Hoover A3688 Computer control 1100

[sesteve]

As some of you know I picked up this gem of a British Classic last night (it stopped me getting my A3060 fixed but that can wait a couple more days) and I have to say it is probably the best used machine I've picked up to date. It's in really good condition apart from the mouldy door boot and seems to have had little use. I forget how these old machines go straight into spin - made me jump lol

I ran a cleaning wash last night with a bit of Ariel Actilift and it didn't half foam up. I have been advised by Gary that a brand of powder called Snob is the stuff to use in these old classics so will get some and give it a go.

I reckon the computer this was based on was a ZXSpectrum as it seems less advanced than the Servis Quartz or Hotpoint Microprofile IMHO but it's great to see the difference between this and the timer model especially the final spin sequence

Will try and do a video at the weekend but here are a few pics for now

S

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Computer Control

Congratulations Steve, it looks a fine specimen, not rusty streaks or steam fogging to be seen. Must admit I was a bit amazed when I first had a peek inside and saw all those individual wires when others where using ribbon cables.

Great washers though and fab watching in the dark with all the neons going!!

Just watch the paint on the fascia and particularly dispenser drawer , it can wipe off easily with chemical help, had to do a spray job on my noir one!! Not sure if they produced a matching dryer colourwise, must ask Paul as the grey was the Comet and Independant exclusive!!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Computer Control

Heres the matt black fascia and after a few retouches..

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Computer Control

Touch Ups r Us...used Halfords matt satin black, lightly rubbed the paint off and used a wash of thinners, heated it dry with hot hairdryer, 1 coat of undercoat and then 1 coat of finnish, sealed it with a wax coat!!

Just need to finish off with new a new wording stencil now.

 

[Marky_Mark]

These machines look really cool. I'd be interested to know what the options do (heavy/normal/eco).

 

[Marky_Mark]

I'm guessing "heavy soil" adds a prewash and "economy" either reduces the temperature or completely prevents heating.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Computer Control

Easy to select wash programmes and neon indicator lights. Select Programme , Select Options, Press Start!!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Computer Control

Heres the white model down @ La Bagwash Penkeraage, Staffordshire, with its latest siblings.

 

[miele4life]

nice Computer Control here which was manufactured in March 1988, like seeing the different versions over the years and they all still look good.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Computer Control

And a look on the inside, traditional Hoover, but with upgraded electronic controls and motor.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Computer Control, From Hoover - Who Better!!

Hi Mark, yes heavy soil, pre wash and extended time, normal, and economy lower temp extended wash time, will dig out the manual for exact timings etc.

Evening Alan, yes they are design classics arnt they, did you have Hoover washers in your family?

Image courtesy of Matchbox Paul.

 

[electron1100]

Beauty is more than skin deep

These are very well thought out and sophisticated machines, a lot of the sophisticared design is not obvious, it has 3 wash actions and 3 wash speeds, all the rinses are shorter than those machines with mechanical timers, the spin balance on the final spin works very well, it is a pity Hoover dropped this on the Computer logic 1300.
And as already mentioned selecting "economy" lowers the temperature but increases the washing time, It had a fantastic "mixed wash" that went on as long as you like, and of course a very handy quick wash
To me they represent the ultimate in performance of the Hoover 1100 range, they are very well built and utterly serviceable the electronics are beautifully built aswell, the only problem I ever had with the various ones of these I got were some of the LEDs on the display would go, fortunately I had spare boards with them on.

If I had to choose a computer controlled machine of any age it would be one of these.

I hope you enjoy it Steve

Gary
Ps this was the first Hoover machine I bought when I got into old hoover machines, I drove from Cornwall to Burnley to collect this, ahh happy days [this post was last edited: 10/17/2014-06:48]

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Computer Control, From Hoover - Who Better!!

Hi Gary, yes great classics, can you add any more about the wash rhythms had forgotten about that and any info on the motors? Is this motor unique to this model and similar on the 1300 series?

The first one I ever saw was a friend in Manchester who had upgraded from the washer and dryer his mum had given him when he moved into his own house, this was in a little laundry and there was a black computer control next to an English Electric 474 dryer, that washer was still going and having been passed back to his gran!!

 

[electron1100]

Hello Mike Gotta Noo Motah

Hello Mike
The 1100s used a standard Hoover 1100 motor, where as the 1300 used a more or less standard logic motor only with a built in "snubber" basically a spark killer to stop any arcing from the brushes disrupting the power supply and hence the computer circuitry.

The variable wash rythms I never used as I only ever washed cottons in my machine, I dare say the 3rd speed/rhythm may have been used for woollens/delicates etc

I remember the mixed wash, once it had reached temperature(40) it would tumble the clothes once every hour, you gotta love those 555 timer Ic,s , a great program for soaking

If I can dig out the Hoover big book of words I can look it up.

Gary

 

[sesteve]

Hi Mike

It's good to see the differences in the models. This one has a weight on the top and bottom of the tub but doesn't seem to make much of a difference to stability. I'm not sure why they used two pressure switches on these models either.

Gary - I take back what I said about the ZXSpectrum - there is more to it than meets the eye. I like the way when you set it going the heater kicks in as soon as the water level is reached and that it stays on and carries on tumbling if it needs to top up with water. Something a lot of new machines could learn from as they keep stopping and starting.

One thing that would've improved this machine would have been for the pump to run on for a bit after the interim spins. The Quartz was the same as it would get rid of the suds more easily. Still I am living this machine and the Snob powder seems to be doing well with the towels that are in after the first spin

Cheers
S

 

[electron1100]

The hidden bits

Hello Steve

yes the top up is a good feature, the 1300 had this aswell, I think in time the suds will drop more and more as the old crud in there gets washed out, I only use about 60ml of powder on towels and barely a sud in sight.

There are two things you can do to improve this machines spin performance, 1st is get a suspension kit and some Molykote DX paste, at this sort of age the suspension rubbers will be fooked. The DX paste is expensive (about £15 a tube)but it is the correct grade for these machines.

Also another top tip, the front and rear wheels on these machines can move side to side on the there shafts, well Mat and I have both found that shimming them with washers to the point they have no side play and are very stiff to turn helps with the stability of the machine.

I always a found a them better if sat on a suitable size piece of carpet, also the floor they sit on is influential, my kitchen floor is like a spring board and slopes in all directions so it was a lot of fiddling to get my machine to spin well.

However when in the garage I found all the machines I had span better on a solid floor.

The dual pressure switches I think are to do with the door lock, this cant be opened if there is water in the machine if some thing goes wrong and also it might be a safety cut out for the heater if the water level for what ever reason drops to low

Right I have emptied my brain again

so I am off to rest it

Gary

 

[hooverzanmiele]

Hoover Computer Control 1100 AutoWasher A3268

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">As Mike showed us a shot of his black version Computer Control A3268 machine, I'll add my comment to this.

As Darren, might know, living in Lincoln/North Hykeham, there's a shop on the main high street I once went into, called Gowts Bridge Domestic Apliances, I visited this shop three times, the 01st time, I noticed in the back room where the repairs were carried out, that the shelves on the right hand wall were held up, by a defective black version Computer Control (or so the owner claimed), apart from having a Logic TimeLine 1300 in the main shop, up for sale.

Upon my 02nd visit, the owner was giving his shop a makeover, he'd ditched the A3268 that'd held up the back room's shelves, but he'd retained the controls fascia & drawer fascia, for me (to which, to this day, that fascia still resides in my bedroom back home, where the drawer fascia bits are, I'm not sure).

On my 03rd visit, I was intending to take a few snaps, as I'd upgraded to a digital camera, however the shop owner had not only moved into the vacant shop unit next door to where he used to trade, but his demeanour seemed a lot more uncooperative than I last remember.

There was also a 02nd hand washer shop on the corners of Newark Road & Moor Lane, in North Hykeham, I can't remember the shop name at the time, but I remember Dad asking for directions there, while I investigated a silver Blomberg machine.
I went back to that shop, the guy who ran it, actually took me down the road to his parents house where the patio area & garage were packed with washers, I actually found an identical Hotpoint WD22, in white & brown like the Sapphire 9635, there hidden in amongst the stash, but this was before my collection emerged, but I did make an offer on the WD22, while taking photos or notes, more wishful dreaming that much else.

Anyway my main point was, I still have a black Computer Control A3268 controls fascia in my collection, back home, along with about 07 odd other Logic type fascias (see reply #73) in link.
</span>

Hoover Logic & EcoLogic Brochures & Leaflets + Servis Laundry Range

Finally got round to it, here're my collection of Hoover brochures & leaflets. Starting with the Logics range brochure... Front Cover.

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[miele4life]

chestermikeuk

the answer is yes, there's a picture of me as a baby in a high chair with a 1980-82 Electronic model in the background, it would be replaced with my childhood Electra in mid-1990

 

[matchboxpaul]

Superb machine Steve! Fantastic condition - possibly the mintest vintage Hoover, judging by the lack of blemishes or streaks on the back panel.
A worthy addition to your collection - roll on getting the new wash house sorted. Looks great!

Paul