GE Portable Washers

[pulsator]

We have some friends of the family that I baby-sit for and they are moving to Peurto Rico and so they currently are living in an apartment complex. All of the washing machines were recently replaced and they are sitting outside the landlord's house. They have a few GE Portables there (just like Westytoploader's) and I was wondering, should I try to convince my mom to see if I can pick one up? It is very cold here and the one I want seems to just have snow and no ice in it. (the back is open and I see no cracks.) How hard is it to get parts? Also, are they complicated to fix? And lastly, are they any fun? I have a 3.3 pound Haier toploader and I use it for washclothes in my bathroom and I wonder if the GE is more "dramatic." (I might even consider taking it to college, which should be in a few years.)

http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?photoshow=01@GE%20Portable%20by%[email protected]&dir=/COLLECTIONS/WESTYTOPLOADER

 

[westytoploader]

Go for it Jamie, that's what I plan to do with my GE (take it to college). They're reliable little washers with GREAT spin-dry ability (around 700-800 RPM), and also very simple as well (uses a separate mini drain pump which is still available; the impeller/tub are belt-driven). The large cabinet gives you plenty of room to work on it, and I'm 99.9% positive that the "clanking" spin brake (controlled by a mega-solenoid) is the same as the GE Filter-Flo machines.

And yes, they're also fun (of course what impeller machine isn't?), and clean very well. The bottom-mounted impeller creates a "vortex" of water and clothes, and on small loads really whips up the suds (as seen in the "Washing w/Tide" photo). It reverses about every 15 seconds. As for spin, there's no reduction pulley, so the tub spins the same speed as the impeller does during wash. Knocks dry time in half, and when the brake "clanks", the tub slows down and "bounces back" a little bit like the Frigidaires!

The owner of A-1 Appliance (store in Houston which I bought my GE from) told me that there are a lot of them in (lower-class) apartments in the Heights because they can hook up to the sink. He too was also amazed by the simplicity and reliability.

 

[pulsator]

well, I am trying to convinve my mom... maybe this weekend.

 

[neptune2000]

Portables - Free ?

Hello,

IF these machines are free for the taking , and it sounds as if they might be , do consider getting more than one. The extra effort would be worth it for the parts alone.
If you take a few tools with you , you can remove the back and have a look around for any obvious damage, rust, dis-engaged shock springs etc... A second set of quick connect hoses can be handy also. Might want to be looking for a wireing schematic on the inside of the back cover also... can save hours of aggrivation down the road.

These really are great little machines - and with even a little TLC - will last and last - and, as mentioned earlier they spin really well.

Neptune2000

 

[pulsator]

I would but, unfortunately, all but one of the machines were dropped so they are all severly damaged, outer cases detacthed, filled with water and cracked, and some were dropped on their control panels. Luckily the lid was closed on one that was set upright so that will be the one I take.