Thread Number: 42111
GEW Versatronic set
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Post# 620131   8/25/2012 at 17:54 (4,232 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

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Post# 620157 , Reply# 1   8/25/2012 at 19:34 (4,232 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        
Oooh, lovely set!

gansky1's profile picture
I wonder if they still have the Versatronic control working in the washer or if it's been replaced.

Here's their 'stock photo' in the ad...


Post# 620230 , Reply# 2   8/25/2012 at 23:56 (4,232 days old) by qualin (Canada)        

ARGH! This is my dream GE set!!!! I would KILL to get these!!!

Post# 620306 , Reply# 3   8/26/2012 at 09:02 (4,231 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        

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The photo is sooo 1968!  Check out the gooovy chick in the next room.

 

lawrence


Post# 620308 , Reply# 4   8/26/2012 at 09:26 (4,231 days old) by kakidd (Texas)        
Please forgive

my ignorance, but what is the versatronic control?

Post# 620309 , Reply# 5   8/26/2012 at 09:42 (4,231 days old) by appnut (TX)        
what is the versatronic control?

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IN the above picture on the washer just to the right of the 3 toggle switches are two small knobs.  One is for the agitation speed and the otehr is for the spin speed.  Both allow completely variable speed control.   Around this time of I'd say 1966 to 1970 at the latest, off the top of my head, Hotpoint, GE,  Sears/Kenmore, and Frigidaire offered TOL washers with variable speed control.  I don't think there were any other brands whiich did.  Very trouble-prone and didn't last long. 


Post# 620342 , Reply# 6   8/26/2012 at 12:15 (4,231 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Still no pictures....

Post# 620353 , Reply# 7   8/26/2012 at 12:51 (4,231 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Why did GE

jetcone's profile picture
get rid of the toe plate on the washer, it looks so cheap that way! It doesn't even match the dryer!

I know they changed to cable suspension but still- really!

Never knew what Versatronic meant thanks for asking kakidd



Post# 620781 , Reply# 8   8/28/2012 at 02:25 (4,230 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
SURPRISE

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I contacted the seller yesterday an asked for some additional pics of the set n he got em to me.. here they r enjoy! I really hope someone can pick these up, such a unique set, i love the washers turquoise tub. These r 525 miles and almost 9 hours away from me or else they would be mine lol!

Post# 620782 , Reply# 9   8/28/2012 at 02:26 (4,230 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
Dryer

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Post# 620783 , Reply# 10   8/28/2012 at 02:27 (4,230 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
Dryer control panel.

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Post# 620784 , Reply# 11   8/28/2012 at 02:28 (4,230 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        


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Post# 620785 , Reply# 12   8/28/2012 at 02:28 (4,230 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
Dryer inside.

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Post# 620786 , Reply# 13   8/28/2012 at 02:29 (4,230 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
Washer with the unique ff pan.

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Post# 620787 , Reply# 14   8/28/2012 at 02:30 (4,230 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
Again

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Post# 620788 , Reply# 15   8/28/2012 at 02:32 (4,230 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
The tub shot!

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Not really sure if the activator is the light green one or turquoise blue that is stained?!

Post# 620790 , Reply# 16   8/28/2012 at 02:40 (4,230 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
Maybe the same model washer?

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This looks like a very simular or maybe the exact same model washer as this one on ebay!

Post# 620791 , Reply# 17   8/28/2012 at 02:41 (4,230 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
Interior

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Post# 620792 , Reply# 18   8/28/2012 at 02:41 (4,230 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
White in color...

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Post# 620793 , Reply# 19   8/28/2012 at 02:42 (4,230 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
Control panel

doug's profile picture
These r one of my all time fav. ff's!

Post# 620810 , Reply# 20   8/28/2012 at 06:46 (4,230 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        

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Hmmm... I don't believe that washer is a Versatronic model. It's a VERY NICE model, but features the programmed selections for speed and temperature.

lawrence


Post# 620819 , Reply# 21   8/28/2012 at 07:40 (4,229 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Versatronic Washer ?

combo52's profile picture

Lawrence Yay you were the first to realize that this is NOT a versatronic washer, dryer yes washer no. It is as you and others stated a cool pair that has been used and abused a little.

 

Glen Norge aslo made a variable speed washer in the late 1960s that was sold under the Norge and Wards Signature labels. And there was also an Easy branded variable speed machine that was made by Hotpoint as all Easys were HPs by this time.

 

These variable speed washers were very short lived and from what little experience I have very troublesome. But I think the biggest problem was that it was a totally useless feature as most manufacturers already had three speed motors in their TOL models [ I think that every major washer manufacturer except Maytag used a 3 speed motor at one time ] so the VS did not achieve any faster or slower action than was already being offered. It really turned out to be a feature that impressed the men that engineered the machines more than the housewives that used it and so it was yet again a solution for a problem that never existed, LOL.

 

VS  GE and Frigidaire washers actually had clutches that would slip constantly when run on anything but full speed, these two designs would clearly be more of a challenge to make with good long term reliability.  Ironically Hotpoint, Kenmore and Norge VS washers all used a similar GE built variable speed split phase motor and because this was a brush-less motor these were very durable other than possible electronic board problems, but again there was just no reason for the feature and it sold poorly and was in many cases [ Kenmore ] dropped in less than 1 year.


Post# 620820 , Reply# 22   8/28/2012 at 07:44 (4,229 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)        
What in the name of Sam Hill is going on here?

bajaespuma's profile picture

The washer pictured in posts 620781 and 620787 is a 1971 model, not 1968; you can tell this because the metal lid hinges have been replaced by plastic ones with the lid switch mechanism visible. I'm bidding on this set and I'm disappointed; I was looking forward to that green mini-basket and possibly a matching green porcelain tub. I still want them but I thought I was going for a 1968 Versatronic set. All the washers pictured here are the Programmed TOL. The machine in post 620790 is very confusing: that's a 1970 or newer machine with an insignia above the control panel indicating that it's a "V-16" model, placing it between 1967 and 1968? Will the real machine offered on eBay please stand up?


Post# 620822 , Reply# 23   8/28/2012 at 08:00 (4,229 days old) by coldspot66 (Plymouth, Mass)        

Post #'s 620790 & 620791 is my machine that I still have. The light lens is not original to the machine, as the original was broken in pieces. The light lens came from an earlier 16 lb v-16 from late 60's with the infamous 4 speed clutch. I think this washer is early 70's 18 lb washer with straight vane activator and large mini basket & filter pan. It's still for sale.....any takers??????

Post# 620875 , Reply# 24   8/28/2012 at 16:37 (4,229 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Not a bad looking set.

Post# 620906 , Reply# 25   8/28/2012 at 18:31 (4,229 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
Versatronic & Programmed

doug's profile picture
I didn't think the washer was a versatronic but I wasn't goin to say anything lol! However I thought the dryer was a versatronic because of the little swirl sign but the pics aren't that great. not sure if anyone knows what I mean by the swirl symbol but I saw it on someone's versatronic set they have...

Post# 620912 , Reply# 26   8/28/2012 at 18:45 (4,229 days old) by doug (West Virgina)        
Good luck bidding!

doug's profile picture
I hope u win this set bajaespuma! Cant wait to see what this set can be transformed into ;)


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