The First Hotpoint Front Loader

[supermaticjames]

Evening all,

I'm still a bit speechless from what I've just acquired but on Wednesday evening I made the 2 hour journey to collect something very special, something I never thought I'd ever see in person despite my efforts in pursuing one since I first joined this community.

 

[supermaticjames]

Introducing the Hotpoint Automatic 1600 - all 1100rpm of it!!!

Nothing much to do externally other than a good wipe down and a polish. The "Hotpoint Automatic" print on the fascia needs stencilled on again but that's not a matter of urgency since the machine is of a minimalistic design.

The timer and programme indicator need some attention as the indicator doesn't move along at all with the timer, probably something that's jammed or requires realignment. The door boot is in good condition thankfully but the sump hose (a one piece hose connecting the tub, dispenser, pump and pressure chamber all together) has perished right at junction to the pump. Luckily I've found a few spares including the sump hose so I shouldn't have to get creative but I'll get these just to have in case I need them.

The bearings seem to be in good order and that delicate backplate with all the bits bolted onto it is in perfect condition. The inner drum has a little play but a quick chat with a Hotpoint engineer who worked on these confirmed that the rubber washers sandwiched between the drum and the spider have perished so it's a bit rumbly at the moment but I'll get it sorted with some creativity. The spider is plastic coated (why couldn't all manufacturers do this!) so that should be fine.

Looks like I'll be able to use it in a matter of weeks!

 

[matchboxpaul]

Stunned into silence James.
Am off to bed.

Wake up in the morning and fingers crossed this thread will still be on the forum, to prove I am not dreaming.

Nighty night.
Paul

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Wow James CONGRATS on such a rare find!  I'm sure you'll get it all get it shorted and working soon!  

 

Very neat that the controls are on top rather than the front.  What year is it from?

 

Cheers!

Kevin

 

[supermaticjames]

Internally, it's very clean which as always nice - no rust to sand down, prime and paint on this one!

It looks like a very well made machine despite its issues with unreliable electronics and fragile backplates. I bet it will be a very stable spinner with those 4 suspension units and a primitive out of balance circuit.

The motor is an AC-Delco motor made in Darlaston, AC-Delco is a division of General Motors USA and the pump looks absolutely huge compared to what followed and with no sign of a manufacturers sticker on it I'm guessing it may have been manufactured in-house by Hotpoint/GEC.

It's interesting to note how slim the depth of the machine is compared to the standard 21-23in deep washing machines that were on the market at that time. It's also slightly taller than standard so that makes it look even slimmer.

 

[supermaticjames]

But does it work? Well, I can't try it out on a wash programme due to the severity of the leak from the sump hose but with some persuasion I managed to get the timer moved to the final spin segment and here is what happened!

http://https//youtu.be/rg8MYF0QKiw

 

[keymatic3203]

That'll take your mind off the keymatic, James.

Well done, fantastic one of these early machines has at last been found, look forward to seeing it in action.

Mathew

 

[keymatic3203]

so that's what one sounds like

That pump looks and sounds like the one fitted into our 18 series hotpoint. Also looking at the cabinet side on, you can see a definate design/manufacturing progression from this machine to the liberator/18 series.

Was that on delicate spin or was it 1100rpm?

Mathew

 

[supermaticjames]

Hi Mathew,

It must be a Hotpoint/GEC manufactured pump as I've seen anything like it, it sounds like it means business!

That was 1100rpm - it doesn't sound like it's going that fast but the drum pulley is noticeably smaller than the average diameter we're used to seeing so the motor doesn't have to run as fast compared to its successors. It's fairly quiet during tumbles and distribution. Can't wait to get her all sorted but with two great machines in the restoration queue I don't know which one to do first!

James

 

[revvinkevin]

Well done James, congratulations on the awesome find!

What year is it, or, how old is it?

Thanks!
Kevin
[this post was last edited: 5/6/2017-13:57]

 

[gyrafoam]

Congratulations on your find. Do these machines make distinctive sounds. There is a special sound the old Bendix and Westinghouse machines here in the US used to make. It certainly looks clean.

 

[optima]

Automatic 1600

Still in a state of shock ! Congratulations James on getting your hands on this Actual Hotpoint 1st Edition Classic. You really are doing well on getting hold of the ultra rare Washers lately. I am so ready to seeing the Ti Creda One Thousand in action.

 

[matchboxpaul]

Hi James.

Well! Well, well, well! See, I told you so.

Years ago, you used to complain to me, saying words to the effect of 'there's nothing over here' and 'Its all Hotpoint 95's and nothing else' etc etc and I used to tell you to just put the word out about your interest and be patient.
Well, I told you so

Congratulations on finding one of those machines that we have all talked about, but that only a few have seen and even fewer owned. The patience has spectacularly paid off, the adverts you posted and re-posted online have worked and you are now the proud custodian of the fabled Hotpoint 1600 .... and in superb condition too!
I can even live with it's name having rubbed off the front - just adds to its stark simple appearance.

I am totally over the moon that finally one has surfaced and the list of fabled machines still to be found has been reduced by a VERY BIG one.

With custodianship of such machines as the 1600, Mk41H, 10700 and 707 (can you believe you've found all four of those in the last couple of years!) comes responsibilities! Namely to educate us all about everything about them, so keep them photos and video links rolling onto this thread. I cannot wait for more updates - hint, hint.

It really is great news that finally one has been found - well, done and congratulations.
Paul
p.s yep - the pump is Hotpoint/GEC manufactured - there is one fitted to my 1828 Liberator and, when compared to the regular pumps we usually associate with Hotpoint machines, they sound like a bag of bolts - particularly when bone dry, as is the case with my example.
p.p.s I am sure I remember Nigel (reversomatic) mentioning that, with both the 1600 and 1830, you cannot simply stop the machine, go back to the beginning and start again. The machine will always have to go through some sort of spin and the timer be allowed to tick it's way through to the end and the timeline display be allowed to fly back.
The only by-pass (I'm sure I am right in saying this, but go back and check), is to either prize off or unscrew (can't remember which) the dial cap to reveal a groove, into which you insert a coin and turn the dial. This will enable you to by-pass the spin cycle and get the timer manually back to the beginning again.

Keep the photos coming for the archive - nice and LARGE!

 

[supermaticjames]

Hi Kevin,

If I have correctly deciphered the serial number I believe it's from February 1973. For its age it's in good condition.

Gyrafoam, this machine wouldn't sound like the usual Hotpoint UK front loader as there are a few differences between this and its successors.

Craig, thanks! I'm still a bit shocked myself that there is one physically in my presence, I never thought I'd see the day! I have loads of videos to take so you can be sure that this and the Creda One Thousand Electronic maiden washes will be up on my channel quite soon.

 

[supermaticjames]

Hi Paul,

I know, I know! I still remember saying the same things and getting down in the dumps over the matter. It hasn't sunk in yet that I'll never ever have to post another wanted advert for a 1600. It wasn't an easy search but I will be so glad to loose the thoughts in the back of my mind about looking for one.

Work on the machine has been ongoing and not much had to be done as you will see later this evening when I get the many photos I have taken transferred over and test wash could be done as early as Friday depending on how things go!

The pump may sound like a bag of bolts but it's a very assertive sound and that's how I see the 1600 - an assertive, stylish and sturdy machine. You are absolutely correct about having to unscrew the timer knob cover and lodging a coin (our €1 coin fits perfectly) into a groove that prevents the knob from freewheeling allowing the timer to be returned to the off position and the programme indicator to flyback. A bit of hassle but I find it manageable. The very early 1600s had no groove at all and the owner had to make do with waiting for the timer to advance to off!

James

 

[ricky5050]

February 1973??

I came off the production line then too !! Perhaps I should have this machine !!!

I'm Richard

 

[supermaticjames]

Progress so far...

The stuck programme indicator and timer knob issue was easy to sort. A nylon part in the linkage between the door release slider and the timer was broken and naturally obsolete. I could have tried gluing it but because this part is supposed to keep the connecting rod under pressure it wouldn't be long until I'd be back at square one. So, as advised by the Hotpoint engineer I'm friends with I removed the linkage as it was a common fault and it would continue to cause me bother. This means is that the door can be opened anytime at all during the programme but that's not really a big deal breaker since there will be no kids around it. The timer surprised me, as soon as I lifted the top I noticed it looked very familiar. It's made by Holzer who also made the timers for the first Hoover Keymatics but obviously there are a few differences such as the Hotpoint not having rapid advance etc.

 

[supermaticjames]

Now moving on to the main issue which was the drum moving around on it's spider due to the 44 year old rubber washers that have perished.

Obviously, this involves removing the outer tub backplate and inner drum, even though I hate doing that sort of thing I'm glad I did. Don't be deceived! The outer tub was in fantastic condition with only a little rust and very little scum but beneath the rust there were three small holes and I would have had to remove the backplate and inner drum anyway if left untreated. So out comes the sandpaper, chemical metal and Hammerite and the tub is sorted for another 44 years - I hope!

 

[supermaticjames]

It was suggested I replaced the perished rubber washers with custom made plastic ones so I found some suitable plastic that was readily available and cut my own washers to the design of the originals. These work perfectly!

Whilst I was at it, I put fresh grease in the bearings as they were still good to go after 44 years and cleaned up the spider which is cast iron coated in plastic so that will probably outlive the machine haha! The spider is similar to the later alloy ones and the inner drum is like a 1850 drum only slightly larger in diameter and lacks the lip at the front.