Riber Comb-o-matic

[bustacheride]

First, let me thank you for the information I have already found in older threads in this forum. I have a Riber Comb-o-matic installed in a motor coach from 1984. I have no documentation on it, and there is no data plate visible on the back. The sides, top and bottom are very difficult to access, as it is installed in custom cabinetry. Google was of little help until I searched images and found a picture of a Colston Ariston 850XD that looked very similar. That led me to this thread:

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?49745

I now suspect that my unit is very similar to the 950XD, judging from the four front buttons and the configuration of hose inlets and dryer exhaust ports on the back. It is 120V 60 Hz, and connected to a 20 Amp breaker.

I am interested in learning anything I can about this and similar models. It appears to work well, except it doesn’t tumble during the dry cycle. I thought I’d see what information is available before I went any further in troubleshooting.

 

[bustacheride]

Here is a picture of the back of the unit.

 

[gizmo]

It is an Indesit.
They were sold in Australia badged as Indesit WD800 and Lemair WD800. The ones sold here had electric heater for the wash water, and ran on 240 volts. But they are clearly the same machine, just minor variation to suit the different electrc supplies. Probably made in Italy though they were also made in South Africa.

Not sure about the fault, suspect a timer fault? Does it tumble OK during the wash but not the dry?

 

[ozzie908]

If memory serves me well I believe

the dryer timer controls the motor for tumbling via the wash timer so it may pay you to check to see if its got a burnt out connection between the 2 timers.
In the UK these were indeed known as Ariston 950XD or the more common 850XD the buttons on the front did not select the water temp though as that was done via the wash timer.

Sorry I cannot help you any more as its a long time ago I took one apart....:0)

Austin

 

[bustacheride]

Thank you for your responses. I was able to get it working last night by replacing the run capacitor on the drum motor. It has run a few loads since, and dries surprisingly well for 120v. After reading horror stories from owners of newer combo units, I’m happy to have one that is still easily serviceable.

 

[gorenje]

Hello Chad,

Wow! What an interesting property.

Well this is in fact not an Indesit. In the UK these machines were sold under the brand Colston Ariston. But they were made by Riber, an indipendent Italian manufacturer from Torino (IT).

Unfortunately the Company went bankrupt.

They made some forefront machines and of very good quality. They also made the only one (for what I know) solid tube drum in a frontloader. Ok yes it's a bit strange, it wasn't a comlpete solid drum, because it had some holes on the back of the drum but wasn't perforated just like all washing machines drums in Europe.

Ingemar

 

[gorenje]

An old commercial for Riber washers

 

[gorenje]

[No message]

 

[gorenje]

[No message]

 

[gorenje]

[No message]

 

[gizmo]

Well, you learn something every day...

thanks.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Colston Ariston Riber Combo Matic

Great combination washer dryer machine, full air flow and venting , good Washing n rinsing and pulse spinning , very well made, great to see one custom made for your market ...have included a leaflet that was sent out with every machine as they are very different to using separates.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Colston Ariston Riber Combo Matic

And simple instruction programme guide !!

 

[iej]

There was one of these in my family home in the 1980s, although I think my folks gave up on the dryer function as it was too small. It was mostly only ever used as a washing machine. It was branded as Thor 850XD here but has a Riber badge on the back panel.

I seem to remember it was prone to problems with the pump. They had the weirdest filter, which looked like a brush. It's like a circular thing with lots of plastic spines. Most machines just gave a coin / button trap to prevent large objects going through the pump, but this thing used to become extremely clogged and was very difficult to clean without flooding the utility room.

At that time we also had a Hoover Tumble Dryer Delux of some sort, which was where most of the drying was done. I only ever remember that 850XD being used to dry very small loads.

Your machine has no lint filter installed, so I assume those steam exhaust hoses are potentially not too clean.