Thread Number: 38028
GE filter Flo up and running |
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Post# 565221   12/25/2011 at 20:03 (4,477 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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I hope everyone had a great holiday season. It gave me some time to fix the old GE Filter Flo I got on eBay the other week. Managed to fix rust and leaks in outer tub. Did an empty run first. Works great except that at the end of the washy phase, it pauses, starts to spin and pump out. However, the spray rinse starts before all the water has pumped out and then stops spinning before all water has been pumped out. It pumps out at a fair old rate, don't think there are any blockages. Anyone have any ideas what could be causing the spin to stop too soon or the water to not pump out fast enough?
Aside that, she works really well. Cheers Simon |
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Post# 565236 , Reply# 1   12/26/2011 at 00:18 (4,477 days old) by doug (West Virgina)   |   | |
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I was thinking, and this kinda sounds like what my filter flo did about a year ago. But my problem was that i unwrapped the drain hose from the water inlet valves to extend the length of the frain hose. I would have to shake the drain hose in the spin cycle to get the little bit of water out, u could hear it start to drain again. U might want to check n see if the drain hose isnt unwrapped from the water inlet valves. "It is suppose to be wrapped around it". Its just an idea to check that, this is what my problem was... Doug
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Post# 565239 , Reply# 2   12/26/2011 at 01:58 (4,477 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Cheers Doug, I might try that. At the moment I am setting the auto extra rinse to do a second deep rinse to ensure the load rinses properly. If I set it to low water level ther is no problem but on high water level it takes too long to empty. It is like the first spin and spray rinse is too short. Interesting that if I set it to mini wash basket the water level is lower that the regular min water level. It is like an extra low water level. The regular low water level fills to half way up the wash tub.
I am so happy with this machine. I just ordered a new filter tray from a US spares website. It only cost $9 US but $50 to ship to Australia. Really looking forward to that being delivered. Happy laundering guys Simon |
Post# 565250 , Reply# 3   12/26/2011 at 07:17 (4,476 days old) by eronie (Flushing Michigan)   |   | |
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this machine has a two speed timer! fast advance for mini quick cycle and slow for all other cycles. its stuck on fast advance!! easy to fix theres a speed shifter in the timer thats gummed up.have seen this on some hotpoints. hope this helps |
Post# 565324 , Reply# 4   12/26/2011 at 20:54 (4,476 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Hi Tony, this sounds like the most likey cause of the short pump-out/spin time. Where abouts is the speed shift and what does it look lik? How does the washer know when the mini basket is being used? The only things I can see are the mini basket setting on the water level which I think just sets the water level at an extra low levle. There is also a cycle called quick mini cycle. Aside this there are no other settings so how does the timer know when to go faster if mini basket is being used?
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Post# 565326 , Reply# 5   12/26/2011 at 20:55 (4,476 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 565328 , Reply# 6   12/26/2011 at 20:55 (4,476 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 565329 , Reply# 7   12/26/2011 at 20:56 (4,476 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 565334 , Reply# 8   12/26/2011 at 22:11 (4,476 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)   |   | |
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GE FF's always had the spray start pretty early in the spin, before the wash water was all gone. Kenmore, Maytag, GM 1-18 all had a longer spin before spray. But GE's is a long spray and does a darn good job. Mine, however, then stops the spray and continues the spin for another minute, gets all the way up to high speed and full extraction before spin stops and the cycle advances. It sounds like your spraying is good, but either the pump is troubled or the timer. I don't have those answers, just knowledge of how mine works. |
Post# 565346 , Reply# 9   12/27/2011 at 00:00 (4,476 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Thanks for that Mark. Spray rinse is great in the GE FF and does shut off the water flow shortly before the spin stops. My Maytag Atlantis has a really short spray rinse, pretty useless. The best spray rinse are in my Fisher &Paykel washers. Both washers have several spray rinses during the first spin, very effective. They both have a water save feature where you can omit the deep rinse and just have an extended spray rinse as the tub does a mixture of very slow spin mixed with a series of faster spins. Can't use fabric softer when using this feature. Mind you, a rarely use fabric softner, really don't like it.
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Post# 565428 , Reply# 10   12/27/2011 at 16:56 (4,475 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Hi guys, took the control panel apart this morning to try and see if there was a speed shift that controlled the speed of the timer but couldn't see anything obvious on the timer. Found the schematic document which I will scan later and post if anyone is interested? I don't really understand most of it but it is interesting to look at.
I did a wash this morning and set the timer to 18 minutes. I didn't time it but the wash phase was a very quick 18 minutes and I noticed the final spin was very short on the regular cycle too. I do wonder if the timer is stuck on a faster speed for the mini basket setting? Also, where will I find the model number on the GE Filter Flo? Cheers guys Simon |
Post# 565438 , Reply# 11   12/27/2011 at 18:15 (4,475 days old) by eronie (Flushing Michigan)   |   | |
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yes its stuck on the quick cycle!!! theres a shifter on the back console with the water level controle that goes to the timer !
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Post# 565439 , Reply# 12   12/27/2011 at 18:19 (4,475 days old) by eronie (Flushing Michigan)   |   | |
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there should be a linkage from the water level controle to the the timer thats the shifter
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Post# 565453 , Reply# 13   12/27/2011 at 20:13 (4,475 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)   |   | |
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it may also be you pump.......I had on years ago, would pump out fine on an empty tub, but with a load, say for instance towels, all the water would pump out, but once the tub got up to full speed and extracted the water from the clothes, this extra water would not drain out, almost like an air trap into system, and you had to stop the machine, wait a second, and then restart to pump out the rest of the water.........oddly enough, I had to change the pump and it corrected the problem, although it didn't look like anything was wrong with the pump, go figure!
in those schematics, should be a little section on pump out times for each tub size, water without clothes, and how fast it should pump out from a full water level....... the model number should be located on the lower left hand side of the machine, near the front....... but yeah....reset you machine again to 18 minutes wash...and time it!....see what your results are..... most of the mini quick option machines I have seen have a small toggle switch next to the timer control to select this.......but a linkage may be available also, but these machines usually had 2 minibasket level selections, one for regular speed, and one to make the timer move faster...... if there is a linkage, you would see it from behind the control panel....... let us know how you make out |
Post# 565507 , Reply# 14   12/28/2011 at 02:07 (4,475 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 565510 , Reply# 15   12/28/2011 at 02:44 (4,475 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 565511 , Reply# 16   12/28/2011 at 02:45 (4,475 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 565512 , Reply# 17   12/28/2011 at 02:47 (4,475 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 565519 , Reply# 18   12/28/2011 at 05:30 (4,475 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 565567 , Reply# 19   12/28/2011 at 13:10 (4,474 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)   |   | |
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looks like it might be from around 1985. |
Post# 565641 , Reply# 20   12/28/2011 at 21:20 (4,474 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Thanks for the heads up re where the model number is, found it right where you said it would be. I timed the 18 min wash with water level set to mini basket and again set to low water level and it took a little over 9 mins to complete the 18 min wash phase on both water level settings. So looks like the timer is stuck on fast mode for mini basket. I just cannot see how to locate the speed shift on the timer or the water level switch... I am reluctant to remover timer in case I bugger it right up.
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Post# 565796 , Reply# 21   12/29/2011 at 14:21 (4,473 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Found a great website from USA (appliance-parts-USA.com). They still stock parts for older GE washers. That is so cool. Trying to see if they have a new or rebuilt timer, not so sure they can come up with that but fingers crossed. I just cannot workout how to get the timer to go at normal speed rather than double speed for the mini basket. I am sure there must be some connection to the water level switch as this has a mini basket setting but no physical connection that I can see. Tony (eronie) you have lots in knowledge re this issue, any other ideas I could try if I can't get a new timer? Any and all advice really appreciated.
Happy new year to everyone Simon |
Post# 565815 , Reply# 23   12/29/2011 at 16:24 (4,473 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Hi Bigalsf, thanks for your reply. I was also looking at the pictures the other day and saw the white wire at the top that went in to the timer, got real excited and went straight to the laundry room but when I looked there was nothing there, it is a reflection that is on the picture that looks like a wire. I was well disappointed! I am very tempted to remove the timer and have a closer look to see if I can find anything that looks like a speed shift, just a tad worried this may be a mistake??
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Post# 565896 , Reply# 24   12/30/2011 at 01:55 (4,473 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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So this evening I got brave and started to dismantle the timer. Took the timer motor off. It just had 2 wires going in to,it and had a small cog that interfaced with the cog that drives the camb shaft of the timer. A really simple device. Yet to venture further and remove the timer completely. Still can't see any way that the timer has a switch or some similar device to control a dual speed of the timer. I think I might have to try a new timer if I can get hold of one.
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Post# 566000 , Reply# 25   12/30/2011 at 18:36 (4,472 days old) by eronie (Flushing Michigan)   |   | |
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can you find a wiring digram? shift might be eletric! sometimes its pasted om outside of basket pic might help! |
Post# 566040 , Reply# 26   12/31/2011 at 02:29 (4,472 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 566041 , Reply# 27   12/31/2011 at 02:30 (4,472 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 566042 , Reply# 28   12/31/2011 at 02:31 (4,472 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 566043 , Reply# 29   12/31/2011 at 02:32 (4,472 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 566044 , Reply# 30   12/31/2011 at 02:36 (4,472 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 566056 , Reply# 31   12/31/2011 at 04:38 (4,472 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)   |   | |
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Post# 566059 , Reply# 32   12/31/2011 at 05:05 (4,472 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Hi Mike, I am really chuffed to get a personal message from you. You have the most fabulous collection of washing machines and you have inspired me with my collection. I wish I had as many machines as you. I was bidding on the Hoover Keymatic when the two were on eBay before I left the uk. I can well imagine the rebuild was a massive undertaking but well worth it. For me, one of the great pleasure of restoring old washers is the rebuild and fixing those annoying problems such as leaks etc. I am very impressed with what you have done with then Keymatic. Have seen the results on YouTube.
We are very settled here in Australia and would find it hard to settle back in the uk. We have been here just over 5 years now. We have brought a house in South Sydney in a place called Sylvania. We have a big house with a big basement which I have converted in to one big laundry room. Happy New Year to you too. Simon |
Post# 566093 , Reply# 34   12/31/2011 at 12:15 (4,471 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)   |   | |
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at this point I can't help but wonder if the motor for the timer is faulty and running too fast........
because physics outdoes logic.....I would have to go with, if there is a not mini-quick switch on the control panel, and no linkage from the water level pressure switch......the only recourse is the timer is running faster than normal, and the only thing moving it is the little motor I might have a spare timer to get the part off of.....is worth a shot at this point... |
Post# 566099 , Reply# 35   12/31/2011 at 13:14 (4,471 days old) by cornutt (Huntsville, AL USA)   |   | |
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Is it possible that this is not the right timer for this model? Do all of the cycles do what they're supposed to do, other than the timing? |
Post# 566112 , Reply# 36   12/31/2011 at 15:04 (4,471 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Hi Guys,
Indeed when the water level switch is turned from min to max a camb moves a lever That pushes a white rod that goes in to the centre of the round pressure switch. There is click when turning to mini basket which pushes the rod a little further in but once past the click it pops back out a little. There is a lever also attached to the mechanism that appears when clicked to mini basket but it appears not to be attached to anything. I keep looking at it and figure the click when turned to mini basket must have something to do with changing the speed of the timer. All other cycles do what they say they do but all in double quick time. I guess it could be that the motor is stuck on double speed and replacement may be worth a try if all else fails. It certainly has me stumped. Pictures to follow. It is now 2012 here in Australia, you guys still the New Year to come. |
Post# 566114 , Reply# 37   12/31/2011 at 15:12 (4,471 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 566116 , Reply# 38   12/31/2011 at 15:16 (4,471 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 566679 , Reply# 39   1/3/2012 at 13:28 (4,468 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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So I was wondering if the timer was running at double speed because the washer was made in Canada and I guess the electricity is run at 110 volts same as USA. In Australia we have 240 volts. Though the info on the model number plate says 240 volts, perhaps the timer motor should run with 110 volts. I think this is an unlikely cause of the timer running at double speed but wonder what others may thiink? My knowledge of electrics is very basic. This issue really has me stumped.
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Post# 566687 , Reply# 40   1/3/2012 at 14:30 (4,468 days old) by davy1063 (Pennsylvania)   |   | |
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What is the AC frequency in Australia? 50Hz or 60Hz? Do you think that would make a difference? Is there any listing of frequency on the motor, timer or the washer itself?? Dave. |
Post# 566699 , Reply# 41   1/3/2012 at 15:46 (4,468 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Hi Dave, the washer is marked as running at 50Hz. Here in Australia we run our power at 230 volts and 50Hz. I kind of figured that the main motor running the agitator and spin would burn out if not designed to run on 230volts. I guess the same would be true for the timer motor too. Very strange...
Simon |
Post# 567050 , Reply# 43   1/5/2012 at 01:36 (4,467 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Thanks, that all makes sense and agree, I don't think the different voltage would be the issue. It still seems that the timer is stuck on a faster speed for use with the mini basket. Not having much luck getting a new timer for it, drawn blanks so far. Thanks for your reply, much appreciated.
I got a new filter that sits on top of the agitator. I ordered it from the US and it arrived yesterday. Ran it thru a wash and it got lots of lint trapped in it at the end of the wash. Simon |
Post# 567082 , Reply# 44   1/5/2012 at 07:18 (4,466 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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Sorry I did not see this and respond earlier. Your timer is one speed only, you likely have a bad or the wrong timer motor or maybe the complete timer should be replaced. Keep looking it is out there somewhere. GE never used the two speed timer feature in the 1980s and never with the quick disconnect timers like this machine has that GE did not build. The two speed timers were used on late 1960s machines through much of the 1970s on very high end models only, and it was always on machines that had the GE built all black plastic bodied timers.
Did you see what voltage, cycles and maybe timer motor speed is listed on the timer motor it self? This might help us see if the motor is the wrong one. If you can even find another GE washer or even a new or used timer for the same, you may be able to just switch the timer motor to your timer, many timer motors are interchangeable within certain time periods. |
Post# 567131 , Reply# 45   1/5/2012 at 13:28 (4,466 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Hi John,
Many thanks for your reply. Very interesting information. So the GE Filta Flo washers from the 80s don't have a two speed timer, figures as there seems to be no mechanism for switching between the two speeds. I will check out to see if there is any more info on the timer motor. It looks like it will be really easy to replace the motor if I can get another one. I will still keep looking for a new timer. The washer works really well aside the timer going to fast. I manually repeat the wash cycle and first spin out and spray rinse to ensure good results. Final spin is short but in a hot sunny country like Australia not a problem. Cheers Simon. |
Post# 567243 , Reply# 47   1/6/2012 at 02:07 (4,466 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 567399 , Reply# 50   1/6/2012 at 14:46 (4,465 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 567455 , Reply# 51   1/6/2012 at 18:55 (4,465 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)   |   | |
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i could send you a 60hz timer motor(along with suitable resistor)if you need one- never sent anything down to australia before,but have got e-bay buys sent to me from russia and moldova-radios and electronics:) |
Post# 567491 , Reply# 52   1/6/2012 at 20:59 (4,465 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 567518 , Reply# 54   1/7/2012 at 00:29 (4,465 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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That is great, thank you so much for helping me out, really appreciate it. I guess you could send regular parcel post and I could pay you via paypal? Would that work? Alternatively, I could send cash via mail in $US. Not sure how else to do it. Not usre if there are any postal services where payment is made at the point of delivery. Just had a quick look on line and didn't come up with anything.I am sure we can work something out..
Cheers Simon |
Post# 567521 , Reply# 55   1/7/2012 at 00:45 (4,465 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)   |   | |
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Why not use a small 230V-120V stepdown transformer to run the 120V timer from 230V?this would be more efficient.Yes,the transformer is more expensive-but more efficient-can you get 120V on the supply you are using?one of the hots to neutral or ground? |
Post# 567528 , Reply# 56   1/7/2012 at 01:53 (4,465 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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I have a 240 volt to 110 volt transformer, two in fact that are designed to plug appliances from USA in to UK or Australian power supply. The rest of the machine is designed to run on 240 volts, I don't think it would work very well on 110 volts. I also have a Maytag Atlantis washer and dryer pair I brought in the UK. Both these are designed to run on 240 volts too. I guess appliances for export out of USA are built to match power supply in country of destination.
Not really sure why thre are differences in voltage. I guess 110 volts is much safer than 240 volts. Less likely to die from an electrics shock from 110 than 240? |
Post# 567574 , Reply# 58   1/7/2012 at 08:16 (4,464 days old) by eronie (Flushing Michigan)   |   | |
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I still say there is a shifter on the back of timer !take it out and look on the back side Dial side there will be a lever close to the knob steem!
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Post# 567635 , Reply# 59   1/7/2012 at 13:46 (4,464 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 567636 , Reply# 60   1/7/2012 at 13:47 (4,464 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 567648 , Reply# 62   1/7/2012 at 15:19 (4,464 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 567652 , Reply# 63   1/7/2012 at 15:36 (4,464 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 567660 , Reply# 64   1/7/2012 at 15:59 (4,464 days old) by eronie (Flushing Michigan)   |   | |
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Whats the white thing at top ? in square hole does it move sideways qently?
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Post# 567667 , Reply# 65   1/7/2012 at 16:12 (4,464 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))   |   | |
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Post# 567668 , Reply# 66   1/7/2012 at 16:15 (4,464 days old) by eronie (Flushing Michigan)   |   | |
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will get this fixed yet has me stumped!!! |