Last season I had a chance to buy a matching Speed Queen washer and dryer for a pretty reasonable price from a local contractor that was wrecking a house near the airport in Detroit. The washer, a model DA6191, was the big reason for the purchase to begin with. To those who are familiar with older vintage Speed Queen units, this washer has what some call the "dreaded" reverse-drive mechanism, solid-stainless steel tub, and "Sure-Fil" water level control.
This machine, I will be the first one to admit, was in pretty poor mechanical condition. Physical condition, I would rate it as marginal at best although pretty complete. It is my understanding that few, if any people, would have even considered attempting to restore this machine. Most, like myself, would prefer the "banging solenoid" mechanisms. I was always very fond of the old coin-op solid-tub machines a lot of us grew up with and remember in the laundromats. Two of my Aunts in Chicago had Speed Queens when we were growing up, that were both purchased about 1960. They both had what SQ called "suds water-saver" systems. For their families, they pretty much had to have suds savers. The families had 5 & 6 children each, one of my uncles worked for then, Bell telephone on a line crew, and the other, was a contractor for a marine company of some type. Given these variables, I don't really need to explain that both sets of washers and dryers did at least three loads of laundry a day, seven days a week for how many years. They were both still operating when they were traded in on Maytags, also with suds savers. I remember my Aunt that had 6, trading her SQ off right about the time the last "center dial" was made. That machine was an 806S. She insisted on the lighted console just like the SQ had. My other Aunt kept hers a bit longer, an opted for a 612S.
So what does all this talk have to do with a solid-tub SQ and were on Maytag and suds savers? Well everything.
As if restoring this DA-6191 SQ's mechanicals werent a challenge enough (due to the fact that most parts are NLA and if they are available, they are dug out of the dirt in most suppliers back lots), I always wanted to have a solid-tub SQ with a functional suds saver system.
There are many I am sure out there who will call me a hack for the numerous modifications I have done (especially with suds saver systems). Others might even label me as a lunatic. But there are also those who will be intrigued on how I manage to make the seemingly impossible, possible.
I will be the first one to admit that I am not an expert with old SQ units. I am sure there are others who are much better educated and versed then I am with these old units. If you are out there and have documentation that you would be willing to share, I would love to chat. I have done some research. But I must also mention that, documentation (other then a few scattered old service and parts manuals on Ebay or Craig's List)for these old units simply isn't around anymore. Aside from what some members here might have stashed away. There is information that I am looking for regarding the Suds Water-Saver system that I would very much like to find.
There are 4 specific models I am seeking service information on. DA9103 & DA 9043 (these are Sure-Fil units with Suds) and DA6223 & DA6073 (time fill units with Suds). I am most interested in 9103 & 9043, due to the fact that most of the reversable 2-speed motors were the same on SQ's in this model line. However, the 9103 & 9043 have a different 2 speed motor which also has a different start switch.
Now John, your probably the only one on here that has enough experience or have the documentation to be able to answer this question. So if you manage to read this please chime in. The 9103 and 9043 model suds saver switch had 3 positions. Save (to complete the circuit from the timer to the valve), Drain (which obviously opened it), and the little black diamond (which after the water was returned, you placed the switch in this position while make up fill was taking place to manually start agitation. Was this a SPDT (starting from the far right position) OFF - ON - Momentary ON type switch? I am thinking that this served a very similar function to the water saver button on the old R-line filter-flos. Push the button and it overrides the existing water level switch. I would like to find out what type of switch this really was,and how it and this unique motor were all integrated on the SQ.
Anybody else out there a real SQ ace that has an answer and old documentation that can help?
Comes to the Rescue!
