Thread Number: 31372
GE Spacemaker .. thoughts?
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Post# 473602   11/5/2010 at 22:32 (4,891 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        

Hello all, I happen to have access to one of these today. It's a compact washer model GSLP1100A0WW (Canadian version of WSLP1100A0WW ?). I have questions and some random thoughts.

It sits unused today, but was told that while it was in use, it would sometimes stop and dump water. You would then have to start over again. Does anyone have any idea why? Is it a common occurrence? I was also told that moving the drain hose would sometimes affect this behavior.

Aside from that, it looks to be a neat little washer. What do you guys have to say about it? Good or bad. I have not personally seen the washer in action.

Having seen the suspension for the tub, I now understand the videos of similarly constructed washers - why I see the tub moving around so much when it agitates. It's suspended by the four corners of the machine with lots of freedom. I'm used to my '75 Maytag which pivots at the centre bottom of the machine.

I also have to say that the transmission is *tiny* on this thing. At least compared to my Maytag. :) What are the average sizes of transmissions on new-ish models? I'm only familiar with the two I've now seen - the old Maytag and the compact GE. Do the compacts last nearly as long?





Post# 473725 , Reply# 1   11/6/2010 at 17:56 (4,890 days old) by gefilterflo (Newark, Ohio)        

gefilterflo's profile picture
I believe that this is a Whirlpool World Washer that's built like a Brastemp. Someone may need to correct me on this, but I think that one internally is the same as Whirlpool and Kenmore portables made since the mid '90s.

Post# 473739 , Reply# 2   11/6/2010 at 20:52 (4,890 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        

I also have pics with the back panel off. I'll link them up if anyone wants to see. They're not particularly good pictures, just a quick reference for myself. I realized I forgot to take pics of the tub and agitator! Oops.

Perhaps I can get my hands on it later, hook it up and give it a spin, but for now the pics are all I have.

I just looked up a brastemp on youtube.. Different lid and filter arrangement but seems to be very similar otherwise. The unit I saw had two "magic filters" mounted on the inside of the tub. It was not a smooth tub but had some "ribs" of sorts too. Very different sounds than what I'm used to.

It's a neat machine. I can't wait to try it out. It'll be better on power and water for medium and small loads than my Maytag so I do want to get my hands on it.


Post# 473741 , Reply# 3   11/6/2010 at 21:05 (4,890 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Spacemaker

mrb627's profile picture
I came close to pulling the trigger on one of these machines back when Best Buy had them on the sales floor here. I figured I could get my TL washer fi from a portable rather than having to use a garden hose to a machine in the garage. Never could locate any information about these on youTube. At the time, a salesman at BB told me these were made by LG for GE. Don't know if that was true or not.

I anxiously await a video or two of this machine in action.

Malcolm


Post# 473892 , Reply# 4   11/7/2010 at 18:45 (4,889 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        

The serial number seems to only indicate that it was made in January 2004.

If anyone's curious, here's some label info:
Camco Inc. Hamilton, ONT. L8N 3Y5
Model FSLP1100A0WW
Clothes Waser
DC68-00510B
Made in Thailand

Here's what yahoo has to say about camco

"Camco wants to bring the hum of automated house chores to your home. The company manufactures home appliances (dishwashers, washers and dryers, microwave ovens, ranges, refrigerators, and wall ovens) under brands such as GE, Hotpoint, Moffat, McClary, Monogram, and Samsung. The company also makes private-label products for Canadian department stores. With manufacturing operations in Montreal, Camco sells its products throughout Canada as well as the US. It also operates a growing service business that offers in-home appliance repair. Camco was founded in 1977; in 2005 Mexican appliance maker Controladora Mabe purchased Camco."

Here's the back of the machine, with the tub exposed.


Post# 473893 , Reply# 5   11/7/2010 at 18:47 (4,889 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        

Here's part of the drive assembly. The motor is just hidden from view at the front of the machine.


Post# 473894 , Reply# 6   11/7/2010 at 18:52 (4,889 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        

Finally, here's the drain pump, with clean-out access at the corner of the machine.


Post# 473902 , Reply# 7   11/7/2010 at 19:24 (4,889 days old) by whirlcool (Just North Of Houston, Texas)        

I never knew that the GE Spacemaker series included a washer. I only thought they were only counter top appliances that you hung under the cabinets!

Post# 473909 , Reply# 8   11/7/2010 at 19:36 (4,889 days old) by supremewhirlpol ()        

I've had one of these. Its wash action is similar to the World washer. It has a nice shiny clothes basket. The lid can be folded and separated. It has a lint filter on the side of the clothes basket. It has solid state controls, no transmission. It does sense the load and adds water accordingly. The one I had was pretty beat-up. The people who had it before me basically tore it up->broke the bottom vanes of the agitator, stuck garbage in the lever mechanism to engage the clothes basket, put stuff in the pump too. These people also had roaches, to which they ate the insulation off the wires going to the control module, since it was sealed with epoxy. While it was working, it worked ok, machine action was not very eventful, compared to a FL machine. It also plays a little tune when it finishes the cycle. It was a very cute machine, but sadly I had to junk it->it was in that bad of condition. I remember them being popular in appliance rental stores ~2002-2004. The matching dryer is a whirlpool-built dryer->Just says GE instead of Whirlpool on it.

Post# 473943 , Reply# 9   11/7/2010 at 23:26 (4,889 days old) by macboy91si (Frankfort, KY)        
GE Portable Dryer

macboy91si's profile picture
Hey Melvin, the dryer is actually a GE product, still made today. It's been around and virtually unchanged since the early 90's. I don't think GE ever sourced the dryers out, just the washers. The original portable was a Hitachi and then WCI made agitator based portables. They also made a GE version of the WP World Washer portable and it may have used a GE branded WP dryer, but the true GE version has existed since the mid 70's. Oh the confusion of the portables. I don't know who actually makes this machine however, it seems very LG like, not so much as the world washer though.

-Tim


Post# 473949 , Reply# 10   11/8/2010 at 00:04 (4,889 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        

It's load sensing even with a "Load Size" selector? Yes, the tub is nice and shiny, with a straight vain agitator. I would like to argue that solid state controls doesn't mean there are no mechanics (but you can make them simpler), and a parts diagram for this machine lists a transmission. I'm guessing it's a simpler part than in older machines though.

I wonder if it could fit my comforter and wash it easily. Seems it might be a bit small, and my dryer had a tough time drying it. I had to make adjustments and dry a second time.


Post# 473985 , Reply# 11   11/8/2010 at 09:13 (4,889 days old) by supremewhirlpol ()        

Tim,
Yes, I know that Hitachi and WCI made some models for GE over time, however, the dryer that I remember going with the machine above is a Whirlpool made dryer. Now there could have been another model dryer, but is it was not sold in my area.

Photonpanda,
I say it is load sensing because the first few minutes that the machine agitates, it will add water as needed.
I did not say because the machine has SS controls that there are no mechanics. The machine is BD, but no actual gearcase->gearcase=transmission. In this case there is a shifter, but no transmission. If you say there is a transmission, the internet must work by osmosis!!

Would you consider the a modern TL GE Profile that is driven by inverter motor to have a transmission?


Post# 474017 , Reply# 12   11/8/2010 at 12:28 (4,889 days old) by macboy91si (Frankfort, KY)        
GE Dryer

macboy91si's profile picture
I think there was one sold under the GE logo to mate with the world washer with the GE and that one IS a WP (fixed bulk head drum). But the link below is the GE version and it's been unchanged for around 20 years. Makes me wonder why they did that? The real difference is that in the GE model, the entire drum rotates as in their full-size units. The neat thing about this dryer is that it can be turned upside-down and used in a stack configuration.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO macboy91si's LINK


Post# 474021 , Reply# 13   11/8/2010 at 13:36 (4,889 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Another Set

mrb627's profile picture
Here is a set on CL right now. It clearly has a Whirlpool made dryer with it. Unsure of whether it is actually branded GE or not.

Malcolm


Post# 474128 , Reply# 14   11/8/2010 at 22:06 (4,888 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        

supremewhirlpol,
Fair enough. I did say they were pretty crappy pics, and I was going by the parts list that showed a "transmission" whatever it may actually be. I wasn't about to disassemble the machine there to find out how it worked, since it isn't mine! Back panel was enough. :D

I'm not very familiar with the modern machines, though I've seen some pics/vids of some DD mechanics. I guess this machine is built more similar to a DD but is a BD due to space or mounting issues.


Post# 480214 , Reply# 15   12/7/2010 at 22:55 (4,859 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        

The washer is now in my possession! :)

First look inside, since I didn't get a pic last time around.


Post# 480216 , Reply# 16   12/7/2010 at 23:00 (4,859 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        

The lid is a mix of magnetic switch and normal switch. The magnet is used for all the cycles. The other switch is for spin. Both are easily bypassed.

I noticed that with a "medium" load fill with a blanket, the tub sits at least 1.5" lower than at empty. I wonder if this is normal or whether the suspension is more worn than usual.

And a pic of cold water rinse fill.


Post# 480387 , Reply# 17   12/8/2010 at 16:02 (4,859 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Wash Action

mrb627's profile picture
I would love to see a video of this machine in action.

Malcolm


Post# 480399 , Reply# 18   12/8/2010 at 17:05 (4,858 days old) by brisnat81 (Brisbane Australia)        

A lot of these machines in AU do have a gearbox, but it is to reduce the agitator speed (Reduction Gear) and to provide a spin brake rather than provide agitation. The motor does the backwards and forwards.

Post# 481252 , Reply# 19   12/12/2010 at 22:58 (4,854 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        

Okay Malcolm...

In 3 parts, the 2nd being the longest.

I took off the front portion of the lid, but left the back which I put down during spin. This is easier than holding the switch but blocks part of the view; the spin cycle can be tiring to hold the switch for.

I would have put more items in but couldn't really find anything to wash at the time, so it's a really small load of some random things.

GE Spacemaker - 1




GE Spacemaker - 2




GE Spacemaker - 3






Post# 481255 , Reply# 20   12/12/2010 at 23:08 (4,854 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        

I do have to say, the "Magic Filter" really filters. There are two of them and they seem to trap a decent amount of lint. I have to clean the lint out as well as give the filters a good rinsing after a wash. The old Maytag A207 doesn't trap nearly as much. I guess more of it simply gets flushed out as well as stuck on the clothing.

Oh, there's no image stabilization on these videos. You can see the body shake as well as just the tub. Sometimes the tub is remarkably steady while the body is shaking. This is not a camera trick or IS, it's real. :-)


Post# 481297 , Reply# 21   12/13/2010 at 06:32 (4,854 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Performance

mrb627's profile picture
It actually performs a lot like the Haier I had for a little while. Thanks for posting the videos.

Malcolm


Post# 481818 , Reply# 22   12/15/2010 at 08:56 (4,852 days old) by drewz (Alexandria, Virginia)        

drewz's profile picture
Nightmare, I purchased hundreds of these washers for apartment communities and most were in the trash pile in 2 years, various problems and replacement was cheaper than repairs.

For many years we purchased GE Spacemaker units (made by WCI) and they were great you could not kill them. When no longer available we went with other GE products that were outsourced Whirlpool units, later because of costs we decided to buy direct from Whirlpool instead.


Post# 481821 , Reply# 23   12/15/2010 at 09:19 (4,852 days old) by 3beltwesty ()        
Agree too it looks like how a Haier tiny TL works too.

The operation looks close to how my Haier HLP21N here runs

Post# 481822 , Reply# 24   12/15/2010 at 09:30 (4,852 days old) by 3beltwesty ()        
Machines like these are for folks who own them, and not lend

A machine like this can last a single person for years; and last one weekend in an Apartment complex.

When I lived in California the token robust best American washers were always 1/2 broken at Apartment complex; thus I used a commerical Laundromat.

If a machine is not owned by the user, a token few "will tear" it up.

An Apartment complexes washers have to be Gorilla proof, folks will pry, steal the knobs, overload them, tear them up. It got to where it was useless to use the Apartments washers, they always were broken.

A tiny compact machine like this would not last a month at a apartment complex.


I know folks who have used their *own* 200 buck Haier for years with zero issues too; they do not abuse their stuff.


Post# 482397 , Reply# 25   12/18/2010 at 00:28 (4,849 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        

I have to agree with apartment complex abuse. Things really have to be made tough - A lot of people simply don't know better or don't care about the equipment. It's similar with student-used equipment. Above "commercial grade" would be "student grade" :) This machine was family-owned though, and relatively taken care of. It was in storage before I got it, and it didn't take much to clean it up and get it going again.

The only "mystery" is some rust has stained the detergent tray. There's a spot of rust in the back of the chamber that must have come from sitting water while it was in storage. The compartment is plastic, so I'm guessing it came down from the valve / outlet area.

I haven't dismantled it for a more detailed inspection yet.


Post# 482499 , Reply# 26   12/18/2010 at 13:15 (4,849 days old) by macboy91si (Frankfort, KY)        
Rust

macboy91si's profile picture
I would wager that it's from iron in the water or pipes of the house it was in... Nothing to really rust in there...

-Tim


Post# 484797 , Reply# 27   12/28/2010 at 14:16 (4,839 days old) by szymonrules ()        

Hi, can you make a video of the control panel and such?! Thanks!

Post# 485715 , Reply# 28   1/1/2011 at 18:57 (4,834 days old) by PhotonPanda ()        
Control panel and misc

Happy New Year everyone. By request, here are some misc. videos. The control panel, cover, test modes, load sensing, and magic filter are shown.

The main panel




The cover




LED test




Other test cycles




Load sensing an empty tub




Broken Magic Filter clips




Load sensing a tiny load of towels





Post# 486142 , Reply# 29   1/3/2011 at 17:56 (4,832 days old) by szymonrules ()        
Thanks!,

and have a great New Years as well!


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