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Philips Variotronic 082 - Another classic saved
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Hot and cold fill
Hot on the left, cold on the right
Hot on the left, cold on the right
Cold fill only
No "Y" connectors on this machine! I well remember when I got my first one how the instructions showed how to easily convert the machine to cold fill only. In the previous picture you can see a spare terminal on the cold solenoid. You simply take the cable from the hot and attach it to the spare terminal
No "Y" connectors on this machine! I well remember when I got my first one how the instructions showed how to easily convert the machine to cold fill only. In the previous picture you can see a spare terminal on the cold solenoid. You simply take the cable from the hot and attach it to the spare terminal
Made in Britain
I knew that other (earlier) Philips machines had been made in France, and my memory said thsi was too. But no ....
I knew that other (earlier) Philips machines had been made in France, and my memory said thsi was too. But no ....
Last pic
Chris
yes, pull for on
here is a close up of the programme knob.
Actually i am very gratful to Paul for drawing this machine to my attention, not the least because it actually works. I have some video shot as well, but that may have to wait until tomorrow
Al
Chris
yes, pull for on
here is a close up of the programme knob.
Actually i am very gratful to Paul for drawing this machine to my attention, not the least because it actually works. I have some video shot as well, but that may have to wait until tomorrow
Al
Go to video
Quick video on the link. This machine was designed to launch into the spin while the drum was still full of water. And for those who complain of low rinse water levels you can see this does not suffer from that problem. I might add that the regular (as opposed to delicate) programmes have five, yes FIVE, rinses! I am on metered water where I live, I dont think I will be using it all that often.
The video has been edited, it does take quite a bit longer on this rinse, which is the one where fabric softner is added
Al
Quick video on the link. This machine was designed to launch into the spin while the drum was still full of water. And for those who complain of low rinse water levels you can see this does not suffer from that problem. I might add that the regular (as opposed to delicate) programmes have five, yes FIVE, rinses! I am on metered water where I live, I dont think I will be using it all that often.
The video has been edited, it does take quite a bit longer on this rinse, which is the one where fabric softner is added
Al
Wonderful machine! Don't you love that wash drama with the water still in the drum? I love the series with the timer on the left. Those machines are a bit older than the ones with the timer on the right.
electron1100
Well-known member
Philips "Simply Years Ahead"
These are such very smart machines, and yours looks to in excellent condition, well done again Al, lovely lovely lovely
These are such very smart machines, and yours looks to in excellent condition, well done again Al, lovely lovely lovely
superelectronic
Well-known member
Costly to run?
What a gorgeous machine! And what thorough action too - not just those 5 deep rinses but a very positive wash action from what I've seen. Water hog it may be but at least it makes good use of what it's filled with - none of that infuriating filling to high level only to drain immediately after a few anaemic tumbles like some machines of its era. You can be in no doubt the clothes have been well washed!
I have to confess some ignorance to the exact workings of the permanent magnet motor - just why does it need more electricity at the lower wash rpm than to spin? On the cost front it's not just the metered water you'd be thinking of - pulling a full 1050 watts for the best part of an hour (it's not a workshy machine) would soon run up the electricity bill!
Alex
What a gorgeous machine! And what thorough action too - not just those 5 deep rinses but a very positive wash action from what I've seen. Water hog it may be but at least it makes good use of what it's filled with - none of that infuriating filling to high level only to drain immediately after a few anaemic tumbles like some machines of its era. You can be in no doubt the clothes have been well washed!
I have to confess some ignorance to the exact workings of the permanent magnet motor - just why does it need more electricity at the lower wash rpm than to spin? On the cost front it's not just the metered water you'd be thinking of - pulling a full 1050 watts for the best part of an hour (it's not a workshy machine) would soon run up the electricity bill!
Alex
sorry to be a pedant, but...
The photos label the "induction" motor.
It is NOT an induction motor, it is a DC permanent magnet motor.
These are a great little motor, allow a much higher speed spin than the induction motors of the time.
re: the oddity of using more power to tumble than spin...
The Philips machines of the time used a crude, and to my mind awful, method of slowing the speed for the wash (tumble) parts of the cycle - they put the heater element in series with the motor, so that of the 240 volt supply, about 210 volts was dissipated in the heating element and about 30 volts across the motor. This series circuit was switched on and off rapidly (during tumble) using a type of transistor to give more precise speed control.
To keep the explanatory mathematics easy I will assume that the washing motor is consuming 4 amps, x 240 volts = 960 watts. (not far off actual figures)
of this, 4 amps x 210 volts = 840 watts is wasted in the heating element, and 4 amps x 30 volts = 120 watts is used by the motor.
so when washing, the heating element is used to dissipate and waste seven times more energy than the motor actually uses.
this is not the fault of the permag motor(which is in fact exceptionally efficient), but the control circuitry which is a crude design. Using a transformer to supply 25 or 30 volts to the motor for washing would have added a small amount to production cost but would have made for an amazingly efficient machine.
The photos label the "induction" motor.
It is NOT an induction motor, it is a DC permanent magnet motor.
These are a great little motor, allow a much higher speed spin than the induction motors of the time.
re: the oddity of using more power to tumble than spin...
The Philips machines of the time used a crude, and to my mind awful, method of slowing the speed for the wash (tumble) parts of the cycle - they put the heater element in series with the motor, so that of the 240 volt supply, about 210 volts was dissipated in the heating element and about 30 volts across the motor. This series circuit was switched on and off rapidly (during tumble) using a type of transistor to give more precise speed control.
To keep the explanatory mathematics easy I will assume that the washing motor is consuming 4 amps, x 240 volts = 960 watts. (not far off actual figures)
of this, 4 amps x 210 volts = 840 watts is wasted in the heating element, and 4 amps x 30 volts = 120 watts is used by the motor.
so when washing, the heating element is used to dissipate and waste seven times more energy than the motor actually uses.
this is not the fault of the permag motor(which is in fact exceptionally efficient), but the control circuitry which is a crude design. Using a transformer to supply 25 or 30 volts to the motor for washing would have added a small amount to production cost but would have made for an amazingly efficient machine.
Phillips Variatronic
Congratulations Al, now one washer becomes 3 Lol, told you the bug would bite, lovely machine and this is the first version 082 and in 1981 they relaunched the Brown Fascia series, mainly sold through independants of the day and the Co-operative stores....
I started selling the Brown Series at Agri Electrics and they where very popular, the Spin Drain is amazing to watch and of course it was the first machine with the Polypropylene Drum and the much smaller Permag (Permenant Magnet )motor...
These where launched with a 10yr guarantee on each, so confident (and rightly so) that Phillips where, your washer was one of the first made in the UK at the Hipperholme factory in Halifax.
Interestingly that the drum is hung from four springs slung from the cabinet top and two U shaped metal snubbers that the drum rests on, certainly kept them stable, in fact because the drum was wide and had a narrow depth these machines where often used in built in kitchen as they could sit in the space behind a flush kitchen door...
We are on the look out for the rare tub to pump sump hose as you can see it has a groove which just pushes into a hole outlet of the tub no clamp outlet as such...
The matching dryer has been on ebay recently, so all you need now is the 2000sx dishwasher!!!
Enjoy, Mike
Congratulations Al, now one washer becomes 3 Lol, told you the bug would bite, lovely machine and this is the first version 082 and in 1981 they relaunched the Brown Fascia series, mainly sold through independants of the day and the Co-operative stores....
I started selling the Brown Series at Agri Electrics and they where very popular, the Spin Drain is amazing to watch and of course it was the first machine with the Polypropylene Drum and the much smaller Permag (Permenant Magnet )motor...
These where launched with a 10yr guarantee on each, so confident (and rightly so) that Phillips where, your washer was one of the first made in the UK at the Hipperholme factory in Halifax.
Interestingly that the drum is hung from four springs slung from the cabinet top and two U shaped metal snubbers that the drum rests on, certainly kept them stable, in fact because the drum was wide and had a narrow depth these machines where often used in built in kitchen as they could sit in the space behind a flush kitchen door...
We are on the look out for the rare tub to pump sump hose as you can see it has a groove which just pushes into a hole outlet of the tub no clamp outlet as such...
The matching dryer has been on ebay recently, so all you need now is the 2000sx dishwasher!!!
Enjoy, Mike
matchboxpaul
Well-known member
Superb machine!
Hi Al.
As I mentioned when I spoke with you, I am over the moon that you were able to acquire this machine.
I grew up with one of these machines.... sort of.
The nan of my best mates (mine and their families are very close) owned one of these machines and, for all I know, it might still be going.
They also had a Creda 275 compact dryer which, when it gave up the ghost, was gifted to me when I was about 4 years old and a Miele dishwasher.
Though I saw their Variatronic regularly, I never saw it at work, so its great to be able to right that wrong - thanks for the video Al.
The ebay photo was not particularly good and I couldnt decide whether the machines fascia was worn or not. Your photos show that the machine is in absolutely pristine condition, which makes it all the more satisfying that it has found a good home.
Happy tinkering, Al.
Cheers
Paul
p.s - how to date Philips machines - on front loaders, open the door and check the hinge sticker...
Hi Al.
As I mentioned when I spoke with you, I am over the moon that you were able to acquire this machine.
I grew up with one of these machines.... sort of.
The nan of my best mates (mine and their families are very close) owned one of these machines and, for all I know, it might still be going.
They also had a Creda 275 compact dryer which, when it gave up the ghost, was gifted to me when I was about 4 years old and a Miele dishwasher.
Though I saw their Variatronic regularly, I never saw it at work, so its great to be able to right that wrong - thanks for the video Al.
The ebay photo was not particularly good and I couldnt decide whether the machines fascia was worn or not. Your photos show that the machine is in absolutely pristine condition, which makes it all the more satisfying that it has found a good home.
Happy tinkering, Al.
Cheers
Paul
p.s - how to date Philips machines - on front loaders, open the door and check the hinge sticker...
matchboxpaul
Well-known member
Galway Advertiser - 18th September 1980...
Cunniffe Electric in Galway Shopping Centre...
Cunniffe Electric in Galway Shopping Centre...
matchboxpaul
Well-known member
Good Housekeeping - May 1980...
advert courtesy of Mike King's collection...
advert courtesy of Mike King's collection...
newwave1
Well-known member
I have had the joy of using one of these several times when I was young. My dads best friend had a set. I'd love one for sure.
I would love to see what they would be like in the modern day.
Darren
I would love to see what they would be like in the modern day.
Darren
Dating the machine
Paul
Thanks very much for the hint about dating the machine - January 1980 it is then - just a few weeks off 32 years old.
Mike
Interesting to see the cut-away picture you posted, they had something similar in the showroom when I bought mine. And a very good point about the depth of the machine (just under 21 inches) not only for placing it behinh a door but ideal for those occasions where the stand pipe an taps are right behind the machine - I HATE seeing washing machines and dishwasher sticking out beyond the line of cupboards
Al
Paul
Thanks very much for the hint about dating the machine - January 1980 it is then - just a few weeks off 32 years old.
Mike
Interesting to see the cut-away picture you posted, they had something similar in the showroom when I bought mine. And a very good point about the depth of the machine (just under 21 inches) not only for placing it behinh a door but ideal for those occasions where the stand pipe an taps are right behind the machine - I HATE seeing washing machines and dishwasher sticking out beyond the line of cupboards
Al
