Thread Number: 68677  /  Tag: Small Appliances
Sad GE Pot Belly
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 914563   1/8/2017 at 07:50 (2,636 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)        

mrboilwash's profile picture
Hi Gang!
During my last vaccation in Florida I was lucky to score a beautiful percolator on a "real" fleamarket. (Not the kind where they only sell new Chinese stuff)
It`s not perfect, the cord is not original and the glass dome isn`t original as well but it doesn`t look out of place either. The inside looks clean and the seller confirmed it was working so how could I resist giving it a new home in Germany?

Well, it does heat up but it doesn`t shut off automatically.
It only stops boiling at the lightest setting and unfortunately the ready light does not light up.
So I decided to take a look inside, because I want my stuff in good working order, I`m a collector not a hoarder.
What I found is a rusty mess, the thing has obviously not been taken good care of.
It is also worth mentioning it is a vintage model because of the 115V rating instead of 120V and the black plastic parts are made from bakelite. It is a model 18P40.

If I lived in the States I`d probably just toss it or keep it for spare parts and wait for another chance to get another one in a better condition.
I hope I`ll be able to fix it with a little help from you guys.





Post# 914564 , Reply# 1   1/8/2017 at 08:06 (2,636 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)        

mrboilwash's profile picture
There are two adjustment screws for two thermostats. (As if one wouldn`t be complicated enough for me) LOL
The one in the front seems to control the keep warm element and the other seems to be the one for percolation.
I couldn`t get lose the rusty screws so far, hope some oil will do the trick.

My strategy is to pour boiling water into the pot and then adjust the screw until the thermostat opens on the "strong" setting. This way I hope I don`t have to energize the element while adjusting the thermostate.

Notice the connections to the heating element (which might get hot) are soldered.
Wonder how it could ever get an UL listing this way even back in the 1950s. It is an ungrounded two prong appliance with a metal frame after all.


  View Full Size
Post# 914566 , Reply# 2   1/8/2017 at 08:14 (2,636 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)        

mrboilwash's profile picture
Next problem is the ready light.
It looks to be a low voltage bulb which uses the resistance from the keep warm element. I don`t know if the bulb is burned out. However the connection to the keep warm element is loose and I don`t know what to think of the burnt mess which is supposed to be the connection.
No idea how to fix that.
Anybody seen this before ?


  View Full Size
Post# 914567 , Reply# 3   1/8/2017 at 08:16 (2,636 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)        

mrboilwash's profile picture
Here`s another one

  View Full Size
Post# 914574 , Reply# 4   1/8/2017 at 09:33 (2,636 days old) by eronie (Flushing Michigan)        
Ge

The wires are not sodered, there Spot Welded.


Post# 914580 , Reply# 5   1/8/2017 at 09:45 (2,636 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)        

mrboilwash's profile picture
Thanks. That`s good to know, so I better won`t mess with these.

Someone any idea about the odd connection from the keep warm coil to the light bulb ?


Post# 914629 , Reply# 6   1/8/2017 at 13:02 (2,636 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        
often plated steel used

the connections and wiring in heating appliances is often nickel plated steel to withstand the heat that would rapidly oxidize copper parts.Might be able to reconnect the pilot lamp tap using a small strip of steel carefully crimped into place.Looks like some loose asbestos hanging around too,so don't want to disturb things too much :)

Post# 914646 , Reply# 7   1/8/2017 at 14:02 (2,636 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
Using the open coil

panthera's profile picture

Heating element as a resistor is often done.

It won't do any harm to switch the lamp to mains current and just cap off this connection. I'd not try to remove it, just cut the wire off as close to the crimp as possible and make sure it can't short.

Our 1953 Westinghouse Rainbow Stove used this technique for two different pilot lamps. Replaced them with standard neon glo-bulbs and current limiting resister.


Post# 914664 , Reply# 8   1/8/2017 at 15:17 (2,636 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)        

mrboilwash's profile picture
Thank you guys for your input.
I carefully tried to clean the part where the lamp wire was attached to the keep warm coil and managed to disconnect the coil itself from the mains as well. Sigh... So for now as long as I won`t destroy it any further while fixing it, I would have to make two splice connections with a small strip of steel. I have no possibility to weld anything.
The oil on the adjusment screws did its job but I`m afraid the whole thing is beyond repair.
It looks almost too good to be true on the outside but it had obviously contact with water where it shouldn`t. Everything is rusty and brittle.
It`s breaking my heart but I think it`s best to throw it away.


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 2         View Full Size

Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy