Some photos of my 1986 Kenmores. Made by Whirlpool in August of 1986 and sold by Sears of Burnsville Mn. that September. I am only the second owner. No restoration has been done yet this is the condition I found them in.
1986 Kenmore Limited Electronic washer
- Thread starter whirlykenmore78
- Start date
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More 86 Kenmore
elegant, aren't they?
elegant, aren't they?
1986 kenmore Ctd.
money shot with wash action
money shot with wash action
1986 Kenmore Ltd.
spin and spray rinse
spin and spray rinse
1986 Kenmore Ltd.
Dryer money shot with drying rack. Can't wait to get the right outlet in the shop to run it up.
Dryer money shot with drying rack. Can't wait to get the right outlet in the shop to run it up.
1986 LKM LIMITED EDITION WASHER
MY mother lives in Burnsville Mn, and 10 years ago when I was out visiting at christmas I brought this exact machine along with some other appliances. I had thought that my older brother that lives in Golden Valley might want it as he is a quality control engineer in the electronics field and often liked electronic gadgets. Any way he decided that he didn't need it as he already had two washers, so I gave it to my friend Gary in north Minneapolis to replace his dying MT A606 and he is still using it to this day as his main washer.
I always thought it interesting that Sears converted thier best washer to the newer DD design while they were still selling the BD washers. But it became clear to those of us in the repair end of the business that the newer DD machines were holding up much better than the older BD washer ever had. But its neat to know there is another one of these still running in Minnesota.
MY mother lives in Burnsville Mn, and 10 years ago when I was out visiting at christmas I brought this exact machine along with some other appliances. I had thought that my older brother that lives in Golden Valley might want it as he is a quality control engineer in the electronics field and often liked electronic gadgets. Any way he decided that he didn't need it as he already had two washers, so I gave it to my friend Gary in north Minneapolis to replace his dying MT A606 and he is still using it to this day as his main washer.
I always thought it interesting that Sears converted thier best washer to the newer DD design while they were still selling the BD washers. But it became clear to those of us in the repair end of the business that the newer DD machines were holding up much better than the older BD washer ever had. But its neat to know there is another one of these still running in Minnesota.
Dispensers
How do the detergent, bleach and softener dispensers operate on this style of washer? Does a valve open and the contents drain into the tub, or does it have the assistance of water entering the dispenser first, to dilute the contents before draining into the tub?
How do the detergent, bleach and softener dispensers operate on this style of washer? Does a valve open and the contents drain into the tub, or does it have the assistance of water entering the dispenser first, to dilute the contents before draining into the tub?
limitededition
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2010
- Messages
- 62
dispensers
Fresh water is run throught the dispensers Bleach and Fabric Softener are siphon based fresh water is fed to the dispenser and the remainder is syphoned out, the detergent dispenser can be used for powder or liquid it has an insert for liquid and operates like the Bleach or Fabric Softener.
Fresh water is run throught the dispensers Bleach and Fabric Softener are siphon based fresh water is fed to the dispenser and the remainder is syphoned out, the detergent dispenser can be used for powder or liquid it has an insert for liquid and operates like the Bleach or Fabric Softener.
Just like my set!
I've posted these before, but here is my set purchased new in 1987.
Still in use after 24 years and working great!
I've posted these before, but here is my set purchased new in 1987.
Still in use after 24 years and working great!
Another Picture of Kenmore Set
Another shot of the 1987 pair.
Another shot of the 1987 pair.
Washer money shot
Money shot of washer.
Money shot of washer.
Money shot of dryer
Dryer money shot.
Dryer money shot.
Bill-
What is the box that the dryer is plugged into?
Lawrence/Maytagbear
What is the box that the dryer is plugged into?
Lawrence/Maytagbear
John/Combo -
I have seen a several other DD washers made in this period, including an identical electronic set that another site member has. His have similar production and delivery dates. I am pretty sure I saw a couple 70-series machines from this period as well. My BD purchase that year was produced in the 32nd week of 1986, and I've only seen one newer than that. I think that was the very tail end of production on the bulk of the Kenmore BDs because Sears was running closeout sales in the newspaper by early October (by week 40) of the remaining BDs. This would mean they were clearing out stock.
Thinking about the logistics and inventory planning that has to happen when introducing truly new models, especially when they don't match currrent dryer consoles, the early production of some of these models would seem to be required. Sears has many distribution centers across the country in order to serve all the stores. Considering the volume Sears sold in 1986 (and now), the warehouses would have to be pre-stocked for a period in order to have product readily available to deliver once the new floor models landed on the showroom floors.
Filling all the distribution centers will a full-line of models, or even a partial line, would require production to begin weeks in advance. Since the 1986 DD introduction was not gradual, my guess is that WP ramped-up production of the 1986 model DDs during summer 1986 in Clyde on some of the assembly capacity, while maintaining BD production on the rest. The BDs went out for immediate shipment (mine was only 2 weeks old when I got it) while the DDs were stockpiled. Having dryers with the new console that matched the new '86s made this doubly complex.
My thinking is that WP and Sears made production runs of most of the new models and held them, while distributing as usual the older models. Once the warehouses were full and the introduction date came around, the BD production stopped, and the DDs became the focus product, line wide. This would explain why these first DDs were made while other BDs were built later and put into use long before their DD counterparts.
Does anyone have any other ideas?
Gordon
I have seen a several other DD washers made in this period, including an identical electronic set that another site member has. His have similar production and delivery dates. I am pretty sure I saw a couple 70-series machines from this period as well. My BD purchase that year was produced in the 32nd week of 1986, and I've only seen one newer than that. I think that was the very tail end of production on the bulk of the Kenmore BDs because Sears was running closeout sales in the newspaper by early October (by week 40) of the remaining BDs. This would mean they were clearing out stock.
Thinking about the logistics and inventory planning that has to happen when introducing truly new models, especially when they don't match currrent dryer consoles, the early production of some of these models would seem to be required. Sears has many distribution centers across the country in order to serve all the stores. Considering the volume Sears sold in 1986 (and now), the warehouses would have to be pre-stocked for a period in order to have product readily available to deliver once the new floor models landed on the showroom floors.
Filling all the distribution centers will a full-line of models, or even a partial line, would require production to begin weeks in advance. Since the 1986 DD introduction was not gradual, my guess is that WP ramped-up production of the 1986 model DDs during summer 1986 in Clyde on some of the assembly capacity, while maintaining BD production on the rest. The BDs went out for immediate shipment (mine was only 2 weeks old when I got it) while the DDs were stockpiled. Having dryers with the new console that matched the new '86s made this doubly complex.
My thinking is that WP and Sears made production runs of most of the new models and held them, while distributing as usual the older models. Once the warehouses were full and the introduction date came around, the BD production stopped, and the DDs became the focus product, line wide. This would explain why these first DDs were made while other BDs were built later and put into use long before their DD counterparts.
Does anyone have any other ideas?
Gordon
Box dryer is plugged into
Lawrence and all - That gray box the dryer is plugged into is a "phase coupler" for my X-10 wireless control system. It helps to ensure that X-10 signals make it across both "legs" of the electrical panel thereby increasing reliability of X-10 control devices.
I've been an avid X-10 user since the 1980's.
I know there are better systems out there now, but what I have is working for me so why change?
I only use plug-in control modules as I found the wired in units (wall switch modules) to be completely unreliable due to the fact my switch boxes only have the "hot" wire and no neutral.
Lawrence and all - That gray box the dryer is plugged into is a "phase coupler" for my X-10 wireless control system. It helps to ensure that X-10 signals make it across both "legs" of the electrical panel thereby increasing reliability of X-10 control devices.
I've been an avid X-10 user since the 1980's.
I know there are better systems out there now, but what I have is working for me so why change?
I only use plug-in control modules as I found the wired in units (wall switch modules) to be completely unreliable due to the fact my switch boxes only have the "hot" wire and no neutral.
Washer on Right - Dryer on Left
AND - the reason my dryer is on the LEFT is because the builder of this tract house put the utilities in that way.
The dryer vent is on the left as is the 230 volt outlet.
The washer plumbing on on the right.
I'd prefer them the other way around, but I have lived with this setup for 41 years now.
When I was growing up, our old Whirlpool set always had the dryer on the right as dryer door was hinged on the left side.
The washer, however, was hinged at the back.
AND - the reason my dryer is on the LEFT is because the builder of this tract house put the utilities in that way.
The dryer vent is on the left as is the 230 volt outlet.
The washer plumbing on on the right.
I'd prefer them the other way around, but I have lived with this setup for 41 years now.
When I was growing up, our old Whirlpool set always had the dryer on the right as dryer door was hinged on the left side.
The washer, however, was hinged at the back.
About those dispensers
DETERGENT DISPENSER
When the cycle is started, HOT water runs into the detergent dispenser for about 60 seconds.
Then, HOT water (no matter what temperature you choose for the wash) starts filling the tub while the detergent dispenser continues to get HOT water as well.
Then, the HOT water to the detergent dispenser stops and the tub water temperature goes to the one that has been selected.
Of course, this model has the "automatic temperature control" and when WARM or COLD are selected as the temperature, the HOT valve turn on and off to adjust the overall temperature of the water in the tub.
This too, allows HOT water to flow - on and off when filling while the COLD stays on all the time.
BLEACH DISPENSER
During the last 4 or 5 minutes of the wash cycle, water flows into the bleach dispenser to flush/syphon.
This happens on ANY cycle whether or not there is bleach in the dispenser.
FABRIC SOFTENER DISPENSER
As soon as the tub fills for the rinse cycle, water is introduced into the dispenser to flush/syphon.
Water shuts off after about 20 seconds.
Then, water flow begins again to the dispenser to ensure all softener is introduced to the tub.
Lots of valves, wiring, and tubing to make all this stuff work.
I hope none of it is leaking inside the machine as I've never looked!
DETERGENT DISPENSER
When the cycle is started, HOT water runs into the detergent dispenser for about 60 seconds.
Then, HOT water (no matter what temperature you choose for the wash) starts filling the tub while the detergent dispenser continues to get HOT water as well.
Then, the HOT water to the detergent dispenser stops and the tub water temperature goes to the one that has been selected.
Of course, this model has the "automatic temperature control" and when WARM or COLD are selected as the temperature, the HOT valve turn on and off to adjust the overall temperature of the water in the tub.
This too, allows HOT water to flow - on and off when filling while the COLD stays on all the time.
BLEACH DISPENSER
During the last 4 or 5 minutes of the wash cycle, water flows into the bleach dispenser to flush/syphon.
This happens on ANY cycle whether or not there is bleach in the dispenser.
FABRIC SOFTENER DISPENSER
As soon as the tub fills for the rinse cycle, water is introduced into the dispenser to flush/syphon.
Water shuts off after about 20 seconds.
Then, water flow begins again to the dispenser to ensure all softener is introduced to the tub.
Lots of valves, wiring, and tubing to make all this stuff work.
I hope none of it is leaking inside the machine as I've never looked!
Bill, I guess I"m not understanding the issue with the washer being on the right and the dryer being on the left with the dryer door being drop down and not side-swing, shouldn't matter what direction the washer lid is hinged. The house I basically grew up in had this very same arrangement. The only time I found it to be a pain was when we had the 1950s Norge Timeline dryer with the door push-to-open button on the far left side of the machine next to the door. The Norge was hinged on the left side for the washer and the dryer was drop-down just like Whirlys. And when the Kenmore 800 came in, no big deal. Now, when the Filter Flows came in, that was another story. The door for the dryer was hinged on the right and it swung from right to left.
My dispenser acted a little bit differently on my 1986 DD Lady Shredmore. I always knew on the lectronic ones, the detergent dispenser was activated for the first minute or so of the wash fill. On the mechanical ones, you had to set the timer at the absolutely longest point for each wash cycle. The water flushed for 2 minutes and it was tepid, not even warm. Definitely not simply hot valve open. I really dind't like this arrangement for hot or white loads because by the end of 2 minutes, the amounjt of water in the tub was half-way betweeen nothing and what was ex-lo on the later level selector, so not much hot water if it was a super small load. I quit using this dispenesr after about 6 months because the 14 minute or 122 minute (PP) wash cycles were just too rough on clothing. Things dind't need to be beat to death on normal for that long. As for the bleach, it was siphoned in when water ran through it at the 2 minute mark of the wash cycle, I wish it had been 4 or 5 minutes like on yours. And as for the rinse, it didn't flush softner until the machine started agitating for the rinse and if the clothes didn't start circulating within 5 seconsd, something might get hit with a burtst of dilluted softner from the sipenser. Unfortunately, if 2nd rinse was selected, it dind't shift the dispenser execution to the 2nd rinse, always only the first rinse.
I never liked the fact the only spray rinse was during the last spin, never a spin-spray rinse on normal or delicate on the spin between wash & rinsee, only on PP. Seaers finally rectified that lack of 1st spin spray rinse when they came out with their UltraRinse feature on their washers.
My dispenser acted a little bit differently on my 1986 DD Lady Shredmore. I always knew on the lectronic ones, the detergent dispenser was activated for the first minute or so of the wash fill. On the mechanical ones, you had to set the timer at the absolutely longest point for each wash cycle. The water flushed for 2 minutes and it was tepid, not even warm. Definitely not simply hot valve open. I really dind't like this arrangement for hot or white loads because by the end of 2 minutes, the amounjt of water in the tub was half-way betweeen nothing and what was ex-lo on the later level selector, so not much hot water if it was a super small load. I quit using this dispenesr after about 6 months because the 14 minute or 122 minute (PP) wash cycles were just too rough on clothing. Things dind't need to be beat to death on normal for that long. As for the bleach, it was siphoned in when water ran through it at the 2 minute mark of the wash cycle, I wish it had been 4 or 5 minutes like on yours. And as for the rinse, it didn't flush softner until the machine started agitating for the rinse and if the clothes didn't start circulating within 5 seconsd, something might get hit with a burtst of dilluted softner from the sipenser. Unfortunately, if 2nd rinse was selected, it dind't shift the dispenser execution to the 2nd rinse, always only the first rinse.
I never liked the fact the only spray rinse was during the last spin, never a spin-spray rinse on normal or delicate on the spin between wash & rinsee, only on PP. Seaers finally rectified that lack of 1st spin spray rinse when they came out with their UltraRinse feature on their washers.
pierreandreply4
Well-known member
is it my imagination or is the wash tub the old belt drive tub desing but with a directdrive washer kind of look makes me think that the washer is a direct drive washer?
