Launderall -- If you think the Multimatic is complicated...

[Unimatic1140]

I'm working on scanning the 1948 Launderall service manual for Chris and others to use. I should have the complete manual scanned and posted this evening or tomorrow <br
Pages 3 thru 12 of the manual are particularly interesting. They show how this very first reverse-tumbling, horizontal access washer works designed like so many other early automatics, in the 1930s...

 

[Unimatic1140]

4

 

[Unimatic1140]

5

 

[Unimatic1140]

6

 

[dj-gabriele]

I still don't understand why they didn't use a simple pulley and a two speed motor like ordinary top loading horizontal axis washers of today!

 

[Unimatic1140]

7

 

[Unimatic1140]

8

 

[Unimatic1140]

9

 

[Unimatic1140]

10

 

[Unimatic1140]

11

 

[Unimatic1140]

12

 

[Unimatic1140]

I still don't understand why they didn't use a simple pulley and a two speed motor like ordinary top loading horizontal axis washers of today!

Well in 1948 two speed AC motors would only have ran at 1140rpm on low and 1725rpm on high. So to make the wash tumble speed at approx 52rpm that means the spin speed wouldn't even be doubled at around 100rpm which of course wouldn't be fast enough to extract water from the clothes. They would have to employ some kind of speed shifting transmission like the Bendix and Westinghouse front loaders. But the Launderall engineers took it one step further in making a machine that reverse tumbles and does it without any electrical or electronic timing devices.

 

[volvoguy87]

Interesting.

In historic preservation, I find that things were often done differently in the past than they are today for very good reasons. If you understand those reasons (such as motor speed limitations) some of the zaniest, Rube Goldberg designs make perfect, logical sense.

A more common example...
GE Filter Flo washers with a single speed motor, a transmission, AND a crazy 1, 2, 3, or variable speed clutch. Why have this complicated clutch instead of a multi-speed motor? The Filter Flo system relies on a pump for recirculation! The motor must run at 1 speed to ensure the pump operates correctly on all cycles and speeds. The only way to get multiple speeds with that type of constant speed motor and pump is to change speeds between the motor and the transmission. Presumably, a multi-speed clutch was cheaper than having several different models of transmissions with multiple speed capabilities.

It makes perfect sense when you understand the logic,
Dave

 

[tuthill]

Suddenly reverse tumbling doesn't seem all that important

 

[dj-gabriele]

OK, thank you!

 

[a440]

This is incredible!
Wow! What a complex system!
They did make it work however. Just sounds like it was not very reliable!
I bet the engineers were having so much fun with the design of this machine!
Brent

 

[Unimatic1140]

Here is the full 1948 Launderall Service manual, its 60mb so it will take a minute or so to download.

We definitely need more of these on this website, I will have to create a separate button from the home page with Service Manuals links.

If you have some vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher service manuals, a scanner and can scan them at 150dpi and can create .pdf files, I will add them to this upcoming library.

http://www.automaticwasher.org/SERVICE/1948_Launderall.pdf

 

[toggleswitch2]

Would you be interested in comparative feature/sales brochures as well?

 

[swestoyz]

Great idea Robert! You've got mail...