The impeller challenge

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roto204

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Feb 5, 2010
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Hey everyone,

A while back we had a discussion of HE machines and a possible modern revisitation of an impeller machine due to their low water usage.

I promised videos of the 1960 Frigidaire (D&M rebadge) machine, showing how important it is to have the bottom lack loaded perfectly, and with plates at that.

Here you go! You decide :-)

 
It is strange to see an impeller without the roto rack. I don't care if there are problems with the design. They are cool as hell, and a piece of appliance history. It is great that they are being saved and preserved. Matt
 
Roto, I think it rocks, and would probably be a simpler system. My take from what members post. Its not so much that vintage machines cleaned poorly. Its the improvement in the washing chemicals. The plates do serve to make that water "swirl". amazing and thanks roto. alr2903
 
Amen to that!

Roto, love the video of the Frigidaire! Makes me want to get more of these impeller types... I can't wait to get my kitchen finished so that I can start using the 56 GE!!
 
And remember...

This video was possible thanks to Ben (swestoyz) for the dishwasher, and Robert (unimatic1140) for that incredible Plexiglas top (complete with floating hardware)!
 
how high is the water level

i was wondering how high the water goes to or over the impellor as i have a machine with a timed fill which is dependant on water pressure etc, also the impellor is a bit chipped so water spray poor, see following vids to see what you think

Richard



2-3-2009-16-03-49--ricky5050.jpg
 
Intersting difference between plates and no plates. I wish my dishwasher had a see thru door. I'm curious to see exactly what goes on in there.
 
Richard

Though I am no expert , I think your impellar is in such
poor condition it is negatively affecting your machines
performance. The blade in the 12:00 o'clock position appears that it is barely capable of lifting water. Your machine seemed to be a bit over full, but I could be incorrect about that. It may just be that the screw is so lopsided. I doubt that there is a great deal of difference in the way that these
machines spray ; all of them that I have ever heard sound as if they are spraying quite forcefully. I don't think the water should be over half way up the impellar when it is not
spinning. I hope you get some input from the experts!
 
Thanks, guys

now the lipstick will be removed from the teacups

Don't hold your breath. Chances are it'll just be redeposited on the plates ;-). ("Whose lips are these, anyway? You know I never wear Coral Orange!!")

Richard, I agree with Darrel. That impeller is really in bad shape--I wonder if one of the D&M ones would fit it? Do you have any measurements on it?
 
aye its well shot

thanks for help, i agree its very damaged, but these machines are ultra rare here, i have never seen one on ebay before this one or know of anyone who owns one. below is a close up of the damage , its impellor is 3 3/4 inches tall 2 7/8 inches wide at centre base and 5 3/4 wide at widest point of fins , if any one has a godd s/h one to sell i would buy it.

2-4-2009-15-49-20--ricky5050.jpg
 
hit and miss

i tried loading lower basket with one big plate then one side one but these machines were poor performers according to early british ca magazines, especially as it only used one wash with plain but very hot water for only 3 mins!. I was hoping to use it but i will keep my eyes open for a portable top loader that might slide under the counter as i dont really want to slice up my new worktops but it would be good to see this machine wash a little better, i will also try a perspex top to see how it looks and let you know

thanks again Richard oops realised i did not have any more pics of loaded machine so attached my current DW 1975 Bendix!

2-4-2009-16-03-21--ricky5050.jpg
 
ooooh! I want it but I would probably get shot... Think hubby would notice if I swapped out the 1995 Moffat from the kitchen in the apartment in Montreal and replaced it with this one??
 
WOW! The 1960 D&M/Frigidaie portable, was our first dishwasher when I was a kid. After that, we had a top-loading built-in Westy drawer impeller machine. I wish I had either one today. As long as we made sure that all food particles were scraped off, both machines did a better job on glasses and silverware than the Whirlpool that eventually replaced them.

If someone would just invent an impeller machine with a roto-rack and a food particle filtering system, I think its performance would be superb.
 
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