I'm a little confused as to why Whirlpool doesn't sell a modern version of the Calypso wash system. They offer a more effective wash action than the current cabrio line, all while conserving water (12 gallons total iirc?). Sounds like a win-win to me. Any ideas?
New Calypso?
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Calypso Washers
Were very effective and remain one of my favorite modern washers, I intend to always keep one around.
Its biggest problem was it was much too complicated and expensive to build, so I don't think you will be seeing it coming back.
Because of the high build cost they were never to offer a lower cost version, they generally sold for $1000-1300.
Then the thing that really killed them was the fact for some strange marketing reason they used the Calypso name on both the Kenmore and Whirlpool versions and with the rise of the Internet the Calypso quickly developed a bad reputation when any repair or performance occurred. Sears even dropped the Calypso name on their last model of the washer and just called it a Kenmore Elite.
But overall it is a great performing washer, grab one soon they are disappearing fast, now that they are 10-16 years old I would guess that far less than 1/2 of them are still around, maybe far less.
Were very effective and remain one of my favorite modern washers, I intend to always keep one around.
Its biggest problem was it was much too complicated and expensive to build, so I don't think you will be seeing it coming back.
Because of the high build cost they were never to offer a lower cost version, they generally sold for $1000-1300.
Then the thing that really killed them was the fact for some strange marketing reason they used the Calypso name on both the Kenmore and Whirlpool versions and with the rise of the Internet the Calypso quickly developed a bad reputation when any repair or performance occurred. Sears even dropped the Calypso name on their last model of the washer and just called it a Kenmore Elite.
But overall it is a great performing washer, grab one soon they are disappearing fast, now that they are 10-16 years old I would guess that far less than 1/2 of them are still around, maybe far less.
joeypete
Well-known member
They are def cool machines! Like John said, they clean very well with little water. It's too bad their reputation killed them. I've seen maybe 2 on CL in almost 2 years so they can be hard to find. I would love to grab one.
stricklybojack
Well-known member
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Vacation cabin area:
Whirlpool Calypso washer & dryer - $400 (Big Bear Lake, CA)
Like new and in perfect working order. You pick up.
Vacation cabin area:
Whirlpool Calypso washer & dryer - $400 (Big Bear Lake, CA)
Like new and in perfect working order. You pick up.
Love my Calypso! Wish I could get to refurbing the spare one I have but it's rough with TX-coast rusting ... and at back of the garage on the 4th row of machines.
I think Whirlpool was also scared-off from continuing production due to a bunch of dumb-@ss consumers who couldn't get a grip on using them properly and/or modifying laundry habits accordingly. There was a bunch of misinformation spread around due to misunderstanding how the machine works, such as people saying they reused the wash water for rinsing.
Parts have gotten very expensive. A replacement touchpanel was $250 last time I checked. Some items have probably gone NLA.
Ironic how the Calypso is one of the better "old school" washers per se, but back then consumers complained about them. Will we be saying the same thing about the current Cabrio's in 15 years?
I didn't realize these machines were so expensive to produce. I've read that the Calypso's used PSC motors for both the wash/spin action and the recirculation/drain pump. Keep in mind that Whirlpool's relatively inexpensive belt drive machines use a PSC motor as well. In theory, couldn't they use this same inexpensive PSC belt drive system but use it to drive the Calypso's opposed hub nutation mechanism? It would definitely offer much more effective washing with low water usage than the current Cabrio's, especially with larger loads or bulkier items.
I didn't realize these machines were so expensive to produce. I've read that the Calypso's used PSC motors for both the wash/spin action and the recirculation/drain pump. Keep in mind that Whirlpool's relatively inexpensive belt drive machines use a PSC motor as well. In theory, couldn't they use this same inexpensive PSC belt drive system but use it to drive the Calypso's opposed hub nutation mechanism? It would definitely offer much more effective washing with low water usage than the current Cabrio's, especially with larger loads or bulkier items.
The nutation mechanism was the expensive part, The Calypso used a PSC motor for the water pump, but it had an expensive 3 phase variable speed motor for the main drive.
Calypsos easily had ten times as many parts as the DD Cabrios.
Calypsos easily had ten times as many parts as the DD Cabrios.
My husband's uncle, who is a major junk hoarder (I'm talking doggy trails through their garage and parts of their house), has a Calypso buried under a mountain of useless rubbish, and I'd love to say something to him about possibly buying it from him to try restoring, but I have no idea what kind of condition it's in or if he's "planning on doing something with it one day". No clue what the model or year is, I just know at Thanksgiving while begrudgingly getting through the visit, I noticed the lid trim poking out and instantly recognized it, after noticing the side of an appliance with the telltale Whirlpool side panel design. I'm sure a machine like that would easily cost $2000+ if it were sold in today's world. I can't think of any home appliance available now with as complex a design.
Remember seeing Calypso washers in the both swap shops here at one time.Sadly saw several of them in the appliance dumpster at the dump here.
Seems like the Calypso was the Dyson Contrarotator of the US... Except the main drive component that made it special was up to 900£ at the time.
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