scrubflex
Well-known member
Does anyone in the club own an 18 pound GE Versatronic washer? All I've seen are the 16 pounders.
18 Pound GE Solid State Versatronic Variable Speeds Washer
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scrubflex
Well-known member
Oh yeah, does anyone know the varied agitation and spin speeds? I know NORMAL is 100 OPM and GENTLE is 70 OPM. I'm not sure of the spinning speeds...I think 610 RPM for NORMAL.
GE Versatronic Washers
Hi harry, How many of the V-16 VTWs do you have?, I have never seen a V-16 VTW, we did have an 18 pounder about 30 years ago that would not run so we put a 1 speed clutch on it and sold it to a friend that used it for another 10 years before it was replaced.
I would guess that the lowest speed of agitation should be around 40 SPM and the lowest spin speed should be around 350 RPMs.
Do you have the washer in the picture and if so what do you think about it.
John L.
Hi harry, How many of the V-16 VTWs do you have?, I have never seen a V-16 VTW, we did have an 18 pounder about 30 years ago that would not run so we put a 1 speed clutch on it and sold it to a friend that used it for another 10 years before it was replaced.
I would guess that the lowest speed of agitation should be around 40 SPM and the lowest spin speed should be around 350 RPMs.
Do you have the washer in the picture and if so what do you think about it.
John L.
How did the variable speeds in these machines work?Vary the motor speeds,variable pulley system?
GE Versatronic Washers
Used a variable speed clutch that cycled on and off rapidly to obtain and maintain the desired output pulley drive speed. They had two carbon brushes to get power to the magnet coil which looked like a weak point to me. The clutch lining assemble itself looked to be robust enough to drive a small car.
Frigidaire also used a variable speed slipping type clutch on their infinite speed washers, but on theirs the coil was mounted on the mechanism so no brushes were needed but the clutch itself was pretty puney looking.
I have never seen any of the 6 different brands of infinite speed that were built and sold where the variable speed system was working.
Used a variable speed clutch that cycled on and off rapidly to obtain and maintain the desired output pulley drive speed. They had two carbon brushes to get power to the magnet coil which looked like a weak point to me. The clutch lining assemble itself looked to be robust enough to drive a small car.
Frigidaire also used a variable speed slipping type clutch on their infinite speed washers, but on theirs the coil was mounted on the mechanism so no brushes were needed but the clutch itself was pretty puney looking.
I have never seen any of the 6 different brands of infinite speed that were built and sold where the variable speed system was working.
scrubflex
Well-known member
Hey John L, unfortunately none...a beautiful machine and cool idea (variable speeds) but I see now why it was too complicated to work and last. Did the 18 pound washer have a turquoise blue tub like the Programmed model?
Good question
According to the catalogs and cut sheets at the time it WAS supposed to have a solid blue tub, but all of the samples I ever saw in real life had speckled gray porcelain tubs including the one that was for sale in Macy's basement back in 1970.
I'm sure there are sample with blue tubs out there, but GE discontinued the all-blue tub after 1970 even for the TOL.
According to the catalogs and cut sheets at the time it WAS supposed to have a solid blue tub, but all of the samples I ever saw in real life had speckled gray porcelain tubs including the one that was for sale in Macy's basement back in 1970.
I'm sure there are sample with blue tubs out there, but GE discontinued the all-blue tub after 1970 even for the TOL.
scrubflex
Well-known member
Thanks alot Ken. Are there any other 68', 69' and beginning 70's GE catalogs and cut sheets available to buy on the club?
GE Versatronic Washers
Hi Harry, where did the picture of the GE Versatronic come from that you posted. Did you have this washer at one time, did it work properly?
Hi Harry, where did the picture of the GE Versatronic come from that you posted. Did you have this washer at one time, did it work properly?
scrubflex
Well-known member
Oh no, it's a pic of the 16 pounder that belongs to a member from the club.
Variable magnetic clutches-unusual!!!Never heard of this until now.My mystery solved.I wondered about that since those machine came before the VFD days.I am used to variable pulley systems-used on some drill presses and older ShopSmiths.SuperShop,Smithy machines used a variable DC voltage to a PM DC motor.
mayken4now
Well-known member
You ask if anyone has an 18 lb version. Seems to me, back in 2006 or so, was a member here who lived in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, real big into the GE FF'S. He may have one. Think the screen name was GEversatronic.
scrubflex
Well-known member
Thanks Steven
