New Hotpoint 1504 toploader

[sesteve]

Here is one of the dampers and the suspension springs. the damper mounting changed in later models and the springs were not as shiny as this!

I'm going to have to leave the post there for today (I should have been doing work) and upload the rest of the pictures tomorrow.

 

[vacbear58]

1504

Thanks for taking the time to do such a great narrative Steve, it was a great find, thanks for sharing "the love".

Al

 

[keymatic3203]

Great machine

you've got yourself there Steve, well worth delaying the home improvements for, no that you've time for that with all these lovely machine to enjoy.

Maybe I'm wrong but I'd always assumed the anti squeal spring on the clutch was to conduct the heat away from the clutch as it slips for the duration of the static drain, and perhaps at twice the speed why the 2 pole motor required 2 springs, they are in a way like convector heater coils.

This clutch slip I know is engineered to a tolerance etc, but with my engineering hat on, I've never liked the fact the clutch slips for several minutes creating heat that has to be dispersed, whilst the tub drains, it obviously works reliably as proved for going on 40 years, it just isn't a very elegant solution in my view.

Thanks for showing all these photos of the packaging, these are all memories for many of us, I certainly remember unpacking our new 18*** 2 button bol model machine in november1979, (not long after the purple was replaced by the brown and silver colour scheme), unbolting the bracket holding the tub in place and cardboard sections etc, these are the photos you can't take with restoration projects, so great to see the original packaging here. They certainly only gave away persil automatic and comfort by 1979.

So look forward to reading and seeing about the first wash.

Mathew

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hotpoint Top Loading Automatics....

Fantastic find there Steve, and a pleasure to see the packaging from the "Delivery Days" getting quite the Top loader launderama down there, will have to have a visit when its all complete!!

I picked one of these up as a trade in mid 80`s, needed a new belt and sold it to my sisters boyfriend, worked for his mum and large family until recently!! A great design that stood the test of time and delivered solid reliability...the pub near us growing up had one in the kitchen upstairs, it was in a front window with low sill and could be seen from outside, also it pumped out into a trough drain and then down a long pipe, you could see the steam rising and smell the boiling whites Persil sudsy water when emptying....

Now get that Persil opened and make that Suds Cake...

 

[triumphdolomite]

1504

That looks great Steve, I'm glad it went to a good home. I hear that you prompted the seller to be on the lookout for other rare Hotpoint models! Here's a quick shot of it's long term storage partner installed and doing what it should after 42 years. I assume you're going to put it through its paces, look forward to seeing some pictures of it in action.
Ian

 

[keymatic]

Evening Steve,
Fantastic find in all it's glory !! Welcome to the 1504 club
Are you planning on using yours ? I luv mine and would'nt change it for the world.
Happy washing
Keith

 

[sesteve]

Hey Al - Hope you are well and settled into your new place. Was worried it might bore people so glad it's been interesting. Will do some more tomorrow.

Mathew - I hadn't thought about heat dissipation. I've had another look at the service manual to see if there are any clues. It states that the 2 pole replacement motors were introduced in October 1977 and after March 1978 an extra groove was machined in the clutch housing and a second anti-squeal spring was fitted. I guess the build up of heat could cause the squealing? Not sure of what but I think your explanation is probably right and can't find any other mention of it.

It was great to get the box for both this and the 1509. I love the design on this one with the bubbles and the date is great too - what a Valentine's Day pressie.

Haha I remember those suds cakes Mike - would occasionally see one in my mums machine - she used Daz mainly although Lux flakes for curtains and Stergene for woollies. Shame you can't get big box non automatic powder now - the modern boxes are really small. Will have to stoke up the hot water for a top loader wash in at some point!

Ian - that cooker is fantastic - I had a good look at it when I picked the machine up. The chap we got these off was really nice but said he wouldn't tell me how much he paid to save me from tears lol. I have been in two minds about using it but am sure I will soon. I actually bought some new taps so I could use the tap adapters but they are not as they looked in the picture and they won't fit so will have to keep my eye out for some second hand ones - how sad am I! I did think if he's managed to get these beauties then he should be briefed on other potential finds - here's hoping

 

[sesteve]

Hi Keith

Thanks - yes will be using I'm sure - will retire the 1509 for a while at least. I'm looking forward to hearing the difference between the 2 and 4 pole motors. Funnily enough, while I was researching the 1504 another used one appeared in Birmingham on free cycle back in December. It looked like it was being used to test textiles as was a bit worn. Wonder if anyone spotted it and got it - amazing for 2 to come up. Just shows you that there are still classic out there.

S

 

[sesteve]

Here's the link to the 1504 that was advertised in Birmingham on Freecycle back in December - I only saw this recently buy it may still be available if anyone is interested

http://https//groups.freecycle.org/group/birmingham_freecycle/posts/44387733

 

[sesteve]

Back to the pics

The support tube, brake solenoid and the gearbox which has a bit of surface rust on it

 

[sesteve]

bellows seal. Not sure what the sticky out bit on the support tube is for. Also you can see the lack of wiring connections on the bottom of the tub...

 

[sesteve]

close up of the pump with the larger drive pulley and flexible drive. Later pumps were redesigned with a smaller pulley and the impeller reduced to 2 blades

 

[sesteve]

The reason for the reduction in wires is the hydraulic thermostat which operates via a capillary tube which you can see here. Also some sloppy cabinet finish with those runs

 

[sesteve]

The pressure bottle is also a different design and the rubber tube from it is all sparkly for some reason

 

[sesteve]

A close up of the fill valves

 

[sesteve]

The fill arrangement is very different to the later models. Firstly the later models discharge directly over the rear of the tub from an air break sat right under the water inlet valves. Here this one is connected to the side of the tub.

 

[sesteve]

this is via a water inlet and funnel arrangement at the right hand side of the console (from the rear view). This acts as an air break. Also I forgot to mention above that there is no bowl overflow on this model either.

 

[sesteve]

Here's a picture of it in the service manual. Can see now why they simplified it

 

[sesteve]

Timer

 

[sesteve]

Thermostat. The motor relay and overload is on the bottom right of the picture

 

[sesteve]

And a top view of the console showing the pressure switch as well.

 

[sesteve]

So there she is - one of her younger cousins to the right. Will get round to getting her going and taking some pictures and videos to upload in the next couple of weeks - probably without the tap connectors for now!

S

 

[supermaticjames]

Just to formally congratulate you here Steve. Loving the pictures, it's a dream come true!

James.

 

[ooversanwashers]

I so wanted your washer when I saw it on eBay!

Hi to all I'm a new member and hope I'll be welcome?

Sesteve I saw your washer on eBay and got so exited but you beat me to it!
Will you be using it or keeping it brand new?

 

[triumphtoledo]

How fashions change - or not

There is something so elegant, simplistic, even majestic about the design of these 1504s that the fashion has almost gone full circle and I think would suit a modern kitchen well. The picture that (I think) another member posted, who is using an example of this model everyday, proves it.

R

 

[keymatic]

Hi Triumphtoledo,
Totally agree with what you are saying about going full circle, maybe in the 80's/90's the machine may have been a bit out of place, but with many retro influences in our lives now it fits in well in a modern kitchen.
The B&Q man did take a second look when i said this machine needs to be intergrated into my new kitchen - LOL
Cheers Keith

 

[sesteve]

Hi Luke

I know that feeling but that's eBay for you. I am planning on using it. The room I currently have as a laundry in the house is an en-suite which I am going to convert into a proper utility room so this machine will be integrated into the design - a bit like Keith's.

I think this particular model is a timeless design - so simple yet quite stylish.

Keith - how does yours cope with an unbalanced spin? The 1509 I have can certainly wobble so I'm not sure how much clearance to leave at the sides.

S

 

[askolover]

looks like

a stereo panel!  That's neat!

 

[spiraclean]

What a beautiful machine. Of all the Hotpoint TLs this is my preferred control panel style, very minimalistic yet functional.

I'm in full agreement with the previous posts, the styling has held up remarkably well over the years in spite of its age, and wouldn't look at all out of place in a modern setting. The later brown trimmed models, as much as I still like them, dated a lot more quickly.

Those tap adaptors! I definitely remember them, don't think we got plumbed for an auto until the mid 80s. The nozzle that lets you draw water off while the machine is running always reminds me somewhat of a Supatap, something else you hardly ever see nowadays.

 

[sesteve]

more pictures

Hi all

As another one of these machines has surfaced recently I am putting up some additional pictures I took of my machine as I had to strip it down as it would not get up to full speed on spin - hardly surprising after being sat there for such a long time. Hopefully others will find them helpful.

Starting with the cabinet removed