Work Begins on the 1947 GE Washer

[Unimatic1140]

The timer cam that opens and closes all the switches is made out of solid copper and it's really heavy!

 

[Unimatic1140]

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.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Here is the entire timer assembly taken apart for a good cleaning and lubrication, no Midwest Timer Service needed here.

 

[Unimatic1140]

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...

 

[golittlesport]

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?

 

[Unimatic1140]

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.

 

[Unimatic1140]

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]

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.

 

[lesto]

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.

 

[jeff_adelphi]

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

 

[pulsator]

WOO HOO!!! I can't wait to see it in action!!! I bet that filter cleaning spray is gonna be AWESOME!!! I only wish I had the patience to fully restore a vintage machine. I can do some minor repairs, but to completely disassemble clean, paint, lubricate, silicone, then put it allllll back together would kill me I think. lol! Good luck on getting those pumps going again!
-Jamie

 

[frigilux]

Fascinating! What a cleverly designed machine. No wonder you wanted one so badly, Robert. Need I say how much we'll all be looking forward to one of you great videos when the restoration is complete?

 

[paulg]

Hey UNIMATIC - What camera are you using?

You pix are of great quality. I must buy a new digital camera for work this weekend. What make/model do you use?
Thanks!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Paul, I use a old Sony DSC-S30 Cyber-shot, bought in 2000.

 

[paulg]

Thanks again.

Thanks for the rapid reply. I was just leaving on errands and... there was the answer!

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

Robert,
This is such an amazing machine!
I bet you are having so much fun with this one. Something new, and so different for you to figure out.
I knew that this first GE was different, but I had no idea it was this different.
Has there been any talk about why GE changed this design so fast? It is obvious that it is very complex machine. I am just wondering if it was the cost to produce vs. how reliable the machine was.
Has anyone else ever found this model GE? As long as I have been in the club, I remember that this was the only one.
Thanks for sharing your fun and adventure Robert!
Brent

 

[bajaespuma]

Thank you so much for posting this. I'm fascinated by the design decisions GE made in the evolution of their machines. Am I wrong, or does this mean that they produced a machine with a lint filter a fast extraction and a detergent dispenser in 1947, then abandoned those innovations only to reintroduce some of them in the mid-fifties?

 

[Unimatic1140]

Has there been any talk about why GE changed this design so fast? It is obvious that it is very complex machine. I am just wondering if it was the cost to produce vs. how reliable the machine was.

Hi Brent, I suspect reliability probably wasn't the issue here, I'm sure GE took away features to save manufacturing costs.

Am I wrong, or does this mean that they produced a machine with a lint filter a fast extraction and a detergent dispenser in 1947, then abandoned those innovations only to reintroduce some of them in the mid-fifties?

Actually Ken, GE didn't bring back any of those features in the 50's. They did create a new lint filter system in '55, but it was not self-cleaning. The didn't introduce an automatic detergent dispenser (dumping it into the filter pan doesn't count as automatic) until the Dispensall of the 1970's. GE did bring back their self-cleaning filter ring but it was utilized only on their GE made Hotpoint washers starting in 1975, never on a GE washer itself. The 1140rpm spin was gone for ever.

 

[tumbler]

hi-speed spin

Funny how the ads hype the new machines w/high-speed spin as something new-G.E. had it in 1947! Seems that they only brought it back in the last few years with the "Profile/Harmony" hi-tech top loader! I remember, though, a G.E. my mom had made sometime around '53 or '54, which spun pretty fast.

 

[trainguy]

Update Please

Robert,

Congrats on getting one of your dream machines. How's the restoration coming along?

Rich

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Rich,

Well its coming along, but I've been sort of busy so I'm not moving a great speed in getting it done. For some reason I'm not getting any hot water, so I have to do some electrical tracing. I was hoping to do the very first wash by this weekend, but I'm not too sure about that yet.

I'll keep ya posted. I can wait to see that fabulous machine spin at 1140rpm!