A 2nd dose of Matchbox from the weekend - 3243H Keymatic De Luxe!!!

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matchboxpaul

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Feb 25, 2007
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Hi all.

Logging into my inbox two Saturdays ago, I was to find a very unexpected e-mail.

Bit of background.
Back in March 2008, I was perusing another appliance forum and stumbled across an enquiry concerning a Matchbox keymatic with a dicky timer.
Not knowing the status of the machine, whether it was a recently in use daily driver in danger of imminent scrapping, or a collection machine belonging to a non member of Discuss o Mat, I signed up and sent the enquirer a message.

At that time I hadn't accumulated the information I have since found and all I was able to do was ask that it not be scrapped and enquire what the problem was.
Transpired that the machine had stopped heating, with the enquirer (Richard) being of the opinion that the contacts in the timer had burned out.
The machine was in no danger of being scrapped and was a backburner repair project, that he planned to start when he had the time.

I let him know that he should never scrap it and that should he wish to dispose of it, that I would be interested in taking it on and left it at that.

Then in April 2011, I stumbled across a further enquiry from Richard appealing for help with the machine.
In the intervening years I had managed to acquire a copy of the official Hoover servicing information, which includes full circuit and wiring diagrams and exploded drawings.
I got back in touch and sent him BIG photographs of the servicing information for the 3243H, to aid his repair of the machine.
Then I left it at that.

Roll forwards to Satuday 16th February 2013 and an e-mail explaining that, due to other work taking precedence and little liklihood of ever finding time to get the machine repaired, the machine was up for disposal and available to me if I still wanted it.

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Finally paid off Paul

well done, you've put in a lot of effert and patience on this, and its paid off brilliantly, I know you will love it.

I was thinking earlier, your most longed for hoover machines have taken the most perserverance and effort to obtain, cant wait to see it and hopefully help get it washing again. One things for sure, the chrome and body work will be buffed to perfection. That early 70's line up is on its way.

Looking forward to photos

Mathew
 
Not for free I hasten to add, I agreed a sale and arranged to go and collect the machine from south of Guildford on Saturday just gone.

Encountering snow flurries on the M1, I did wonder whether I should have arranged a different weekend to collect, but collect I did.

I got there at around half 9 and was greeted by Richard, with the 3243H being by the entrance door.
Having recovered from the shock of encountering a version 2 3243H Keyatic De Luxe for the first time ever, I was asked whether I had had any breakfast!
Bacon sandwiches and a breakfast salad were rustled up for me by Richard and his partner Ana - never had that happen to me before.
Obviously appreciative of vintage machines, the kitchen contained a late 1970s Sharp microwave, a Belling cooker from the 1980s and an Aristocrat branded fridge from the early 80s.
I think the fridge was a Zanussi exclusive line, sold through the likes of TIGER etc.

If they read this thread, can I publicly thanks Richard and Ana for their hospitality and kindness and it was lovely to meet you. Good luck and all power to you with the educational charity you are both involved with and hope all goes well.

Two and a bit hours later the car was packed and I set off back for Derby. Somehow in the time I was down there, as well as the 3243H, a Hoover 3019 spinarinse climbed in the car, as did a Hollandier De Luxe cylinder vacuum cleaner!

I also came away with 5 leaflets for the new 1986 Range of Philips series 90, right hand drive machines and a 1985 AEG laundry range brochure!
These had been kept from when Richard went out shopping for the 3243H's replacement, which turned out to be a Philips AWB073 De Luxe that is still going today.
I will share these leaflets and brochures in another thread in the coming weeks.

Landing back in Derby at around half two, the car was unloaded and the 3243H landed in its new home....

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As with all vintage 70's hoovers and just like the two discoveries in Australia, we need a new door seal, with the original having turned to sticky, molten rubber ...

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making it two months older than the matching 3022 dryer de luxe we have, which I hope the 3243H will meet in the summer...

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Round to the solonoids - seem to remember that Gary had to service his 3243H version 1's solonoids as, to get them to close, he had to tap them with a hammer.

Am half expecting these to give similar issues, as they havent had water through them since late 1985.
When the 3236H from Plymouth was re-energised, this was discovered to have weeping solonoids - just like with my parents original machine....

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To the three compartment dispenser, with fabric conditioner feature that only appeared on the Keymatic in the Matchbox range ....

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Here is the non-standard feature on the back of the machine, in the form of a snuggly fitting rocker switch.

The machine was taken out of service due to the timer not switching in the heater and I am thinking that this switch is a manual on/off switch for the heater!
One wire heads to the heater element and one other wire heads upwards towards the timer....

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the back of the mystery switch.
The second wire also heads downwards before doubling back and joining the bunch of wires in the right part of the photograph ....

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The gizmo with the fuse

is the transformer which powers the low voltage lights on the facia to indicate wash progress. No leds back then.

Now how long do we have to wait for the full frontal shot?

mathew
 
spot the problem with the positioning of this switch ................. so, if it has to stay, it will have to be moved elsewhere....

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Ohhhh, go on then Mathew!

Here you go and final picture for the night.

This was Saturday night and as the machine was collected, pre cleaning - it was well cared for during its near 27 years of dormancy.

Will post the photos of the 3.5 hour Sunday spit and polish session tomorrow.
Paul

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