GE Filter-Flo
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Ex Large Cap vs. Large Cap
Does anyone know the difference between the Large Cap and Extra Large Cap. models of that era? Was there a capacity diff? I was led to believe that the Large Cap. was a 2.0 cubic foot tub, and the Extra Large was 2.7 cubic feet, Is this true?
Mike
Does anyone know the difference between the Large Cap and Extra Large Cap. models of that era? Was there a capacity diff? I was led to believe that the Large Cap. was a 2.0 cubic foot tub, and the Extra Large was 2.7 cubic feet, Is this true?
Mike
No hu-hu, Mike
I get too touchy, bad history and time to put it aside.
When I was a very young child, my grandparents' filter-flo did loads of wash every single day and rarely broke down.
It had a few neat features - rinse and wash temperature were set separately from each other and the fill level could be manually stopped at any time.
I do know that the mini-baskets could be ordered separately, although many dealers 'threw them in' to sweeten a deal back then.
My experience of mini-baskets was not overwhelming, to be honest.
Thanks all!
I get too touchy, bad history and time to put it aside.
When I was a very young child, my grandparents' filter-flo did loads of wash every single day and rarely broke down.
It had a few neat features - rinse and wash temperature were set separately from each other and the fill level could be manually stopped at any time.
I do know that the mini-baskets could be ordered separately, although many dealers 'threw them in' to sweeten a deal back then.
My experience of mini-baskets was not overwhelming, to be honest.
Thanks all!
andy
New member
Keven,
That's usually what they do with everything. Once they have a great product that most everybody likes, they discontinue it. It doesn't make sense to me. I agree with you about the trash and junk. Most everything is pretty much like that, now, it's not just washers and dryers.
The term "built to last" now means "built to last........maybe a year or 2" and then it's shot, time to junk it, and go buy another one.
The days of things lasting 25 to 50 years are long gone. I know how you feel.
That's usually what they do with everything. Once they have a great product that most everybody likes, they discontinue it. It doesn't make sense to me. I agree with you about the trash and junk. Most everything is pretty much like that, now, it's not just washers and dryers.
The term "built to last" now means "built to last........maybe a year or 2" and then it's shot, time to junk it, and go buy another one.
The days of things lasting 25 to 50 years are long gone. I know how you feel.
aldspinboy
Well-known member
Kevin...
Congratulations on the GE it really looks nice under the hood there,
good to see you have got the leaks fixed.
You are lucky to have nice sunshine in that room. Enjoy !
I have seen this model around the corner from me in this little second hand shop.
Not sure if I am getting it... I would like to, If I do get the machine it will be the last for some time there is just no more room.
But for 100 bucks it's very tempting.
I have cat's it would be great.
Kevin, Martin, Tim, Group...
Look how the models change in the control panels,
very interesting for the water levels and temp and the cycles.
Here is the GE.
Darren k.
Congratulations on the GE it really looks nice under the hood there,
good to see you have got the leaks fixed.
You are lucky to have nice sunshine in that room. Enjoy !
I have seen this model around the corner from me in this little second hand shop.
Not sure if I am getting it... I would like to, If I do get the machine it will be the last for some time there is just no more room.
But for 100 bucks it's very tempting.
I have cat's it would be great.
Kevin, Martin, Tim, Group...
Look how the models change in the control panels,
very interesting for the water levels and temp and the cycles.
Here is the GE.
Darren k.
aldspinboy
Well-known member
Pic 2. Control 1.
aldspinboy
Well-known member
Pic 3. Control 2.
aldspinboy
Well-known member
Pic 4. Control 3.
aldspinboy
Well-known member
Pic 5. Basket.
Ohhh nice find Keven! I LOVE the black and white speckled porcelain wash tub. Congratulations, Filter-Flos are soooo much fun!
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Just curious.....</span>
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Did the GE washers from the Filter Flo years ever make the outer tub smaller to save on water?</span>
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">I love these washers, but I knew they were water hogs. Just curious if they ever made the outer tube smaller.</span>
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">I don't recall ever hearing this discussion.</span>
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Brent</span>
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Did the GE washers from the Filter Flo years ever make the outer tub smaller to save on water?</span>
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">I love these washers, but I knew they were water hogs. Just curious if they ever made the outer tube smaller.</span>
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">I don't recall ever hearing this discussion.</span>
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Brent</span>
Brent,
This one - which everyone places in the mid-80s, or next to last Filter-Flo, certainly leaves LOTS of space between the inner and outer tub.
I know that well-built spins with spray rinsing can replace nearly all or perhaps even all conventional rinsing in most cases.
Still, I'd rather use the extra water and have genuinely clean clothes.
Of course, I do wonder if the extra space didn't permit a faster spin? Easier to cope with out of balance loads, high suds levels, drag?
This one - which everyone places in the mid-80s, or next to last Filter-Flo, certainly leaves LOTS of space between the inner and outer tub.
I know that well-built spins with spray rinsing can replace nearly all or perhaps even all conventional rinsing in most cases.
Still, I'd rather use the extra water and have genuinely clean clothes.
Of course, I do wonder if the extra space didn't permit a faster spin? Easier to cope with out of balance loads, high suds levels, drag?
macboy91si
Well-known member
Tub Space
Keven:
That extra space between the tubs if for the inner tub to fly around. The suspension on these machines allows for the inner tub to move about like outer tub would in say a Maytag or Whirlpool. The outer tub in the GE has to be large enough to contain the swinging spin basket in off-balance loads. It's a waster of water, but I still love my GE's. I think it's what makes a GE a better rinsing machine, ie. so much extra water.
Brent:
GE never made any more drastic changes to this design. The outer could not be smaller or the inner tub would crash into it (more). The suspension on the machines is connected to the inner tub much like a solid-tub washer. It is a necessary waste for this design.
Mike:
Since about 1970 I believe there have been 2 sizes of the tubs, large and standard. GE swapped around with the names and by the 80's/90's what was the standard capacity machine was dubbed "Large Capacity" and the larger tub models were dubbed "Extra Large Capacity". I'm not sure what the cu. ft. measurements are on them, but they are the same as they had been. The larger tub is deeper than the smaller one.
About the age, I agree it could be newer, but I was only going by the pamphlet that came with my 86, and it shows Keven's very machine, however that's not to say that the 87-91's don't look the same. Keven can serial number it to find out for sure.
-Tim
Keven:
That extra space between the tubs if for the inner tub to fly around. The suspension on these machines allows for the inner tub to move about like outer tub would in say a Maytag or Whirlpool. The outer tub in the GE has to be large enough to contain the swinging spin basket in off-balance loads. It's a waster of water, but I still love my GE's. I think it's what makes a GE a better rinsing machine, ie. so much extra water.
Brent:
GE never made any more drastic changes to this design. The outer could not be smaller or the inner tub would crash into it (more). The suspension on the machines is connected to the inner tub much like a solid-tub washer. It is a necessary waste for this design.
Mike:
Since about 1970 I believe there have been 2 sizes of the tubs, large and standard. GE swapped around with the names and by the 80's/90's what was the standard capacity machine was dubbed "Large Capacity" and the larger tub models were dubbed "Extra Large Capacity". I'm not sure what the cu. ft. measurements are on them, but they are the same as they had been. The larger tub is deeper than the smaller one.
About the age, I agree it could be newer, but I was only going by the pamphlet that came with my 86, and it shows Keven's very machine, however that's not to say that the 87-91's don't look the same. Keven can serial number it to find out for sure.
-Tim
I agree with Keven
I rather use more water and know my clothes are clean and rinsed well, for some water may be at a premium, but how much are you saving if you have to wash a load 2 or 3 times to get the same results....
I often believe the larger outter tub helps reduce the chance of sudslock and drag on the system......they say it can be done, and maybe I haven't reached that point yet, but I purposely double the detergent and add liquid dish soap just to make the suds pile up, and so far it spins without fail, and the rinse is clear....
Its almost a shame that we cant convert these machines with a solid tub, set the water level at minibasket, and once the outter tub reaches the mini level, the filter flo would replenish the overflo.......just like the originals of the late 50's.......just a thought....
another thing about these last of the filter flos........the tubs don't have as many holes as the older models, they would probably remove more water if they did
I rather use more water and know my clothes are clean and rinsed well, for some water may be at a premium, but how much are you saving if you have to wash a load 2 or 3 times to get the same results....
I often believe the larger outter tub helps reduce the chance of sudslock and drag on the system......they say it can be done, and maybe I haven't reached that point yet, but I purposely double the detergent and add liquid dish soap just to make the suds pile up, and so far it spins without fail, and the rinse is clear....
Its almost a shame that we cant convert these machines with a solid tub, set the water level at minibasket, and once the outter tub reaches the mini level, the filter flo would replenish the overflo.......just like the originals of the late 50's.......just a thought....
another thing about these last of the filter flos........the tubs don't have as many holes as the older models, they would probably remove more water if they did
macboy91si
Well-known member
Tub Holes
Martin, the patterned fewer holes I was told was deliberate, they are placed at key water levels in order to promote scum and lint to flow into the outer-tub for recirculation.
It makes sense, but I'm not sure personally whether it works or not.
-Tim
Martin, the patterned fewer holes I was told was deliberate, they are placed at key water levels in order to promote scum and lint to flow into the outer-tub for recirculation.
It makes sense, but I'm not sure personally whether it works or not.
-Tim
Thanks, Tim
I didn't phrase my statement very well, that is what I meant - the extra space permits the inner tub to be slightly more unbalanced than a narrower tub would, thus, a higher spin speed without more investment in technological improvements.
And, let's face it, one of the reasons these machines work so very well is because they are primitive compared to Whirlpools or Maytags of the same era.
Not a complaint, mind you. I like simple and solid.
A few questions. It seems as though the timer always uses the same intervals, unlike Maytags I've worked with. Anybody know if all the steps are the same length?
The porcelain enamel is in good condition, but it sure has orange peel on the top like mad. Did GE really have such poor quality? We have the machine set up next to a Maytag from the 1970's and the difference is really obvious.
I love the size of the belt, the dimensions of the motor coils, the heat dissipating design of the starter coil - that is neat stuff!
Here's the tag:
I didn't phrase my statement very well, that is what I meant - the extra space permits the inner tub to be slightly more unbalanced than a narrower tub would, thus, a higher spin speed without more investment in technological improvements.
And, let's face it, one of the reasons these machines work so very well is because they are primitive compared to Whirlpools or Maytags of the same era.
Not a complaint, mind you. I like simple and solid.
A few questions. It seems as though the timer always uses the same intervals, unlike Maytags I've worked with. Anybody know if all the steps are the same length?
The porcelain enamel is in good condition, but it sure has orange peel on the top like mad. Did GE really have such poor quality? We have the machine set up next to a Maytag from the 1970's and the difference is really obvious.
I love the size of the belt, the dimensions of the motor coils, the heat dissipating design of the starter coil - that is neat stuff!
Here's the tag:
macboy91si
Well-known member
Congrats Mike
Mike nailed this one, Keven your washer was made in August of 1990.
Keven: I also agree, I really like simple and basic, if a bit wasteful. It's one of the things that's making me fall in love with my recently acquired Geo Metro. I believe the timer increments are the same, and the porcelain tops are orange-peely, it's even contrast to the baked enamel top of the matching dryer. These machine are very simple to work on, I've repaired mine several times and converted it from a Hotpoint to a GE over along the way. Only one of my repairs was a necessary one and that's when the boot stiffened up and was causing the machine to vibrate. The old boot was like cement and not at all flexible, which I am told is a lesser heard of occurrence.
-Tim
Mike nailed this one, Keven your washer was made in August of 1990.
Keven: I also agree, I really like simple and basic, if a bit wasteful. It's one of the things that's making me fall in love with my recently acquired Geo Metro. I believe the timer increments are the same, and the porcelain tops are orange-peely, it's even contrast to the baked enamel top of the matching dryer. These machine are very simple to work on, I've repaired mine several times and converted it from a Hotpoint to a GE over along the way. Only one of my repairs was a necessary one and that's when the boot stiffened up and was causing the machine to vibrate. The old boot was like cement and not at all flexible, which I am told is a lesser heard of occurrence.
-Tim
Neat! Thanks!
Since I really don't like the styling of the very last of the Filter-Flos, I guess this is just about as good as it gets. Well, short of a turquoise or PANK Filter-Flo...
I am inexperienced regarding GE washers I did, however, work with rollermatics and in a European repair shop for years. Boots (obviously, in Europe they would have been front loaders) which stiffened up, were coupled with machines which showed evidence of having been used with laundry treatment such as the notorious dial eating "Shout" of a few years back. There are also so water qualities which can provoke problems.
This boot is, thank goodness, soft and pliable. I hope it lasts for many years, though, thanks to the help for y'all here, we were able to get it off and back on tight without too much trouble. A major advantage of that extra wide tub.
So is she still a Leo or must we now call her a Virgo?
Since I really don't like the styling of the very last of the Filter-Flos, I guess this is just about as good as it gets. Well, short of a turquoise or PANK Filter-Flo...
I am inexperienced regarding GE washers I did, however, work with rollermatics and in a European repair shop for years. Boots (obviously, in Europe they would have been front loaders) which stiffened up, were coupled with machines which showed evidence of having been used with laundry treatment such as the notorious dial eating "Shout" of a few years back. There are also so water qualities which can provoke problems.
This boot is, thank goodness, soft and pliable. I hope it lasts for many years, though, thanks to the help for y'all here, we were able to get it off and back on tight without too much trouble. A major advantage of that extra wide tub.
So is she still a Leo or must we now call her a Virgo?
macboy91si
Well-known member
Boots
Well if you do need a boot, I got mine from Larry @ Modern Parts and he had an OEM GE part. It was very nice, and I could not believe how soft it was. I made a post about it a while back. I fix the vibration issue completely, the outer tub jiggled like Jell-O and everything near it including the top would just squeak and rattle. My machine has seen some odd use I believe, there were a lot of strange things about it when I got it. My future plans are a new clutch and pump, not because it so much needs it, just that both are a little worn and why not.
-Tim
Well if you do need a boot, I got mine from Larry @ Modern Parts and he had an OEM GE part. It was very nice, and I could not believe how soft it was. I made a post about it a while back. I fix the vibration issue completely, the outer tub jiggled like Jell-O and everything near it including the top would just squeak and rattle. My machine has seen some odd use I believe, there were a lot of strange things about it when I got it. My future plans are a new clutch and pump, not because it so much needs it, just that both are a little worn and why not.
-Tim
Tim
you could be right about the holes in the tub.......
odd in the beginning 1961 to about 1980, not exact sure of the dates, but if you got a normal filter flo, the pump pulled water from the side of the outter tub, and the pressure switch tube was on the other side......
if you got a minibasket option, the pressure tube was fed vial the drain port out the bottom.....and the filter pumped from the bottom...for obvious reasons.....
but there were 2 outter tubs to produce........
around the 80's they went to one outter tub design, all fed from the bottom.....
at least of all the ones I have seen and worked on..............
from a manufacturing standpoint....cost effective to put one tub in all machines....
thats also like the last of the filter flos...even GE's own....if you got a minibasket option, you got a true filter flo and pan.....
if not, you got a rim flo....which makes sense, one less part needed....andyou could watch the drama.....now they do this, all these years for me without that MB option, and I had that damn pan in my way to stop me from watching
you could be right about the holes in the tub.......
odd in the beginning 1961 to about 1980, not exact sure of the dates, but if you got a normal filter flo, the pump pulled water from the side of the outter tub, and the pressure switch tube was on the other side......
if you got a minibasket option, the pressure tube was fed vial the drain port out the bottom.....and the filter pumped from the bottom...for obvious reasons.....
but there were 2 outter tubs to produce........
around the 80's they went to one outter tub design, all fed from the bottom.....
at least of all the ones I have seen and worked on..............
from a manufacturing standpoint....cost effective to put one tub in all machines....
thats also like the last of the filter flos...even GE's own....if you got a minibasket option, you got a true filter flo and pan.....
if not, you got a rim flo....which makes sense, one less part needed....andyou could watch the drama.....now they do this, all these years for me without that MB option, and I had that damn pan in my way to stop me from watching
Service sheet, don't pull at top
I made a scan of the service sheet included with the washer, if anybody wants it, I'll be happy to post the four pages here. I always pull them out of a new/old/vintage machine, scan them and then put the originals, sealed watertight, back into the machine.
Took a look at what holds the instrument panel onto the washer. Yup, two very thin cheap plastic pins. There's a reason they always say "Don't move washer by pulling or pushing on the top panel".
Now running the 20th wash since our little venture into boot clamp and epoxy land. Everything still tight and holding up perfectly. I really appreciated the help - I just don't have the sort of imagination to see a thin piece of plastic, used as a cap as a 'bearing'. Bearings, to me, are sintered bronze or rollers or balls or thick, solid sheets of pp or pe or ptfe....
Oh, and to answer the lint question: I think it very much does make a difference whether one filters out big pieces of dirt and lint during the wash and not first in the dryer. The whole point of washing is to remove dirt and what are the rules in sanitizing? Remove the big layers of dirt first, then use a surfactant, then disinfect. You can't do that with clumps or long piles of hair sticking to the cloth.
I made a scan of the service sheet included with the washer, if anybody wants it, I'll be happy to post the four pages here. I always pull them out of a new/old/vintage machine, scan them and then put the originals, sealed watertight, back into the machine.
Took a look at what holds the instrument panel onto the washer. Yup, two very thin cheap plastic pins. There's a reason they always say "Don't move washer by pulling or pushing on the top panel".
Now running the 20th wash since our little venture into boot clamp and epoxy land. Everything still tight and holding up perfectly. I really appreciated the help - I just don't have the sort of imagination to see a thin piece of plastic, used as a cap as a 'bearing'. Bearings, to me, are sintered bronze or rollers or balls or thick, solid sheets of pp or pe or ptfe....
Oh, and to answer the lint question: I think it very much does make a difference whether one filters out big pieces of dirt and lint during the wash and not first in the dryer. The whole point of washing is to remove dirt and what are the rules in sanitizing? Remove the big layers of dirt first, then use a surfactant, then disinfect. You can't do that with clumps or long piles of hair sticking to the cloth.
That "bearing" is just used to keep the bottom of the agitator from being pushed side to side by the load, but most important from having the porcelain rubbed off by the agitator dragging across the bottom of the tub....suprised that many others don't have this, and when you find these "wear" marks, and the rust, and how they were created...
That makes sense
And, in retrospect, I understand it. Just seems like a funny name for it.
Reading through the schematic, I was surprised at just how incredibly simple this machine is. Part of that, of course, is a result of GE having built this basic design for many decades.
Part of it, though, is just plain good engineering. I know there's nothing subtle here compared to a tragimatic or even rollermatic, but it works. And sounds cool!
Our next goal is to find a late fifties Filter-Flo in turquoise or PANK.
And, in retrospect, I understand it. Just seems like a funny name for it.
Reading through the schematic, I was surprised at just how incredibly simple this machine is. Part of that, of course, is a result of GE having built this basic design for many decades.
Part of it, though, is just plain good engineering. I know there's nothing subtle here compared to a tragimatic or even rollermatic, but it works. And sounds cool!
Our next goal is to find a late fifties Filter-Flo in turquoise or PANK.
I know what you mean, and its doesn't seem right, having experience in automotive, bearings just don't hit me as a piece of plastic to take on wear and stress of any kind, bearings are metal, either roller or ball bearing.....even in a Whilpool/Kenmore spin bearings are nothing more than a metal sleeve, no roller or ball bearing, just metal sliding on metal, to me equals stress, tension, and heat, that will wear out quickly, or cause a groove in one of the metals, this is something you would see on a kids toy car, they just slide a wheel onto a metal post, eventually it wears thru and breaks, how long do you think this will work on a real car?.......better yet take a FL machine, and slide the shaft thru a metal sleeve to ride on, how many loads do you think it would take to for this to wear out?.......
but yes, GE FF is another one of those ingenious, yet simple machines that functions well, a time proven design, and the worst part was when they canged to all plastic, what a waste.....
but yes, GE FF is another one of those ingenious, yet simple machines that functions well, a time proven design, and the worst part was when they canged to all plastic, what a waste.....
pierreandreply4
Well-known member
i know what you mean my brother had a ge non filter flo for a time why did they have to eliminate something that went so well for so many years and ge filter flos pans are easy to clean and i know by experiance because when i was on vacation in florida in 98 in a rental villa the washer was an almond ge filter flo and it was a great washer if for any reason i would have to go vintage i would try to find a 1970 harvest gold ge filter flo with matching dryer lol and congra on your filter flo even if i am late
Thanks, Pierre
You're not late - I spent most of the last days asking for help to get her running.
Which I got - both, actually - the help and her up and running.
You're not late - I spent most of the last days asking for help to get her running.
Which I got - both, actually - the help and her up and running.
Non-filter flo-----------I bought a new pump a few months back, brand new, and it had plugs over the filter ports, with instructions for both filter and non filter flo models......I would have figured nonFF models would be in a laundromat, but I have been to ones that had the pans, not enough for all the machines, but this is where I would have pictured a use for one of these....
these are really quiet running machines, the water flo splashing is what actually creates all the noise, pinch off the filter flo hose, and suddenly the machines goes quiet....
these are really quiet running machines, the water flo splashing is what actually creates all the noise, pinch off the filter flo hose, and suddenly the machines goes quiet....
PAging Panthera
I just acquired a 1977 FilterFlo yesterday, not installed yet. You offered to post 4 pages of service sheets/manuals? That would be GREAT, and thank you very much!
Mark
I just acquired a 1977 FilterFlo yesterday, not installed yet. You offered to post 4 pages of service sheets/manuals? That would be GREAT, and thank you very much!
Mark
Hi Mark,
I'm out of town right now, when I get back home, I'll scan and post.
Please don't be too excited - this is nothing more (nor less!) than the service sheet packed in with every GE. In this unit, it is stored in an envelope, inside of the instrument panel.
Yours will have a similar sheet, somewhere. I bet someone here can tell you exactly here (and probably give you more exact instructions for what ever you need than my service sheet will).
Glad you have one!
I'm out of town right now, when I get back home, I'll scan and post.
Please don't be too excited - this is nothing more (nor less!) than the service sheet packed in with every GE. In this unit, it is stored in an envelope, inside of the instrument panel.
Yours will have a similar sheet, somewhere. I bet someone here can tell you exactly here (and probably give you more exact instructions for what ever you need than my service sheet will).
Glad you have one!
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