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...

 

[Unimatic1140]

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

At some point sure toggles I would love that, but since its a lot of work I just want to concentrate on service manuals for now.

 

[volvoguy87]

Yay, service manuals!

I love how the forums are packed full of information on how to keep our machines alive. AW.org is the first place to which I turn when I need to fix something. Unfortunately, many issues are posted again and again because we have read about it here before, but can't remember the details, need some clarification, or can't find the archived thread. Putting some service manuals online should clear up some confusion and repetitious posts.

Keep up the good work Robert,
Dave

 

[gansky1]

Love the cooling fan in the Launderall!

 

[a440]

Amazing!

Thanks for the manual!
What a complex machine!
I can imagine any repair guy cringing then they got a call for this machine!
It was so complex!
Did Launderall make any other machines beside this one?
They had their heart in it 100% with this top loader.
Brent

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Driving member, Driven member

**Giggle**

 

[christfr]

gees thanks robert...now i may have a better shot at this toy..i did notice that the longer i let it sit and run the better it seems to get maybe its just still gooy in there. she wont tumble in both directions but she goes a bit more than before so were gonna get there

 

[christfr]

the printer is still running .. gees did i ever open a can or worms ha ha.. when i had the trans cover off after i had cleaned it up in there there are no stripped gears or metal flakes everything looks good you can turn things with your fingers and watch gears move. all looked ok so i put the trans back into the machine. let it run she wants to tumble in one direction only but is running better than she did when she got here so im gonna the machine run for a few more days and see if things improve and if not well take it out again. its funny mark wants to get his hand on this machine so bad i think he can taste it

 

[jasonl]

Awesome!

I'd love to see the belt drive Kenmore, Maytag, and GE Filter Flo manuals get posted so when I'm ready I can start restoring my lovely machines.

 

[Unimatic1140]

when i had the trans cover off after i had cleaned it up in there there are no stripped gears or metal flakes everything looks good you can turn things with your fingers and watch gears move. all looked ok so i put the trans back into the machine.

Hey Chris, after you cleaned out the old grease what did you use to relubricate the transmission?

 

[fredfred9633]

he has his work cut out for him

 

[vivalalavatrice]

Would this thread has been

created with the aim to make people fall in love with TLHA saw that just the Launderall was the last IMHO TLHA made over there in USA until the Staber!?!?

Should I feel nostalgia in the air!? D

Oh my dear friends if it only were like so....but I hope it would be harder than I could imagine to make US market appreciate a coming back of machine like this...

Bye
Diomede