Thread Number: 40716
POD 6/10/12 WCDAFN or WCDATN
[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# 602307   6/10/2012 at 07:59 (4,309 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

WCDAFN had the 6 fabric programs like the WIN Imperial, but without some of its features like the 1010 rpm spin and the metered infinite water level. It enabled settings for normal speed wash and slow spin for wash & wear/perma-pressed fabrics.

The WCDATN had 4 wash/rinse temp settings, timed fill and the strangest speed combinations: N/N, S/S and for perma-press, slow agitation and a fast spin, but not the 1010 rpm spin. You could not get normal agitation with a slow spin and I don't know what kind of perma-press fabrics needed slow agitation, which coupled with the space capsule agitator, did not produce a whole lot of wash action. So you only had one setting which gave normal agitation speed and, if you had a dryer, was probably OK for all but the most delicate perma-press items.

Because both of these machines had timed fill, a small load setting speeded up the timer so that there was less of everything: filling, agitation and spinning. It did mean though, that the rinse fill valve was open all during the agitation period of the rinse for true overflow rinsing. This was possible because the pump was operating during agitatioin as well as during spin. With the metered fill Imperial & Custon Imperial machines, the pump could not operate during agitation because it would empty the metering chamber which signaled the water level pressure switch. Because the pump could not operate during agitation, the overflow rinse period of the cycle was limited to two timer increments. Otherwise there would be too much water in the outer tub when the washer sent into spin-drain and the tub would drag on the high water--not good.

Finally a word about Frigidaire versus Maytag. Frigidaire FINALLY bit the bullet and designed a whole new machine to have a large capacity tub and had a very successful washer. It is a shame that the auto industry's slowdown as a result of the energy crises of the 70s caused GM to throw the appliances overboard, but at least their reputation was not in the toilet like Maytag's was before its closing due to failure to redesign their machine and the bringing in of outdated, inferior products to round out their appliance line. To the end of the General Motors ownership of Frigidaire, it was all Frigidaire, except for the Amana microwaves. For that, they can be forgiven because the Amanas were quality goods.





Post# 602355 , Reply# 1   6/10/2012 at 12:25 (4,309 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

The dryer in the ad is a normal Custom Deluxe but these washers lacked the metered fill and the "lint away" light of the regular Custom Deluxe (WCDN) model. I don't really understand why some of these solid tub machines were metered filled.  Also, I think it's strange you could either have metered fill, fabrics selector or rapidry spin on Custom Deluxe models but not all 3 at the same time! The WCDXN could get you a metered fill, no fabrics selector but any level of agitation you want(ed) and Rapidry or slow spin but apparently, it also gave you (durability) problems!

If you wanted all these features, you had to get an Imperial (and even some still lacked the metered fill).

 

Look at this picture that Ben sent some time ago, this one shows a WCDN (has metered filled and "lint away" light). 

 

 


Post# 602357 , Reply# 2   6/10/2012 at 12:27 (4,309 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

There were also two more basic Custom Deluxe models which had black knobs. One had the Suds Return feature.

 

 

Picture from Train Guy

 


Post# 602358 , Reply# 3   6/10/2012 at 12:28 (4,309 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

Newspaper ads showing some "N" line washers


Post# 602361 , Reply# 4   6/10/2012 at 12:33 (4,309 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

The other ad. 


Post# 602364 , Reply# 5   6/10/2012 at 12:39 (4,309 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

Of course, these do not include the "Gold Crown" models with similar features. For example, my WN7 has the same features as the WCDATN (and same speed selector) but it has separate wash and rinse temp selectors. I think WN5 has the same controls as the WCDATN. I know there were WN8 too but I haven't seen any and I don't know what were the features on them.

 

Here's a picture of mine


Post# 602559 , Reply# 6   6/11/2012 at 00:48 (4,309 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)        

pdub's profile picture
Someone else may jump in and clarify but weren't the "Gold Crown" labeled models the ones that were sold at places like JC Penney and K-mart? I can't remember exactly but think someone explained this fact a long time ago here.

Here is my Gold Crown pair that I just finished restoring and am currently using.

Patrick


Post# 602563 , Reply# 7   6/11/2012 at 01:45 (4,309 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))        

arbilab's profile picture
F'daire was obviously grasping at marketing by this point. One has to wonder, against whom?

Post# 602567 , Reply# 8   6/11/2012 at 02:19 (4,309 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

Someone else may jump in and clarify but weren't the "Gold Crown" labeled models the ones that were sold at places like JC Penney and K-mart?

 

That's what I heard, but I don't know which store(s) sold them.  I don't think they were ever sold here in Canada... In the seventies, there were still Gold Crowns and from the mid-seventies they were just "Crown", and the washers usually had window lids. And I think very few other models originally had the window lids. Other than Gold Crowns and later Crowns, those that had window lids were the High Fashion models from the late sixties, coin operated models and the mid-to-late seventies models without any wood grain on their control panels.


Post# 602577 , Reply# 9   6/11/2012 at 05:42 (4,308 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Frigidaire!

peteski50's profile picture
Patrick that is a beautiful set. Is the dryer a filtrator dryer?
Peter


Post# 602590 , Reply# 10   6/11/2012 at 07:25 (4,308 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Frigidaire Gold Crown Models

combo52's profile picture

Were drop-in promotional machines that were usually not part of the regular line-up. They were sold through regular dealers as promotional models as well as larger dealers with minimum buying requirements advertising tie-ins etc. I actually never heard of JC Penny's or K Mart selling Frigidaire appliances, at least not around here [ JC Penney's had their own exclusive line of appliances made mostly by Hotpoint ].

 

Patrick, beautiful Harvest Gold Frigidaire pair, those must have been about the first of the HG machines from Frigidaire must be around late 1968-1969 ? I believe that Frigidaire discontinued the Condensing Filterator dryers by the late 1960s, so I would bet that they never made a HG condensing dryer.


Post# 602592 , Reply# 11   6/11/2012 at 07:43 (4,308 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        
"K-Mart sucks" Rainman

gansky1's profile picture
I don't remember solid tub machines at K-mart, but they did sell Frigidaire 1-18's there when I was a kid. They were a bit different in appearance (Gold Crown) than the regular lineup, just like the K-Mart GE & Whirlpool machines looked a bit different than if you'd gone to a "A" store dealer.

I only remember the Hotpoint machines at JCP too, too bad they didn't sell Frigidaire but they would have gone out of the appliance biz a lot sooner than they did. LOL!


Post# 602611 , Reply# 12   6/11/2012 at 10:23 (4,308 days old) by aldspinboy (Philadelphia, Pa)        

aldspinboy's profile picture
Patrick your washer pair is fantastic !
PhilR...
Here are more ads ..
I got these ads from Mike ( Dishwashercrazy )
Tom I always like to here your insight on washers.


Post# 602613 , Reply# 13   6/11/2012 at 10:25 (4,308 days old) by aldspinboy (Philadelphia, Pa)        

aldspinboy's profile picture
Pic 2.
I have seen the other fabric softner dispensers on like Jon ( Jetcone )
washer but not the small one like this.


Post# 602614 , Reply# 14   6/11/2012 at 10:27 (4,308 days old) by aldspinboy (Philadelphia, Pa)        

aldspinboy's profile picture
Pic 3.
Darren k


Post# 602621 , Reply# 15   6/11/2012 at 11:09 (4,308 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Beautiful set Patrick!! You could post some more pictures in a separate thread.......

Post# 602624 , Reply# 16   6/11/2012 at 11:19 (4,308 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
Of the two machines I would choose the "programmable" one over the Rapid Dry model, unless there really is any benefit in one's spin drying technique over the other (I'm sure the clothes dryer will do safe & an efficient job to the laundry, either way)...

Some of those news stories along side the ads sure seem to relate in some sort of way to washers: "LID RESOLUTION"? (as in top-loading washing machine lids?) "HOPPER"? (as in a "hopper" for an automatic bleach/detergent/or fabric softener dispensing system?) TIDES? (better not put to close to a grocery store detergent ad!) NEW ARRIVALS? (the list goes on & on...)


-- Dave


Post# 602708 , Reply# 17   6/11/2012 at 15:31 (4,308 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)        
Thank you all!

pdub's profile picture
Pete - No the dryer is a flowing heat model and not a filtrator. It's a pretty basic design similar to what Frigidaire is using today with the heat element mounted in a circle behind the rear of the drum and air pulled through it.

combo/John - Yep, these are 1968 models. Whoever originally bought them must have really loved them because they engraved their driver license # and social security numbers on the back.

Greg - I remember K-mart selling the 1-18's but I guess I wasn't old enough to remember whether they sold the solid tubs! You are right about JC Penney selling their own brand made by GE/Hotpoint.

Darren - Thanks for posting the cool ads. I have seen both styles of fabric softener dispensers but I only have the flatter flying saucer looking design.

Louis - Thanks! Another thread may be in order.

Patrick


Post# 602757 , Reply# 18   6/11/2012 at 18:47 (4,308 days old) by lotsosudz (Sacramento, CA)        
Gemco

lotsosudz's profile picture
Gemco sold the whole line of frigidare appliances, right up to the last days of the
1-18's. I remember going in and drooling on them, while fending off the sales people!
My mom would not consider the frigidares, as she was stuck using her lemon of a 66" 600 Kenmore, that only lasted 7 years. before I finally laid it to rest. Amen. We finally fixed up a GE Filter-Flo that I brought home needing a new tranny. Worked great for years.
Lotsosudz


Post# 602812 , Reply# 19   6/11/2012 at 21:37 (4,308 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
I remember when Woolco stores had appliances. In their death-rattle
days, they only sold Hoover twinnies and other small-scale white goods.

We had Gem stores here but they were gone before my memory circuits were fully formed.

I loved newspaper appliance ads - still dutifully page through all the Sunday sale ads but now it's more like pre-shopping on Crailgslist. Very little I would go out and buy. Wouldn't it be curious if a store ran one of the rollermatic washer ads today just to see how many came in for one?



Post# 602837 , Reply# 20   6/12/2012 at 01:06 (4,308 days old) by badgerdx ()        

Patrick, Love those gold crowns... The control panel board angles makes me think one of the designers was plotting "It should have a kick up spoiler just like my new Vette!"

Those look like some serious machines. Beautiful job restoring them.


Post# 602840 , Reply# 21   6/12/2012 at 01:25 (4,308 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)        
Thanks Bob!

pdub's profile picture
I will say one thing about the washer, you definitely know it's running! It took a bit of getting used to hearing the sound of the high speed spin solenoid kicking into place. This thing means business when it goes into Rapidry spin. The Unimatic is so quiet in comparison.

I remember a time when I thought the rollermatic backsplashes were very 'dated' looking. Now I think it adds to their charm.



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