"Converting" a KDS-18 into a 17

[barcoboy]

Here's a question that I've wondered if anybody else has ever wondered about or even tried... what would happen if some kind of stopper of the appropriate size was placed in the upper spray arm hose of a KDS-18 machine, blocking all water to the upper spray arm, effectively converting it into a KDS-17 of sorts? Is there any danger of blowing off a hose underneath, or destroying the constant rinse spray arm by doing so, due to the increased pressure?

Now of course you are probably asking why anyone would want to do this in the first place. Well, it might be handy if you had a load of really nasty pots that you want to wash by themselves exclusively on the lower rack, which a pre-18 must be better at cleaning due to the increased water pressure coming from the one spray arm. And I guess the other reason is to say that either it can/can't be done.

I don't think I'd try it personally and risk damaging/destroying my 58, but have always wondered what would happen.

 

[johnb300m]

You could put a plug in there, but I would highly recommend making sure it's a "sprinkler" plug, to at least help aleviate any backpressure that could become damaging.
Otherwise, not a crazy idea!

 

[toploader55]

Hmmmm...

 

Why would you want to do that ? Although the One Arm Wonders are great machines I think the KDS 18 was one of if not the best KitchenAid ever built.  I think they clean better than a 19, 20, and up.

 

Just my opinion but really curious why you'd want to get rid of the upper spray arm ?

 

[barcoboy]

Curiosity mostly, but just wondering what kind of pressure increase there would be out of the lower spray arm to give it more cleaning power for baked on casserole dishes, pots and pans, etc., and if that pressure increase is safe for the pump/hoses/rest of the machine.

 

[combo52]

Blocking The Water Feed To The Top Rack Of a KD-18--23 DW

It won't hurt a thing, there is not that much water pressure going to the upper rack of these DWs, it will slightly increase the pressure in the lower arm and the constant rinse as well but I assure you it will not hurt a thing.

 

[barcoboy]

Cool, thanks combo52. So if the pressure increase isn't much, there's no real point in anybody blocking the arm. That's the exactly the answer I was looking for.

But what about a real 17? I'm assuming if they use the same motor and pump as the 18, then the water flow and pressure out of the wash arm would be the same as an 18 with the upper arm blocked?

Also, were there any earlier models that used a different motor/pump combination that had a higher water flow and/or pressure rating?

 

[combo52]

Blocking The Water Feed To The Top Rack Of a KD-18--23 DW

The 17 uses a different motor and pump than the 18 and later machines, although there are similarities between the two different pump-motor assemblies.