GE Washer Clutch

[kenmorebd]

Hey Guys, I've been wondering lately, what's the use of the clutch on the Filter Flo's? I notice that also on the Versatronic's they had a "Varriable Speed Clutch", and other GE's had a one, two, three, or four speed clutch. Why couldn't GE just have a direct connection from the motor (and slow the speed of it down electronically on delicate cycles) to the belt and pump and not put a clutch in the way? And what is the purpose of it?

Also, how come there is a coupler on the pump-clutch connection, what's it there for?

 

[coldspot66]

GE always used a one speed motor...the clutch is there to take the load off the motor at spin....as the motor would not handle spinning a full or partial tub of water and clothing. The clutch "slips" so that the water can be pumped out. When all the water is pumped out, the clutch shoes bring the tub up to full speed spin. The flexible coupler connects the pump, which is attached to the stationary outer tub, with the top of the clutch, which is on a cable suspension and ocillates with the inner tub. Also the coupler for the pump is attached to the top drum of the clutch. It runs at full speed all the time to pump the water out of that BIG outer tub. The lower clutch drum's belt goes to the tranny pulley. Multiple speed machines use a solenoid and magnetic "arm" to stop the rotation of the outer drum shoes, causing them to "slip". That is how the slower speed is accomplished. Have I totally confused you?????????????? I am!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gewa1054wguy]

Smart design, engineered in

Hey,

GE runs the motor at full speed so the pump always runs at full speed. This way, you keep the water circulating through the filter flo pan at full capacity even on slow speed. Unlike a Kenmore, which I also own, when it is on the slowest speed, the water pumped through the detergent dispenser is a trickle on med or slow speed. I rarely use the slow speed, but if I do, I have to help the detergent "out" of the dispenser or it just clumps up.

The Coupler is there so that if the pump jams, the motor will not stop/lock up. The pump can jam if the machine is overloaded and a sock or under garment (woman's) floats into the outer tub and gets sucked into the pump. Our cleaning lady did this to our V12 many times when I was a child.

All in all, GE built a very sturdy, trouble free, yet easy to service design that they continued to use for over 35 years. GE's weakest link is outer tub rust through. The 3 speed and higher clutches I hear were trouble some. My versatronic only has a 1 speed clutch. I am hunting for the correct clutch to install.

Jimmy Filter Flo is the real expert on these so he may have more to add.

Mike

 

[filterflo]

More to add.......... Mike, You had a cleaning lady? Mrs. Porter?

 

[gewa1054wguy]

Correction

I talked with Jimmy. The coupling is so the motor can move with the inner tub/transmission. It does not have anything to do with the clutch jamming. My bad.

Go Americans.

Mike

 

[bajaespuma]

My understanding is that the GE Versatronic washer which was marketed from about 1969 to 1971 was modeled on the 1967 Hotpoint variable speed washer that used a motor governor to give variable speed agitation and spin. It was a bell/whistle that didn't last long as it appealed more to people like us than to actual customers who did laundry.

 

[kenmorebd]

Thanks guys

COLDSPOT66 - No, you have not confused me at all, I understood it all (seriously)

Thanks to both of you for a speedy, and concise reply. It seems like the design makes a lot more sense than the Kenmore BD, Westinghouse, and Fridge designs (in terms of pumping "losses" on the delicate cycle), and I do know what gewa1054wguy is saying about slow speed agitation, as my mum's BD Kenmore did the same thing on gentle.

 

[jons1077]

and you have to admit...

that GE clutch gives the old GE washers some awesome sounds!!! I haven't had a chance to work on mine yet but I have the 3-speed GE washer from 1969. I'm hoping the solenoid is the only problem since I get normal and medium speeds but no slow wash or spin. Either way I love that machine. It was rode hard and literally put away wet outside for a long time in Seattle. It was a disaster when I got it but, once we plugged it, ran like a champ right from the start. Not very many machines can sit outside unused for that long and afer that much abuse and just fire up like that. Definitely was some very fine engineering involved there.

Jon

 

[gewa1054wguy]

Mrs. Porter

Hi Jimmy,

Mrs. Porter sure knew how to make a peanut butter sandwich.

Thanks for the info on the clutch.

Mike