Work Begins on the 1947 GE Washer

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Unimatic1140

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Some of you might remember last winter John Lefever and I made a trade, my 1957 Westinghouse Wash & Dry Laundromat for his 1947 GE. The 1947 GE is the VERY FIRST General Electric Automatic Washer. Here is a link back to that original thread ---> The Very First GE Automatic Washer

Here is a link to some pictures of the machine ---> Pictures of the 1947 GE

Anyway, tonight I began the long process of it's restoration. I've tried the machine out and it has a few mechanical problems, but its most serious problem is a structural rust problem under the top. With help from another club member I might have found an easy solution to that serious structural problem, but more on that later.

As for the mechanical problems, the both the electric drain and electric recirculation pumps completely seized up, I think the drain pump can be saved but the recirculation pump I'm pretty sure is a goner. Another problem is in the combination Water Temperature Selector/Wash Time Selector Assembly. Its rather tight and in need of a thorough cleaning and lubrication. Its so tight that when the wash time counts down on the dial, it turns the water temp dial and selects a new water temperature. Can't have that, so tonight I took it apart and gave the assembly a total restoration, both dials now turn like they are brand new. YAY.

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Look at how advanced GE was even in the 1940's. I'm very impressed, they used a wiring harness with a bakelite quick disconnect system!

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Look how simple, yet how well thought out and sturdy this design is. It consists of a switch box with levers that stick out and touch cams molded right into the control dials! The switches are simply on/off switches that are depressed by the movement of the dials...

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I'm even more impressed with the fact that the contacts pull right out for easy cleaning and/or replacement. These switches could be easily fixed, with the exception maybe of a contact that might have broken in half. But I would think that would be a very rare occurance.

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Tomorrow I will pull out the timer which is located on the right side of the machine. After seeing this wonderful switch bank, I can't wait to see what the timer looks like!

By the way, in case some of you are wondering how the wash time control works. You can set the wash time dial anywhere from 3 to 20 minutes. The machine fills and starts to wash, the main timer dial advances for about 60 seconds and then stops and transfers control to this wash time control. The wash time control then starts to turn and when it gets down to 3 minutes it sends control back to the main timer dial which starts to move again and after another two minutes of wash goes into the first spin.
 
GE

Hi Robert,
This is a very impressive washing machine. I hope the restore goes well. From checking out the information you gave it seems it is far ahead of it's time. Seems newer technology can go backwards.
Best Wishes
Peter
 
That is a very unusual timer system - especially for 47. Didn't GE redesign it in your 51 with just one standard timer dial?
This machine is fascinating. Can't wait for more. Especially that 1140 rpm spin! What is the recirculation pump for? Does the 47 have an early filtering system?
 
Hi Les, yes GE did redesign the timer system to one control around 1949. As for the recirculation pump it's used for multiple purposes. The washer fills with fresh incoming water into the outer tub only. The recirculation pump, pumps the water into the inner tub. Then when the tub overflows and agitation begins the recirculation pump keeps going and filters the water through those screens at the top of the wash tub. Then during 1140rpm spin, the recirculation pump blasts a stream of water onto the spinning filter screens for 30 seconds which cleans the lint filter screens automatically! This is the very first self-cleaning lint filter system.

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Thats just about the most facinating washer Robert, I know you will do a great job on it! GE seemed to be one of the few washer manufacturers that designed their own timer, possibly becuase of the Bendix timer patents... GE timers were very well made. We seemed to repair very few GE timers with problems in the repair field, all the way up until they outsourced their timers to Mexico and China in the early 80's. Also one of the few timers with replaceable points. Ive never had a timer problem with any of my vintage GE washers or dryers.......
 
Robert.....

I'm telling you, I just don't understand HOW YOU DO IT! I'm retired, and do you think I can find time to even break down one of my machines right now??? I'm going to nickname you WONDERBOI!!! Can't wait to see the process of restoration on this machine. You really ARE a genius! Mark
 
Thanks for the explanation, Robert. This machine fascinates me more and more. Sounds like the filling process is like other solid tub machines only in reverse. Fill the outer tube and overflow it into the inner. How cool! And I love the way they thought to clean the filter with that spray. This is going to be a real gem in your collection!
 

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