KitchenAid vintage dishwashers

[whitekingd]

I have a KitchenAid KDS-54P (the convertable model of the KDS-14P). Why did the pump models use a vacuum switch for the fill valve, and the gravity drain did not? I have been curious about that for some time. What happens if the vacuum switch goes out? Can you use the machine without it? Are there any replacements for it? Thanks for any info you all can give me!

 

[toploader55]

I'm not sure but...

I'm going to guess that on the gravity drain machines you had the overflow drain. And on the portables (pump drain) there had to be a "safety" catch somewhere along the line.
STEVE.........(stevet) What's the answer?

 

[stevet]

And the winner is..

Toploader!
The pump models DID use a switch but it was a PRESSURE switch, not a vacuum switch. The unit used a timed fill and any excessive water would go down the overflow, fill up the reservoir and would activate the switch to shut off the fill valve.They used the pressure switches thru the 17 series and replaced it with the float switch whcih was more commom by then.

The gravity drain units for obvious reasons did not need an overfill protection device because the drain valve would hook directly up to a drain under the machine. Any extra water went down the drain.

Also, the pump models would pump any water right out the drain as well as soon as the pump turned on since the drain pump was linked dirctly to the motor. The pressure switch was not needed once the machine filled and the timer advanced past the fill portion.
Ed, maybe you can repost the drain pump pictures when you get a chance.

Hope this helps!

 

[toploader55]

Drain Valve

Here's a shot of the Trap and Drain Pump

 

[toploader55]

Here's a little something

Ben had posted this during my replacing the Drain Valve on my KDP-2. On the left is the Fill Switch