jasonl
New member
Looks like the machine fills the outer tub first and then it recirc pumps it into the wash basket. How neat!
Work Begins on the 1947 GE Washer
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Is this the one with the oil-filled 1140-r.p.m. motor (with start relay) which uses hydraulic pressure to actuate the clutches?
Yes, it was GE's very first washer transmission design.
http://www.automaticwasher.org/FUN/AW6.jpg
Yes, it was GE's very first washer transmission design.
http://www.automaticwasher.org/FUN/AW6.jpg
i don't get it
so, the machine fills the outter tub, pumps the water into the inner tub, then washes. so if it's washing and the water's in the inner tub, then what's in the outter tub for the recirc. pump to even filter out? does the pump draw water from the inner tub and run it through the screen somehow?
so, the machine fills the outter tub, pumps the water into the inner tub, then washes. so if it's washing and the water's in the inner tub, then what's in the outter tub for the recirc. pump to even filter out? does the pump draw water from the inner tub and run it through the screen somehow?
Absolutely fascinating!
Definitely scores as one of the most unique vintage washer designs -- and probably GE's most sophisticated? It's kind of a paradox -- ordinarily the first design is relatively crude and subsequent ones become more refined and complex -- yet arguably the reverse happened here. At first, it wasn't clear why you wanted to trade a coveted Westy pair for that homely looking GE, but it's obvious now that the design is explained. It would be kind of fun to see not just the top, but the entire machine operate through glass. A built-in pseudo-suds-saver! I can't wait for the videos when it's up and running, or better still, to see it live.
Definitely scores as one of the most unique vintage washer designs -- and probably GE's most sophisticated? It's kind of a paradox -- ordinarily the first design is relatively crude and subsequent ones become more refined and complex -- yet arguably the reverse happened here. At first, it wasn't clear why you wanted to trade a coveted Westy pair for that homely looking GE, but it's obvious now that the design is explained. It would be kind of fun to see not just the top, but the entire machine operate through glass. A built-in pseudo-suds-saver! I can't wait for the videos when it's up and running, or better still, to see it live.
westytoploader
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Robert, great pictures, you're definitely off to a running start with this machine in my opinion! I just love the way they engineered those switches; seems to me like this aspect would be very service-friendly, and I'm curious to know if this machine has a wiring harness instead of the individual wires/connectors we usually see. Do the timer, pumps, and motor/transmission have these "quick" connectors as well?
Best of luck on repairing the pumps. I know you mentioned they were "frozen", will you be able to free them up again or are the seals, etc. damaged as well and need replacement? I'm just glad the main motor and transmission are in full working order!!! Keep us posted!
--Austin
Best of luck on repairing the pumps. I know you mentioned they were "frozen", will you be able to free them up again or are the seals, etc. damaged as well and need replacement? I'm just glad the main motor and transmission are in full working order!!! Keep us posted!
--Austin
jasonl
New member
From what I understand, the water starts filling the outer tub and the recirc pump pumps it into the inner tub. As the inner tub gets full, water seeps through a hole in the agitator and pushes down on a metal cup which starts the "Activation". Now the outer tube is starting to fill and as it pushes the cork float up, that shuts off the fresh water so it's recircing between the inner and outer tub. Rube Goldberg washing at its best. But then, how else would you do it?
mayken4now
Well-known member
Is this machine anywhere near the 1947 Unimatic that I have? I would tend to think not. Wow, what a machine to tackle. I would be all up in that face real fast. The more difficult, the more I come alive!
Steve
Steve
westytoploader
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And I wonder how much water the recirculation pump moves at one time. Looking at the angle of that nozzle, there could be potential for Jet-Circle Recirculation!!!
One thing I noticed was that on the Hotpoint (pronounced Hotpernt), the recirculation nozzle aimed downward, so unless it was a very linty load, it pretty much recirculated out of one place.
One thing I noticed was that on the Hotpoint (pronounced Hotpernt), the recirculation nozzle aimed downward, so unless it was a very linty load, it pretty much recirculated out of one place.
Yes the way it works is there is enough water in the system to fill the entire wash tub, plus a few extra gallons so those few extra gallons run down the holes at the top of the agitator, down a passagway into the outer tub and back up through the recirculation filter screens.
Austin yes, the transmission also has a quick disconnect block, where as the pumps and other components do not.
Well tonight I pulled out the main timer assembly and boy is it cool! Check this out, like nothing I have ever seen before...
Austin yes, the transmission also has a quick disconnect block, where as the pumps and other components do not.
Well tonight I pulled out the main timer assembly and boy is it cool! Check this out, like nothing I have ever seen before...
The timer cam that opens and closes all the switches is made out of solid copper and it's really heavy!
Its a simple but durable system. The switch levers simply fall into or get pushed out by the slots in the copper cam as it rotates through the cycle. You can turn this cycle control either way, both clockwise or counterclockwise so you can easily add more time to spin or repeat a cycle without turning the dial all the way around.
Here is the entire timer assembly taken apart for a good cleaning and lubrication, no Midwest Timer Service needed here.
Is this machine anywhere near the 1947 Unimatic that I have?
Steve-mayken4now actually the 1947 GE has a lot more features than our 1947 Unimatics.
At first, it wasn't clear why you wanted to trade a coveted Westy pair for that homely looking GE
Steve-helicaldrive I didn't trade my '55 Westy pair, I traded the '57 Westy combo I found last year for it...
Steve-mayken4now actually the 1947 GE has a lot more features than our 1947 Unimatics.
At first, it wasn't clear why you wanted to trade a coveted Westy pair for that homely looking GE
Steve-helicaldrive I didn't trade my '55 Westy pair, I traded the '57 Westy combo I found last year for it...
golittlesport
Well-known member
wow
What a cool washing machine! I love it! Thanks for taking us through the steps and posting the pictures. What fun! Does it throw the water fast?
What a cool washing machine! I love it! Thanks for taking us through the steps and posting the pictures. What fun! Does it throw the water fast?
Does it throw the water fast?
Hi Rich, I don't know because I have not had water in the machine yet, except for a small amount to prime the pumps with hot water. Both pumps are going to need work, so water testing is a ways off yet.
Hi Rich, I don't know because I have not had water in the machine yet, except for a small amount to prime the pumps with hot water. Both pumps are going to need work, so water testing is a ways off yet.
Here is an interesting explanation of the cycle in the 1947 GE from the service manual. This was written for service personel who probably have never seen an automatic washer before and need to have an understanding of how the machine processes through its cycle:
jasonl
New member
WOW!
Now that's what I like to see. Technical explanations of how and what it does during the cycle. The timer is wild with all those switches and stuff.
I bet this is a fun washer to watch.
Now that's what I like to see. Technical explanations of how and what it does during the cycle. The timer is wild with all those switches and stuff.
I bet this is a fun washer to watch.
Never have I seen such a machine! First of all, that timer system fascinates me. I've never heard of a washer timer that could be turned in either direction. And the fact that the machine doesn't pump the final rinse water out is also wild. It's like emptying a commercial type dishwasher where you drain it at the end of the day.
I rember that washer!
My brother John and I picked up that washer from a customer over 25 years ago. She had offered it to us for free and said it was not too old. When we showed up to get it we were not happy as it was way too old to repair and resell. We took it away thinking it would go to the scrap yard. When we got it home and took a better look at it we decided it was too interesting to throw away. I remember the first time we tried it in spin, the top was off and it kept going faster and faster as we were backing away from it thinking if was going to explode. I still remember how smooth and quiet that washer ran. Your going to really enjoy seeing it run again. Jeff
My brother John and I picked up that washer from a customer over 25 years ago. She had offered it to us for free and said it was not too old. When we showed up to get it we were not happy as it was way too old to repair and resell. We took it away thinking it would go to the scrap yard. When we got it home and took a better look at it we decided it was too interesting to throw away. I remember the first time we tried it in spin, the top was off and it kept going faster and faster as we were backing away from it thinking if was going to explode. I still remember how smooth and quiet that washer ran. Your going to really enjoy seeing it run again. Jeff
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