Old GE portable on eBay

[dnastrau]

Greetings!

Check out this old GE portable. I imagine that it is pretty rare. It looks like a '60's model doesn't it? I wonder if is the same mechanically as a similar vintage GE full size and if parts are available?

Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ge-Portable-Was...ryZ71256QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[gizmo]

This is a Japanese machine from the 1970s. They were made by Hitachi, rebadged as GE for markets in USA, Australia, I believe Canada too.
They have a simple mechanism with a flat pulsator (impeller) in the bottom of the tub. The impeller spins for about 20 seconds each way. A solenoid operated clutch/brake assembly switches from wash to spin. Impeller speed = spin speed which is something around 800 rpm.

They take a tiny load and are quite prone to tangling if even slightly overloaded. (Later machines turn the impeller for a much shorter time each way, and incorporated a reduction gear to reduce impeller speed. These changes reduced tangling.)

These machines are VERY lightly built, but despite that they seem to be well made and there are a surprising number of survivors.

Chris.

 

[dnastrau]

Hitachi, rebadged as GE

Hi Chris:

Very interesting information. I had never seen one of these before stumbling on this auction on eBay.

Thanks,

Andrew S.

 

[mistereric]

i'd love...

to pick this up but i can't get out to scranton in the next few weeks. any members in the scranton area?