NEW TIMER DISCOVERY -CRAMER

[jetcone]

I just discovered that my 1956 Bendix has a timer that is relatively unknown! Yes unknown! The Cramer timer.

I sounds completely different I'll try to record it. It goes SNAP.....30 seconds....SNAP between advancements.

Robert tried to tell me I was crazy and that I had a defective RobertShaw escapement on my hands but I persisted inspite of all the protests!

I opened up the machine and here are the photos of the Cramer timer. YAY! Its like no other, it looks very much like the later Frigidaire 1-18 Timer blocks but its mechanism is no where near the same and besides they don't SNAP!

See for your self the photographic evidence is here

 

[jetcone]

Side view installed in

my 1956 Bendix Automatic

 

[jetcone]

Here I found the manual

on them in an old Bendix doctrine:
Page 1

 

[jetcone]

Heres

Page 2

 

[jetcone]

Here;s Page

3

 

[jetcone]

And Page

Page 4

 

[jetcone]

And the final page from Doctrine

Page 5

 

[jetcone]

As you can see

in the early pictures the swtich box has the original bullet connectors which is what mine has but in the last two photos you can see the newer flat flag style connectors so this timer must have run production for a few years through the 50's with Bendix.

jon

 

[Unimatic1140]

Very cool Jon, it sort of looks like a Kingston timer from the 60's! I've never seen a Cramer timer before.

 

[jetcone]

Yes I think you are right

Robert, but it makes the coolest sound like a ker-snap. I've got to record it for you.

I think Kingston was the timer used on the 1-18 machines.

The motor is silent all you hear is an intermittent ker-snap.

 

[retromom]

Jon, you got some 'splainin' to do!

Well, I asked a ditzy question of the keymatic keys, so I'll ask one of the timers...

Did Cramer make timers for any other washers/appliances?

If you absolutely, positively had to replace the timer on the Bendix, could you use another type; like the Kingston?

Was it standard manufacturing procedure to change the type of timer used in production machines? Would it have been a cost, availability, or quality factor?

I apologize in advance; Mercury retrograde ;-)

 

[jetcone]

Hi Venus

I don't know if Cramer made timers for other machines as I have just "discovered" them but I'll keep my eye on the lookout from now on for sure.
I do know my WFC-D washer came with either a Mallory or a Cramer timer and that would have meant it was dependant on the cost at the time of manufacture. So Cramer must have been undercutting the market which unfortunately put them in a weak position. Its a cool timer.
So you could replace it with a Mallory if you were stuck.
But I will be crusing ebay now for Cramer timers to see whats out there.
Don't fret Mercury Retrograde is now over YAY!

 

[gansky1]

Oh, that's very cool.

Is that timer sweating?

 

[chestermikeuk]

Timers

Hi Jon

Is this from the washer dryer?? was it common to use different manufacturers or did companies tend to use the same components??

This is a "New/Old" MIB "Thermomatic" timer which was used in the 60`s Giromatic, the company making these Chamberlain & Hookham where an old establish arms & munitions manufacturer who later produced household electricity meters and other electro/mechanical components...

 

[chestermikeuk]

MIB

 

[jetcone]

Mike

That looks like our Mallory, Singer timers which were also used on Bendix. But I just realized they may have gone to the Cramer because it is so flat.

Greg pointed out to me it looks like the tub weight is going to hit the timer when it Gyrates but it is so flat that it won't.
If they had used the Mallory which is boxy the tub weight might hit it in unbalance.
This Bendix was different in that it had its controls mounted right up front on the machine so clearance would have been an issue.

 

[peteski50]

Bendix!

Hi Jon,
I love the style of the Bendix you posted. I believe they didn't make that model for long. Am I correct. I wonder why they didn't continue with this style.
Peter

 

[gadgetgary]

If I am correct....

Wasn't a Bendix in the 'Hazel' TV series?

 

[jetcone]

Hi Peter And GG

Yes this is from what I can gather a 1956 and was made only this year, in 1957 they moved the controls to the rear left like Mike's machine in England.
It is pretty and very functional too, Bendix was not always at the top of the style list but this model sure puts it there.
GG I can't remember if there was a Bendix on Hazel, but it probably would have been a Philco Bendix by then.
Does anybody have the show on DVD so we can check?
In late 1957 they sold out to Philco which ended up being a good thing for us. As Philco owned Dexter and Dexter bought all the molding for the original Combos for their successful commercial bolt down machines and so now you can still get pumps and tranny parts for the Combos and can retro fit the Combo pumps to the Gyramatic machines.