More GE Versatronics............and pics for GEextraRinse

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I also have a true Versatronic washer stored in my back garage, with a matching Versatronic dryer. The Versatronic washer has a special type of clutch with a completely variable wash and spin speed. I will try and get to it and post some pics of it. I do believe its the only washer GE ever made with the Versatronic name on it.......
 
I do remember the Versatronic washer my grandmother had specifically said "Versatronic Control Washer" on it. It had a more "conventional looking" GE control panel with a stack of horizontal toggle switches at the left, I believe 2 (or 3?) rotary knobs in the center, and timer on the right. I am ashamed to say that I can't remember what any of the controls were for. (I was 5 when they junked it and gave me the control panel, probably 7 or 8 when mom or dad tripped over it for the last time and threw it out.) It's interesting that you mention the variable speed clutch, FilterFlo, because I do remember that it was the clutch that had broken in that washer and Grandma decided it was too expensive to repair. Was this clutch problematic? I'm guessing it was since it never caught on. (She replaced the Versatronic with a Maytag A608, btw--a rather diappointing machine from a 5 year-old's perspective)
 
And now I wonder...was the variable speed clutch like the 2-speed clutch in that one shouldn't change speeds once the machine was going? Because if that's the case, I probably am the one that broke G's clutch...one more thing to have on my conscience. :)
T.
 
Spotscrubber

All sorts of GE washer memories are flooding back at me. Didn't GE have a washer they billed as "Spotscrubber" at some time? Or was that just the name of a special cycle? When was this? I seem to recall it involved the minibasket and a large dose of detergent, a-la-Catalyst. Or am I just crazy?
T.
 
Water Police Alert!

Two washes and two rinses in a GE top loader? You just KNOW that wouldn't pass muster today! Didn't washers of this vintage have really large spaces between inner and outer tubs, making them very "water hungry". Still what a lovely set and would be great to have, if one wasn't on metered or well water that is! *LOL*

Launderess
 
Tom, don’t feel bad about the clutch, I did the same thing to my parents brand new GE when they junked the old one. I was about 8 or 9 and I flipped it from normal to gentle during the wash, heard a bunch of loud clicking and crunching, so I flipped it back and after that it only washed on gentle for the rest of its life. Fortunately, no one heard it or I would have surely gotten a whipping for that.

Maybe that’s why those models did not last (people changed the setting during the wash and burned out the clutches). It sure would be tempting to turn that variable wash speed dial while the machine was agitating.

Jeff
 
Ohh Jeff!

So you never fessed up about your laundry mis-hap? Cannot blame you, some things are best left for parents to find out on a need to know basis. IIRC one of my brothers poured an entire box of detergent into the washer once. Made the Bobby Brady adventure look tame in compairison. We were all lined up and asked who did it. After the standard "I don't know" response, thought it might slip by, but then spied Big Daddy going for his strap and had to give the game up. Ok, call me a squealer, but this squealer was able to sit down and go outside for the rest of that week! *LOL*

Launderess
 
Spotscrubber Cycle

You are correct! There was a special mini-basket with no holes in the bottom so the water stayed in the "tub" when filled with the filter-flo stream. The machine filled into the main wash basket/tub and then was pumped into the mini-tub when activation began. After a few minutes the filter flo stream was turned off with a timer-controlled valve for the remainder of the wash period. A double dose of detergent was used for especially dirty things.
 
Another fabulous GE set!! I have a soft spot for machines like those, with the large pushbuttons and high backsplash...and lighted controls to boot!

I'm also interested to know the reasoning behind the V-14 Ramp Activator in the 16 lb. tub...any differences between that and the other Activators?
 
The reasoning behind the V14 in this washer is cause I liked it better! It originally had the straight vane black agitator. GE played games with their poundage. The tubs stayed the same size for many many years, their marketing people just named and renamed the capacity as they saw fit.
 
I definitely agree...in a GE, while the straight-vane doesn't do a bad job, IMHO, the ramp Activator wins hands down!

I put one in my Dispensall recently...when it hits 100 OPM after the "snap", the turnover is just incredible, even when fully loaded! Not to mention the splashing...
 
infinite speed controls

To the question about the potential for problems with the infinitely variable clutch: Would the fact that it was only offered for one year maybe make the answer a resounding YES!? The ones I saw were magnetic, varying the attraction or slipability electrically. Used a very deluxe Frigidaire with that, briefly. It was fine for the first load. If another load was attempted without a rest of several hours to allow something to cool, it would not spin enough to throw all of the water out of the tub, a clear case of losing its grip.
 

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