First, there was an Evil Kenmore™ that made Nate sad...
The WCI-Kelvinator
- Thread starter roto204
- Start date
Then...
...he found a Kelvinator. It washes and splashes and spins to drain. Oh my!
...he found a Kelvinator. It washes and splashes and spins to drain. Oh my!
Angel wings...
...are for splashing things! The rollover really is quite good, and the indexing tub provides the added bonus of an Easy Spindrier-like "roll-around."
...are for splashing things! The rollover really is quite good, and the indexing tub provides the added bonus of an Easy Spindrier-like "roll-around."
Timer shot
...with that oh-so-seventiesish font...
Note that the water temperature you get is dependent upon the time you select. This works well, except for when you want a 15-minute hot wash.
Of course, if you were a Maytag owner, then the 10 spot works well.
And oh yes, it's Push-to-Start.
...with that oh-so-seventiesish font...
Note that the water temperature you get is dependent upon the time you select. This works well, except for when you want a 15-minute hot wash.
Of course, if you were a Maytag owner, then the 10 spot works well.
And oh yes, it's Push-to-Start.
"Honesty without Fear!"
...is actually the text at the top of the crest. (Get out your stereo microscopes...)
This machine does pretty well with 18 pounds of clothes, though--unlike the Frigidaire, which can do upwards of 20--overloading is not well-tolerated. (But then again, why overload?)
The gentle cycle is good, mainly because--unlike the Evil Kenmore™ or the 1-18--the agitation is slow but still sufficient to actually turn things over. (Some machines just seem hopeless in slow speed mode.)
...is actually the text at the top of the crest. (Get out your stereo microscopes...)
This machine does pretty well with 18 pounds of clothes, though--unlike the Frigidaire, which can do upwards of 20--overloading is not well-tolerated. (But then again, why overload?)
The gentle cycle is good, mainly because--unlike the Evil Kenmore™ or the 1-18--the agitation is slow but still sufficient to actually turn things over. (Some machines just seem hopeless in slow speed mode.)
spiralactivator
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2004
- Messages
- 344
Neat machine, WCI or not. Do you have any idea what year it is?
Honesty without fear?? How funny, you'd think they would have told customers about the reliability then. Although, this washer seems to have fared pretty well given it's age.
I had a later model Kelvi-WCI with a plastic tub that was OK, rollover wasn't great but with a long wash, it did the job. Can you snap a pic of the tub and agitator when you have a chance? That turquoise color is very cool.
WCI made a similarly designed machine for lots of brands, I've seen Kelvinator, Bradford, Coronado, etc. all with very similar styling. Never realized they were pull-stop/push-start though, that's very Kenmorish!
I had a later model Kelvi-WCI with a plastic tub that was OK, rollover wasn't great but with a long wash, it did the job. Can you snap a pic of the tub and agitator when you have a chance? That turquoise color is very cool.
WCI made a similarly designed machine for lots of brands, I've seen Kelvinator, Bradford, Coronado, etc. all with very similar styling. Never realized they were pull-stop/push-start though, that's very Kenmorish!
Does your washer fill this high?
This one does! You'd see the waterfall from the lint filter in the background if it weren't buried in suds.
True to its Frigidaire heritage, the amount of water passing through isn't stunning, but it's prettier than the 1-18's lint trap (and a HECK of a lot easier to clean!).
This one does! You'd see the waterfall from the lint filter in the background if it weren't buried in suds.
True to its Frigidaire heritage, the amount of water passing through isn't stunning, but it's prettier than the 1-18's lint trap (and a HECK of a lot easier to clean!).
Heritage
Kelvinator...
Kelvinator...
...GM Frigidaire...
My favorite feature...
...is the self-cleaning, self-draining tub guard. Even if it is a tad tacky-looking, you have to admit that it's a sound idea, especially if you've ever had to rake fifty pounds of detergent and lint off of the smooth, flat, porcelain tub guard of an Evil Kenmore™.
...is the self-cleaning, self-draining tub guard. Even if it is a tad tacky-looking, you have to admit that it's a sound idea, especially if you've ever had to rake fifty pounds of detergent and lint off of the smooth, flat, porcelain tub guard of an Evil Kenmore™.
Spinning!
Spinning is fun, because there is no tub brake, so the Kelvy commonly needs two full minutes to stop spinning. (The thermal lid lock would normally keep the lid closed and tiny arms out of the basket during this spin-down period, and thus keep the machine compliant with Federal law.)
The spray is spot-on, and does a good job of spray-rinsing the clothes during spin, because it hits them all. It also sprays around a lot (and splashes a lot during agitation), so you may note all the rust. Happily, it's just cosmetic, and this will be repainted.
This machine has a nice, long spray rinse during final spin, which is nice.
Spinning is fun, because there is no tub brake, so the Kelvy commonly needs two full minutes to stop spinning. (The thermal lid lock would normally keep the lid closed and tiny arms out of the basket during this spin-down period, and thus keep the machine compliant with Federal law.)
The spray is spot-on, and does a good job of spray-rinsing the clothes during spin, because it hits them all. It also sprays around a lot (and splashes a lot during agitation), so you may note all the rust. Happily, it's just cosmetic, and this will be repainted.
This machine has a nice, long spray rinse during final spin, which is nice.
...and that makes Nate
a very happy boy indeed :-D
a very happy boy indeed :-D
Year?
I have no idea; I'll have to see if I can find it out. Certainly, though, the time of the GM-Frigidaire to WCI-Frigidaire sale means it can't be too old.
Yes, this machine is pretty ubiquitous. It's Kelvinator incarnation is particularly fun, though, and the control panel's not all that bad.
Plus, the plastic outer tub means one less thing to rust
. The top of the transmission, tub bolts, and other bits look actually very well done, so I wonder if the reliability debacle happened before this particular one was made...
...or if I'm just exceptionally lucky
Anybody wanna take a whack at what year it is?
I have no idea; I'll have to see if I can find it out. Certainly, though, the time of the GM-Frigidaire to WCI-Frigidaire sale means it can't be too old.
Yes, this machine is pretty ubiquitous. It's Kelvinator incarnation is particularly fun, though, and the control panel's not all that bad.
Plus, the plastic outer tub means one less thing to rust
. The top of the transmission, tub bolts, and other bits look actually very well done, so I wonder if the reliability debacle happened before this particular one was made......or if I'm just exceptionally lucky
Anybody wanna take a whack at what year it is?
toggleswitch
Well-known member
KEWL Snag, boi!
Hey Nate are you trying to stab someone with a hot-dog bun in he first pic? There are more effective ways to maime and kill, BTW.
Enjoy your new toy! Something else to show me when I get to Tucson in April.
Hey Nate are you trying to stab someone with a hot-dog bun in he first pic? There are more effective ways to maime and kill, BTW.
Enjoy your new toy! Something else to show me when I get to Tucson in April.
Yes...
The machine is not all-that-and-a-bag-of-potato-chips, but it's fun and cleans well. I have pretty minimal criteria for amusement
Hi Steve!! Thank you Yes, I was trying to stab someone with a hot-dog bun in the first pic, which--at first--I thought about cropping out, but then I figured that with this crowd, there'd be no need :-D
Can't wait to see you in April!!
The machine is not all-that-and-a-bag-of-potato-chips, but it's fun and cleans well. I have pretty minimal criteria for amusement
Hi Steve!! Thank you
Yes, I was trying to stab someone with a hot-dog bun in the first pic, which--at first--I thought about cropping out, but then I figured that with this crowd, there'd be no need :-DCan't wait to see you in April!!
I remeber seeing these machines in the early eighties....81-83 maybe.
Great fun find Nate.
Its wonderful to see one in action before they switched to the white agitator and plastic tub.
Its wonderful to see one in action before they switched to the white agitator and plastic tub.
Nate nice pictures and I love..
comparing the base plate technology borrowed from GM Frigidaire!
I always thought they were too similar to be just coincidence, and your photo proves it out.
Who's the guy getting the head squeeeze?
comparing the base plate technology borrowed from GM Frigidaire!
I always thought they were too similar to be just coincidence, and your photo proves it out.
Who's the guy getting the head squeeeze?
I know of a Gibson that has the same front access panel.Could probably get it for nothing.
kennyGF
kennyGF
westytoploader
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- Sep 4, 2004
- Messages
- 4,485
Great pictures Nate...what a cool machine! I can just hear that "groaning" right now!!! Didn't realize they had this tub ring/filter design with a porcelain tub, and that some WCI machines had a push-to-start timer! LOVE the styling too...I'm going to guess 1973-4 since it appears to have a repairable motor, compared with the "throwaway-type" motor on the 1-18.
So 5 wings and a taller agitator combined with a large tub does better with rollover? I used a 24" stackable with a 4-vane angel-wing (much smaller plastic tub as well) and it had hardly any turnover at all, but really thrashed the clothes around! Of course I ran Greg's 1968 Westinghouse with the DEEP ramp agitator (and I mean deep too!) and the turnover was fantastic, even with the indexing tub and a full load!! Did "Lady Kenmore" ever pick the Westy up...I'll pay double if it's still there!! ;-)
--Austin
So 5 wings and a taller agitator combined with a large tub does better with rollover? I used a 24" stackable with a 4-vane angel-wing (much smaller plastic tub as well) and it had hardly any turnover at all, but really thrashed the clothes around! Of course I ran Greg's 1968 Westinghouse with the DEEP ramp agitator (and I mean deep too!) and the turnover was fantastic, even with the indexing tub and a full load!! Did "Lady Kenmore" ever pick the Westy up...I'll pay double if it's still there!! ;-)
--Austin
Kenmorepeter5
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- Sep 8, 2005
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- 117
Video?
Hi! I'm deaf.
How about you make the video camera of washer activition, spin, rinse and final spin?
- Peter
Hi! I'm deaf.
How about you make the video camera of washer activition, spin, rinse and final spin?
- Peter
1977
I knew I had this ad somewhere...
I knew I had this ad somewhere...
Ok............., who's getting a Gibson?
Base Plate...
We need a patent search on the base-plate technology. Frigidaire obviously used it in the 1-18's but I don't think they were first. I have parts and service stuff for Franklin that shows a balance/snubber arrangement similar to that pictured above and I can see an evolution from the damper pads and upsidedown bowl (very similar to Maytag helical machines) that was used in very early Franklin (post Beam) designs. Perhaps Robert can enlighten us on his Franklin-Wizard's suspension & snubber too.
We need a patent search on the base-plate technology. Frigidaire obviously used it in the 1-18's but I don't think they were first. I have parts and service stuff for Franklin that shows a balance/snubber arrangement similar to that pictured above and I can see an evolution from the damper pads and upsidedown bowl (very similar to Maytag helical machines) that was used in very early Franklin (post Beam) designs. Perhaps Robert can enlighten us on his Franklin-Wizard's suspension & snubber too.
You go Jill!
You too can be a Gibson Girl!
You too can be a Gibson Girl!
Woo-hoo!
Thank you all for the great posts. Here goes:
Robert--Thank you! :-D I like the metal tub too, and let's face it, we all love turquoise better than white
Yes, if it had the plastic tub it would have been an instant pass-up.
(And if you want a fabric softener dispenser, the GE Filter-Flo fits on there nicely LOL!!)
Jon--Thanks for the kudos :-D! Yes, I agree with you and Greg, something's up with that base-plate/snubber arrangement that's too common for coincidence.
What if WCI and GM were conspiring back toward the inception of the 1-18 series to at least merge, if not trade hands completely? Hmmm...
The guy getting the head squeeze is my perpetually photo-phobic other half, Will :-D
Peter--I will make a video the next time I have an opportunity to use Ross' camera--I used one for these pictures that has no ability to take movies, but I will get one for you soon.
Austin--Thanks!! :-D Yep, it groans and splashes away, and is very smooth. When I first got it, I thought about your mention of "riding the WCI wave"
I'm glad you mentioned the four-versus-five-vane thing, because Roger and I talked about it the other evening, too. We agree that the four-vanes--which appear in smaller-capacity machines--don't do much in the way of turnover, but the five-vane arrangement is a lot better. Of course, due to the indexing tub, the motion is predominantly round-and-round (you can hold the tub, as you mentioned, but the improvement isn't so pronounced in this machine, except on tinier loads), but when I take a video you'll see items easily disappear down the center, too. Yes, the capacity is quite good on this machine--far better than the GE's, but still slightly less than the 1-18.
The color throws me, but I still suspect this is an early eighties machine...but I'll take the info I have and try to research it and see.
Thank you all again! :-D
--KelviNate
Thank you all for the great posts. Here goes:
Robert--Thank you! :-D I like the metal tub too, and let's face it, we all love turquoise better than white
Yes, if it had the plastic tub it would have been an instant pass-up.(And if you want a fabric softener dispenser, the GE Filter-Flo fits on there nicely LOL!!)
Jon--Thanks for the kudos :-D! Yes, I agree with you and Greg, something's up with that base-plate/snubber arrangement that's too common for coincidence.
What if WCI and GM were conspiring back toward the inception of the 1-18 series to at least merge, if not trade hands completely? Hmmm...
The guy getting the head squeeze is my perpetually photo-phobic other half, Will :-D
Peter--I will make a video the next time I have an opportunity to use Ross' camera--I used one for these pictures that has no ability to take movies, but I will get one for you soon.
Austin--Thanks!! :-D Yep, it groans and splashes away, and is very smooth. When I first got it, I thought about your mention of "riding the WCI wave"
I'm glad you mentioned the four-versus-five-vane thing, because Roger and I talked about it the other evening, too. We agree that the four-vanes--which appear in smaller-capacity machines--don't do much in the way of turnover, but the five-vane arrangement is a lot better. Of course, due to the indexing tub, the motion is predominantly round-and-round (you can hold the tub, as you mentioned, but the improvement isn't so pronounced in this machine, except on tinier loads), but when I take a video you'll see items easily disappear down the center, too. Yes, the capacity is quite good on this machine--far better than the GE's, but still slightly less than the 1-18.
The color throws me, but I still suspect this is an early eighties machine...but I'll take the info I have and try to research it and see.
Thank you all again! :-D
--KelviNate
Rick...
...we may have been made for each other, but oh, that shirt! I'd never!!
:-D
...we may have been made for each other, but oh, that shirt! I'd never!!
:-D
77?
Greg, is it a 77? Mine's a lot more BOL than that, but the cabinet looks really similar...
Thanks very much for posting that!
--Nate
Greg, is it a 77? Mine's a lot more BOL than that, but the cabinet looks really similar...
Thanks very much for posting that!
--Nate
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