Thread Number: 36286
GSD2800
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Post# 540630   8/30/2011 at 15:19 (4,594 days old) by bwoods ()        

Attched is the picture of the GSD2800 found at the Habitant for Humanity ReStore for $25.

Looks to have been used very little and works perfectly. I did do one alteration; however, one things that has always bothered me with GE tower washes is the large amount of carry-over water from one fill to the next.

This coupled with only two rinses in the 2800 versus three final rinses for their other tower wash models gives me concern.

I took out the sump and replaced it with one from a newer profile machine. The new sump has the opening for the separate drain pump. I found another used ge profile with the selective drain pump and installed it.

I don't like the separate drain pump to do the entire draining as it can clog easily. So I have both the main wash motor draining conventionally and the selective drain pump operating simoultaneously, with two separate drain hoses. One to each side of the sink.

Of course things can't be simple, because GE pulse energized the drain solenoid and relied of water pressure to hold open the drain flap after the drain solenoid was energized.

I purchased a double latching relay and hooked one side to the fill solenoid and the other to the drain solenoid. I took a hotline off the motor and ran it through the relay to the drain pump.

When the factory drain solenoid kicks in, the drain pump kicks in and continues to
run until even after the factory drain solenoid has deenergized and the drain diverter flap has closed due to decreased drain water pressure.

The separate drain pump continues until the fill solenoid kicks in. This energizes the other side of the double relay and opens the contacts shutting down the separate drain pump.

The result is almost total emptying of the sump with each drain and no carry over of dirty water from one fill to the next.

This is my fourth GSD2800. They have always cleaned extremely well, but now the shine on the dishes is just unbelievable as the rinsing is even more thorough with the purer water not contaminated by carry-over.






Post# 540639 , Reply# 1   8/30/2011 at 16:02 (4,594 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
I threw one out last fall, found it behind a store years ago but did nothing to it.

Are there SS/brushed chrome panels on your model? Looks sharp. Your conversion work is pretty interesting. Good job!

Ben


Post# 540645 , Reply# 2   8/30/2011 at 16:24 (4,594 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture

Yay for great appliance modifications.  I like what you did Barry, using electrical relays can be fun!


Post# 540673 , Reply# 3   8/30/2011 at 18:52 (4,594 days old) by appnut (TX)        
3 post wash rinses

appnut's profile picture
Selecting the heavy soil option will give you that 3rd post wash rinse on every cycle.

Post# 540677 , Reply# 4   8/30/2011 at 19:14 (4,594 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
There aws a version of this series, supposedly the GSD2800S, that did 3 post wash rinses as part of medium soil and for heavy soil, did 4, for a total of 8 fills and 14 freakin gallons!! User manual has a 11/92 date on it. One from 1988 does the std. 2 or 3 post-wash rinses based up9on soil level.

Post# 540699 , Reply# 5   8/30/2011 at 20:47 (4,594 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
GSD 2800

combo52's profile picture

I love your modifications Barry, I am very familiar with this machine I still have one customer with this model who is determined to keep it to the bitter end. I just parted one out and decided to keep a GSD1200 instead for the working museum project. I just don't have that much faith in GEs electronics from this period. But I admire your determination, Good Luck with it.


Post# 540701 , Reply# 6   8/30/2011 at 20:56 (4,594 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
GSD 2800

combo52's profile picture

I love your modifications Barry, I am very familiar with this machine I still have one customer with this model who is determined to keep it to the bitter end. I just parted one out and decided to keep a GSD1200 instead for the working museum project. I just don't have that much faith in GEs electronics from this period. But I admire your determination, Good Luck with it.

 

While these DWs actually can clean very well I can never get used to the limitations of a daily driver DW that doesn't have a full upper wash arm that allows large pots and pans to be placed in the lower rack without sacrificing cleaning the glass ware in the corners of the top rack. The other thing I could never stand about GE DWs was the cheap shaded pole motor that was always changing speed as it washed, it always sounded like it was straining. The good news is that the newer Chinese motor will fit these machines and it has a much better sound plus it uses 1/3 the electricity.


Post# 540713 , Reply# 7   8/30/2011 at 21:38 (4,594 days old) by GadgetGary (Bristol,CT)        
I have that DW in my basement

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I think it is a great performer, almost better than my KA KUDS22 series in my kitchen.

 

Good luck with it!


Post# 540717 , Reply# 8   8/30/2011 at 21:51 (4,594 days old) by bwoods ()        
Thanks all

Thanks for all the comments, everyone. Robert, my modifications are nothing compared to what you did on that '65 Lady Kenmore. Wow! Job well done.

Yes, the S model, I believe was only made one year and had the extra rinses.

On the comment about the GE elecronics, never had a bit of problem with any smartboard on the GSD2800's and all are around 25 years old. I have a GE console
color TV, manufactured Sept. 1985 (one of GE's first to have fully integrated stereo sound) that has never been repaired and still functions perfectly as well as my daily driver TV. My 18 year old GE microwave has never had an electronics problem with the smartboard either. My experiences may or may not be typical.

As far as the tower wash, I think I have voiced my strong opinion in their defense on this site before. So I won't reiterate everything but just say
that I prefer the tower wash to everything I have ever owned, except for my reverse rack Maytag which about ties with the tower wash.

Try the very small mouth jar test, with something like peanut butter or dried jelly, etc. in it. At least in my experience nothing equals the towerwash, with the old induction motor for scrubbing on the upper rack. Three day old dried oatmeal also has been a problem for me in dual wash arm machines and does not even raise a sweat (hehe) for the GE tower wash system.

I have a kitchennete in the lower level of the house with a newer GE DW with the 1.8 amp PFC motor. Yes it is quiter but just doesn't have the scrubbing power, from what I have found, that the 5.0 amp induction motor does. Both are good machines but for really gunked up pots, I can see a difference in cleaning ability between the PFC and the induction and always rely on the 2800 for severe loads.


Post# 540722 , Reply# 9   8/30/2011 at 22:19 (4,594 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
GE2800!

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I think this picture best describes the interior. I always liked these models but I was disappointed GE didnt continue with the potscrubber2 design with the arm under each rack. It shows GE could never get away from that tower technology!

Post# 540787 , Reply# 10   8/31/2011 at 07:15 (4,593 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
GE DW PUMP AND MOTORS

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There is no difference in water output from the two different pump and motors, both motors run at the same speed and use the same wash impeller, seal etc. While it may be true that later DWs that were built with the newer pump did not move as much water it had more to due with wash arm design etc as they were trying to reengineer the machines for lower water use and quietness. But if you put the newer PSC motor in the older machines you will get the same cleaning performance without the loud roar of the fan and the droning- surging sound of the pump plus a noticeably cooler kitchen without the additional over 1000 BTUs of heat generated per hour of the old inefficient motor.

 

The original induction motors that GE used from 1967-the 1990s was easily the cheapest most inefficient and poorly built motor ever used in a home DW. You can tell that GE was involved in building Nuclear power plants and they were still betting on unlimited cheap power when they put that motor in DWs. GE also had lots of problems with bad control boards in these DWs we used to change them all the time. A lot of times the display would get so dim you could not see it any longer and another common problem was the connector harness plug that included the blue wire going to the motor would burn badly destroying the board and wiring harness. My customer with this machine just had this problem earlier this year and this is another good reason to change the motor to the PSC motor if this gets much use.

 

But don't get me wrong I think it is great that you are preserving this machine, it outperformed the KA KD21s and on DWs. And I to am a glutton for punishment as I have a KDSS-20 DW in my kitchen [ as far as I can tell it may be the last one left ] I also really liked these early electronic appliances from the late 1970s through the 80s.


Post# 540827 , Reply# 11   8/31/2011 at 10:35 (4,593 days old) by mixfinder ()        
You Compulsive Feak!!

I love to see the General Electric appliances above and below the counter.  Years ago we had a round can GE compactor and really liked it.  In my 40 plus years of owning and having my own homes I have yet to have a GE appliance with performance issues.  Moreover, I am a little obsessive about brands, dishes, pans etc being the same brand.  Your kitchen makes me calm and lets me sleep better at night.  The GE mixer is real work horse.  I gave one to my aunt with 5 kids in 1976.  I still use it everytime I'm there and she's known as the cookie queen of heer community.


Post# 540927 , Reply# 12   8/31/2011 at 19:38 (4,593 days old) by appnut (TX)        
this machine, it outperformed the KA KD21s and on DWs

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John, now you know why I opted for the GSD1200 istead of a KDS. And my eveeryday dishes were practically made for GE dishwashers so they fit well and an aweful lot of them in it.

Post# 540937 , Reply# 13   8/31/2011 at 20:50 (4,593 days old) by bwoods ()        
compulsive

Thanks, Kelly.

Glad to know I am not the only one who wants uniform branding on appliances! Even my disposal is a GE (the older series wound motor unit.)

Year ago, when I had condo built I drove the builder crazy as I had him special order all GE appliances including the central heat pump (back in the days before Neutron Jack sold GE's HVAC unit to Trane.) My builder was not at all happy with me and we had words. He was using all White-Westinghouse appliances at the time. But I couldn't bear the thought of having mixed branding, in a brand new condo. And back in the late seventies and early eighties White-Westinghouse didn't have the best quality in the world.


The HVAC installer, who was putting Bryant units in all the condos had to order the GE Weathertron Heat Pump. I talked to him the day he was intstalling it. He said "you are the smartest guy in the whole complex." He then went on to explain the superiority of the GE Weathertron over other heat pumps.

As far as the dishwasher. I love my Maytag Reverse rack dearly, but there is just something about the GE tower wash. The familiar calm of the humming motor, the soothing smooth and even swish swash of the water, not having to worry about blocking an upper wash arm when loading and knowing it can scrub the daylights out of dirty dishes.


Post# 540942 , Reply# 14   8/31/2011 at 21:00 (4,593 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
GE Dishwasher!

peteski50's profile picture
This is a awsome dishwasher and I always liked the GE style but for me my prefrence was the upper spray arm as opposed to the tower. I always found it easier to give the arm a quick spin as opposed to loading around the tower. But I still did a good job at loading any machine. Do you have pictures of the interior?
Best of Luck with this unit.
Peter


Post# 540948 , Reply# 15   8/31/2011 at 21:38 (4,593 days old) by bwoods ()        
inside

Here, Peter

HAVE TO SEND ANOTHER WHEN ITS UNLOADED!


Post# 540950 , Reply# 16   8/31/2011 at 21:48 (4,593 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
GE Dishwasher!

peteski50's profile picture
Thanks for posting. You have a great style to loading. I never realized you could put in the electric elements from the stove. I used to have a electric stove and I never thought of doing that. After I cleaned the stove I would plug them back in and turn on for a minute or two to burn off the debre. See you learn something everyday!


Post# 540966 , Reply# 17   9/1/2011 at 00:02 (4,593 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

We had a 2800 for many years, and I do miss it.  It a;always did a great job, and I love all the info it gave you.  Eventually the seals went in mine, everything was covered in little black specks that smudged easily.  So out it went, other than that it was still going strong.


Post# 540988 , Reply# 18   9/1/2011 at 06:15 (4,593 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
ELECTRIC ELEMENTS IN THE DW

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They should NOT be put in the DW or otherwise immersed, if any moisture gets past the seals at the terminals they will short and possibly EXPLODE when used I have seen them EXPLODE.


Post# 540990 , Reply# 19   9/1/2011 at 06:32 (4,592 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

electric stove element burners are really "self cleaning"just turn them on for a few min on high-the debris is burned away-they should NOT be run thru a dishwasher or immersed.

Post# 541028 , Reply# 20   9/1/2011 at 09:16 (4,592 days old) by bwoods ()        
Ooops!

OKAY, you caught me! I just inadvertently exposed my bad habit to everyone on the site, hehe.

No. I don't recommend people put their burners in the dishwasher. It's just a habit I developed. For the past 20+ years I have been putting them in weekly as I have a strong adversion to dirt and grease, and don't like the smoke and odor when they burn off a spill.

GE specifically recommends, in their instruction manual, that elements NOT be put in a dishwasher.



Post# 541034 , Reply# 21   9/1/2011 at 09:54 (4,592 days old) by mixfinder ()        
Courageous Fool!

Now I like you more than ever, a compulsive dare devil.  I put everything but the refrigerator inside the self cleaning oven while every instruction manual calls for removing the racks and leaving only the heating elements inside.  What's life without some calculated ricks.  Use heavy pots so if a burner blows it will help hold deflect the flash burn.


Post# 541075 , Reply# 22   9/1/2011 at 16:02 (4,592 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
SHORTING SEALED ELEMENT ELEMENTS

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I once had a Frigidare Electra-Clean range in my shop for testing that had been sitting outside for over a month and enough moisture had gotten inside the bake element that when I was preheating the oven I heard this strange sound like steam escaping. I opened the oven door and everything looked normal, bake element nice and red hot, then closed the door and as I turned away from the range there I heard this loud explosion and the oven door blew open with enough force to hit me in the butt. I am very lucky that it didn't do this a moment earlier as I may have been blinded. I have also heard from many customers over the years that have had surface elements fail violently and shooting sparks and even welding cookware to the element in the process. This is way it is important not to use electric elements on the high heat setting for long periods of time if large portions of it are glowing red hot. If this is occurring you either need better [ flat ] pans or the elements are warped and should be replaced. This is one reason that appliance manufacturers have been pushing smooth-top ranges as they are much safer in the hands of stupid consumers. I personally like the Calrod type surface elements but they do need to be used with a bit of common sense.

 

On cleaning Items in the self-cleaning oven, I have always done this and always leave the racks in place. In fact most SCOs ever made either suggested leaving the racks in or said it was permissible if you didn't mind the initial discoloration that occurred from doing so. I know that there are some newer SCOs that tell you to take the racks out or even have an interlock that forces you to remove them, but I would never buy such an oven. SCOs are wonderful for cleaning porcelain on steel cookware and drip bowls, cast iron cookware, many aluminum pieces and one of my favorites Corning-Ware.


Post# 541088 , Reply# 23   9/1/2011 at 17:11 (4,592 days old) by mixfinder ()        
4th of July Sparklers

I have had both stove top and bake elements pop open and sparks fly for what seemed hours. I have had a Radiantube element blow and weld a Farberware pan to the burner leaving a hole melted through the aluminum layer of the pan. I simply thought it was the nature of Calrod units.
Kelly


Post# 541096 , Reply# 24   9/1/2011 at 18:31 (4,592 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))        
Exploding heating elements.

whirlykenmore78's profile picture
The tank heat element recently exploded in the dishwasher at my work. It blew a hole through 2 of the 3 coils and shattered an insulator.


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