Vulcan Dishlex dishwasher from the 1980s - rinse aid dispenser?

[matt01]

Hi there

I recently moved into a house that has a Vulcan Dishlex dishwasher from the 1980s. The previous occupants left behind a photocopied manual, but unfortunately it appears to be for a different model, because it shows the detergent dispenser having two drawers: one for powder and one for rinse aid. You can see from the photo of the inside of the door that there is one large twist drawer for detergent. There seem to be two smaller nozzles to the left, one of which could be for rinse aid (assuming the model is able to take rinse aid at all).

Is anyone familiar with this model of dishwasher? Does anyone perhaps know which of the two nozzles is for rinse aid? I contacted Dishlex but they don't have manuals for models of that age.

I saw some photos of two other models on this forum which appear to have the same door design - a 1970s Vulcan in this listing (photo 4 in reply 3 https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREADM.cgi?86051) and a GE Potscrubber in this listing (photo 4 - https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREADM.cgi?77710). But I don't think either listing indicates which nozzle is for rinse aid.

Thanks very much for your help.

 

[vacbear58]

Although I am not familiar with Australian dishwashers, I believe the "nozzle" on the left is for the rinse aid reservoir - it should unscrew allowing you to fill it. There may well be a glass or perhaps plastic tube on the inside connected to the centre of the cap, this will indicate when the reservoir is running low, when dark its full, when clear it will need topping up.

This machine is from an age when dishwasher detergents were all powder. Assuming the "twist drawer" is in the open position at the end of the cycle a scoop of powder should go in the section currently open and the lid twisted round where it should stay closed. If you choose a programme with a pre-wash (perhaps called Intensive or Pots And Pans) a scoop of powder should also be put in the now open side as well. At the appropriate moment in the main wash the twist lid should open, releasing detergent into the main wash. If you choose to use dishwasher "tabs" one should be put into the open compartment and the lid twisted round till it engages. It should not be necessary to use a full tab in the pre-wash and you would be better advised to use powdered detergent. The amount you will need will depend on how hard your water is and how "good" the brand of detergent you use. It would be better to err on the side of caution when loading the powder, start off with about a couple of teaspoons full, you may need to use more if the results are not satisfactory. Using too much detergent will impair the performance of the machine and could result in flooding. In normal use it is unlikely you will need a pre-wash.

Australian members will probably know what the exact cycles are, I think in the first linked picture the "left hand nozzle" is just out of the frame, the GE looks like a similar, although perhaps earlier and more upmarket version of this machine

Good luck, I hope it runs well for you

Al

 

[aussie-plugs]

What a lovely machine!

VacBear is pretty much on target with his comments.

If this is like earlier Dishlex machines of that era, the round lower left unit should unscrew and come out, leaving an opening for rinse aid to be poured in. You should find the reservoir cap has a clear plastic finger which dips into the reservoir. When the cap is in place, the plastic will appear dark if there is enough aid in the reservoir and clear if it's low/empty. No electonic sensors and lights back in those days!

The round upper left unit with all the small holes is where the rinse aid is delivered into the tub. It's almost directly in line with the upper spray arm (as is the detergent dispenser) so the material can be flushed into the tub.

I don't think the detergent dispenser is of the two chamber design. I think any prewash powder is placed on the "detergent" marking on the door (upper left in your photo), while the main wash powder goes into the dispenser before you rotate its door to the closed position before starting the machine.

The GE machine looks the same as the Dishlex ... because it pretty much is. Vulcan made these for GE at the time. Previously GE did import USA made products for our market, however I believe they then sold relabeled Vulcan machines until they gave up on the AU market entirely.

Good luck!

Nick

 

[matt01]

Thank you both very much for your helpful comments. I unscrewed the plastic lower left unit and found the reservoir cap with the clear plastic finger as described. Have added some rinse aid to it and will see how it goes!

You were right, Nick, that the detergent dispenser is not a two chamber design - when the door is rotated and locks into the closed position there is no further place to add detergent (other than the 'detergent' marking on the door - see attached photo). It isn't clear to me how you would open the detergent dispenser again if you needed to - seems once it is clicked in that is it until the cycle is run!

Thank you both again for your quick and helpful responses!

Matt

 

[aussie-plugs]

Happy to help

I'm glad the information we've both provided has been useful.

I'm not sure how the detergent dispenser lid is held when it's closed. I'm pretty sure a solenoid engages briefly to open it a few clicks into the Normal cycle. Perhaps that raises a central pin in the lid assembly and the spring then opens it.

You could try jiggling the cover gently to release it after it's been closed. It's one of those situations where you have to feel your way through things. Be gentle and don't force anything.

Let's know how it all goes!

Nick

 

[ozzie908]

It is very similar in design to Indesit

The detergent cover is held by a solenoid with a magnetic catch that releases in the wash cycle. You should be able to open it by gently pushing it with your finger but if it refuses to budge just turn the dial to the main wash cycle and after its filled and starts to wash it should click open. You should be able to get a tablet in there if powder is hard to find as long as the cover closes easily it should be ok.

Its possible this machine also does a static heat so may stop washing to get hot some did back then. So if it stops and seems stuck mid cycle leave it to see if its heating.

Let us know how you get on

 

[brisnat81]

If your running a normal cycle, then just detergent in the cup should be plenty, however if your running a Super or Heavy wash, then you should add a tablespoon of powder to the inside of the door, where it says powder Or anywhere.

From Memory this is an early model, because it doesnt have the 14 minute fast wash option that arrived with the Mark 8 Dishlex. I also believe that the Normal wash is heated, but the Short wash option after relies on the intake water temp for the washing. These have relatively low powered heating elements, so you need the incoming water temp to be at 60deg, otherwise the cycles will take a while.

If the energy saver buttons are labled Low Heat and Air Dry, We used to use both together. If you find things are still too wet at the end of the cycle, use Air Dry but not Low heat. If you put plastics on the lower rack, then use Air dry, otherwise you may melt them With Air dry not enabled, the exposed element in the bottom runs for the entire drying interval on the timer.

 

[matt01]

Thanks very much, all, for your comments and advice! The energy saver buttons are labelled Low Heat and Cool Dry and I think operate much as described - they were both in use when I moved in and I have left them that way!

There doesn't seem to be any 14 minute cycle. I have been able to fit a tablet in the dispenser so all seems to be working. The only thing I am working out at the moment is where to position glassware in the top rack in a way where glasses do not flip over during the cycle. There seems to be one spot on each side of the top rack where a glass will inevitably flip and fill with water which needs to be emptied when removed after the cycle. I am sure I will work it out!