Unimatic motor overload switch

[phmorrow]

Hello all.... I have recently started having issues with the reset switch on my Unimatic. Does anyone know where I could find another switch or possibly fix and or bypass the existing one? Any input would be awesome,thanks guys!

 

[trainguy]

Model Number

What model do you have so we can look up the part number? I have a few and there are some on eBay right now.

 

[phmorrow]

It is a WO-65.

 

[gyrafoam]

More importantly, what keeps tripping the motor overload switch?

 

[trainguy]

Part Number

It's Frigidaire part number 5305850845. A seller on eBay has a 5850845 listed as new, but the crimp connectors don't appear to be original.

 

[combo52]

Possible bad Overload

These sometimes go bad, best way to check is to take an amp reading of the washer while washing or spinning at full speed, the reading should be around 7 amps or a little less.

 

While accelerating into spin it will draw around 25 amps till the start winding cuts out.

 

You can just bypass the old OL and wire in a 15 amp time delay fuse if you don't want to try and find a good 60 YO part.

 

[phmorrow]

Thanks for the advice... I have a feeling it is just the switch; When you turn the dial and push it in for power, I have to very lightly push on the rest button to make it start to fill. The motor runs smooth and sounds healthy.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Those "PUSH" button overload protectors that Frigidaire used do not hold up if they have been tripped several times. Once they trip a few times they tend to trip unnecessarily over and over again. On most of my Unimatics I have jumped them out of the circuit if they are tripping unnecessarily. When using any of my vintage machines I always keep an eye on them and I'm not too worried about the lack of protector causing damage as I will generally catch any rare issue. I would never start a vintage machine and leave the house anyways.

 

[gyrafoam]

The long-time Frigidaire Tech I spoke with many years ago made the comment that the Overload Protectors "we're never intended to trip repeatedly, and should not have tripped more than a few times before replacement".