Panasonic NA-F62B3 - User Manual

This document describes the Panasonic Fully Automatic Washing Machine, models NA-F70B5, NA-F65B5, NA-F62B5, and NA-F62B3, designed for domestic use. It provides comprehensive instructions for operation, installation, and maintenance, emphasizing safety precautions throughout.

Function Description

The Panasonic Fully Automatic Washing Machine offers a range of washing courses tailored to different laundry needs. The primary function is to efficiently wash clothes using various programs, including Normal, Quick, Delicate, Soak, Baby-care, Bed Sheets, Air Dry, and Tub Hygiene.

The Normal course is recommended for everyday laundry with a normally soiled load, handling capacities up to 7.0 kg for NA-F70B5, 6.5 kg for NA-F65B5, and 6.2 kg for NA-F62B5/NA-F62B3. For lighter soil and quicker washing, the Quick course is available, suitable for up to 2.0 kg across all models. The Delicate course is designed for gently washing delicate clothes and stylish garments, with a maximum capacity of 3.5 kg. For heavily soiled laundry, the Soak course (90 min) provides an extended soaking period before washing, accommodating the same maximum capacities as the Normal course. The Baby-care course ensures thorough rinsing for clothes belonging to babies or individuals with sensitive skin, also matching the Normal course capacities.

For larger items like bed sheets, the Bed Sheets course is specifically designed to wash synthetic fiber (100%) and cotton (100%) bed sheets up to 4.2 kg, provided they have a washable tag attached. The machine also features an Air Dry course (90 min) for drying synthetic fiber clothes up to 2.0 kg by extracting water through air blow and tub rotation. This function performs agitation approximately every 30 minutes to untangle laundry. Finally, the Tub Hygiene course is available for cleaning the tub itself, either to prevent black mold and smell or to address existing issues.

The washing machine incorporates an "Auto Restart" feature, which allows the operation to resume from the point where it stopped in case of a power failure. This feature is indicated by a blinking light when the operation resumes.

Usage Features

Operating the washing machine involves a straightforward process. After loading the laundry and turning on the power, users select the desired course from the operation panel. The panel displays the selected course number, water level, and approximate remaining time.

For most courses, the machine automatically adjusts the water level based on the load after initiation. However, users can manually change the water level if needed, with a minimum option of 20 L. Detergent should be added according to the water level indicated on the panel. For powdered detergent, it's recommended to dissolve it in warm water (approx. 30 °C, 5 L) if it's poorly soluble, especially with thick or large clothes, to prevent it from hardening or remaining in a powder state. Liquid detergent should be diluted with water before adding, particularly for sticky types.

The machine also features a softener inlet, where softener should be added according to the water level indication. Softener is automatically added during the final rinse. Concentrated softeners should be well mixed with water in a separate container before being poured into the inlet to ensure smooth flow. Bleach can also be used; oxygen powder bleach is added directly during water supply after start, while liquid bleach should be diluted with an equal amount of water and then poured into the bleach inlet before starting. It's important to note that bleach should not be used for the Delicate course or for colored/printed clothes if it's a chlorine bleach.

A "Reserve" function allows users to set a delayed completion time for the operation, ranging from 2 to 24 hours. This feature is not available for Delicate, Air Dry, and Tub Hygiene courses.

The machine includes a "Child Lock" function, which, when activated, causes the buzzer to beep if the lid is opened during operation. If the lid remains open for 10 seconds or more, water is forcibly drained to prevent accidents. This function does not lock the lid or button operations.

For specific laundry types, the manual provides preparation guidelines. For clothes that easily lose color, separate washing is advised. Pre-laundry checks include removing metallic fragments and coins, fastening buttons and zippers, and ensuring no non-laundry items like paper diapers are in the load. To prevent damage to clothes, fluffy items should be reversed, pet hair or sand should be removed with a brush, and strings should be tied. For delicate underwear, using laundry nets is recommended, especially for underwire brassieres (to prevent wires from sticking out) and lacy clothes/lingerie/stockings. When using a net, it should not be overpacked, and the zipper claw should be put into its cover to prevent damage. The Air Dry course should not be used with laundry nets to prevent uneven drying and wrinkles.

Maintenance Features

Regular maintenance is crucial for the longevity and optimal performance of the washing machine. The manual outlines several key maintenance tasks.

The Lint filter should be cleaned after each operation. To do this, the upper part of the filter is held and removed, then opened to remove the lint. If removal is difficult, soaking the filter in water and washing it is recommended. After cleaning, the filter should be reattached to its original position. It's important not to wash laundry with the filter removed to prevent damage to clothes. If the filter is broken, a new one can be purchased from a Panasonic Service Centre.

The Water supply filter should be checked if water does not flow smoothly. This involves turning off the faucet, powering on the machine, starting an operation, and then powering off after approximately 40 seconds. The nut of the water supply valve screw is then loosened, and the hose and water supply filter are removed. Any dust on the water supply filter should be removed before reassembling.

The Main unit/Lid should be wiped with a soft cloth if detergent or softener stains are found. For heavy soil, a neutral detergent for kitchen use can be applied, but other detergents or direct pouring of water should be avoided to prevent damage to resin or metal corrosion.

The Tub Hygiene course is designed for cleaning the tub itself. It is recommended to run this course once a month without laundry in the tub, using a chlorine bleach (approx. 200 ml). The operation takes approximately 2.5 hours. For general tub maintenance, the Air Dry course can be run once a week without laundry.

The manual also describes how to turn the tub with hand when it is difficult to remove the lint filter or add softener. This involves turning on the power, waiting for a clicking sound (approx. 15 seconds), and then turning the tub clockwise. This action is not possible if there is water in the tub or if the "Start" button is pressed.

In case of error messages, the troubleshooting section provides guidance. For example, if "U11" (Water cannot be drained) is displayed, users should check the drain water hose for crushing, lint clogging, whether the tip is soaked in water, if a part of the hose is over 10 cm high, or if the extension hose is longer than 3 m. If "U12" (The lid is open) is displayed, simply closing the lid will resolve the issue. For "U13" (Spin or Air Dry does not work), laundry should be arranged evenly in the tub, and the lid closed, or the machine's stability checked if it's on an unstable surface. "U14" (Water cannot be supplied) requires checking if the water faucet is on, if there's a water failure, or if the water supply filter is clogged. "U99" indicates that water was forcibly drained due to the Child Lock function, requiring the power plug to be pulled out and reconnected after 5 seconds. Any other error message starting with "H" indicates that inspection is required, and users should contact a service person after pulling out the power plug.