Something interesting pulled me into the basement the other day...

[supremewhirlpol]

First machine drain. Smells like starch!

 

[askomiele]

Thanks for the additional brownie points!

Ipso is also build in Belgium ^^

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Another thing that I did notice is that the drum emits a lot of heat when hot water is used. I may decide to wrap it with some insulation. I have resolved the spin issue with the timer using contact cleaner, but now it tends to stick a lot and not advance through the cycle.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

The top and kick panel arrived today! Apparently this is the top for the coin-op version, but it will do. I was also able to get Alliance-Ipso to send me the wiring diagrams. Since I don't have a scanner, I can't post them here. Now that I have the wiring diagrams, I should be able to send the timers off to be rebuilt soon. If anyone wants a copy of the wiring diagrams, please send me an email.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Wow, just wow!

 

[vintagesearch]

ooooooo aaaaaaaa i want one!

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Randy:
If you really want one, I would say getting one should be easier given that you live around cities that have a number of laundromats, along with lots of different brands. The commercial machine market is different than the consumer machine market. When a consumer machine stops working, people throw it out and it sits there for the taking. When Commercial machines stop working, they get repaired, or rebuilt. From my experience you have to pay to get even broken commercial machines. If you really want one, look for distributors in your area, and business who repair the commercial machines. You may even luck out on CL or ebay. Depending on size and age of machine, you can pay into the upper hundreds to a few thousand for a used working machine. If you don't have that much, look into purchasing a broken machine. If they are really old and the person is going to send them to scrap, offer him scrap price for one. Also remember that these machine are HEAVY DUTY, and the parts reflect that, so they will weigh a lot. I recommend that you start with a small machine, like 12-18LB machine. Those usually weigh 250LB. to ~450LB. depending on how old it is and the Brand of machine. Also bring help with you, you WILL need it. For example, my 1974 Wascomat Junior W73(3 phase) is 18LB machine and weighs ~275LB. Moving it with a dolley is not too bad, help may be needed, depending how I feel to move it up some stairs. The Primus W-10 (3 phase) 22 LB. machine weighs ~425LB, and when you move it, it lets you know exactly how heavy it is. In fact When my dad and I went to Chicago to pick up those machines, I took 3 people to lift them into the pickup truck. They were a pain to unload, once we got home. Moving them on a dolley is not too bad of an issue for me, but steps require 2 people. The Ipso we165 (3phase) 35-40LB machine weighs ~541 LB and is a BIG pain to move. To move it up/down steps, you either need to be friends with a massive body builder, or rent a stair climber. Even with a stair climber, it a VERY rough ride. So know what your limits are and get help. There are 1 phase machines too some smaller 12-18LB machines can run on 115V 1 phase. Also know which type you have. Some are hard mount(rigid base), which require bolting to concrete, others are soft mount, like consumer machines. If you really want one you will do what is necessary to acquire it. When you are ready, I can help you with that.

Now that the machine has a top and kick panel, it doesn't look so naked.
All that is left are the belts, timer rebuilding, removing the pump system, back panel, building a base, and installing the machine.

 

[sudsman]

glad to hear you are comming along with it.

I am sure you are excited too.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

I'm so excited, I'm shaking in my boots!! I think I'm going to have to post video of it when everything up and running.
The Ipso needs a name..

 

[supremewhirlpol]

The belts and soap box assembly should be arriving shortly.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Belts and soap box have arrived

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Old belts look really bad

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Machine comes up to speed quick with new belts, no more burning smell.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

I removed the Ecolab pump system as well, because it would just be in the way. Lots of wiring to be corrected.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

I made a back panel, out of some SS metal that was sitting in the yard. Needs a polish.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Soap box I have is PB3, since the top of the machine is for a PB3 soap box. For WE series Ipso machines, PB2 and PB3 soap boxes are offered. By default they can't be interchanged, unless the top and outer drum are changed as well. The main difference that prevents the soap boxes from being interchanged is that PB3 soap box is wider and has bigger diameter hose that is required. PB2 is basically the same soap box that is used in some Primus machines.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

PB3 allows for more expandability, than PB2, also has required breathe outlet as well

 

[supremewhirlpol]

The outer diameters of the required hoses are not standard, and so far it has been a real pain to find the replacement hoses, so I have a solution for now. It was a REAL pain to get that 3" to 2" adapter on, all I know is that is works for now, while I try to come up with something else.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Leaks a little at the center bottom of the outer drum, from the connection. It won't hurt very much, outer drum is SS, fan and connections are water resistant, but leaks are still bad.

 

[jetcone]

Kewl thread

That motor is a honker! It makes repairing my Duo look easy! 70 pounds for a motor --holey moley

 

[macboy91si]

Wow

You're basement amazes me if I haven't already mentioned. I'm glad to see that machine coming along, many of us who are faced with large projects can get out of touch with it and let it sit. I'm glad you're still working on this, because it's really freakin awesome to have one of these in your basement. I'd love to see it in operation.

-Tim

 

[supremewhirlpol]

I have posted a video of the water test and some of the machine in operation. I don't plan to keep it up very long. You can find the video here for now...