KitchenAid Superba Dishwasher

[jjsunshine]

I've been wanting a vintage KA dishwasher and found this for sale. Can someone please tell me the approximate age and if it's built by Hobart or Whirlpool?

Thank you and Happy Friday!

 

[funktionalart]

You scored a RARE one...

That's a Selectra....very, very few of those around. Also one I have been hunting for many many years! Congrats. Is it Selectra 21 or 22? Earlier were Hobart....but you will find a tag on the upper left corner of the porcelain tub when you open the door of the machine.

 

[funktionalart]

These electronic panel ones...

Came out circa 1985-86...yours looks like a Selectra 22 to me...could be as late as 1990, but I suspect late 80s. Search the archives here on the site.....there are several other owners of these up here and many discussions have taken place about them. You might just find all the info you need.



Nice video of The same machine owned by one of the members up here. BEAUTIFUL

 

[funktionalart]

These electronic panel ones...

Came out circa 1985-86...yours looks like a Selectra 21 to me...could be as late as 1990, but I suspect late 80s. Search the archives here on the site.....there are several other owners of these up here and many discussions have taken place about them. You might just find all the info you need.



Nice video of The same machine owned by one of the members up here. BEAUTIFUL

 

[funktionalart]

looking at it closer...

It may be a Selectra 22, Whisper Quiet...which I believe may possibly have a Whirlpool power module in it. I'm sure an expert up here can verify....but this is still pretty much Hobart overall in design.

 

[rp2813]

I saw this machine on CL.

 

The main concern with Selectras is the electronic control panel.  Hobart's was/is notorious for problems and failure.  Whirlpool made significant improvements to the electronics, so where Selectras are concerned, a machine made after Whirlpool took over is more desirable than one that's pure Hobart.

 

Should there be issues with the control panel on the subject dishwasher, you'll be hard pressed to find a replacement panel or parts to fix the one it has.

 

If you'd rather not chance it and are willing to drive further, there's a series 21 or 22 Custom, which is at the other end of the bling spectrum from a Selectra but just as capable when it comes to cleaning dishes, up for grabs in Aptos.

 

Here's the link:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/app/4602969511.html

 

[funktionalart]

Well, if jjsunshine doesn't wind up wanting it...

I would be happy to take a trip to my old S.F. home and drive that Selectra back to Phoenix

 

[mieletag]

If I'm not mistaken, this is a Whirlpool manufactured KUDS21SS-2 Selectra with the rotary power switch and separate computer. The KUDS22ST-0 has the vacuum fluorescent display, and not the red LED display. Since this has the WhisperQuiet emblem, I'm fairly certain it is a Whirlpool. This should also have the square Emerson motor and Hobart designed pump. I believe the 23 series was the first to use the Whirlpool PowerClean module, and the tub hole openings were of a different size.

 

[combo52]

KDSS-21

The DW in question is a 21 series DW designed by Hobart and continued under WPs ownership. There was no 22 version of this DW with the Singer controls and the rotary power controller, only the KDSS-20 and KDSS-22 ever used this unique control system and it could be troublesome.

 

[jjsunshine]

Thank you so much for the help! You guy's are great

 

[janice]

Hello,

Been reading this thread. I have a Kuds21s bought new in 1987. Used about 20 times in 26 yrs. The brains blew out. We have power outages here alot and it has screwed the dishwasher up a couple of times. Left it alone once for about a year and plugged it in and it worked again. Put it on a surge protector last time but it blew again and it looks like it's not coming back. Too bad because it's so pristine. So I'm guessing, from what I am reading here, it's a bad design and perhaps a Hobart. Even if I found new brains, it would go out again. Lord I hate giving up on this great dishwasher. Oh well. I'll enclose pics.

If I ever do get rid of it, I bet some on you might be interested. I'll let you know if I ever do.
Janice

 

[janice]

Me Again (Janice)

After this long, I turned off the breaker to the dishwasher (again, did it in the first place), turned it back on and lo and behold, the darn thing started up!!! What a shock. I'm buying an uninterputible power supply for this thing.

 

[janice]

Update

The dishwasher finally died again in 2016. The uninterrupted power supply that I purchased for it wasn't large enough so it died again.

I called a serviceman to look at it and as soon as he left, I found both the main control board for $150 on ebay and the controller for $30. It was a new and unused controller as another serviceman ordered it a long time ago, never used it and decided to sell it on ebay in 2017! Remember, this is a 1988 Kitchenaide Dishwasher. Finding these two parts was unbelievable luck and timing.

The serviceman came back and installed both parts and, I am happy to say, it is now working. I am leaving it unplugged til I use it as any power surge might kill it again.

So I have about $500 in it to get it going again incl service calls. Worth it to me because it had little hours on it and it is made so well.

 

[appnut]

Congratulations!!  I unplug my washer inb3etween uses for the same reason.  Unfortunately, my dishwasher is hardwired and cannot unplug it. 

 

[joeypete]

Awesome! Glad you got it working again. You have a very rare and unique classic KA! I love my 85 Hobart KDM-21. I use it about every other day. Fantastic machines.

 

[stevet]

Whole house protection

Happy to hear that your were able to resurrect your machine. As far as surge protection goes, you may want to contact the power company and see if they offer a protector that goes on the incoming power lines and goes on behind your meter.

Here in FL, we have FPL and they offer a "surge shield" for a small monthly fee. Prior to getting it, we had 3 routers,2tv's and our oven control blow out.Ever since installing it, we have had no problems at all and have more electronically controlled appliances than before and not a problem with any of them.

 

[janice]

Thanks For Your Support

Thanks Stevet for power company suggestion.

So, I found the dishwasher display and the controller. Had them installed and ran dishwasher two times. Third time no water was entering the dishwasher so appliance guy said I need a new latch assembly. I got one of those also off ebay but it came with the black clippy thing. See in photo. I doubt it has a seperate item number.

I cannot find this little item online. Anyone got a suggestion? I can't believe how luck I was with the other parts but now this happens. Grrrrr.

 

[janice]

Correction

It came WITHOUT the black clippy thing.

 

[panthera]

That is a very pretty

Machine.

I've come to the conclusion that whoever designed these early micro-processor controlled units was allergic to protective diodes.

They also seemed addicted to the cheapest, most leakage prone electrolytic capacitors on earth which,  coupled with under-dimensioned resistors (usually at %20 value) and appallingly poor water/steam/heat protection, it's just a question of time before they fail.

Our Ge Twenty-Eight Hundred had had THREE circuit boards AFTER the THIRD design revision by GE before we bought it.

I've re-capped it and replaced two power transistors, adding heat-sinking.

Sheesh. So - if you really want it - and don't mind the fact that that pump seal leaks straight into the motor killing it dead - go for it.