Amazing! Thanks for the pics. I'd love to see video of that machine in action. It was so far ahead of its time.
The Incredible 1947 General Electric Automatic
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ahead of its time
Hi Robert
Isn't it amazing, you should invite some GE engineers to see the 60 year old washer that is more advanced than their current model machines.
Pity is, they probably wouldn't give two hoots.
47 GE, Apex on the way, this is some year you're having!
Chris.
Hi Robert
Isn't it amazing, you should invite some GE engineers to see the 60 year old washer that is more advanced than their current model machines.
Pity is, they probably wouldn't give two hoots.
47 GE, Apex on the way, this is some year you're having!
Chris.
jasonl
New member
YAY!!!
The other Holy Grail of washerdom, the 1947 GE.
YAY YAY YAY YAY!
The other Holy Grail of washerdom, the 1947 GE.
YAY YAY YAY YAY!
Fantastic machine! Way ahead of it's time. The design team that came up with the ideas on this one were looking into the future. It is too bad that some of the ideas from this machine could not be used today. I would guess that this machine would cost thousands to build today. Love the quality of this design.
What a fabulous machine! I'm curious about the agitator stroke myaelf. Also, how long does it take to rev up to the full 1140 rpm, is it as fast as a Unimatic? Does it take awhile to coast to a stop? Does it spin clockwise or counterclockwise? Inquiring minds want to know.
Les
Les
Ohh lots of question. Let me get started.
Robert, is the agitation any different than say GE machines from 1955 to 1960?
Good question Bob. I was surprised to see that the stroke is slightly less wide and slightly faster than the 1951-1960 GE washers. Nothing like the 1961-1995 Fast stroke GE perforated tub washers, but different none-the-less.
does anyone else see the similarity between this washer's filter and that of later-day Hotpoints?
Hi Scott, I agree, I suppose in the 70's when the Hotpoint self-cleaning Filter-Ring was introduced they probably looked back at the old GE patents and found this. The big difference between the two is that the '47 GE uses recirculation water to clean the filter, where as the Hotpoint uses fresh incoming water to clean the filter. I was surprised to see first how much lint it caught in the screens and second how the screens were completely clean after the final spin.
What's the acceleration rate to 1140 RPM?
By far this machine has the fastest water throw of any GE I have ever seen. While it’s no Unimatic, it ramps up to 1140 rpm slowly, about a minute and a half from 0 to 1140, but the water is out of the tub quite quickly and it’s up to 600rpm, in less than 30 seconds.
Does it have a tub brake or does it coast all the way from 1140 down?
Hi Eddie, it has a brake, but it takes about 40 seconds to slow the tub down from 1140 to 0. When it first stops spinning it coasts like there is no brake, but as the shifter bellows slowly drains of oil, it lets the mechanism inside the drive unit drop and contact the brake.
47 GE, Apex on the way, this is some year you're having!
I'll say!
One last thing that needs to be fixed is the top seal that seals the top to the cabinet. During the screen flush, when the recirculation water hits the screens spinning at 1140rpm, the force of the water is so great that bit of water comes down on the outside of the cabinet. After I get that fixed, its time to take the machine completely apart again and have it painted back to showroom new. Then once reassembled it can take its place in the collection. It will be one of my most cherished machines for the rest of my life.
Robert, is the agitation any different than say GE machines from 1955 to 1960?
Good question Bob. I was surprised to see that the stroke is slightly less wide and slightly faster than the 1951-1960 GE washers. Nothing like the 1961-1995 Fast stroke GE perforated tub washers, but different none-the-less.
does anyone else see the similarity between this washer's filter and that of later-day Hotpoints?
Hi Scott, I agree, I suppose in the 70's when the Hotpoint self-cleaning Filter-Ring was introduced they probably looked back at the old GE patents and found this. The big difference between the two is that the '47 GE uses recirculation water to clean the filter, where as the Hotpoint uses fresh incoming water to clean the filter. I was surprised to see first how much lint it caught in the screens and second how the screens were completely clean after the final spin.
What's the acceleration rate to 1140 RPM?
By far this machine has the fastest water throw of any GE I have ever seen. While it’s no Unimatic, it ramps up to 1140 rpm slowly, about a minute and a half from 0 to 1140, but the water is out of the tub quite quickly and it’s up to 600rpm, in less than 30 seconds.
Does it have a tub brake or does it coast all the way from 1140 down?
Hi Eddie, it has a brake, but it takes about 40 seconds to slow the tub down from 1140 to 0. When it first stops spinning it coasts like there is no brake, but as the shifter bellows slowly drains of oil, it lets the mechanism inside the drive unit drop and contact the brake.
47 GE, Apex on the way, this is some year you're having!
I'll say!
One last thing that needs to be fixed is the top seal that seals the top to the cabinet. During the screen flush, when the recirculation water hits the screens spinning at 1140rpm, the force of the water is so great that bit of water comes down on the outside of the cabinet. After I get that fixed, its time to take the machine completely apart again and have it painted back to showroom new. Then once reassembled it can take its place in the collection. It will be one of my most cherished machines for the rest of my life.
westytoploader
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2004
- Messages
- 4,485
WOOHOO!!! Excellent pictures Robert and glad you got it up and running...looks like a VERY fun machine! Can't wait to see this in person sometime!
When the solenoid engages for spin, does the agitator slow down as the tub starts turning, "morphing" into spin, or is it a direct shift like the Unimatic?
When the solenoid engages for spin, does the agitator slow down as the tub starts turning, "morphing" into spin, or is it a direct shift like the Unimatic?
bobofhollywood
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2006
- Messages
- 457
impressive
That machine is extremely impressive in all ways.
I actually remember it when John had it in West Virginia...WAY back about 20 years ago....and even un-restored, it used to run quietly and in an impressive manner.
SO cool you've done your thing with it, man.
You ROCK!~
Holla from Hollywood.
Bob
That machine is extremely impressive in all ways.
I actually remember it when John had it in West Virginia...WAY back about 20 years ago....and even un-restored, it used to run quietly and in an impressive manner.
SO cool you've done your thing with it, man.
You ROCK!~
Holla from Hollywood.
Bob
mickeyd
Well-known member
You're so happy !!!!!!!
Does the screen flush have greater water pressure than the normal circulation pressure?
Does any of the flush make it through the screen to provide even a little bit of a spray rinse?
Delighted to see this machine is so amazing that it's changing your mind about water savers!
Can't wait for the day when you wash clean sheets in a BD Whirlpool and use the suds-return for at least the rags if not the towels.
Does the screen flush have greater water pressure than the normal circulation pressure?
Does any of the flush make it through the screen to provide even a little bit of a spray rinse?
Delighted to see this machine is so amazing that it's changing your mind about water savers!
Can't wait for the day when you wash clean sheets in a BD Whirlpool and use the suds-return for at least the rags if not the towels.
Aferim! (Armenian for
I don't know what thrills me more, the primordial GE activator with its solid-tub style straight vanes and its perf-tub looking cap or that beautiful white amazing wash tub. I think it's the tub! As soon as I can make it, I will post a rendering of this; it's very challenging.
1. Is the agitator all-metal or are the vanes some kind of plastic?
2. Is it noisy?
I don't know what thrills me more, the primordial GE activator with its solid-tub style straight vanes and its perf-tub looking cap or that beautiful white amazing wash tub. I think it's the tub! As soon as I can make it, I will post a rendering of this; it's very challenging.
1. Is the agitator all-metal or are the vanes some kind of plastic?
2. Is it noisy?
Robert,
Wow, what a resto job! The mechanicals of this machine are the most fascinating we will probably ever see. Everything works together so well - all hidden in that tiny cabinet, and you can even wash clothes in it! You should be proud of this amazing machine - if anyone could have done it, it was you. Congrats Robert ~
Ben
Wow, what a resto job! The mechanicals of this machine are the most fascinating we will probably ever see. Everything works together so well - all hidden in that tiny cabinet, and you can even wash clothes in it! You should be proud of this amazing machine - if anyone could have done it, it was you. Congrats Robert ~
Ben
Brent-Aucoin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2004
- Messages
- 887
Amazing Robert!
Thanks for the pictures.
I bet you had a blast all day!
Brent
Thanks for the pictures.
I bet you had a blast all day!
Brent
Does it spin clockwise or counterclockwise?
Hi Les, you know I observed that washer all day yesterday and for the life of me I can't remember./SMILES/S8.gif
When the solenoid engages for spin, does the agitator slow down as the tub starts turning, "morphing" into spin, or is it a direct shift like the Unimatic?
Hey Austin, well first of all the solenoid is deep in the Drive Unit and its like a water valve solenoid so you can't hear it switch on. Yes for the first wash load it does the morph into spin, but after the tranny get warm, the agitator just turns once and then it starts to spin. There is a 30 second pause to let any sediment out of the 2 drain holes at the bottom the wash basket, then the spin begins.
Does the screen flush have greater water pressure than the normal circulation pressure?
Hi Mike, no the recirculation pumps at the same rate, just the spinning tub at 1140rpm adds to the noise and drama.
Does any of the flush make it through the screen to provide even a little bit of a spray rinse?
It's hard to really tell, but I don't think so. Although you might want to close the lid during the screen flush as you do get a bit wet.
Delighted to see this machine is so amazing that it's changing your mind about water savers! Can't wait for the day when you wash clean sheets in a BD Whirlpool and use the suds-return for at least the rags if not the towels.
Ain't goona happen. And if the sheets were clean there would be no reason to wash them.
1. Is the agitator all-metal or are the vanes some kind of plastic
Ken the agitator is all-aluminum. Great art work by the way!
2. Is it noisy?
No not really, GE has never been a quiet washer, but this is one of their quietest. Its certainly not as quiet as a Unimatic, but its not intrusive in any way like a Norge.
Hi Les, you know I observed that washer all day yesterday and for the life of me I can't remember./SMILES/S8.gif
When the solenoid engages for spin, does the agitator slow down as the tub starts turning, "morphing" into spin, or is it a direct shift like the Unimatic?
Hey Austin, well first of all the solenoid is deep in the Drive Unit and its like a water valve solenoid so you can't hear it switch on. Yes for the first wash load it does the morph into spin, but after the tranny get warm, the agitator just turns once and then it starts to spin. There is a 30 second pause to let any sediment out of the 2 drain holes at the bottom the wash basket, then the spin begins.
Does the screen flush have greater water pressure than the normal circulation pressure?
Hi Mike, no the recirculation pumps at the same rate, just the spinning tub at 1140rpm adds to the noise and drama.
Does any of the flush make it through the screen to provide even a little bit of a spray rinse?
It's hard to really tell, but I don't think so. Although you might want to close the lid during the screen flush as you do get a bit wet.
Delighted to see this machine is so amazing that it's changing your mind about water savers! Can't wait for the day when you wash clean sheets in a BD Whirlpool and use the suds-return for at least the rags if not the towels.
Ain't goona happen. And if the sheets were clean there would be no reason to wash them.
1. Is the agitator all-metal or are the vanes some kind of plastic
Ken the agitator is all-aluminum. Great art work by the way!
2. Is it noisy?
No not really, GE has never been a quiet washer, but this is one of their quietest. Its certainly not as quiet as a Unimatic, but its not intrusive in any way like a Norge.
christfr
Well-known member
aww man
way to cool!! and so pretty too..what a work horse..how fantastic is that to see a machine come back to life..excellent job! many congrats!!!!!!!!!!
way to cool!! and so pretty too..what a work horse..how fantastic is that to see a machine come back to life..excellent job! many congrats!!!!!!!!!!
That machine is beyond words
I don't know where to start!
The biggest impression is that white porcelain tub ring-THAT IS HOT!
All the design into getting the clothes rinsed and lint free that is amazing!
I remember that machine got high marks from CU but it most certainly deserved it. Robert do you think its the 9 minute spin or the fact that the tub is ribbed so the clothes can't lie flat in spin that gets them so dry??
HUBBA HUBBA what a machine.
jon
I don't know where to start!
The biggest impression is that white porcelain tub ring-THAT IS HOT!
All the design into getting the clothes rinsed and lint free that is amazing!
I remember that machine got high marks from CU but it most certainly deserved it. Robert do you think its the 9 minute spin or the fact that the tub is ribbed so the clothes can't lie flat in spin that gets them so dry??
HUBBA HUBBA what a machine.
jon
golittlesport
Well-known member
I have to agree with everyone....that GE is awesome! Thanks for the pictures.
customline
Well-known member
WOW!
I'm very impressed. Can't wait for the action packed video.
I'm very impressed. Can't wait for the action packed video.
jamman_98
Well-known member
Bravo!!
Standing ovation!!!
Joe
jamman_98
Standing ovation!!!
Joe
jamman_98
geoffdelp
Well-known member
Robert ... that's a really great machine!! I can't believe it holds the rinse water!! What a great idea on GE's part.
Is this a strictly warm-water rinse machine, too?
Geoff
Is this a strictly warm-water rinse machine, too?
Geoff
wmlask
Active member
Looks great
Robert:
Very nice job on the machine. Its an incredible machine and an interesting example of what was done later to "dummy down" complexity to keep the price competitive. My Aunt had that machine with its amazing white tub still running in 70's. I wish I knew what happened to it. Thanks for sharing your progress.
Bill
Robert:
Very nice job on the machine. Its an incredible machine and an interesting example of what was done later to "dummy down" complexity to keep the price competitive. My Aunt had that machine with its amazing white tub still running in 70's. I wish I knew what happened to it. Thanks for sharing your progress.
Bill
