Question about "33 wide Rca Whirlpool washer/dryer combo from 1958

[fredriksam]

I have seen such a machine in reality here in Sweden, as well as in the museum here. I have a few questions about the machine.

1 how fast did it spin?
2 How long did it take from wash to finish drying?
3 Was it a popular machine in USA?
4 Was there any fires or other problems with this machine?
5 Did the machine stood still in spin or could it "wander" a bit? (i saw the machine in the clip stood still but who knows, Just curious)

I was really surprised to see one of these machines here in Sweden one day. It was at the garbage place we collect the machines from. This was before i,ve read about the machine, but i wrote down the name and such to find more info about it. I found a link to this page.

 

[appnut]

Fredricksam

The spin speed was about 225 rpms

It took 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours from start to finish

Yes, this machine was popular in the USA, but Whirlpool produced this machine under the Kenmore Brand for Sears--Sears so a lot of these, as well as other combos from 1958 to 1973 o4 1974. My next door neiighbor had the Lady Kenmore version of this machine from 1960 to 1965.

I am not aware of any fires

The machine had such a slow spin speed because Bendix had patents on everything associated with a suspension system in washer/dryer combos

If I've said something wrong, I know someone will corect it for me.

 

[drmitch]

Hi Fredrik, and Welcome!

 

[fredriksam]

Funny thing that the spin speed only was 225 rpm.

Nowadays (here in sweden) we have those washer/dryer combos that spins at 1400 rpm. But they take time. A friend has one. It takes almost 4 hours from start to finish and still you cant run a full load. Its of course a frontloaded machine. The machines are sold under the names: Electrolux, Husquarna, Selectro to name a few. They are usually made in Italy

About the question about fires: I have seen ALOT of washer/dryer machines that has burned. Often the Element has gone awry in the machines.

I guess we can safely say one thing: They made better machines before.

 

[Unimatic1140]

1 how fast did it spin?
200rpm

2 How long did it take from wash to finish drying?
about 2 hours

3 Was it a popular machine in USA?
Not terribly popular, but many were sold.

4 Was there any fires or other problems with this machine?
I have no idea

5 Did the machine stood still in spin or could it "wander" a bit? (i saw the machine in the clip stood still but who knows, Just curious)
The machine can wander quite a bit with slightly off balance loads, the video shows a relatively balanced load. I've had the machine wander far enough to pull the vent tube out of the wall.