My washday nemesis

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superelectronic

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2008
Messages
363
Location
London, UK
So here I am, two years since I went public with the washer interest and decided to join AW. It started with my wishing to destroy the lacklusture washing machine I have been provided by my landlords; whilst many of you have since seen washers come and go, I am still lumbered with the same old equipment, having decided against sabotage. Anyway, a few weeks ago I finally got around to taking some pics (thanks to my job providing me with a BlackBerry enabling pics to be taken).

Allow me to present to you the PROLINE W850 from 1995. The washer that just refuses to quit! I still wish it gone but in the meantime I shall learn to love it. As long as I see it as non-automatic I'm half way there!

Here we are in profile...

Link to my original plans below, should anyone be interested.

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/ARCHIVE/MODERN/2008/15266x13.htm
SuperElectronic++1-2-2010-15-44-35.jpg
 
The dispenser

First things first...

Compartments C and D don't work properly as the water is directed in the wrong places at the wrong time, hence conditioner tends to be dispensed on rinse 2 instead of the final rinse. D is for LCB - not needed in this part of the world.

SuperElectronic++1-2-2010-16-03-53.jpg
 
The programmes

They're on the front of the dispenser drawer.

Nothing fancy here.

Woe betide using "delicates" for your fragiles; it's actually what we in the UK used to know as programme three - while nylon at 60 degrees C, so hardly delicate!

SuperElectronic++1-2-2010-16-11-4.jpg
 
The controls

The W850 is fully selectable between on AND off!

Okay, there is a dial too and that half load funtion. Half load reduces water consumption by a whole 20 litres on a cotton cycle - that's just 100 litres for a small load: postively MISERLY, I'm sure you'll agree!

SuperElectronic++1-2-2010-16-17-27.jpg
 
Hi Al...its ultimafan...

If you're still after a new machine, you could play the enviroment card. The Proline is Comet's essential brand, I think there are still Prolines out at the moment, but you could imply to your landlord that you need a new machine to reduce energy and water bills and most machines are AAA or AAB rated, I'm sure you could twist his arm. Yet I wouldn't want to see you do this and get lumbered with a Beko as it seems the hot favourite for landlords furnishing their properties. But even so, I guess a Beko is moving up as you'll have more features, a bigger drum, maybe a faster spin speed.

Your Proline looks a lot like a Hotpoint/Creda which could explain its durability, anyhoo I've never seen this machine before, so its yet another rarity on AW.
 
Cooldown/rinse

This is the water level reached during cooldown and rinses 1 and 4 on the cottons cycle. Approximately 28 litres: achieved by two minutes' timed fill on top of the standard level. I would say it's rather generous by today's standards but there are some new machines out there that do similar (except maybe only with 2 rinses in total).

Unfortunately, the machine pumps out the water as soon as it hits this level which always seems like a shocking waste in my eyes. The only exceptions are the wool wash and final rinse on the sythetics cycle (number 15 on the dial).

Apologies if it's not too clear where the water comes to - it's roughly just below the middle of the door bowl. The pics are turning out a bit fuzzier onsite!

SuperElectronic++1-2-2010-16-42-49.jpg
 
Normal water level

17-18 litres. Half load reaches the bottom of the door seal - 12-13 litres I think.

Hey there Ultimafan!

Can't see the environment card going anywhere - my lardlords are old-school and if it ain't broke, you don't fix it! There's a war on, don't you know...or something like that. Since they pay the bills it's their call anyway.

Pic...

SuperElectronic++1-2-2010-16-48-10.jpg
 
That door....

....bellows looks to have some rather severe creasing/gathering on it...I'd hate to see what a zipper on a pair of jeans or track top could do to that if it got caught in one of the 'valleys'.....

Firstly, price out a replacement bellows....and what it would cost to fit.....you wouldn't want to cause yourself the inconvienience if it isn't going to be 'worthwhile'

Then, get a sharp pointed knife and, well, you know what might work here......

....nothing quite like a water leak to have a landlord out quickly - especially if you are on the first floor and/or they have either floating floor or carpet (which I see they do)

The other option is, whilst I know money may be tight, get a better quality low end machine (and there is much right and very little wrong with Beko BTW) and ask the landlord to remove his...if you need to, fib and tell him you've received one from your gran (and a few 'older' relatives) or something as a Christmas present....

Offer to help him move it out and let him know that, whilst the rent includes a 'washing machine', you don't expect it to be reduced because you're using your own....

;)
 
Meanwhile, across the kitchen...

...we have the White Knight WK767 Condensor Tumble Dryer from 2004. It's very noisy (compared to the vented compacts I grew up with and indeed by most standards), often with the sound of shearing metal!

I've found it's best used without the condensor - an open window is quite sufficient and one can use full heat without cremating the clothes. Mind you, it did end up emitting a smoky haze the other week...I suspect its days are numbered. I much prefer to line dry anyway!

SuperElectronic++1-2-2010-17-00-11.jpg
 
All done!

Here are the whites on the line in my garden...just the way things should be!

LOL @ Ronhic - I've considered the elderly relative donation ruse! Maybe it'll fly. As to the door seal - sorry - very hardwearing! An accident with the control module would make it sufficiently beyond repair, as it goes....Lord knows how I would engineer that one, though.

SuperElectronic++1-2-2010-17-11-43.jpg
 
Actually, Beko washing machines are proving to be a cheap, yet reliable and high performing brand. I know a lot of people now with Beko washers - old and new. And all are very pleased with them.
 
I've had two glasses of port since I started...

...so what the hell - face to a name time!

I did not paint the bedroom pink - it CAME that way. I can advocate the colour choice as being very flattering on pale skin, however. Coupled with the unintentional soft focus I could almost pass for a boy of 20 again!

SuperElectronic++1-2-2010-17-22-31.jpg
 
I LOVE your house

it's right up my street!

As for the washer, well I appreciate that you aren't fond of it, but just think of the junk out there now that your landlord could replace it with. If I were in your position and ended up with a God awful Indesit/Hotpoint or Hoover/Candy, or...heaven forbid...a HAIER!!! I'd be rummaging through the rubbish tip to get the old one back!

I'd love to know who made this machine, my Uncle has an earlier model and I've never been sure as to what they actually are.

Matt
 
Thank you and goodnight!

So there we have it: I've well and truly plundered my resources now. I guess the next step would be a video but that might not arrive for a while yet.

Thank you for joining me on my anniversary celebration - I hope one or two of you will find some sort of interest in the comparitive oddity of my machine. How the hell I ended up with two of the things is beyond me (had one at another house); I'm going for karma or something like that. Maybe one day I'll get to have a fully functioning, well programmed modern machine! I can live in hope anyway...

By the way - I think the machine is technically a Blomberg rebagde: Proline is what I'd term a non-brand exclusive to Comet in the UK. Their current models are by someone else it seems (possibly Haier) - when I looked at one last year the build quality was certainly somewhat inferior.

Bye for now!

Alex
 
I'm going just say what Matt was beating around the bush about (those guys who talk to me often know how direct I am - so apologies I am not trying to be rude).

Count your blessings. It could be a LOT worse. You can have a new Haier, Hoover/Candy or Merloni (Hotpoint, Indesit, Servis, Ariston) machine. That would be so much worse than what you have. Granted, it could be better. But Blomberg weren't bad washers at all and very popular in Europe, so I understand. Plus, 15 years is not bad going for a washer these days.
 
Hoovering the hallway...

...is done using one of these!

Nearly a Lux 502, Aquacycle - just a later incarnation. Actually, my mum had the 502 2nd hand when I was a kid in the mid 80s. I remember well it being constantly blocked and it having to rodded out due to the bellows at the rear being split (money was very tight then!).

As to the future of my washday, I'd happily opt for a twin tub and move in a dishwasher so that I'm not chained to that f___ing sink every evening! A couple of hours on Saturday getting busy with the twinnie on the other hand would suit well. Can't see the housemates going for that one, though...hey ho!

Thanks for the compliments on the house, by the way. I refer to it as the "Queen Vic" on account of the hallway decor (not quite the East End here, being the wrong side of the river). Sadly no bar in the front room - not even a pineapple ice bucket, though we do have Babycham glasses...

;)

Alex

SuperElectronic++1-2-2010-17-52-50.jpg
 
I Love your house too!

And your choice of Vacuums, I kinda like the washer to,simple yet effictive, but I dont think I could live w/o a dishwasher lol. I may be spoiled but Ill take the clothes to the laundry rather than give up my dishwasher.Happy anniversary!!!
 
I would not like to see that hall carpet

with a hangover! Seriously though, that Proline is almost vintage at the moment, no matter how much you hate it - so at the point where it gives up the ghost/you just get fed up with it, you should make sure it does not go to the dump.

As for a dishwasher, could you not relocate yr fridge and put a D/W there, even if you had to sacrifice the small cupboard beside. A smaller alternative would be a Bosch table top model, agreed much smaller capacity, but they have been around for years (earlier models Bosch Butler) - to the point where even they are almost vintage and there are usually a good few from ebay too
Al (another one! But not Alex)
 
Feeling the love...

...for the vacs here!

I'm afraid I can't take any credit for the choice of equipment though I do love my Lux Turbo 2 - if I HAD chosen, it or one of the 500 series would have been top of the list.

The little Dirt Devil hand held number is also a winner for me - far more practical than the cylinder for stairs and furniture, especially with the mini brushroll.

The Philips Paris cylinder has vac emphysema. It's an interesting design with the permanent cloth bag, seemingly no pre-motor filter and certainly is sturdy. When I moved in 5 years ago it was also very quiet...sadly no longer the case. I'd happily replace it so if anyone wants it they're welcome to it as a repair job! Ideally I'd have a vintage Hoover cylinder...unfortunatley my parents have just thrown away our 1983 Compact, though (best tools in the business and I do like a stretchy hose). Much of the current output leaves me cold.

Whilst I do have an interest in the vacs, I shall refrain from joining Discuss-o-Vac since it seems very much to be a collectors' club and I have no real collection agenda; the interest is also somewhat secondary to washers. I did happen to cast an eye over there last night and had the best laugh in ages thanks to a certain thread (link below); quite frankly, if that sort of lewd and filthy talk is par for the course, I shall be visiting more often.

As to the dishwasher plan, well...we could perhaps do away with the kitchen table and move the small fridge to make way for a slimline DW. The drain plumbing would need changing, though. More hassle than it's worth probably, overall. One of my housemates also said he didn't like dishwashers...just a shame he's not a touch keener on actually doing the dishes, then!

Oh, and by the way, I know things could be much worse on the washer front...although it might be quite a novelty to have a machine that breaks down more often if I'm not paying for the repairs - gives one an excuse to try others' machines (though maybe not the landlords next door with the modern Servis...no, ta).

Adieu!

Alex

P.S. the link is NOT suitable for anyone following a low-camp regime.

http://www.vacuumland.org/TD/THREADS/MODERN/7779.htm?172
 
Alex

I agree with you about the usefulness of the Hoover cylinders with the double-stretch hoses.

With the modern fixed-length plastic hoses, when cleaning high surfaces, you have to either humph the cleaner along in one hand whilst manipulating the hose in the other, or else stick on the extension tubes - which makes cleaning seem like performing keyhole surgery with snooker cues.
 

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