1968 Programmed 4 Speed GE Filter Flo And Versatronic Dryer

[pulltostart]

Ken,

You are correct, I stand corrected.  Although I was completely discarding the 1958-1963 models due to the consoles being on a completely different chassis.  No matter - you're correct.

 

lawrence

 

[bajaespuma]

Could have knocked me over with a feather...

I consider myself something of an expert on Filter-flo washers, but I never knew that there was a 4 speed model out there!

 

Thank you all for the explanations of the 4 agitation speeds and how they worked ( I guess the Versatronic models used a Governor on the motor like the 1967 Hotpoints ?). From the lid instructions it looks like there were 4 agitation speeds but still only 2 spin speeds? I knew they offered 3-speed machines in a couple of model years but 4 was news to me. Was 1968 the only year for 4 speeds? Looks like it.

 

I think this machine was one of the best TOL'S GE ever offered, from a collector's point of view. Backlit controls, timed single-shot bleach dispenser, expandable cycles, turquoise porcelain tub and those speeds; this machine's a winner and now I want one more than ever. Great find.

 

Now, go out and get yourself a Spiral-Ramped Activator that will fit on that post. No contest, I've used both extensively and when it comes to rollover, the Spiral Activator blows the doors of the Straight-6 which was designed primarily to accommodate a bigger mini-basket and <span style="font-size: 14pt;">maybe </span>to displace less water so they could claim that the same washbaskets used on the V-12's were now able to hold 16 pounds (the nerve). Remember that the Perforated Tub transmissions were designed specifically to compliment the Spiral Activator with the shorter, faster stroke. There's no reason you can't keep and use the Straight-6 for gentler washing and the basket. Nothing succeeds like excess.

 

 

 

 

[repairguy]

Hi Ken, in reply 17 Charlie gives an excellent explanation of how the clutch operates. Yes there are 4 agitation speeds and 2 spin speeds.

I still need to get pictures of the neon lit washer dial set in the different programs and also some pictures of the clutch. I don’t believe the dryer dial designates the programs as the washer does.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Ken, I agree about the turnover and the spiral ramp agitator

 

[paulwash]

1968 Programmed 4 Speed GE Filter Flo and Versatronic Dryer

One of the best cleaning machines I ever used. So many memeries but a short time I had it for only 9 months a tenant my Aunt had left it in the basement and moved It had sit in the basement with soapy water in it for a year My father KNEW i had a thing for washers and it was his sisters apartment building so we took drained it and and all the lighted controls worked it ran great. We brought it home and got 9 months out of it and it went bad and stopped pumping water my dad tossed it out and bought a 1990 NORGE washer from highland superstore appliances. That GE washer was great.

 

[repairguy]

Here are the 4 program positions that light on the dial. The first one is for the first two normal selections. The second is for the rest of them except the special program which is the third. The soak button lights up the start of the extra rinse.

 

[swestoyz]

Thank you, Melvin, for the additional shots of the timer dial. Wow, what a machine, and a dream machine for sure! So glad these ended up in good hands.

Ben

 

[tomturbomatic]

I don't have any of the service literature for the dryer that I have, but there must be some sort of cool down thermostat for the Permanent Press cycle. Twice now, I have dried loads of mixed weight fabrics and set the control to the maximum dryness and it dried everything well, but even with this load, the dryer cooled down to room temperature before shutting off. I was not there to remove items as soon as it shut off, but even the shirts in various portions of the drum were not wrinkled when I removed them.

 

[circlew]

Versatronic designation

Does anyone know which model year GE started using the name "Versatronic" on their dryers? I know there were more models than just the DE1220 designated as such, but did they have the full width backsplash light? The set pictured in reply #25 by Jon look like the set my neighbor Thelma had, except I'm nearly certain there were chrome trim strips on the front edges of tops.

 

[tomturbomatic]

In 1968

According to the Appliance Trade In Blue Book, there were three versatronic models:
DE8200 Versatronic
DG48200 Versatronic
DE12200 Versatronic
DG52200 2 stage Versatronic

I do not know if this is accurate or complete. After 1968, the model numbers changed, but Versatronic did not appear in the "Features" column any more.

 

[bradfordwhite]

wait....what?

" Appliance Trade In Blue Book"

Somehow I doubt the current appliance wheeler-dealers have anything like that. lol

 

[gelaundry4ever]

washer speed selections

What are the 4 speed selections?

 

[gelaundry4ever]

normal speed

I thought normal speed was 100 strokes per minute. At least that's what I remember.

 

[circlew]

Thanks Tom, I suppose it's possible my neighbor's was a DE8200.

 

[bajaespuma]

Versatronic

IIRC GE used the term (and likely copywrited{<span style="font-size: 8pt;"> if that's a word</span>} it) "Versatronic" on some other appliance in the earlier Sixties.

 

If my right brain ever decides to release that information, I'll post it.

 

[pulltostart]

Reply #47

Tom,

The earliest that I see a 'Versatronic' dryer is 1968; and it is a DE1220D.

 

The 1969 catalog has on page 32 the title 'High Speed Dryers, Featuring Versatronic Sensory Drying that Eliminates Overdrying or Underdrying' without any particular model being a 'Versatronic' dryer.

 

In 1970 the catalog shows 4 Versatronic models - DDE 9200L (31" wide with fluorescent lamp), DDE8200L (31" wide without fluorescent lamp), DDE7900L (27" wide with fluorescent lamp), and DDE7200L (27" wide without fluorescent lamp).  1970 also offers the overall statement regarding Versatronic dryers - "The Versatronic dryer not only establishes the correct drying conditions for the load selected - but automatically turns itself off the moment it "feels" the load is dry.  Clothes are soft and fluffy - fabrics treated right - ironing kept at a minimum".

 

I do not have access to a 1971 catalog.

 

The 1972 catalog includes the same description of the system as was in the 1970 catalog, and shows an Americana Model DDE/G9200N Versatronic dryer with fluorescent lamp and a DDE/G 7900N Versatronic dryer with fluorescent lamp.

 

1973 - no mention of Versatronic.

 

Keep in mind, I'm referencing Sweets inserts.

 

lawrence

 

[circlew]

Lawrence, thanks for the additional info. I looked at some 1967 GE ads for dryers, and didn't find any mention of them being Versatronic, but did in those for the 1968 models. Evidently the next model down was the DE920, which if designated as a Versatronic model, and if having a full width florescent light, may have been what the neighbors had.

 

[Chetlaham]

[No message]

 

[gelaundry4ever]

speed

What were the speed combinations?

 

[repairguy]

These machines are packed safely away in storage for the time being.

Wash speeds are normal, medium, delicate, and gentle.

Spin speeds are slow and normal. The chart is shown in reply 3 picture 1.