Customline has a question........

[customline]

This question is in reference to the continuing saga of the '55 Kenmore portable dishwasher. I'm pretty sure I pinpointed the problem. I found excessive voltage coming from the light socket on this unit (112V is too high a voltage to power a 12v bulb). Would a resistor work in bringing down the voltage to this light socket? I found no shorts in the wiring and everything is connected the way it's suppose to be. Could be that there was one there originally and it was taken out, I don't know but any help in this matter would be appreciated. Thanks guys and gals.

 

[swestoyz]

Try replacing the bulb with a 120v counterpart? Installing a 12v bulb would be a common mistake, as the sockets are very similar. This should solve the issue.

Ben

 

[Unimatic1140]

This is very strange

Hi Kevin, it would be extremely unusual for a dishwasher of that vintage to use a 12 volt light bulb. Do you have the original bulb and was 12 volts? 12 Volt bulbs would be more common in a DC circuit, but there is no reason in a 1950's dishwasher for Hotpoint to spend the money (in parts) of converting the power from AC to DC just for a pilot light.

What kind of light bulb socket does it have (bayonette or screw base) and do you have the wiring diagram?

 

[customline]

Customline replies

Thanks for the replies. First, the socket is the type that accepts a bulb with two side pins and the bulb spins half a turn into the socket to lock the pins in. Two little round contacts are at the bottom of the socket. The bulb itself is not terribly big, it's a small bulb. It's about the size of a turn signal bulb in an automobile. Do they make these in a 120v range and where can I get one? Anyway, here is a picture of the schematic for you Robert.

 

[fixerman]

Definetly needs a 120V bulb. Try your local hardware store or Appliance parts distributor.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Kevin, yes according to the wiring diagram you need a 120 volt bult. You should be able to get a 15 watt bayonet bulb at the hardware store.

 

[customline]

Custom's reply

Thanks guys.