English Electric 1475 Twin Tub

[organboy1974]

I've just brought this home after getting it on Ebay. I was attracted by the English Electric brand and it wasn't too expensive although a little far away. The plate on the back says 'Hotpoint' which, of course, is what it is in disguise. The serial number is 91111343.

Anyway, it wasn't quite as clean as described and was stated to be in 'full operational condition'. Well it isn't.

The poor machine clearly hasn't been used for years. The fill hose disintegrated in my hands when I tried to straighten it out. When a little water was added to the wash tub I heard a nice steady drip, drip, drip, from underneath and, sure enough, there is a nice spring from the filter flow pipe just above the pump. That's the easy bit though.

The spinner motor runs okay but the spinner doesn't move at all. I thought the brake might be stuck on but the spinner rotates freely when turned by hand. Both the spinner drive and pump belts are extremely loose so I am going to replace those. When under the machine the cog (for want of the correct word) that the belt goes around turns with no resistance. I wondered if something is missing or seized. Anyone have similar problems with Hotpoints? I know they employ a gearing system on the spinners but thought that it would offer more resistance.

Some photos below.
Aled

 

[organboy1974]

....

a close up

 

[organboy1974]

What's left....

of the fill/empty hose. I've rescued the box fitting off the end.

 

[paulc]

The spinner problem might be down to warn clutch shoes. My Mums Supermatic suffered from that so the motor would run but the spinner wouldn't turn.

Lovely machine though. Hope you manage to get it sorted.

 

[organboy1974]

Clutch shoes

I'd forgotten about those. Thanks Paul.

The machine is on the yard now and just about to get turned over to sort a few things out so I'll have a good look and post some pics.

 

[organboy1974]

Spent the afternoon....

with hands inside the machine. Thought I'd fixed the leak but the pipe had split too much to patch up so going to have to replace that. For ease I think I might join it half way and will look for some suitable rubber pipe tomorrow.

The spinner clutch shoes look worn and there is a flat bit on each so new ones will be ordered too along with both belts.

Hopefully the spinner doesn't leak. Haven't checked it yet as I have no means of emptying it as the belt is so loose it keeps dropping off.

Did a bit of a clean up of the wash tub. They must have very hard water where it came from. Filled half way and left it to heat for a while. Not sure if some water is getting into the agitator mechanism as there were deposits of oily water inside the back when I turned the machine over again later. It's certainly leaking transmission oil somewhere.

Oh the trials of these sodding things.

 

[organboy1974]

Spent the afternoon....

with hands inside the machine. Thought I'd fixed the leak but the pipe had split too much to patch up so going to have to replace that. For ease I think I might join it half way and will look for some suitable rubber pipe tomorrow.

The spinner clutch shoes look worn and there is a flat bit on each so new ones will be ordered too along with both belts.

Hopefully the spinner doesn't leak. Haven't checked it yet as I have no means of emptying it as the belt is so loose it keeps dropping off.

Did a bit of a clean up of the wash tub. They must have very hard water where it came from. Filled half way and left it to heat for a while. Not sure if some water is getting into the agitator mechanism as there were deposits of oily water inside the back when I turned the machine over again later. It's certainly leaking transmission oil somewhere.

Oh the trials of these sodding things.

 

[ozzie908]

Before buying new clutch shoes...

The Hotpoint Supermatic I got off ebay a while back would not spin to begin with, when it did start to turn after leaving it running for a few minutes it was extremely picky about spinning a load I can only assume its because it was stood unused because now it spins more or less straight away unless really unbalanced.
So let it run for a while it won't harm it as the drum is not seized it may just sort itself out like mine did.

Good luck to you its a nice looking twinny..

Austin

 

[organboy1974]

Spinner Clutch Shoes

Sorry if this photo is poor quality. I have a very unsteady left hand!!!

 

[organboy1974]

The worn bit

...

 

[ozzie908]

To my eye

They don't look that worn mine are a lot smaller than those, But I am not trained to see the difference lets hope someone else can.

Austin

 

[organboy1974]

Thanks Austin

A friend of mine has just said that unless they're broken then they should work. The belt is in a bit of a state so maybe it's just slipping when the shoes make friction which would put extra load on the belt. I'll get a new one tomorrow and we'll see what happens. The spinner does move at about 40 rpm.

 

[keymatic3203]

clutch shoes

Hi Aled, I would also say those are fine, its the smooth curved part that makes the contact with the clutch drum. The main thing is that they move very freely on the pivots, otherwise you wont get a reliable spin.

Otherwise it looks a very clean machine inside,

All the best

Mathew

 

[supermaticjames]

Oil leaks...

Hi Aled,

Your machine appears to be from the same period as mine and are both rare twinnies, mines being a teak Supermatic De Luxe. Your shoes are fine. It could be the belt or the relay. Dont worry about seeing a bit of oil when the machine is turned over, over time oil seeps throught the breather plugs in the gearbox and sits in little compartments on top of the gearbox which when the machine is turned over, spills into the cabinet. Normal.

James

 

[organboy1974]

It's.....

clean now Mathew, since I got at it this afternoon with various things like vinegar. I think its former owner had a cat. All in the back and around the wheels were long ginger hairs. Either that or he had a very hairy wife! It belonged to an old chap of 97 who had it from new. By the date code I think it's 1985. I'm glad those shoes look okay. It must be the belts then. I don't think any soap, etc., had ever been rinsed off it. You should have seen the soap scum around the inside of the snap-on spinner cover - a disgrace. You could've caught something. Ych a fi. Apparently the old boy left the house and everything to his cleaner. I think she's ripped him off. lol.

Thanks for that info James. There is a fair bit of oil scattered about in the back of the machine. I've seen your teak one on Youtube. It's lovely and most unusual. I'll put a video up of this one eventually once it's working properly. I've got to do a proper one of the HMDL T5044 first but, again, it's getting around to doing it.

I forgot to mention I got a freebie as well. The relative of the deceased showed us around the house and I spied a couple of staubsaugers too. They wanted to keep the Hoover Junior but we got a Goblin Roto for free. It works too.

 

[organboy1974]

A better day

Well, after a bad day on the EE front yesterday, better news today.

First, after purchasing new spin and pump belts (a green spot is now £8!!!)the spinner now works. I must say, I had forgotten how smooth these spinners are although also how slow the spin pumps are compared to a Hoovermatic. I'm sure the spinner clutch is better for having been dusted out though.

I've managed now to stop the leak from the filter flow hose but for how long I don't know. I think a couple of jubilee clips on my 'Heath Robinson' repair may do the trick.

Thanks everyone for the help and advice. I think I am re-acquainted with the workings of these again now!

And a nice soap cake.....

 

[matchboxpaul]

Hi Aled.

Congratulations on the 1475 - it looks in really good condition and is, dare I say it, pristine inside.

Nice that one of the rare English Electric versions is now safely preserved - will make a note on my spreadsheet, so you cant ever get rid of it now!

I am noooooo mechanical expert, as the usual suspects will be able to confirm (I make machines look pretty, whilst others do the hard work) but when I read of your spinner not operating, I instantly thought of mine and Rob's 9410.
It would give the audiible signals that it was working, but there was nothing going on. A simple belt replacement sorted it out in a jiffy and we now have a lovely Supermatic De Luxe.

Glad that your EE is coming along - happy laundry day.
Have fun with it.
Paul