Are you experiencing cross-draining problems with your older Fisher Paykel double dish drawer? Have you had a succession of technicians and service companies try to solve this problem, only to have it return again?
There is a reason this is happening to you and there is a way to fix it FOREVER.
In most cases, this problem can be traced to an improper installation. Fisher Paykel double-dishdrawers are in effect TWO dishwashers with two seperate drain hoses. Often times they are installed with an "air gap" which is required by many municipalities for code compliance. Installers who are used to installing "single" dishwashers often install a "single air gap" with a Y-adapter that connects both drawers to a single air gap, and to be fair, this is shown in the install instructions for the product. However it will usually not work for very long. The reason being, there is a small neoprene "check valve" in the base of the pump on both drawers. It is designed to keep the water from the last drain cycle from running back into the machine once the cycle stops. It was never designed to prevent the cross-drain condition. Over time the pressure from the water that wants to come from the other drawer will weaken that flap, causing it to "leak" and the result is when one drawer is run, the dirty water from one drawer drains partly into the other drawer. (YUCK!) Most techs will replace the flap, thinking they have solved the problem, and for awhile, yes, it will.
But this can get kind of expensive having to call for repairs every year or so.
The proper and permanent fix for this situation if to install a DUAL AIR GAP which can be purchased from Fisher Paykel parts:
http://fisherpaykelparts.net/index.php?categoryid=1&productid=7
This device is totally "co-axial" in design and will not allow water from one drawer to get into the other. It also is "kosher" in that some Jewish families have a "meat" and "dairy" dishwasher and the two can never be mixed. If there is cross-draining going on, that is "not Kosher!" (pun yes, reality also!) This part will insure no cross-contamination.
These dual air gaps come with everything you need to replace a single air gap, and fit in the same hole. You can even transfer most decorative style covers that the customer may have on the single air gap (such as Bisque/Brushed Aluminum/Brass etc.) The feedback we have gotten from our own customers after instaling one of these is extremely positive, some going so far as to say it is like they have a new appliance, as it is now cleaning better than ever and there is no longer an objectionable odor coming from the drawer.
This is an excellent and PERMANENT code-compliant solution for cross-draining on older Fisher Paykel Dishdrawers. Try it. You'll like it!
