Built in Heather
Hi Terry,
Most machines in Australia up until the late 70's either had a heater or it was available as an option. (2400W element)
It would take about 90-120 minutes to heat the water from cold to 150degF
I've been curious about how the rest of the solid tub machines heated. (Obviously there is nowhere to put the element) One of my machines, (Simpson) fills into the outer tub, heats and then pumps the water into the wash bowl. The other machine, (Fridgidaire) you fill the inner tub, clip the suds save ball over the end of the drain hose. Spin the water into the outer tub and then heat. To wash, you open the ball on the end of the drain, start pulsating and the water refills via the drain hose.
The Kelvinator would've been a solid tub machine, so it would be interesting to see if it has the same complicated system that the Simpson does.
The advantage of the heater with a perferated tub, was that you got a long progressive heated soak before the wash started. With the solid tubs, the clothes stayed dry until the water was hot.