Creda Supaspeed Washer

[username]

Greetings from the States!!
Yes, Creda exists (existed?) in the US. As proof, here is a shot of my Creda Supaspeed washer and SensAir Dryer. Until last week, they both ran perfectly.
(Actually, the dryer needed a new belt in 2003 - cost me about $70 to have it replaced.)
Now the washer has stopped going through the cycles, so I don't know what to do, what to replace it with. I don't want to replace it, as it is a good washer, and fits the space nicely, but I doubt if I can find the replacement parts. A repairman thinks it is the timer, but I wonder if it is the motor brushes?
Anyway, I bought these both new in 1996, the washer was $1075, and the dryer $785, and the stacking kit $30.
One feature we love about the dryer is that it has delay start, so we can set it to run at night when electricity is cheaper. Try to find that feature on a dryer now!
They have been great performers, and I am sorry that Creda is not really around any more, I might buy a Creda to replace the washer, if I can't fix it.

 

[vacbear58]

@ Username

Congratulations on getting 16 years out of that washer, you must have taken good care of it.

I am not an expert on these machine but I think they were manufactured (at this time) by Hotpoint in the UK. These machines were very popular and there is an abundance of information about them, so all is not lost.

Some information will help though, the primary thing is does it run on 110V or 230V? By that I mean does it plug into a regular socket or is it connected into a dryer line (supply)? If the latter then it is possible that you may be able to get parts from the UK, plenty of machine from this manufacturer will have been parted out.

Is the machine totally dead? or will it fill and then not advance? If you advace the programmer by hand will the drum turn? More information could help us diagnose the problem. If we are not able to help you on this, fear not, there appear to be a variety of European sized models available in the US too.

If you do not get much response here over the next couple of days (as it is buried in another thread) I suggest you make a new thread in the Deluxe forum to raise the question again. Make sure you put Creda Superspeed Washer in the title as that will alert guys here and I am sure such a thread will attract interest.

good luck

Al

 

[username]

Hi Al (and all),
Thanks for the quick reply!
The washer will not run on any cycle. By that, I mean that it will fill with water, but the drum never spins. The timer knob turns, and it clicks as it always has, but the machine never washes, or spins. If I advance the timer knob manually, the machine will pump the water out, but again, nothing I do ever causes the washer to wash or spin.
Both machines run on 240V 15A circuits.
They have lasted 16 years probably because they have been lightly used - for awhile it was only myself doing a load of wash/week, then when I got married, about two - three loads/week. I really never did any maintainance or anything. Just lucky I guess!
Thanks!
Dave (username)

 

[ozzie908]

Simple.....

Its more than likely the motor brushes.
What you are describing is a classic example of brush failure and I would have though the same ones could be used regardless of what voltage the machine is so its going to be a cheap fix for you.

Austin

 

[optima]

Creda Supaspeed

I'm with Austin on this one 99% sure it's the motor brushes

 

[launderess]

"Google" Creda and Motor Brushes

Should take you where you need to be in terms of information.

IIRC these Creda washers are the same as Hotpoint under the hood so to speak, and as such are famous for eating up brushes at a good clip. Usually about five or six years the things need changing. Since you used your unit lightly that may have delayed things abit.

Happily for you the motor on these units is mounted on top so swapping out the brushes is a pretty straight foward affair. Again instructions are all over the Internet and you can order the brushes here in the States IIRC.

 

[optima]

Creda Plan

Oh & how good do your Creda's look stacked, well impressed !!!

 

[vacbear58]

Brushes

Dave

This is looking good. The reason I asked about the voltage was so as to ascertain whether UK parts would be suitable, and it sounds like they will be - a rudimentary search on ebay this moring brought up 167 matches straight off. And if you cannot get them shipped direct from the UK I am sure someone here will help out, even with shipping we are only talking a few dollars. Although it might be worth giving the place where you got the dryer belt a call first if they are still in business.

Brush replacement should be fairly simple, but now comes the hard part. Can you take the dryer off the washer, remove the top from the washer and take some pictures of the motor please, as this could help with identification.

Interesting that you run this off a 230V 15A line, I am guessing that it must be pretty much like UK specification with internal heater etc.

Should you decide in the end to replace this machine, please do post on here that you are, as I am sure there would be other members interested in it.

Al

 

[fido]

Changing Brushes

This video might help with checking / changing the brushes:

 

[launderess]

Creda Washers/Dryers Sold In USA

Like Miele these are straight 220v/240v machines with the only difference is that Creda washers and dryers used a three prong (NEMA 6-15) plug.

Also like Miele Creda sold an "easy install kit" (splitter box) for American use that allowed the washer and dryer to plug into one unit. The plug on the splitter box's cord however was the four prong 120v/220v 30 amp type same as Miele's washers and dryers sold in North America. One assumes Creda marketed these easy install kits to homes where the outlets/wiring had been upgraded to the new code standard of four prong "dryer" plugs.

Unless there is some type of inverter inside the Creda units sold here the motor, pump and electronics must have been made for 208v-240v at 60hz. Or maybe the motor and pump ran at 60hz and there is an inverter for the electronics.

There are one or two places in the USA that still sell Creda appliance parts including those for washers and dryers. A member has a Creda set and orders brushes and so forth from these sources all the time. Creda company itself pulled up stakes and closed their North American offices awhile ago. However if one requires product/customer support that the aforementioned sources cannot supply Hotpoint/Ariston in the UK (the current owners of Creda) are glad to supply. Given the time difference unless one is an early riser it might be best to use email via their website than telephoning.

Could be wrong but one thinks the top of the washing machine is removed as part of the stacking, or maybe this is optional. [this post was last edited: 1/30/2013-05:46]

 

[tomturbomatic]

There is a place in Texas where I order parts. They are very nice people. I will make a note to look up the number and post it when I get home.

 

[seamusuk]

Worldwide postage...

And a good price for genuine carbons...
Seamus

Pardon our interruption...

 

[username]

Fantastic!

You guys are great!
I had no idea when I posted this here that I would get a quick and thorough response to my problem.
vacbear58 - I will have to wait 'til my wife gets home from work to take the dryer down off the washer - it only weighs 82 lbs, so should be no worries there.
Then, I will be able to take pictures of the motor, and possibly even remove the old brushes, so I can photo them as well.
fido - thank you for that vid link, it was exactly what I was needing - the other video shows the motor already out of the machine, so I was missing alot of info there.
I may yet have to take the motor out, but we will see.
Launderess - you are correct, the first thing you do when you install the stacking kit is to remove the top panel of the washer, and store it, the dryer becomes your new washer top panel.
Tomturbomatic - Texas would be my first choice for ordering brushes, as it would be faster and cheaper to get them, but I am certainly willing to order from somewhere in "Dear Old Blighty" as well.
The only thing to do now is wait for my wife to get home and do we some lifting...

 

[username]

I forgot...

I live about ten miles from where Creda used to have their US offices/dist. It was in Niles, Illinois. I don't know when they left US.
The guy I used for my dryer repair is no longer around, but there is another company that will service Creda - They are Platinum Mechanical, just in case anyone in Chicago area ever needs Creda repair. www.Platinumcares.com

 

[username]

Motor plate

I was able to tip the dryer forward just enough to grab a shot of the motor id plate (luckily it is on top of the motor) Will this be enough to determine the type of brush I need?
Thank you!
Dave (username)

 

[fido]

Yes, it is definitely the brushes referred to in the Ebay link earlier. They come in 2 sorts, white holders that must be used on the 1200 spin machines but are also suitable for the 800 and 1000 spin midels, black holders that are a bit cheaper but only recommended for the 800 and 1000. I tended to use the black ones on the slower spin models because the white ones sometimes split down the middle.

 

[tomturbomatic]

All the guy in TX will want is the model # if you just need the brushes. I can't get over how long your brushes have lasted. My machine needed them about every three years when I was using it more.

 

[username]

Texas

Thanks, Tomturbomatic! I don't know what the secret is, perhaps if I replace these brushes, I will get ANOTHER 16 years out of this washer. Then you guys would have to put me in some kind of hall-of-fame. The Creda brush HOF?
Do you know how to get in touch with that guy in Texas?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Actually, it's Arizona. The phone# for the Creda Service Center is 800-800-2733. That is not one of my typos. It's 800 twice, like New York, New York.