Portable Washer - Installing with One Faucet (Unicouple) Connection

Portable washers are good for smaller spaces where you may not be able to use a full sized washer. They come equipped with two rotating castors (wheels) in the front and two fixed castors in the rear so that you can easily move the washer when needed. Your water inlet and drain connection options may be limited, so these washers come with a unicouple that allows for a one-faucet connection, like at a sink.

 

Understanding the Unicouple Operation With a Portable Washer

  • The unicouple acts as your water inlet hose as well as your drain hose. The unicouple hose operates by water pressure and the water temperature selected at the sink.

  • The unicouple and sink adapter (with 2 o-rings) are in an installation bag; however, there is a second bag with the owner's manual and the drain hose clamp.

  • The unicouple can be attached to a sink faucet but the faucet must have a removable aerator.

  • The water temperature is adjusted at the faucet. 

To install your Top Load Portable washer, follow the steps listed below and/or view this video:

 

Video - Setup Your Top Load Portable Washer

 

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Step 1 - Moving the Washer Into Place

  1. Before moving the washer, make sure the front leveling feet are raised higher than the casters so that you can move the washer.

    • To raise, twist the adjustable locking nuts above the front castor wheels clockwise against the floor. Then, rotate the leveling foot counter-clockwise to raise the foot.

  2. Place the washer within reach of a GFCI electrical outlet. Do not plug the washer in until set-up is complete.

  3. Once in position, lower the legs so that the feet are touching the ground.

    • To lower, rotate the leveling foot clockwise, and then twist the locking nuts counter-clockwise to raise the nuts and secure them against the washer.

    • If the washer isn't level, it can become unbalanced and vibrate or even move while running.

Step 2 - Connecting the Unicouple to the Sink

  1. Remove the original aerator from the sink faucet.

  2. Install the new faucet adapter by twisting it onto the faucet head.

    • The adapter has both inside and outside threads to accommodate different types of faucets.

    • If it is hard to install the adapter, trying adding or removing the extra o-rings provided with the adapter.

  3. At the top of the unicouple hose there is a locking collar that must be pushed down so that it can grip and lock onto the faucet adapter. Push the locking collar down.

  4. With the locking collar pushed down, lift the unicouple hose upward onto the sink faucet adapter and release the hose.

  5. Ensure the unicouple is locked into place by giving it a small tug.

Step 3 - Connecting the Unicouple to the Washer

  1. Thread the fill hose of the unicouple onto the cold water inlet valve on the rear of the washer.

    • The cold water inlet valve is colored blue.

    • DO NOT connect to the red inlet valve. If the fill hose is connected to the red "hot water" inlet, the washer will not operate properly.

  2. Hand tighten the connection.

  3. Then, use channel locks (pliers) to tighten the connection. Only turn between 1/8 to 1/4 turn beyond the "hand-tight" connection.

    • Using the channel locks to tighten the hose further will help provide a watertight connection.

    • Over-tightening can damage the plastic inlet valve.

Step 4 - Connecting the Drain Hose to the Washer

  1. Place the drain hose clamp (from the bag with the Owner's Manual) onto the unicouple drain hose.

    • The pinch prongs should face the bend in the hose.

  2. Push the drain hose onto the washer drain connection.

    • Consider using a lubricant, like dish soap, on the inside of the drain hose opening on the unicouple before you push the hose onto the washer. This will allow the hose to slide more easily onto the washer connection.

  3. When the drain hose is secure, move the clamp into position by pinching the prongs and sliding the clamp to the top of the connection.

    • Make sure the clamp is pushed past the protruding rib.

    • The prongs of the clamp should be facing away from the washer.

  4. Tug the hose lightly to make sure it is securely attached.

Note: Make sure all connections are correct to prevent any leaking or mechanical damage.

 

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