand among customers. The company was awarded “Industry Leader” and “Favorite Brand” awards for high quality products and customer loyalty.

Functions of semi-automatic machines

Depending on the specific model, the Saturn semi-automatic washing machine may have such functions.

Rinsing

Most machines of this type have a rinsing function.

In order to rinse things in a semi-automatic washing machine, you will have to fill it with clean water several times in a row. After washing, you need to take out the clothes, drain the dirty water, and then pour in clean water. Then they put the laundry in it and start rinsing.

Spin

Most semi-automatic machines also have a spin option. If the machine has two tanks, then the spin cycle is performed in the one in which the clothes were not washed. In semi-automatic machines with one tank, everything happens in the same tank. But we must take into account that not all models with one tank have a spin function.

Important! Draining water often has to be done manually. Only a small number of models have a drain pump.

Stages of operation of the semi-automatic machine:

First you need to heat the water to about forty degrees. Some models heat it themselves.

You need to put things in the tank, fill it with water and add powder.
Next, you will need to select a washing program, and on some models also set the washing time.
When the wash is finished, take out the laundry and drain the water.
We load the laundry into the tank and fill it with clean water. Start rinsing
Spinning clothes. How exactly it will happen depends on the model you choose - we wrote about this a little higher.
Drain the water from the tank.

Important! In rural areas where there is no water connection, you can also use automatic washing machines. Find out more details about them in our separate post on Automatic Washing Machine for Rural Areas.

Features of semi-automatic machines "Saturn"

Saturn semi-automatic washing machines have their own distinctive features. Their main features are:

the inability to connect to the central water supply and, as a result, the need to collect and drain water manually;

manual temperature control.

Do you store laundry in the washing machine?

Oh yes! No.

At the same time, you can find advantages in using this type of washing machine:

such equipment is inexpensive;
ideal for rural areas where there is no running water;
reduces energy costs and water consumption;
washes clothes quickly enough;
easy to use;
allows the use of hand wash products;
makes it possible to reuse water, for example, for colored items after white laundry;
allows additional loading of things at any time.

But at the same time, limited functionality in a certain sense complicates the process:

the device cannot be left unattended; its operation must be monitored;
few modes;
heating is not provided;
rinsing involves replacing the water with clean water;
Not all devices are equipped with a spin function.

Expert opinion

I work in the household appliance repair industry. Extensive experience in restoring washing machines and dishwashers.

Ask a Question

In drum machines, washing is carried out by rotating the drum. Activator - assume the presence of a rotating disk at the bottom of the tank.

There can only be one tank in the machine. In this case, the laundry is wrung out by hand. The presence of the second allows you to wash and rinse in different containers.

User reviews

People are generally satisfied with a purchase if it matches their wishes. The semi-automatic washing machine “Saturn” is perfect for a summer house or home without a central water supply. All users find the following features convenient in units of this type:

washing speed;
little weight;
low cost - both during purchase and during maintenance.

Important! Despite all their advantages, even new models of semi-automatic machines are inferior in functionality to automatic machines.

Important! There are situations when users do not know how to use detergents. We have prepared a separate review that will tell you “Where to put the powder in the washing machine?”

Choosing a semi-automatic washing machine

The main parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing:

price;
washing class;
maximum weight of laundry that can be loaded;
production;
energy consumption class.

The letters A, B and C indicate the efficiency of the machine:

Class A is the most economical, but the price of such a machine will be higher.
Class B and C cars are cheaper.
The washing class is indicated by the letters AG. The higher the class of the machine, the better it washes, and vice versa.

When choosing the maximum volume, you must first of all keep in mind your needs:

For a country house, 3 kilograms of laundry at a time is enough.
If you plan to do laundry in an apartment, it is better to take more.

The main materials for making a tank are metal and plastic:

Metal cars are stronger, but more expensive. They are taken more often.
Plastic cars are cheaper.

Expert advice

When choosing a semi-automatic washing machine, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:

price;
washing class;

permissible load volume of laundry;
energy consumption class. It is defined by the letters A (the most economical option, the price is higher), B and C.

You should also focus on your needs. For washing in the countryside, a machine with a load of 3 kg is suitable. For home use, you most likely need a larger volume.

Expert opinion

I work in the household appliance repair industry. Extensive experience in restoring washing machines and dishwashers.

Ask a Question

A tank made of metal will last longer, it is stronger and more expensive than its plastic counterpart.

The washing machine, like other household items, requires care. Hardened residues accumulate in the powder drawers. Scale appears on the walls of the tank over time. Regular cleaning is necessary both on the external surface of the device and on the internal surface.

This review of Saturn semi-automatic washing machines showed that they have their advantages and disadvantages. The buyer's limited funds or the lack of central water supply in the house will not be an obstacle to purchasing a Saturn semi-automatic machine. Such a device will be a reliable assistant in everyday life.

Video

Popular models of semi-automatic washing machines

Now we will look at the parameters of different semi-automatic washing machines and compare them.

Fairy

The Fairy washing machine is very popular. It does pretty well with features, price and small size. It has a vertical loading type. It is very compact, and in this regard it lives up to its name: it can easily fit into a small bathroom.

Important! The downside is that it cannot wash more than 2 kg of clothes at a time. It has a washing class F, which must also be recognized as a disadvantage. Not all of its variants have a spin, so we can say that it is outdated.

Fairy 60

This machine, made in Russia, has a pump to drain the water. Its dimensions: 850x700x400 mm, and weight 18 kg.

It has 2 washing modes and can wash up to 6 kg of laundry. You can use any powder with it, and it does not require any connection. Has a plastic tank.

Important! This model has a specially designed activator. It produces vortex currents, improving the quality of washing.

Assol:

The Assol XPB45-255S machine can wash almost 5 kg of clothes.
Tank size is approximately 38 cm.
She can only push up 3.5 kg at a time.
The machine has mechanical control.
It is equipped with reverse and consumes power of 170 W.
Belongs to the activator type.

On our portal of useful tips there is a whole review dedicated to the Assol washing machine.

Eureka

It is the most functional model. It is not similar in design to other semi-automatic machines. It has only one tank and also has a step-by-step cycling mechanism. Can wash only 3 kg. But it is very compact, it has a drain pump, it is not quite semi-automatic.

Zanussi FCS 825 C

Semi-automatic, made in Italy, which allows you to wash any clothes, in particular wool. Can wash up to 3 kg of items at a time. This is a good model, but it has a relatively high price.

UNIT-210

Before moving on to the description of the Saturn semi-automatic washing machine, it is worth mentioning this manufacturer:

The Austrian machine has two modes: normal and delicate.
Has a rinse function.
Can wash up to 3.5 kg at a time.
Has a budget price.
This machine cannot be washed in water with a temperature exceeding 55 degrees.

Important! This manufacturer also has another quite popular model - UNIT-100.

Repair of the washing unit on the Saturn washing machine

The motor works but the Saturn does not erase

It often happens that the motor seems to be working, but the laundry in the washing machine tank does not rotate.
The first thing to do is to remove the hatch that is located at the back of the semi-automatic washing machine and see how the pulley rotates on the motor shaft. If it rotates normally, but the belt stands still, then you need to look for the cause not in the motor, but in the gearbox or activator. An activator is a thing that allows the laundry to rotate in a semi-automatic SM; you can see it in the photo below. In my practice, although not often, there were still cases when small coins flew under the activator or an ordinary sock got stuck, resulting in a wedge of this part. What happened was the following: a jammed activator prevented the gearbox from spinning, and as a result, the belt simply slipped onto the motor pulley. In general, if you are convinced that your motor is working, then take a screwdriver in your hand and unscrew the bolt in the center of the activator, remember, both left and right threads can be cut on the bolt, chewing this procedure should be done by two people, so that one person holds the gearbox, and the other was unscrewing the bolt. Be careful not to lose the bolt, you cannot put another one there, since this part is made of stainless steel Photo of the activator for a semi-automatic washing machine

Let's continue the topic and talk about the gearbox, or rather about how to check it. Everything is simple here, turn on the washing machine and, as in the first case, watch how the pulley on the motor rotates, if the engine is running and the gear pulley rotates, but the laundry stands still, that is, does not rotate, then 100%, the culprit of this behavior is gearbox I’ll say right away that it cannot be restored, so don’t worry and just change it, you can see how to do this in the video below

Watch the video on how to change the gearbox on a Saturn washing machine

It seems to me that this is a rather informative video, from which you should have learned not only how to remove the gearbox, but also how to remove the activator, and it also tells quite clearly about the capacitor or capacitance as it is also called. Below I have made a selection of the most pressing questions that are asked on my YouTube channel, I think thanks to my answers, you will find the information you need

I have a semi-automatic washing machine of the Volna brand, basically the same as the Saturn, but when we bought it we decided to take something domestic, but in the end we suffered with it because we don’t know what. In general, I stopped washing. I opened the back hatch cover, turned on the machine, the motor and gearbox spun, but the circle that is inside the tank does not spin, or rather, when there is no laundry there, it rotates normally in one direction or the other, but as soon as you throw on your pants or something heavier, then he stands rooted to the spot

There is nothing to guess here, disassemble the machine as in the video under which you are writing this comment and change the gearbox

Everything seems to be turning normally, but sometimes some kind of wedge occurs, at first I thought that something had gotten under the activator, but when I took it off, there was nothing under it. I put everything in place, my semi-automatic machine started working, but on the 3rd or 4th wash I began to hear some kind of crackling sound and sometimes the engine would not start, and it also began to work as if in jerks

If you cleaned everything under the activator, and the same thing still happens to you, then the culprit is most likely the gearbox. It contains gears that wear out very often. Pay attention to the rust near the gearbox; in general, if the oil seal is leaking, then it is probably finished. It also sometimes happens that the gearbox itself jams, much like in your case

Washing machine Saturn. I recently did preventive maintenance and noticed that water flows from under the gearbox during washing, a little, only 3-4 drops per minute, I think that the seal is leaking. Please tell me how to change the oil seal and is there any point in replacing it or do I need to buy this entire spare part?

The gearbox cannot be repaired, believe me, replacing the oil seal will not save you, since this spare part is largely disposable and usually after 4-5 years of intensive work, not only the oil seal fails, but also the gearbox components, that is, gears and shafts, become loose

Why doesn't the washing engine work on Saturn?

In the video above, I talked not only about the gearbox and activator, I also showed one of the main breakdowns that exists in such technology, we are talking about a capacitor, also called an electrolyte or a container. In general, several parts are responsible for the operation of the motor, which I will list below and explain their purpose and signs of their malfunction.

Kander → A capacitor with a capacity of 10 microfarads is connected to the motor of the washing unit; if it loses its efficiency or fails altogether, the motor will never start in its life
Belt → sometimes people who don’t know, tighten it quite tightly, thinking that it will be better. The belt should be in a free position, that is, practically dangling; if it is tightened too much, the engine will be subject to a load higher than expected
Timer → Also called clockwork. It breaks down quite often, especially in Saturn semi-automatic washing machines. It is important to understand here that the timer acts like a switch, that is, if you jump certain contacts on it, you directly supply current to the motor. Of course, you can jumper the wires, but it’s better to remove it and test it with a tester
Washing mode switch → Lights up extremely rarely, it is located between the wash timer and the centrifuge timer. Its function includes: turn on the drain mode, turn on the enhanced or normal washing mode. It acts like an ordinary switch, that is, it opens and closes contacts, you can check it with an ordinary tester
Motor → The most important malfunction, the elimination of which can be quite expensive

Above, I listed almost all the malfunctions of parts that are in one way or another related to the fact that the washing unit engine does not start. Now, in more detail, you can consider these topics in the answers that I will give to frequently asked questions in my workshop and on my channel

Tell me how to check the engine on a semi-automatic washing machine, in general the situation is as follows. When you turn on the washing machine, namely the wash, the motor starts humming, but nothing turns. I removed the rear hatch to look at the rotation of the gearbox shaft and pulley; in short, when turned on, everything stands still. Further more, I decided to start the wash without laundry, but I poured a little water, if you turn the activator with your hand, the motor starts to spin, but until it stops. They told me that I need to change the engine, tell me how to check it

First of all, you need to check not the motor but the capacitor, but for this you need a special device that measures capacitance, for example, I have such a scale on my multimeter. You can do it easier, if your condenser has not been changed and is factory, then there should be 4 wires coming from it - two yellow from one container, and gray and brown from the other container. Cut off two yellow wires from the capacitor and connect a 10 microfarad capacitor to them. If the motor starts turning normally, then the motor is intact; if not, change the motor. This is the simplest and most effective way for a person who is encountering such a breakdown for the first time.

The belt broke, everything would be fine, but when I bought a new one and installed it on the Saturn, the motor stopped turning the gearbox. If you loosen it up a little, the engine seems to be running fine. I don’t understand why this happens, maybe it’s the way it should be, but it feels like this belt is about to fly out of its place. Tell me how it should be tensioned

Everything is simple here, the belt should practically dangle, don’t worry, it won’t fly off anywhere, there are some centrifugal forces at work that hold it in the grooves

The activator in the washing compartment has stopped spinning. I measured the resistance of the motor windings, everything seems to be fine, my neighbor has the same machine and I compared it with the resistance on his motor. When you turn on the timer, the engine does not react at all, does not even hum, and the timer slowly counts down its time. In general, we decided to connect this motor directly, in principle, the connection diagram is indicated on it and this did not cause any big problems for me, since I am an electrician myself. In general, the engine worked. I understand that it’s a matter of wiring, but they don’t understand that the first thing you need to look at, maybe you have a wiring diagram from a semi-automatic washing machine like Saturn

I don’t have a diagram and it’s unlikely that anyone has one. You mentioned the timer, so first of all you need to check it. It is advisable to remove it and ring it with a tester. In general, I do it as follows, the fact is that all the clock mechanisms that are on the semi-automatic washing machine are made in a transparent glass case. Here you just need to turn on the timer and watch how the contacts inside it move; if you see that they do not close, then this mechanism is probably to blame. To be more sure, it is advisable to test it with a multimeter

Please tell me if it is possible to replace the original capacitor with something similar. In general, I live in a village, we simply don’t have specialized stores, and you can wait for months for this package to arrive by mail, you yourself know how it’s all done in Russia, especially when it comes to the outback where I live. In general, I found four 2.5 mF capacitors here, but they are made in iron packaging, and on my machine there is one with four outputs. Where the yellow wires say 10 microfarads, and the other 2 wires say 5 microfarads. Looking at the wires, I discovered that there are two yellow wires going to the washing motor. As I understand it, 10 microfarads are supplied to it, so if you take 4 containers of 2.5 microfarads, then the result is 10 microfarads, in principle the same, but what confuses me is that they are made in an iron case. I already connected it, the machine started working, but I still decided to play it safe and ask

The fact that these capacitors are made in an iron case should not bother you at all - this is even very good, they are much more durable than those that are produced now. And they really need to be thrown onto two yellow wires, you read that right

Saturn

Semi-automatic machines “Saturn” are represented by a large assortment of different models. These devices are economical and small in size, so they can be located anywhere where there is electricity. The most popular models of this company have a depth of about 36 cm.

The following models are the most popular.

Saturn ST-WM 1615:

This model has one tank and wash and rinse functions.
It has a vertical loading type.
Can wash up to 2.5 kg of laundry.
Equipped with mechanical control and wash timer.
Consumes power of 200 W.
The dimensions of this model are 37x35x63 cm.

This is a very inexpensive model.

SaturnST-WM0602:

This model of the Saturn semi-automatic washing machine also has only one tank and a vertical loading type.
But, thanks to its larger size (47x44x84 cm) and higher power (420 W), it can wash as much as 7 kg of laundry.
Like the previous machine, it has mechanical control and a wash timer.
It costs a little more than the previous model, but also not that much.

SaturnST-WM0601:

It has one tank, washing and rinsing functions and a vertical loading type.
Can wash 7 kg of laundry at a time.
Power of this device: 420 W.
Having a timer and mechanical control, it costs a little more than the previous one.

Saturn ST-WM 7608:

Unlike all the models mentioned above, it has two loading tanks, and also, in addition to the washing and rinsing functions, a spin function.
Otherwise, this device is similar to other “Saturns”: vertical loading type, can wash 4 kg of laundry, with a power of 240 W and a size of 615x375x705 mm.

Saturn ST-WM-1631

The latest Saturn semi-automatic washing machine in this review:

It has a spin function.
Can wash up to 4.5 kg at a time.
Its dimensions are 66*77*33 cm.
It has a vertical loading type and one tank.
The tank is made of plastic, the machine is of the activator type.

Important! Automatic washing machines can damage clothes; for many items, only hand washing is recommended. If you don’t want to wash your clothes by hand, you can use an ultrasonic washing machine.

Consumer Reviews

I've been using it for 2 years now and it hasn't let me down once. The drum rotates in both directions and washes well.

Saturn ST-WM1615Anna

reverse rotor, mobile, requires connection only to an outlet) the quality of the materials of the housing and rotor is good, you can see and buy it; a simple design - a bucket with a motor and a hose, there’s nothing special to break. Doesn’t heat the water, temperature limit (plastic body) Good as an alternative to a manual one washing or for small rooms, when there is simply nowhere to put a stationary automatic machine

Saturn ST-WM1615Unnamed

Pros: Compact (fits under the sink). It washes normally, like all “buckets with a motor.” Disadvantages: Flimsy timer: I applied a little more force and it went past “15”. Almost flew off, managed to attach it back, but now the time is always shifted three minutes forward (that is, it turns off in position “3” instead of “0”). The hose for drawing water turned out to be useless: it’s easier for me to draw water from a shower hose. Comment: If you use it carefully, it will last a long time. A good compact washing machine of the “baby” type.

Saturn ST-WM1615Sergey