Maytag "hair in wringer" control mechanism

[sweaterwasher]

We just bought a Maytag Wringer (N2LPS) at a local auction. White round tub with turquiose knobs. Great shape, no chips in tub, turns on, pump works. I bought the Maytag because my worthless Calypso felts wool instead of spinning water out like normal washers. Dangerous to wool sweaters.

Difficulty is the little tube that comes out of the wringer column (on underside). The seller explained to me that this little device was intended to prevent long hair from being caught inextricably in the wringer.

A new (1989 on the ticket) little tube with an air pressure bladder was in the tub. Unfortunately, the bladder (a flat rubber ball about the size of a silver dollar) was old and cracked completely apart when I pressed on it by hand. When we blow hard into the tube, the wringer turns. When the air stops, the wringer stops turning. Someone whose hair was caught in the wringer would naturally stop pumping the little bladder with their foot, so the wringer would stop.

We could hook the little tube up to the air compressor, but that seems like overkill.

Any thoughts on a replacement would be very welcome.

 

[tolivac]

I wonder if any type of rubber squeeze bulb can be used for the Maytag wringer to replace a missing one.The person at the swap shop that sold me my Maytag wirnger--said the hose with the missing bulb was for a "footswitch".Yes,sounds like the bulb acts as a "deadman" when released the wringer stops.So a "footswitch" may be right.

 

[goatfarmer]

If you don't want to use the pressure switch,a bolt can be inserted into the wringer column,and the wringer will work normally.

kennyGF

 

[sweaterwasher]

Yes, it is a deadman switch. A switch is also piece of false hair, like a pony tail, that can be removed - 1950's language and before. What a great pun!! The people who first knew wringer washers would have also called a false ponytail "a switch".

The flat little bulb "switch" would have been absolutely tedious to keep pumping the whole time one did the wash and ran the wringer. It occurrs to me that an ear bulb might work (the tube size is roughly compatible).

I would sincerely appreciate knowing how to by-pass the swtich by putting a bolt into the wringer column, Kenny. The rest of the washer is pristine and quiet - at least without water - so far.

Thank you so much for your fast and informative responses.

best regards,

Sweaterwasher

 

[tomturbomatic]

You did not have to keep pumping the little pad. You just had to keep a foot on it while wringing, if there were no air leaks in the bulb or tube. Some people just rolled a wheel of the washer onto the bulb so that it kept the air pressure steady against the switch.

 

[jeb]

Wringer bulb

When I was just a lad we had one of these washers I used it quite a bit. The bulb was a pain- You stood on it to make the Wringer work ( I sometimes would put a brick on it). When it got a hole in it the maytag dealer told use to pull the hose off the nipple under the washer and find a nail or small pencil and wedge it into the hole to activate the wringer safty switch. That washer worked for many years (and still may be working)with a nail wedged in its nipple. Jeff

 

[tomturbomatic]

OUCH!

with a nail wedged in its nipple. Jeff

I would hate to know what that signifies. I hope it was not rusty.