What could be the year of this particular kitchenaid dishwasher desing?

From the tear downs I've done on both:

1. KDS-16 had a Mallory rapid advance timer vs. the KDS-17 Singer rapid advance timer. The Singer timers were used from there on out on the Superbas (and also used in many other laundry automatics from the late 70's on with Whirlpool being one of them). KDS-17 timers are easier to change out than on the KDS-16 due to the integrated wiring harnesses, but get more difficult on the later Superba machines with the timer being moved to the door on the KDS-18.

2. 16 had a solenoid, single door detergent dispenser, vs. the dual door, bi-metal heater latch assembly used on the 17. The 17's style dispenser was used from there on out. I really wish they would have kept the solenoid dispenser and would have designed dual doors, however it would be much more expensive to produce.

3. Cycles are slightly different between the machines, however I'm too lazy right now to get the books out to break out the cycles. Cycles change from machine to machine, as well as model to model.

4. Not a huge deal breaker, the but door handles are different between the 16 and the 17. The 17 is a much thinner handle than the 16, with the 16 being identified by having LIFT engraved in the handle - exposed in the locked position.

From what I've been able to tell, the racks are the same. The single wash arm assembly is the same for the 16/17. The heater assembly and wattage are the same for the Superba lines. The rinse dispenser is the same.

Between the racks and the motor/pump/wash arm assembly, you would be lead to believe that they have the same wash-ability. The KDS-16 I parted it was trashed so I was never able to use it, but I can't imagine that it would have been much different than the 17. The build quality and material quality could be argued to be higher on the 16, but doesn't mean that quality wasn't there for the 17's. Look how many are still in use in their original installation points.

The KDS-15, however, was much more different than the 16/17, with the exception of the detergent dispenser being carried over from the 15 to the 16.

Ben


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Post# 497686 2/19/2011 at 15:45 (4,806 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)
Checkrate/Likes hello to all aw washer members what could be the year and date of this particular kitchen aid dishewasher desing? and if any scans of brochures of this partiucular model exisis i would love to see them if possible please thank you very much

Post# 497690 , Reply# 1 2/19/2011 at 15:49 (4,806 days old) by appnut (TX)
Checkrate/Likes This is a KDS16 I think the years are 1969 through 1972. With it having the soak designation on the panel instead of simply Heavy Soil cycle, it's toward the end of the 16 series.

Post# 497755 , Reply# 2 2/19/2011 at 18:52 (4,806 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)
Checkrate/Likes I remember my friend's parents had their kitchen remodeled in the late 60's or early 70's and upgraded to this model in harvest gold. I was very impressed, particularly with the "Party" designation for some cycle options. At home we had the BOL Wardgidaire toploader with one cycle. I lusted after that KDS-16 for many years.

Post# 497892 , Reply# 3 2/20/2011 at 09:37 (4,806 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes *KD16 DISHWASHERS* were made from 1968-1970 the 17s were in full swing by 1971. The 16s our my favorite single arm KA, the 17s were to me the beginning of a long slow slide downward in durability.

Post# 497917 , Reply# 4 2/20/2011 at 10:59 (4,806 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes John, What specifically was different between the 16's and the 17's?

Post# 497927 , Reply# 5 2/20/2011 at 11:21 (4,806 days old) by gmmcnair (Portland, OR)
Checkrate/Likes *I recognize that machine....* My friend had it in her kitchen....it was with the house when she bought it, and it was still going strong when I left the area in 2000. Washed like a dream, even though she was never that interested in proper loading.

Post# 497933 , Reply# 6 2/20/2011 at 11:45 (4,806 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes *What specifically was different between the 16's and the* From the tear downs I've done on both: 1. KDS-16 had a Mallory rapid advance timer vs. the KDS-17 Singer rapid advance timer. The Singer timers were used from there on out on the Superbas (and also used in many other laundry automatics from the late 70's on with Whirlpool being one of them). KDS-17 timers are easier to change out than on the KDS-16 due to the integrated wiring harnesses, but get more difficult on the later Superba machines with the timer being moved to the door on the KDS-18. 2. 16 had a solenoid, single door detergent dispenser, vs. the dual door, bi-metal heater latch assembly used on the 17. The 17's style dispenser was used from there on out. I really wish they would have kept the solenoid dispenser and would have designed dual doors, however it would be much more expensive to produce. 3. Cycles are slightly different between the machines, however I'm too lazy right now to get the books out to break out the cycles. Cycles change from machine to machine, as well as model to model. 4. Not a huge deal breaker, the but door handles are different between the 16 and the 17. The 17 is a much thinner handle than the 16, with the 16 being identified by having LIFT engraved in the handle - exposed in the locked position. From what I've been able to tell, the racks are the same. The single wash arm assembly is the same for the 16/17. The heater assembly and wattage are the same for the Superba lines. The rinse dispenser is the same. Between the racks and the motor/pump/wash arm assembly, you would be lead to believe that they have the same wash-ability. The KDS-16 I parted it was trashed so I was never able to use it, but I can't imagine that it would have been much different than the 17. The build quality and material quality could be argued to be higher on the 16, but doesn't mean that quality wasn't there for the 17's. Look how many are still in use in their original installation points. The KDS-15, however, was much more different than the 16/17, with the exception of the detergent dispenser being carried over from the 15 to the 16. Ben

Post# 497934 , Reply# 7 2/20/2011 at 11:50 (4,806 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *16 VS 17 DWs* Hi Ken the 17s had a cheap bimetal activated detergent dispensers that didn't open as reliability, all three 17 models had timer problems and the KDI & KDC had many selector switch problems. The 17s also had more inlet valve and drain valve failures as they changed to parts made by Singer and the KUC & KDI changed to a cheap plastic filter that would get brittle and break up and clog the drain valve. I also liked the styling better on the 16s as opposed to the 17s, the 17s just looked cheaper, I really liked the way the KDS16s door handle fit into the chrome molding on the control panel when the handle is latched as opposed to the 17 and later where it just there. All that said the 17s were still very good machines, but of the two I would take the 16.

Post# 497947 , Reply# 8 2/20/2011 at 12:08 (4,806 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *KD DISHWASHER TIMERS* Hi Ben the timers in all 16s were made by Controls Corp of America and had molded bakelite sides rather that the cheap fiber board sides that the Mallory brand used. At the time and I still feel that these CC timers were among the best ever used on home appliances.

Post# 497949 , Reply# 9 2/20/2011 at 12:09 (4,806 days old) by varicyclevoice (Davenport, Iowa)
Checkrate/Likes *Use and Care manual available* Hello pierreandreply4: I have the use and care manual for this dishwasher scanned in if you would like it. Just email me at MrFrench70@aol.com and I will send it to you. Thanks! Todd

Post# 497990 , Reply# 11 2/20/2011 at 14:45 (4,805 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)
Checkrate/Likes Oh hell, you are right Jon. Last spring, I tore down the 16 and threw everything in a box before I could pay attention to what the parts actually were. I've only seen CC timers used in a few appliances - a small sampling of mid 60's Maytags, Greg's 60 Lady K, and now this KDS-16 timer. Rummaged through one of the parts boxes to see for myself. High quality from what I can tell. If I ever ran across a nice KDS-16, I certainly wouldn't turn it down. :D Ben

Post# 497955 , Reply# 10 2/20/2011 at 12:33 (4,806 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)
Checkrate/Likes ok i will think about this thank you

Post# 497991 , Reply# 12 2/20/2011 at 14:46 (4,805 days old) by appnut (TX)
Checkrate/Likes Todd, I sent you an email.