I love the simplicity of this Whirlpool machine! Since the dial indicates “fill” to begin the wash cycle, I am assuming this was a timed fill? If so, would it work if one desired a 3-minute wash instead of a 15-minute wash?
The specifications say fill is controlled by a pressure switch to ensure the proper level is reached before the timer starts ... and also that fill is automatically controlled by the pressure switch for a full load or selective to any level for partial loads.
That probably means the timer could be manually turned out of the "Fill" range to start agitation at a lower level.
WP didn't have any time-filled machines far as I know.
Thanks for the prompt reply. I didn’t think WP had timed fill, either, but the way the dial reads just wasn’t sure. I assume this machine must have just filled up as a full load, as it doesn’t appear to have any water level control...
sounds to me like only one incoming hose from your faucet, you choose the temp for wash, then you later decide on rinse temp by turning the sink faucets.
Also, I bet you could get as long a wash at low water level as you want as long as you let it run three minutes, stop, turn the dial back to three more minutes, etc. So a VERY basic machine, but better than carrying stuff to a laundromat!
My mother had a Kenmore like that with 1 inlet hose so you had to have a Y diverter you could adjust the temp on and you could keep running back every 3 minutes to do a longer wash at a lower level.
Comical description of Damp Dry as a "safe" 500 rpm.
Safe compared to what? Safe why? Is 510 rpm "unsafe"?
Westinghouse Washand Dry would be "very safe" I suppose.
I myself remember these machines when I was a kid. That Fill marking was confusing and one may assume it is timed fill! It was explained to me by a friend that had a time line Imperial from 58 that it was a range than I understood. Perhaps they could have used the word Start instead of Fill and maybe it would have been less confusing! Their was a thread awhile back about this!
I guess this was a thing on the earlier WP machines... The 51 Kenmore and the 56 Whirlpool Imperial both have a 'Fill' section on the timer dials. I don't have the user manual to either of these, but I'd have to guess that the intent was to permit the user to run a partial tub load of water into the machine, then advance the timer into wash. Hmmm... both of these are currently not hooked up. Guess what I'm gonna do on my Christmas vacation?? LOL
My '55 Kenmore has a fill period anywhere from 20 down to 10 minutes----then agitation begins. So no matter what the water level you could get 10 minutes of wash time.
Some models had the labeled fill range on the timer but did not agitate directly outside the range.
Our 1962 WP had selectable high/med/low levels, with Fill marked on Normal from the beginning to (I think) 6 mins but the pressure switch was in control for the entire wash time. Delicate had Fill marked also but I don't recall for how much of the wash period, which was only 4 mins total.
Paul, I think I need a bowl to catch my drool over your ‘56 WP! Beautiful machine — I forgot you had that in your amazing collection. Can’t wait to hear about your “test” results!