Old Vulcan Dishlex 1970's ? - how to operate, no instructionss :)

[1970renovate]

Hi Everyone
We just got a house that was built in the late 1970's. It still have the original vulcan dishlex de lux dishwasher & we cant figure out how to operate it properly.
It is a model 2035, serial 0105.
The front panel only has 6 buttons marked from left to right 5, 4 3, 2, 1, on (red). It has no dials.
Sorry for the bad photo of the front panel, will try to get a better one when we next go there.
If anyone can advise of the correct settings on this for washing it would be appreciated.
Thanks _

 

[aussie-plugs]

That's a rebadged SMEG

Dishlex in the mid-70's were rebadged SMEG machines. They were even labelled "Dishlex SMEG", where "Vulcan Dishlex" came later. That's why it says "Made In Italy". It wasn't until early 80's that they made/assembled their own machines completely in AU.

Could you take a closer photo of the buttons and the other indicators on the panel? Perhaps that will give us all some more clues.

Our family's machine was from 1978 and had a dial with its significant markings at Rinse/Hold. Heavy, Normal, Light, Rinses, Dry. If I were going to guess, I'd wonder if your buttons were similar - perhaps Rinse/Hold, Heavy, Normal, Light, Final-Rinse-and-Dry.

Is there perhaps a decal inside the door lip that explains them?

Most importanly, does it actaully operate? At least if it's working, you could time the programs, noting when it fills/drains and how long it washes between those actions. We could all then reverse-engineer its behaviour based on your observations.

Could we enjoy picture of the inside too? Is it a central tower, or have they removed that at this point ...

 

[gizmo]

I have just found an article that says Vulcan bought Dishlex in 1978 and started making their own units 2 years later.

So this is probably a 1978, 79 or possibly a 1980 model.

This might help track down a manual.

A  clearer photo of the buttons would be helpful.

VULCAN LAUNCHES DISHLEX RANGE

Vulcan Industries Pty Ltd is seeking to increase its domination of the dishwasher manufacturing industry in Australia following the national launching of a new range of Dishlex dishwashers.

www.afr.com

 

[1970renovate]

Thanks for the insight into the history of the unit.
I have attached some images as requested.
There is nothing else written on the unit.
We have played with number 5 and number 1 on the keys, both cause the machine to work, though we have not as yet done an in depth analysis of what happens.

 

[aussie-plugs]

Definitely related ...

The filter screen is exactly the same as my mum's E14-10. If you remove it, you'll see the heating element beneath. Those racks look versatile too, with removable tines at the back of the lower rack.

It's great that it still runs ... hopefully the timer will still advance through the progammes and you can work out how it all comes together.

 

[1970renovate]

Thanks for the knowledge.
A user manual would be nice, but google has not come up with anything of use.
We will work through the buttons and see what happens

 

[brisnat81]

That’s definitely almost the last model before Vulcan took over, the wash system and baskets are almost the same as what followed in the Mark 7 onwards.

I’d never seen a Smeg made machine, without the centre tower, so I’ve learnt something new.

That’s covered off the link between the Smeg built machines and the Aussie ones for me.

If you ever decides to sell it, please let me know.

 

[1970renovate]

CLASSIC Dishwasher - FOR SALE

This beaut classic machine is now up for SALE.
It's located in Cooma, NSW, 2630 AUSTRALIA.