GE Mobile Maid, How do I use it????

[vegemitegirl]

Got this baby off ebay for $1. I probably wasn't even a dirty thought in my dad's head when this was made so I have no idea how to use it. It doesn't help that the dial has pictures only and no words!! I've drawn a diagram because a photo doesn't show the details very well. The sun shapes and the squiggle lines are all identical on the dial, although you wouldn't guess that from my really lacking art skills. There are also two buttons on top of machine one to open cover and another called Rinse Glo.

 

[vegemitegirl]

Here's a photo

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Vmgirl

Go to the local hardware store (after checking the aerator
style on your kitchen sink fixture; either internal or external threaded), look for a unicouple fitting for General Electric
of the 1960's era. Switch the fittings out at the ks, pull the
water supply/drain hose assy from the front of the DW , push the ring on the Unicouple down place it onto the fitting, release the ring so it locks into position. Turn on the hot water; turn the dishwasher on and stand back! Before you connect anything inspect interior of the dw tub for excessive
rust. Check under the dishwasher for excessive dripping/leaking, check the power cord , to avoid a hair raising jolt of electricity. No more dishwashing drudgery,
and hygenically cleaned dishes and utensils. Yippee!!!

 

[vegemitegirl]

thanks frontaloadotmy, it's already connected to tap, figured that part out. It's just the dial I dont understand. Where do I start the dial at, on the zero? What does the rinse glo button up the top do?

 

[nurdlinger]

I had one of these years and years ago

"Rinse Glo" causes the dispensing of a liquid rinse agent during the rinsing (maybe final rinsing) cycle. Somewhere inside the thing will be a screw-off cap where you pour in a supply of the stuff. In USA it is called "Jet Dri" or somesuch.

I can venture a guess at the operating dial. Looking at the photo, not the drawing, I think that if it is off, (probably at the zero as you surmised) you can just turn it clockwise until you hear the water start up. From then on, it should advance itself until it's done. Wavy lines mean it is washing/rinsing. Suns mean it is in the heated dry portion. Don't turn it backwards. I think you may foreshorten the cycle by turning it further clockwise when it starts, and again when it gets into the dry time.

 

[vegemitegirl]

nurdlinger you are a legend!!! Mega Helpful.

rinse glo is probably what we call rinse aid here. and I found a knob on the inside wall that screws off so I'm guessing that's for rinse aid, yay!!!
The dial started making noises on the first wavy line and worked it's way around anti clockwise until it finished on the zero. And yep you are right the sun pictures are the drying time. I have only put one dish in it with no detergent and that dish came out clean and nice and hot so I'm about to try a full load with detergent.....fingers crossed, but yay I'm happy so far.

 

[appnut]

The two star-burst looking graphics you drew clockwise beyond the 0 are indicators for normal wash and short wash cycles. If you want to use the short wash cycle, turn the timer dial until the pointer aligns with the 2nd star-burst symkbol on the dial (do not lock the top lid until you've turned the dial to that point). Once you've turned the dial to the 2nd star-burst, then close the lid and let it start the cycle form that point.

 

[bajaespuma]

Careful!

I disagree. I'm betting the sunbursts are the dry cycle and you want to turn the dial to what looks like an "I" or a sideways "H". What's the word for "start" in German? In either case, DON'T FORCE THE DIAL. Turn it in the direction it "wants" to go or you may damage the mechanism. From your diagram it looks like you need to turn it clockwise. I'm betting those squiggly lines are wash and rinse intervals and that you would turn the dial, manually, clockwise to start it. These were not very elegant controls. To start GE dishwashers of this vintage you turn the dial to the start position until you either hear the motor engage or the fill solenoid open.

Once you're successful, could we have some pictures of the inside and more shots of the exterior? Congratulations on a neat find!

 

[vegemitegirl]

I only have a camera on my phone, so quality is bad. You can go look at the original ebay auction that has pictures if you like.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[sensi-temp]

Very similar to my American GE Mobile Maid. You turn the dial just till you hear the water start to run in. Detergent dispenser should be near upper right of the tub, cannot be reset till cycle is out of main wash, lift it up counterclock-wise till it clicks. Make sure lid is down on the dispenser befroe you start the cycle. Mine washes as well as a Kitchenaid, I've had both. At end of final rince, I advance dial to off & open lid, dishes dry in their own heat. Good luck, I LOVE mine!!!
Jay

 

[cuffs054]

I'm thinking if it's like the US units, you may want to turn the knob JUST UNTIL THE MOTOR STARTS. Any further and you risk a short/no fill on the first fill.

 

[bajaespuma]

A green machine

That has to be one of the last GE top-loading portable dishwashers made. It has the celery/avocado color combo that they used from the early 70's to the 80's. Nice that it has a Power Shower. They were decent cleaners but made a lot of unnecessary noise. Is yours loud?

For some reason I've been bitten by the top-loading DW bug. I think they're kind of cool. They're really useful as "utility washers". Whenever I have bulky items like trash cans, hoses and other things I wouldn't put in my daily driver, I throw them in my Maytag WP600. Cleans everything perfectly and is a real work saver.

 

[brisnat81]

Hi Vegemitegirl,

I've got the same machine, mine now leaks around the pump seal however and leaves quite a puddle behind.

The advice to turn the dial from off until the motor starts is correct. Unlike a modern dishwasher, the fills are timed rather than measured, so if you start too far around it wont take in enough water. If your tap is flow limited, that could also prevent it taking in enough water.

One thing to note, unlike a modern dishwasher, the motor will stop running at various points during the cycle, this is when the machine is heating the water and is normal. It wont progress through the cycle until it is hot enough.

Otherwise, enjoy your machine and all the noise it makes

 

[sensi-temp]

RE great machine

this is not he last Mobile Maid, when GE re-designed the wash system with a big sump on the left side of the bottom, these were the last ones, I had one & it washed terrable!