Solid State Kenmore Set

[wigwag]

Hello,

Just ran across these and think they are super cool. Don't appear to have much use either and they both work great! I was surprised to see the washer does not have a detergent dispenser. Interestingly Cottons/Sturdy and Towels both seem to produce the exact same wash settings, and times (according to the lid instructions anyway), its got a cycle complete signal and there is a rather interesting sensor of some sort next to the back of the lid (see last picture) anyone know what it is?

Does anyone know what Whirlpools inspiration for going to solid state controls was? I wonder if the technology used here had ever been used in the household market but maybe Atari was out already?

Anyway thought I'd share, you know how much I love the Whirlpools!

Steven

 

[rinso]

I think it is an interesting combination to have the latest technology (at that time) for the control panel, controling a faily old and primative mechanism. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The complex WP/KM belt drive system still merits a Rube Goldberg award. Fascinating design.

 

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another

another

 

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3

3

 

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4

I'm guessing 1980

 

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5

5

 

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6

6

 

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7

7

 

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8

Ok experts, what is this?

 

[gansky1]

Detergent dispenser mounting! There was box that you filled, latched a spring-loaded lid and hung upside-down on that plastic hook. There was a solenoid actuated trip lever that thwacked the latch and the detergent fell into the basket. I soooo wanted to see that working when I was 11.

Very cool finds!

 

[DADoES]

Detergent dispenser. A cup sits atop block. When triggered, the actuator rod pops out and unlocks the bottom of the cup and the detergent dose drops into the basket.

 

[wigwag]

Cool!

Thanks for the info greg, I'll have to watch and see if that solenoid fires, then hopefully find one of the dispensers! I bet finding one of those dispensers will be a real needle in the haystack?!

 

[revvinkevin]

Hey Steven, those are pretty cool! Congrats on the find! So what color are they, bisque, almond, harvest gold?? I can't really tell from the photos.

Kevin

 

[wigwag]

Hi Kevin, they are my most favorite color, Avacado! I just happened to go on craigslist one day after I realized the 83 was broken, and I found these at an estate sale. I've got most everything out of storage and in the garage, and my little ones like watching the washers. Good times!

 

[alr2903]

Those Kenmores, are very nice. arthur

 

[a440]

Fantastic Set!

Interesting that it does not have the Powder / Liquid dispenser.
The set that I had did have them. It was to the right of the lid.
Great washer and dryer set. I had the gas dryer version. Great washer and superb dryer.
Brent

 

[volvoguy87]

1980 models?

I have the 1981 or 1982 version and mine has the triple dispenser on the right side. I know the equivalent of the 80 series of that year has the detachable detergent dispenser like yours does. The FS and bleach dispensers are solenoid operated too, but that setup has been around since the late 60s? and was in production into the mid 1980s. The older machines (like my '72 70 series and 71 800 series) have the same FS and bleach dispensers, but a powder detergent dispenser on the right side. The advantage of the detachable detergent dispenser is that you need 1 less port on the pump (the triple and single dispensers on the right side are water-flushed while the dump-dispenser isn't).

Nice,
Dave

 

[combo52]

LKM DISPENSERS

This dispenser system was used until they introduced the wash through triple dispenser system. The detergent cup came with the washer but was seldom used as its only real purpus was if you were during an automatic soak or per-wash followed by the regular wash cycle. These dispenser cups do show up fairly regularly in basements sitting on a shelf long after the washer is gone { it may still available?]. This washer was made in early 1980, WP was the first maker to build electronically controlled washers they introduced them in early 1977 under both the WP&KM brand names. The first generation models were neat but did little more than the timer machines could do. About the only real advantage was the ability to add a pre wash or soak or extra rinse to any cycle. When these were introduced at service and sales meetings the old timers shook thier heads in disprovable and the WP people said get used it as this was the future. And it may indeed be but I don't think they thought they would still be making timer controlled machines 33 years later from the way they talked back then.

 

[DADoES]

 
Electronic controls also introduced the variable drain period.  IIRC, double the time for the water level pressure switch to reset + 30 seconds.