KA Professional 600 Mixer Speed Control

[rp2813]

I bought this 6-quart mixer as a gift for my sister several years ago.  She has used it a lot since, as she likes to bake.

 

The speed control has become nearly immobilized and is very difficult to use.   I got my hands on the mixer today and opened it up.  Of course, the control lever mechanism is all plastic.  It's entirely different from speed controls on vintage KA mixers, including the solid state ones -- AKA cheaply made.  The sliding speed control lever moves freely when separated from the circuit board.  There's a small raised plastic piece that fits into the control lever assembly and slides in a groove on the circuit board to engage the contacts/stops. 

 

I used canned air, a small brush, and careful, scant drops of alcohol to clean up the sliding speed mechanism on the circuit board and got it moving, but it still puts up a decent fight.  It's difficult to move it with a finger when separated from the lever, so I tend to think this is the trouble spot.  I would imagine that a new circuit board could be pricey, but it seems like it might be the only solution.

 

Is there something else I can do?  Any suggestions and/or advice would be appreciated.  I can provide pix of the components described above if that would help.

 

[turbokinetic]

There is probably supposed to be a lubricant on the moving parts. Certain plastics are sensitive to oil and grease, so a silicone grease would be the safest bet. You can go to an auto parts store and buy "dielectric grease" or "silicone paste" for electrical connections. This will prevent moisture from attacking the contacts, as well as it will allow for free movement of the parts.

 

This is what I have used with very favorable results; on switches which are binding.

https://www.permatex.com/products/lubricants/specialty-lubricants/permatex-dielectric-tune-up-grease-4/

 

Sincerely,

David

 

[sfh074]

Since you are in .....

Sannazay,

Go to your local dive shop and get a 1 oz container of silicone grease. Costs a couple of bucks. Used on dive equipment and makes a great plastics lubricant .... and considered food safe and high dielectric strength.

 

[turbokinetic]

Cool! That metalsub silicone grease would be the same as the Permatex. 

 

[rp2813]

Thanks guys.  I'll go look for some of that lube.  The entire board and control lever is Whirlpool part #WP9706650 and I've found it for around $55 if lubrication doesn't do the trick. 

 

I'll report back on whether I had any success or have to buy a board. 

 

[sfh074]

Post a pic ....

of the offending components.

 

[rp2813]

The lubricant didn't help. 

 

A local appliance parts retailer had a replacement assembly in stock for the same price as Amazon's lowest, so I went over and got one today.  Even new, these controls don't operate anywhere near as smoothly as on vintage KA mixers, but the new one is a vast improvement.

 

I have company this weekend but should be able to take some pix of the old assembly and post them here in the morning.

 

[rp2813]

Here are a couple of pictures

This first one shows the sliding lever assembly separated from the board.  The black rectangular piece in the slot on the board fits into the rectangular opening on the white plastic sliding component of the speed selector lever.

 

 

This is a close-up view of the trouble spot.  It's hard to see exactly what's happening in there.  It seems to me that if there was any sort of wear on the sliding black piece, it would be easier to move it instead of it getting stuck.  I think it's just bad, cheap design on the part of Whirlpool.

 

 

[rp2813]

Well,

After posting the pictures and taking a closer look, it occurred to me that the area on the board where the top of the black sliding section contacts the underside of the metal slot enclosure might need some lubrication.   I gave it a somewhat liberal application and damned if the thing doesn't slide with relative ease now.  It still seems to be questionable about stopping on the unmarked/odd speeds, so I won't try to return the one I bought.

 

Meanwhile, I noticed a lot of extra play in the planetary assembly.   It's pretty sloppy, moving almost 1/2" in either direction, and I can also push it upward between 1/16 and 1/8".  My vintage non-solid state K45's planetary gears are tight as a drum when I try to rotate by hand, and there is zero upward movement of the assembly.

 

I opened it up and the amount of play with rotation and upward movement seems to be intentional, as clearances appear to allow for it.  I redistributed some of the grease and put it back together.  I think the mixer is operating as it should at this point.

[this post was last edited: 9/14/2019-14:28]

 

[norgeway]

Its a real shame

Kitchen Aid mixers and Dishwashers were so much better built and better performing than any other on the market Now they only look the same Under the covers they are NOT at ALL the same

 

[sudsmaster]

I have a couple of KA mixers I bought in the early 2000's. A six qt Epicurean and a five qt. Professional HD. I had bought a third one but when it ran it didn't sound good so I returned it. The six qt runs fine, seem to be a quality machine. I don't think I've ever run the five qt - I got it because the price was right. It's still new in box. Mostly I use the 6 qt with the attachments: juicing grapes, grating Parmesan cheese. I have a roto-peeler attachment that I plan to use for making zucchini spaghetti.

 

[tolivac]

Was the "Vintage" K45 built by HOBART instead of Whirlpool as the new "KA" mixers are?Its gotten to the point where the Hobart built machines are highly prized because of their higher quality-build and parts.Drather have the electromechanical governor speed control over the circuit board one.

 

[norgeway]

My K 45 is

Hobart built with the old governor which to my mind is MUCH better.

 

[rp2813]

K45 (not SS)

Hans, that's the same mixer I have.  So quiet compared to the newer ones, and the speed control operates smooth as silk.