Does anyone have a list of washers that use or are using a timed fill? I am especially interested in any perforated tub models but all are welcome. Doing a project on these.
Washers with timed fill
- Thread starter Chetlaham
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Some early Maytag's had a timed fill.
turquoisedude
Well-known member
Wow, this will be quite a list... lol
Rule of thumb - if the washer had a solid tub, it's most likely a timed - fill. I am going to base this reply on personal experience, so I am counting on others to "fill in the blanks"!!
ABC / Kelvinator - solid tub models from the 50s into the mid 60s
Blackstone - time fill until the late 60s
Frigidaire - from the first Unimatics in the late 40s until the late 60s were time-full
Dominion (also Beatty and Zenith) time fill from the mid 50s until the product line was discontinued in the early 60s
GE - not truly time-fill but kinda... they depended on a sort of water level switch at the bottom of the tub until 1962 (I believe)
Hotpoint - timed fill through the 50s for sure; can't say when the 60s models went to a perf tub with a water level control
Norge - time fill through the 50s until the late 60s
That's about all I have experience with, but there were definitely others like the early Maytags!
Rule of thumb - if the washer had a solid tub, it's most likely a timed - fill. I am going to base this reply on personal experience, so I am counting on others to "fill in the blanks"!!
ABC / Kelvinator - solid tub models from the 50s into the mid 60s
Blackstone - time fill until the late 60s
Frigidaire - from the first Unimatics in the late 40s until the late 60s were time-full
Dominion (also Beatty and Zenith) time fill from the mid 50s until the product line was discontinued in the early 60s
GE - not truly time-fill but kinda... they depended on a sort of water level switch at the bottom of the tub until 1962 (I believe)
Hotpoint - timed fill through the 50s for sure; can't say when the 60s models went to a perf tub with a water level control
Norge - time fill through the 50s until the late 60s
That's about all I have experience with, but there were definitely others like the early Maytags!
Well, (how did you miss this one?) Speed Queen...
-- Dave
-- Dave
Beginning with upper models in the Jet Action Roller-Matic series there were some metered fill Frigidaires with a little tube running from the fill flume down to a plastic collector box at the base of the machine. These were the machines where the rinse stopped filling when agitation began and began it again after a timer increment or two.
The solid tub GEs had a metered fill. Water slowly ran out under the agitator during the fill through the sediment ejector but the fill finally overflowed the tub to provide sufficient water for the Filter Flo operation by triggering a pressure switch in a sump in the outer tub.I guess the earlier 50s GEs just filled the tub to overflowing to trigger that pressure switch because no GE timers I have seen had provision for a fill period and they did that continuous advancing without an escapement. That is why they had the long pauses between parts of the cycle to avoid arcing between timer contacts.
The solid tub GEs had a metered fill. Water slowly ran out under the agitator during the fill through the sediment ejector but the fill finally overflowed the tub to provide sufficient water for the Filter Flo operation by triggering a pressure switch in a sump in the outer tub.I guess the earlier 50s GEs just filled the tub to overflowing to trigger that pressure switch because no GE timers I have seen had provision for a fill period and they did that continuous advancing without an escapement. That is why they had the long pauses between parts of the cycle to avoid arcing between timer contacts.
Beginning with upper models in the Jet Action Roller-Matic series there were some metered fill Frigidaires with a little tube running from the fill flume down to a plastic collector box at the base of the machine. These were the machines where the rinse stopped filling when agitation began and began it again after a timer increment or two.
The solid tub GEs had a metered fill. Water slowly ran out under the agitator during the fill through the sediment ejector but the fill finally overflowed the tub to provide sufficient water for the Filter Flo operation by triggering a pressure switch in a sump in the outer tub. I guess the earlier 50s GEs just filled the tub to overflowing to trigger that pressure switch because no GE timers I have seen had provision for a fill period and they did that continuous advancing without an escapement. That is why they had the long pauses between parts of the cycle to avoid arcing between timer contacts.
The solid tub GEs had a metered fill. Water slowly ran out under the agitator during the fill through the sediment ejector but the fill finally overflowed the tub to provide sufficient water for the Filter Flo operation by triggering a pressure switch in a sump in the outer tub. I guess the earlier 50s GEs just filled the tub to overflowing to trigger that pressure switch because no GE timers I have seen had provision for a fill period and they did that continuous advancing without an escapement. That is why they had the long pauses between parts of the cycle to avoid arcing between timer contacts.
turquoisedude
Well-known member
Speed Queen missed
D'OH!!
very true Dave! Even Canadian Speed Queens in the 50s and 60s were time fill...
My 57, however, seems to be the " not enough time to fill" model... LOL
D'OH!!
very true Dave! Even Canadian Speed Queens in the 50s and 60s were time fill...
My 57, however, seems to be the " not enough time to fill" model... LOL
Thanks everyone, awesome replies. 
What about front loads? Any that were ever timed filled?
What about front loads? Any that were ever timed filled?
Just timed my Speed Queen on Hot fill, full load full tub: about 7 minutes 40 seconds, give or take 4 seconds.
Timed fill front-loaders: Did those little round coin-op Westinghouse Laundromats have a timed fill? I seem to recall that the fill stopped when the timer advanced.
Whether I can trust my memory on the occasional use of one in the hometown laundromat 45+ years ago is another matter, LOL.
Photo credit to our own Kevin B. for this snap from his video circa 2011.
Have you noticed almost every interesting photo or video concerning washers via Google searches or on YouTube originates from a member of the AW family? We rock!
Whether I can trust my memory on the occasional use of one in the hometown laundromat 45+ years ago is another matter, LOL.
Photo credit to our own Kevin B. for this snap from his video circa 2011.
Have you noticed almost every interesting photo or video concerning washers via Google searches or on YouTube originates from a member of the AW family? We rock!
philr
Well-known member
Tom, the first Frigidaire washer that had metered fill was actually a low end 2 speed model from 1966 that didn't even have a water level adjustment (WCDAK-PF). In 1967 it spread to most higher end US models but also on the WCDL Custom Deluxe but these had infinite water level adjustment. I have a 1967 Custom Deluxe washer with the metered fill and infinite water level. My Canadian TOL machines from this period were still time-filled.
As for which machines had the time fill and true perforated tubs which fill their outer tubs, I don't know if that was even done. I think it could lead to problems if the machine overfills without a safety switch! Those with a solid tub design have a buffer with the outer tub that can fill after the inner tub.
BTW, my 1973 Frigidaire GMini is a time-filled solid tub machine but it does have a pressure switch as a safety feature in the outer tub in case it overfills.
These pictures show my 1967 WCDL/DCDL set.
As for which machines had the time fill and true perforated tubs which fill their outer tubs, I don't know if that was even done. I think it could lead to problems if the machine overfills without a safety switch! Those with a solid tub design have a buffer with the outer tub that can fill after the inner tub.
BTW, my 1973 Frigidaire GMini is a time-filled solid tub machine but it does have a pressure switch as a safety feature in the outer tub in case it overfills.
These pictures show my 1967 WCDL/DCDL set.
gyrafoam
Well-known member
I have high water pressure and my late sixties SQ easily overfills by two increments, even with hot water. So I have to be careful how I set it. The rinse agitation begins just when the water level reaches the top and begins overflowing, if set on cold. Warm always creates an overflow situation, and I don't mind.
The 1980 SQ has the larger solid-tub. Even if set to a warm rinse it never gets full before agitation begins, so it kind of shortens the true overflow rinsing effect accordingly. Probably Government intervention or pressure from the stupid Consumers Report. The Rinse fill needs needs a couple more increments.
The timed-fill Maytags were interesting. Depending on water pressure you got a little too much or a little less. However, I don't think they were any more prone to overflowing than any other perf-tub machine in those days. All you needed was a bad water valve.
The 1980 SQ has the larger solid-tub. Even if set to a warm rinse it never gets full before agitation begins, so it kind of shortens the true overflow rinsing effect accordingly. Probably Government intervention or pressure from the stupid Consumers Report. The Rinse fill needs needs a couple more increments.
The timed-fill Maytags were interesting. Depending on water pressure you got a little too much or a little less. However, I don't think they were any more prone to overflowing than any other perf-tub machine in those days. All you needed was a bad water valve.
Maytags with timed fill
MTs first AWs were all metered fill but then they came out with a cheaper model with timed fill which worked ok because it had a large outer tub so flooding was not likley if it over filled somewhat.
I think that MT was the only company that dared to build a perforated basket washer with timed fill when they introduced their first helical drive washers. These machines [ 123, A100 etc ] had very little room for overfilling, they were 16 gallon tub washers and if you got to about 20 gallons of water it was all going on the floor after that and the socks were getting stuck between the wash basket and outer tub, LOL.
All early WH and Bendix FL washers were metered fill.
John L.
MTs first AWs were all metered fill but then they came out with a cheaper model with timed fill which worked ok because it had a large outer tub so flooding was not likley if it over filled somewhat.
I think that MT was the only company that dared to build a perforated basket washer with timed fill when they introduced their first helical drive washers. These machines [ 123, A100 etc ] had very little room for overfilling, they were 16 gallon tub washers and if you got to about 20 gallons of water it was all going on the floor after that and the socks were getting stuck between the wash basket and outer tub, LOL.
All early WH and Bendix FL washers were metered fill.
John L.
There were also timed-fill Whirlpool & Sears Kenmore washers, too... With one outside knob for the (Hot, Warm & Cold Wash, Cold Rinse) temperature...
-- Dave
-- Dave
gyrafoam
Well-known member
Les, the last time I saw a Hotpoint solid-tub was a BOL Flat-Top over at Castleberry's in about '73. I should have bought it.
Yes, my book on appliances says "only the Hotpoint still uses a timed-fill" and it's from the early-'70's, but surely higher-up models would have metered-fill...
-- Dave
-- Dave
philr
Well-known member
Frigidaire kept using timed-fill on it's GMini and Laundry Centers until the end of the seventies. These washers did have a pressure switch in their outer tub in case something goes wrong with their timers but they were still time-filled.
Timed Fill WP-KM Washers ????
I have never seen such a machine, Hi Dave, please give more details.
John L.
I have never seen such a machine, Hi Dave, please give more details.
John L.
Replies worth gold
Thanks everyone Does anyone have pics of these washers- preferably the late and perforated models like Maytag?
Thanks everyone
Does anyone have pics of these washers- preferably the late and perforated models like Maytag?
X2 on the timed fill KM/WPs, I'm interested as well!
easy
Well-known member
timed fill whirlpoool
I remember seeing a timed fill Whirlpool for sale in the mid 60's. It was 24" BOL - timer knob only. Single fill hose so you set the temp at the faucet.
A friend's mom had a timed fill Firestone. It was replaced with a BOL Philco solid tub with normal and short cycles. Single fill hose.
The strangest timed fill machine I remember was a Westinghouse from the early 1970's. Two cycle. Normal only gave you a hot wash with a warm rinse. Second cycle was prewash with a warm fill.
I remember seeing a timed fill Whirlpool for sale in the mid 60's. It was 24" BOL - timer knob only. Single fill hose so you set the temp at the faucet.
A friend's mom had a timed fill Firestone. It was replaced with a BOL Philco solid tub with normal and short cycles. Single fill hose.
The strangest timed fill machine I remember was a Westinghouse from the early 1970's. Two cycle. Normal only gave you a hot wash with a warm rinse. Second cycle was prewash with a warm fill.
I'm not aware of any WPs/KMs of old (classic belt-drive) that were timed fill. Early design had a float instead of a pressure switch but it wasn't timed. BOL single/full-level models still had a pressure switch (or float), with the timer having a designated "fill" area but it wasn't timed. Advancing the timer out of the "fill" usually started agitation (via bypassing the fill circuit) to manually provide a lower water level.
So, if there were some timed-filled models, that's hugely interesting.
Attn. DaDoes:
I thought there were some POD Whirlpool & Sears Kenmore machines that had no water level, but what now what you're saying in this area, now that I've read about what some of you'd said about a pressure-switch, is very different, versus my assumption that these washers (a box-control Whirlpool & some of those Kenmores w/ the dial & knob/knobs on the front of the cabinet come to mind, as well as Kenmores w/ full-width backguards employing such)...
-- Dave
I thought there were some POD Whirlpool & Sears Kenmore machines that had no water level, but what now what you're saying in this area, now that I've read about what some of you'd said about a pressure-switch, is very different, versus my assumption that these washers (a box-control Whirlpool & some of those Kenmores w/ the dial & knob/knobs on the front of the cabinet come to mind, as well as Kenmores w/ full-width backguards employing such)...
-- Dave
These models had a fill portion of the wash cycle. It was not a timed fill, but rather a way of controlling the fill for a less than full tub. The timer only filled in a certain few minutes like from 15 to 10 minutes so if you wanted less than a full tub of water you started the wash in the fill portion of the wash area then, when you had the water level you needed, you pulled out the timer and advanced it to the portion of the wash period without the heavy line over the top of the minute markings and push the dial back in to start agitation. This was also needed to obtain a shorter wash period. There is a little float chamber on the back corner of the outer tub near the top to signal a full tub that stopped filling and started agitation automatically. The Bendix machines had a similar float chamber on the back of the outer tub to signal a full fill. These were before pressure switches were used.
cornutt
Well-known member
I recall that on my stepmother's Kenmore, circa 1972, at one point we were living in a rental house in an area that had high water pressure. After the tub filled, the machine paused for 10-20 seconds before agitation started. It didn't do that when we lived in a different house with lower water pressure. I always assumed this had something to do with the timer, but I was never clear on exactly what.
Some KM/WP timers had a "rinse fill" increment. There'd be a pause for the remainder of the increment if the water level was satisfied before it advanced but that's not a timed fill, the pressure switch is still in control of the fill. The timer would advance and stop (until agitation started) if the fill took longer than the rinse fill increment. There wasn't a pause like that for the wash fill far as I ever saw.
easy
Well-known member
Time fill Whirlpool
The Whirlpool I mentioned earlier was definitely a time fill machine. It had a fill section on the timer before the wash period began. It was not like other Kenmore/Whirlpool machines with the fill section underlining the 6 to 14 minute section of the normal cycle.
This was a very BOL machine. Perhaps it didn't sell well or none have survived. There was nothing very attractive about its design. I doubt anyone at the time would have considered saving or restoring it.
The Whirlpool I mentioned earlier was definitely a time fill machine. It had a fill section on the timer before the wash period began. It was not like other Kenmore/Whirlpool machines with the fill section underlining the 6 to 14 minute section of the normal cycle.
This was a very BOL machine. Perhaps it didn't sell well or none have survived. There was nothing very attractive about its design. I doubt anyone at the time would have considered saving or restoring it.
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