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revvinkevin

revvinkevin

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Well I can NOW say I actually have a "collection" because I now have two washers and two dryers! I am very pleased!! Whoo Hoo!!

Today I acquired an older Kenmore FL washer and a Gibson electric dryer! In reality they are both re-named Westinghouse units. Yes they both need some T.L.C., but they work and I cannot complain for the price! All it cost me was the time to pick them up and lunch for my buddy Rich who helped me move them!

The washer is a Kenmore model #417-84988100 with a production date of June 1990.

The dryer is a Gibson model # DE18S6WKA. I couldn't find a production date on it.

The washer was the latest, updated version of the old Westinghouse design, because it has a variable speed, reversing DC motor, separate drain motor and pump, etc. So that means it has two-way reverse tumbling and no loud, clunky solenoids when it goes into a spin.

And now… some photos (of course!).

Kevin
 
That was Oral Roberts' house?

From what the current owner tells me, yes Oral Roberts was the original owner! I'm also told the house had been vacant for the last 5 or 6 years before the current owner took possession the beginning of this year. Aside from being neglected due to being empty, the layout / floor plan is absolutely terrible!!! That is why this house will be demolished and something larger will be built in it's place sometime over the next year or two.

This house had something like a one bedroom "apartment" if you will, with entry in the main house. It had it's own living room, kitchen and this washer and dryer.

GANSKY... About adding fabric softener. Actually just before the last rinse, as the drum is slowing from the spin, it abruptly STOPS the drum, then the door unlocks as the washer fills W/O tumbling. The water flow stops and the washer will just sit there for about a minute, allowing fabric softener to be added. After that the door again locks and tumbling and the rest of the cycle continues.

Video of it? Sorry but I don't have a video camera.

The End-of-Cycle buzzer. O.M.G!!! IF it's turned up, it starts buzzing as the drum is slowing from the final spin and DOES NOT STOP for MORE then a full minute AFTER the drum has stopped turning!!!!!
 
Interior shots of the washer and dryer...

The washer has the timer actuated door lock solenoid, if I want to open the door during the cycle (except the last rinse) I have to turn the timer to "OFF" before it unlocks!
 
Very Cool!

These are very fun machines. I have a couple with the older "Potato Pulley" design. Lot's are fun.
I have only seen one like yours with the DC motor. I thought they were very well built machines. Not to mention a very improved spin.
I think you got them for such a great price!
Thanks for the pictures.
Let us know what you think of the washing results.
Brent
 
I wasted no time plugging in the washer and playing with it!!! Here are photos of the washer tumbling one direction, then the other during the wash!
 
Westmore!

This is a real nice washer. I wish they made simple things like this today. They were such simple machines and got the job done quickly. And also used pleanty of water.
Best Of Luck with it,
Peter
 
Yes it's pretty neat! I like the fact it has the water lever adjustment with the "reset", I can hold it to "reset" and it just keeps filling and filling!

Another thing is, on the "normal / cotton" cycle, the first "rinse" after the wash is an "overflow" rinse of sorts, I suppose. It tumbles as it drains and water is flowing / flushing as if it's preparing to spin, but it doesn't. Then the drain pump stops and the water continues to flow in filling the drum again. Interesting. After this next rinse it then spins.
 
That Rinse Action

Is also featured on Speed Queen coin-op H-Axis washers.

Local laundromat had the feature before each of the three rinses on the uber sized unit. However think the owner shut the option down when machines were reprogrammed with higher prices.

Bascially after the spin ends, washer tumbles the drum one way as the machine continues to fill with water. Since the drain (dump) valve is open, water just goes into the tub and flushes out. Still it is allot of water and rinses laundry clean.

L.
 
Oh by the way, the reason for all the surface rust is......

This stacked pair has been living in a house right on the ocean all their lives! Other friends who live right on the beach like this have told me, constantly being in the salt air is just murder on ANYTHING metal and it doesn't matter what you do to try and protect it!

The photo is the view from the backyard of the house where I picked up this set yesterday.

=========

BRENT... I have to add a hot water line as there's not one there for the washer now. But when washing the sheets in the photos, I tried adding more and more soap to get a foamy wash (didn't work) and once the cycle was complete there was no soapy residue! It must be because of all that water!

=========

Modifications I plan to do: Disable or change the door lock connection so I DON'T have to turn the timer to "OFF" if I want to open the door for any reason.

I also want the option of having the tub light on during operation and both of these mods should be pretty easy to do.
 
Oral Roberts

Hi Kevin,

Glad someone wanted to save those. The best thing about the Oral Roberts house is the view and of course being right on the ocean. The house is a tear down and has no redeeming qualities about it what so ever.

Happy washing. And by the looks of your garage, you have lots more room for more machines!

EMP
 
They staircase we had to take them down to get them out!

Thank you very much to have suggested me how at end is not so impossible to make a pick-up I've been keeping away from my mind for months just because of the stairs....

Imagine that the machine was brought upstairs with a crane during a remoulding before to complete the roof!!!!

100Kg!!

I wonder if only that "cager" is enough and obviously you need to be "macho-man" :D just like it's not me!!

THANKS! If it will come the opportunity to this pick-up I'll keep in mind your job.

BYE
Diomede

PS:the end of the "baby" sould be a loosely-knit!!!!!!
 
I could have sworn that those Kenmore washers were recalled at some time or another when they first came out. Sears was buying them back because of issues with the controller. The drum on both machines looks like they have seen a better day. I have never seen porcelain worn off in that back like that. More than likely the previous owners overloaded them to cause that or just used the hell out of em. I would never have thought that the ocean air would cause so much rust.
 
That pulley wont work in this generation Kenmore/Westinghouse. They did away with a "potato pulley" and a spin pulley to just one round pulley. Thats why they offer the "Dual Tumble" feature. Plus this washer has a higher spin speed as well.
 
Jim

Great save, I would love to have Rich on the "right" coast to help me move machines too! What a nightmare that staircase looked like. That was Oral Roberts' house? and his washing machine? Holy Cow no pun intended!

I've played with those later Westy machines, always thought they had the most bizarre door structure I ever saw! They way you kind of have to snake your hand in to get the clothes out is so weird. Great washing though. And they are heavy machines so you guys were working for sure!

happy washing
jon
 
Oral Roberts house? Celebrities stacked like cord-wood out there! Now you have the stacking washer & dryer to match ;-) I've never seen a Dual-Tumble washer running, I'll bet it's fun to watch. I'd disconnect that door lock in a heartbeat. How else will you get the softener in?

Have fun with the new pair.
 
Stacked Sets...!!!

Well what a find, glad to see the stairs didnt put you off but with "Rich the Shifter" there who needs a removals crew...Lol

What a nifty feature for adding the fabric conditioner, got to admire those early designers, and the build quality will see you washing for a long time to come I`m sure...

Happy washing, Mike
 
Bloody hell! I would have been a nervous wreck with having to get them down the spiral staircase.

They look great - particularly love the washing machine, with its Westinghouse (English Electric) styling.

Congratulations.
Paul
 

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