Help and Advice sought for bad motor

[bellalaundry]

On my Simplicity Twin Tub, the motor's bearing had siezed, but I wasn't aware of it untill it started smoking!

So I was able to free up the motor shaft so it rotates, but when I switch it on it only groans. If I then give the belt a quick spin, it starts and runs fine.

Today I went to a motor repair service store. They said because it's welded closed, it's not repairable. He did phone somewhere and ask if there was one available. Of course, there isn't.

I'm hoping someone here in the know can help. The stats on the motor are: Simplicity 10485 (the motor repair guy said it is a GE motor) 1/3 HP 1725 RPM. Then the motor number is: 4J726A.

Any advice, I know the market for replacement motors must be a lot smaller here in Canada compared the US!

Guy

 

[volvoguy87]

No idea, but a shot in the dark...

What other things used GE (or similarly wired) 1/3 hp motors? I know my Maytag A208 uses a 2-speed reversible 1/3 hp motor. I don't know if yours reverses or if it has multiple speeds. Could you source one from a Hotpoint or GE automatic washer?

Best of luck,
Dave

 

[kenmoreguy64]

I'm not sure if your machine needs a reversing motor or not either, but Whirlpool/Kenmore standard belt-drive motors operate at 1725 rpm in the regular speed, and they are non-reversing. As Volvoguy suggested above, Maytag's are reversing, and I know that GE's motors were as well. Many motors, especially more recently, have been 1/2 hp, but Kenmores in the early to mid-60s used 1/3 hp variants.

GE made motors for many appliance makers, including Whirlpool, so it seems plausible, without looking at your motor, that a motor from a more common design could be modified to fit your machine.

If you can snap a picture, I think that many of us could tell you with more certainty...

 

[bellalaundry]

Gee thanks,

for the info. It is a one speed, one direction motor. I saw a GE one Ebay, but, it says it 1/2 HP and 1475 rpms.

Guy

 

[bellalaundry]

Hey...this even looks like it!

Good news/Bad news...I found this one that seems to fit the bill. But it says no longer available. RATS! I must get my twin tub working again LOL!

Guy

http://www.apwagner.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_73&products_id=168582

 

[coldspot66]

That is a reversing motor. I may have a used 1 speed GE style motor that fits a W/P belt drive washer, as they only run in one direction, which is clockwise from the shaft end.

 

[bellalaundry]

Thanks John...

I've sent you an e-mail.

Guy

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Guy....

There are lots of motors around that will work on your machine if a Whirlpool belt-drive motor fits the bill. I have seen more Emerson motors than GE lately, but I probably have a couple GE motors hanging around too (the GEs are a little smaller or more compact than Emerson motors). I think the most difficult issue will be to assure that the mounting screws on the shaft end of the motor mesh up with those on your machine, AND that the start switch wiring is compatible.

You can use a 2-speed motor if you find a good one, you simply don't need to hook-up the slow speed feature. WP supplies a 2-speed motor for all one-speed belt-drives now, and have since the early 90s at least. You just leave the terminal for the slow speed bare. It is usually marked "BL" or "BU" if memory serves...

The picture in your link does indeed look like a generic GE motor....The one you find for your machine may be painted, and may have a start capacitor on it, but those were interchangeable on the WP washers with split-phase motors.

Best of luck!

 

[bellalaundry]

About that start switch...

Gordon,

The motor has only two wires going into it. Am I correct in thinking it is simply hot on one side, neutral on the other?

Is the plastic small boxy thing that the wires spade into the starter? Is that repairable?

Guy