Mini basket water level detection : how does it work ?

[appnut]

Spin Sprays & minibaskets

Or the lack there of.  that's why I didn't use the MB for very long, rinsing was pathetic since there was no utilitarian spin spray other than the clear the pump of the suds residue.  I simply used the mini-quick cycle and the lowest water level.  Sometimes, if it was just one or two items, I simply use the minibasket waterr level setting and throw the two pieces in the big tub. 

 

[macboy91si]

SpotScrubber

The SpotScrubber came with a light blue mini-basket with no holes in the bottom. The machine had a dedicated timer and cycle for the SS to work. The SS cycle on the dial was used in conjunction with a ~1 minute timer on the control panel (labeled "SpotScrubber"). When the SS cycle is selected and the dial on the control panel is set, the smaller timer runs for it's time and then activates a solenoid that is mounted at the rear of the machine. The Filter-Flo flume hose on the SS model is a unique collapsible rubber hose (not harder rubber like the normal machines) that passes through a bracket with a solenoid attached. When activated, the solenoid had a flat plate attached that "crushes" the Filter-Flo flume hose thus stopping any circulation. Some pressure remains at the end of the cycle and when the machine cuts off, a small blast of water shoots out of the Filter-Flo flume from the solenoid releasing, it's kinda cool. The SS cycle includes an extra rinse built-in and the machine does have a Mini-Quick cycle as well. It's an 86 model, and the lower of the 2 SS models (8500).

 

Mickey:

My washer did the same thing, my clutch goes insufferably loud and I replaced it with a used (matching) motor/clutch and relay. It is smoother sounding, but takes much longer to get up to speed. Mine used to spray over into the inner tub when spinning on the higher water levels, especially with a lot of suds.

 

Bob:

The machine to my knowledge only came with the solid-tub mini-basket and matching blue large diameter filter hat. The manual goes pretty in-depth and mentions and depicts only that basket. The machine has a separate cycle for SS and the Mini-Quick, the SS is colored in silver on my machine ('86 model 8500) and the Mini-Quick is just before it in orange. The machine has Regular, Perm. Press/Knits, Mini-Quick, and SpotScrubber. 3 dials in the center (4 temps, variable water level, and SS) and 3 button on the left bank (F/F, F/S, S/S) for the speed. I will post a few pics if you'd like. I don't think they call it the "Mini-Wash" by name on this machine.

 

-Tim

 

 

 

[yogitunes]

Bob

there were 2 of the so called largest minibaskets, difference being the SS one did not have holes at the bottom, water did not drain out, so the concentrate of water and detergent would work to remove stains, plus the added scrubbing, only during spin did the water get thrown out, very much similar to a solid tub machine

so for water level, set to mini-wash, cycle modifier was set to SpotScrubber, and SpotScrubber Cycle was used......combined together for one purpose....

but the minibasket could still be used as usual for tiny loads, using the regular cycle or Mini-Quick if available......

as far as water level PreSet.....the selector is turned and releases the cam from normal water level selections to a PreSet screw inside.....sometimes adjustments need to be made......keep in mind once the minibasket is filled the filter flo should continue and not run out of water, that is all that is needed, any more is a waste.......I had to adjust one this past week, it added too much water, about 7 gallons is the normal amount, thats approx 5 gallons for the minibasket, and 2 for the overflo and replenish......(at first I had enough water to fill the minibasket 2 1/2 times)

the way I corrected it for the least amount needed was allow the unit to add water, agitation started, once the minibasket filled and overflowed, I stopped the machine and quickly pulled the basket out and dumped out the water, I then replaced the minibasket and started the machine again, the filter flo filled the basket 1/2 way and ran out of water.....this was enough to complete it purpose, once filled there should be a small amount in the inner tub barely touching the agitator, like I said any more would be a waste, any less and the pressure switch would reset to add more water normally not needed, just somewhat a fine line of not too much or too little.....

and you do have many options with the water levels, miniwash-with or without the minibasket, and then theres small thru ex-large......plus the combination of speeds and cycles of your choice, the possiblities are endless, this is what I would consider a VersaTronic machine...although some may disagree

And I am the first to say I disliked these machines when I grew up with one, THAT WOULDN"T DIE!...was a BOL machine.....and the pan that was in my way of viewing the wash...has come back to bite me in the ASS as a few of the best machines I own...........and to top it off, my cousin allowed me to do her wash--and she owned the same freakin model machine!!!---GOD has a sense of humor!

 

[mickeyd]

GE's that won't die--too funny--sturdy little bugger

Bob, got so tired of the long flush to nowhere, I just click the finger-friendly valve switch that supplies water to the washer, and shut it off for mini-basket loads during the spray rinse. I've been using Tide HE lately because it smells so good, almost like the old Dash, so oversudsing is not a problem.

Tim, so good to hear more about the spotscrub--wont'be be scratchin' my head about that one any more.

Another fun thing about the Mini-quick button is that you can use it for any load: it cuts increment time by two-thirds, from 3 minutes to 1. In total agreement with Martin about the versatility of these machines; they'll do anything.

Here's the mini-basket water level setting without the basket, which may be the lowest water level available on any automatic top-loader.

EDIT: forgot to add--about GE's being water hogs. If you look at the huge gap between the inner and outer tub in reply 13, that's quite a bit of water--just noticed this morning. Haven't read how much is out there, but if you use Tim's or Martin's numbers, could it really be around 8 gallons or more? That's a lotta H2O.[this post was last edited: 2/16/2011-11:10]

 

[mickeyd]

Water hogs

Hi Gordon

With the very tight curve of the aluminum drain hook and the rather short hose, and the fact that the garage GE drains into a conduit, while the basement GE drains into the sump pump, I have actually never done any of my suds-saver, water tricks into tubs or other machines with the GE's--very, very unusual for me--so I really had no clue as to GE's water usage, but after what you said yesterday, and after posting and studying the photo for the first time, I'm stuck now on a new and interesting problem/fascination.

Next full load will go into the GE in the basement (garage babies are all hibertnating) and the spin-off will be conducted into the Lady K. Visimatic. I wonder if how much she'll be able to take before I have to engage her powerful pump.

 

[yogitunes]

Mike

if theres one thing I have learned is to measure just about everything, just to compare, before and after, one way or the other, the mind is always working.....

for the miniwash, a gallon here or there should not matter, five gallons is a different story.......I just kept adjusting my machine until it triggered the pressure switch to stop the machine and add more water, and turn the screw enough just to eliminate this......drain into a five gallon bucket, and I filled it 1 1/2 times...roughly 7 to 7 1/2 gallons

and yes these machines are so called water hogs....but I can't complain even if these were my only set and daily drivers....between the capacity and ability to handle a variety of loads, and multiple cycle variations, if there were only one machine this would be it....and I feel the same way about Whirlpool/Kenmore Dryers....this give me the best of a mix/match set, others may think otherwise....

thinking of measuring.......wash a load of towels in your machine, after the last spin, reset it to spin again and put the drain hose into a jar, see how much more water comes out!.....sometimes I can get almost 4 cups more, thats a lot of moisture for a dryer to remove, somewhat a downside on just about any toploader....food for thought, and it may be all in my mind, but do a warm rinse instead of cold, clothes seem lighter, fluffier, and more water removed....could be an illusion...but just a preference

no matter what....my heart belongs to Speed Queen solid tubs.....you would think there would be more found in my area, we had 2 SQ dealers in one town, one guy is a friend of mine.....and yet their scarce....

I like Tide powder with bleach.....a very potent detergent that I have come to trust to get out the stains everytime, the first time thru.........If your gonna pay for water, plus heating it, and electric for the machine---your gonna want to get it right the first time, your not saving if you have to wash it several times with a cheaper detergent.....but for normal loads Sears UP works just as well, we all have our formulas one way or the other that work best for us, trial and error, shared ideas, it all comes out in the wash!

not too many machines had that miniquick button, most have the special cycle..and their great for a small load, my partner tries Miniquick on a full load, not good results..............can you get us a pic of your machines control panels?

 

[mickeyd]

Hi Martin

I do the same thing with extra spins in the Unimatic for heavy winter stuff. The WP dryer takes from 20-25 minutes to dry a double-spin unimatic load. Amazing & priceless.
Full disclosure: The uni in use has a Mallory timer making the spin 7 minutes, so that's 14 for the double spin, not the ususal 5, then 10.

This is the best I can do right now, sorry. My machines have the four switches on the left for speed & temp, a water level knob, a second rinse knob, the mini-quick cycle shortener switch, and the main dial.

 

[mickeyd]

another shot of the enormous outer tub

what's nice about it is that if a sock makes it way to the outer tub--yes, twice ! playing with the min-basket and forgetting to put the filter top hat back on--you can reach down into the drain port and pull it out. Imagine what they'd charge to do that!!!

 

[yogitunes]

You have the model my brother had in 77......that switch was a neat idea for the time......the four switches offer a great variety, all of mine have 3 selections for wash/spin.(norm/fast, norm/slow, gentle/slow) and my choice would always be fast spin no matter what the agitation....beggars can't be choosy....

I never had it happen, but I have seen machines get ruined from socks or underwear jamming the pump and burning out the motor......I could never understand how this happened, the most I ever came across was stockings getting caught under the agitator.....but I could see this from the minibasket as you described....

clothes retainer---is yours removed or just missing?

I'd like to find a four vane agitator like yours, just to change out for some fun....this is one of my play toys, with the most options

 

[mickeyd]

very nice--what year ?

You can see the controls and everything else in this flick, right after my babbling about the Visimatic. It won't take long, I promise.

Since the taping of this, the Visi has been fully restored--so happy!

 

[yogitunes]

this should be about 1985....and I have 2 of the same models

 

[yogitunes]

Excellent videos Mike....I have seen them before and didn't know that was you.....you have a nice collection there.....

for some of the hoses you have with the leaks......not sure if this helps, but I have on several occasions used auto-type hoses for replacements, some have been exact matches, worth a shot, you never know!

I would like to see a full load in that vista-matic....funny how the agitator in that one has vanes all the way up, yet in the automatic their only half way up...

Thanks again

Martin

 

[appnut]

Maybe I'm being dense, but there is one thing I cannot seem to get my mind around.  OK, on SS setting, the water stops coming in after a minute or so and the water is held in the mini-basket for the concentrated stain cleaning/scrubbing.  But, what blows my mind is, did I get reality correct?  That being, when the regular mini-wash settings are used and the SS action does have that valve clamp off the filter-flo flume, is there neough water sloshed out of the holes in the top of the MB tub to keep replinishing the pump for constinat water circulation?  And what about the lack of little holes in the bottom for heavy sediment.  Being a former MB user it just blow my mind at the concept of water being sloshed/flung out of the top holes while activating to keep pump replenashed and circulating for regular MB applications and no SS cycle.  That's why I asked whether the machine came with two MBs, one for regular mini-basket washes and one for the SS application. 

 

[macboy91si]

Sloshing Water

Bob, Oh yes, there is plenty. Plus the extra buffer of water that machine fills with compensates. That thing just keep overflowing, no shortage at all. It doesn't look like it would, but it really does.

 

If I'm getting what you're saying, and correct me if I'm not. The SS cycle is the only cycle that cuts the filter spout, and only then will it do so if you've set the SS dial. All other mini-basket functions (including the 2 rinses on the SS cycle) keep the filtering on and overflow the min-basket like on a normal machine. When the SS is not on, the water really does flow out of the basket top holes like crazy. One basket only, there are no sediment holes in the SS basket because it needs to hold the water in because once the SS timer cuts the water, there is no other way for water to enter the basket. The SS timer equates to the SS basket being about 1/2 full before shutting off to ensure as little splash out as possible.

 

I hope I answered that... I was a little fuzzy of what you were asking

 

-Tim

 

[yogitunes]

Bob

sediment is one downside to a solid MB.......

the same amount of water is used as per the pressure switch set at MW......wether used as SS or normal MB use...........if adjusted correctly, there is enough water available for either option, I don't have a SS option, but I did plug the holes in the bottom of my MB, I just prefer it that way....I always thought most of the water comming out of the MB was from the top, never thought about the bottom holes, some of the first ones even had holes in the middle of the agitator....

granted some water will be sloshed out during SS selection, but enough will remain inside for effective use..........any water leftover in the main tub will just get swished around by the agitator, and then drained during the spin.....

consider it like the first GE FF with the solid tub, water overflowed, from the top, into the outer tub, and then replenished by the pump back into the inner tub, first going thru the filter pan.....there was no bottom holes, not totally sure about GE, but speedqueen ST had collected sediment under the agitator, and a tube ejected/flushed it during the spin.........

 

[peteski50]

Video!

Thanks Mike for a great video!

 

[appnut]

thanks Tim & Martin.  Just as I was beginning to read both of your posts, the light in the dim watt lit up.  SS harkens back to the original solid tub filter-flos.  The water going over the top of the tub helped keep the pump primed and flowing, along with the little hole in the activator that went to the outer tub.  DUH.  

 

[combo52]

GE SOLID TUB FF WASHERS

Martin all the GE FF ST washers did have a port under the Activator that allowed water to constantly flow into the outer tub to take out heavy soil and sand.I think it was much more effective than SQs , HPs and Franklins sediment tube as every one of these I ever saw was completely clogged.

 

[yogitunes]

I know what you mean John....SQ sediment tube was not very effective as staying cleared out....most were just compacted like it was cement....on mine it is usually best to remove the agitator and vacuum it out if any was built up...but normal users would never check on this stuff....

Seems like GE had the better plan, a continuous flushing with water, SQ was only effective if it was a few grains, any more and it was an instant clog....

What did Frigidaires solid tubs do for sediment ejection?

 

[mickeyd]

"What did Frigidaires solid tubs do for sediment ejectio

 

 

Hi Martin, they did nothing. In the view of many, it was their only defect. CR always rated them poor in sand disposal which is no big thing unless you're around sand. And I know about this first hand.

 

Every summer we'd get a cottage for a few weeks at Crystal beach, Ontario, and when we came home and did the wash, our Tower Unimatic would have these interesting patterns of sand on the sides of the tub. We'd wipe them off with damp diaper rags.

 

Thanks, Pete. Hearing that makes me happy.