Thread Number: 55241
Turquoisedude joins 'Club 1140'
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Post# 776398   8/9/2014 at 06:16 (3,520 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

In the past year, there has been a surge in acquisition of a particular brand in my collection (no doubt Phil's influence is at play here...) and as of yesterday evening, Frigidaire has taken the number 2 rank away from Westinghouse.

 

However, since actually seeing a few in action when visiting other members, I had my sights set on a Unimatic machine.   I know they're harder and harder to find, but I knew some day I would get one.  It was probably inevitable.  At least that's what I've been telling Hubby... LOL 

 

Well, thanks to Ben in Iowa, I am the proud owner of a 1951 WO-65 Frigidaire washer AND it's matched TR-60 Filtrator dryer (something else I had been pining for).

 

However, as with all acquisitions, there's the riddle of how to get them from point 'A' to Ogden...  Jackie Demperre helped solve that one and brought the machines from Waterloo right to Derby, VT.  All I had to do was pick them up.  HA!!  

 

After much debate, I finally realized that it would be safer to take both the Ford wagon AND the Suzuki hatchback to ensure that both machines came home with me.   File this under 'well, wouldn't you know it': the darned Suzuki gave up the ghost trying to climb Miller's Hill on the way to the border.  Hubby was driving and managed to safely get the car back down the hill.  But I still had to meet Jackie... 

 

I pushed on with just the Ford wagon and hoped the specs for the appliances I had seen were accurate...

 

And now, the answer to the question:  How many Frigidaires can one fit in a 2007 Focus Wagon?  TWO (but it's awful tight!!)

 

 

 


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Post# 776399 , Reply# 1   8/9/2014 at 06:16 (3,520 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

There was the inevitable price to pay, however....


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Post# 776401 , Reply# 2   8/9/2014 at 06:20 (3,520 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
The first pics!

turquoisedude's profile picture

I was tired and stressed out so I got the machines unloaded and temporarily into the garage.  Miraculously, there was space (we'd used up a lot of the drywall panels, thank goodness!)

 

More pics later when I get back from the Derby, VT Town-Wide garage sale today.

 

And oh yes, you just KNOW these will be getting starring roles in the Ogden Laundry!!


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Post# 776403 , Reply# 3   8/9/2014 at 06:32 (3,520 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Simply Luscious !

jetcone's profile picture

And where there's a washer-boy there is a WILL !! Good retrieving there and let me be the first to welcome you to "Club 1140" LOL !!

 

 


Post# 776410 , Reply# 4   8/9/2014 at 07:45 (3,520 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
YAY a Unimatic Comes To Canada

combo52's profile picture
Welcome to the Extra Fast Spinning club, Paul, just be careful these washers are serious, no loading and unloading when spinning.

Is your new Unimatic a one or two rinse model, I have one of the last WO-65-2s that of coerce was the overflow rinse machine and while lots of fun I converted it to the TWO DEEP rinse WO-65 by changing the timer and timer dial and what a difference when you bleach a load of whites in this washer with 2/3 cup of bleach you can't smell it at all with the 2nd Deep Rinse.

I am sure you will have fun with this washer, John L.


Post# 776417 , Reply# 5   8/9/2014 at 08:36 (3,520 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

Oh, it looks like they arrived a bit later than expected?

 

Are you near your phone?!


Post# 776461 , Reply# 6   8/9/2014 at 16:30 (3,519 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture

Yay!!  Just in time for winter!!  Winter is perfect for Filtrator dryers--especially towels and sheets.  Nothing like that wonderful fragrance that emits from a running Filtrator as well as the soft clothes.  You might want to lower the temperature setting for the sheets so they won't get cooked. 


Post# 776475 , Reply# 7   8/9/2014 at 18:56 (3,519 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        
YAY!

I am happy for you!

Post# 776609 , Reply# 8   8/10/2014 at 18:06 (3,518 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
Today's progress....

turquoisedude's profile picture

I've gotten into the habit of carefully inspecting any dryers that come into the collection.  Years ago, my first ever vintage stove kinda shorted out on me because the wires had gotten damaged by vibrations in transit.  A whole bunch of screws shook loose from the washer and the dryer so I wanted to make sure there wasn't a bolt lying on a connector or something silly like that.    

 

Fortunately, that was not the case!  I took the dryer apart and found the only 'victims' of transit were the drum light and the germicidal lamp (dang!!).   

 

But the machine went back together again quite nicely, and passed the 120v tests with flying colours. 

 

This Filtrator is ready for laundry!!


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Post# 776612 , Reply# 9   8/10/2014 at 18:10 (3,518 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
Yes, here's the 'but'...

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So after the dryer, I naturally attacked the washer.   Again, there were a couple of loose screws and one of the four rods which seem to tie the tub down to the washer frame had fallen out in transit.  I hooked both up and all looked fine.

 

I did a dry test and I was able to get the washer to agitate (or should I say 'pulsate') fine.  I tried a spin.  Wondeful!!  It revved up to the full 1140 RPMS and completed it's cycle. 

 

I decided it was time for a water test.  It agitated, no problem. 


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Post# 776613 , Reply# 10   8/10/2014 at 18:15 (3,518 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

But on the spin.... Oh boy... 

 

The water drains out fine, the tub seems to start to rev up and then....  The spin stops, as if the machine is severely out of balance, but the spin solenoid keeps clicking on and off, trying to kick the spin off again.  

 

WAAAAHH!

 

Fortunately I do have some literature on the WO-65 (I think I bought that Tech-Talk that covered a wide range of models) and if not, I do have some paper literature (thanks to Jon Charles!)

 

I can't help but think there's something that went out of alignment in transit on me.  The machine seemed to be hard to level (one leveling leg is badly bent) so I will work from there.   

 

I want to get this washer into the laundry room so badly...  

 



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Post# 776621 , Reply# 11   8/10/2014 at 19:10 (3,518 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Sounds like a bad contact in the spin circuit in the timer.

Welcome to the 1140 club where some items emerge ready for ironing!


Post# 776624 , Reply# 12   8/10/2014 at 19:34 (3,518 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

Timer?! 

 

I'll have to search for that tonight...


Post# 776681 , Reply# 13   8/11/2014 at 05:23 (3,518 days old) by CHRISTFR (st louis mo)        

christfr's profile picture
CONGRATS.. SO SO COOL.. KNOW YOUR GONNA LOVE EM....

Post# 776683 , Reply# 14   8/11/2014 at 06:05 (3,518 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Okay

jetcone's profile picture

it throws the water out that means good windings in the motor, the trouble starts when the start winding is being thrown out of the circuit - that is all inside the motor and that seems fine. It sounds like the spin solenoid is failing, once it gets hot it is shorting in and out?  But the peak load is off the motor once that start winding kicks out ..........I'm thinking if it was a time contact you'd see failure when the start winding was in and there was 26 amps hurling through the circuits. This happens after that.

 

I think it might be a weakening  solenoid that starts to fail once it gets warm, or the spring linkage has gotten disturbed in shipping. Its odd you finding that loose support rod, those are heavily bolted into place, it may have knocked the sprng linkage out of whack !! Go look at the diagrams for how the solenoid connects to the spin rod coming out of the transmission and then check your spring, thats where I'd start.

 

 


Post# 776686 , Reply# 15   8/11/2014 at 06:53 (3,518 days old) by cycla-fabric (New Jersey (Northern))        

cycla-fabric's profile picture
Wow, that Focus is built Ford Tough! Amazing that it was able to carry both machines. Good luck with the new purchases, they are great looking machines.

Doug


Post# 776689 , Reply# 16   8/11/2014 at 07:15 (3,518 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)        

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Congrats on your Unimatic acquisition. I would be curious to know as to what is causing the problem. I have a Unimatic that worked fine except for the timer completely crapped out. Gl with fixing it, maybe you can provide me with some clues.

Post# 776692 , Reply# 17   8/11/2014 at 08:30 (3,518 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        
Oh no!

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There are few things that make me more nervous than having something shipped that far, for fear that something might get screwed up along the bumpy road.  Yikes!

 

The washer was running fine before leaving Waterloo, so I suspect something went wonkers during transit.  I still can't believe the cabinet rod came loose!

 

Jon's suggestions of checking out the shift solenoid are a good idea, and if those check out, then there might be something screwy with the spin contact with the timer, as Greg mentioned. 

 

Let me know if you have any questions. 

 

Ben


Post# 776698 , Reply# 18   8/11/2014 at 09:21 (3,518 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
Congrats Paul, that is the most quintessential Unimatic of them all!

Yes it's either the solenoid or the timer contact. I would try is placing a test electrical cord directly on the solenoid and see if it kicks out, if it does you know for sure it is the timer.

Keep us posted!


Post# 776707 , Reply# 19   8/11/2014 at 11:53 (3,517 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Did some more testing this morning - the solenoid and the wiring were the first things I checked and they both looked good.  I had a test procedure for the solenoid in that Tech-Talk covering 1950 to 1959 models so I followed it to the letter and per their test method, the solenoid looks good.  I further tested by running the machine through a simulated cycle with the motor leads disconnected from the solenoid terminals.  The solenoid engaged and stayed powered up through the appropriate phases of the cycle and did not seem to overheat.  

 

I tried leveling the washer a bit better than I had previously - it seemed much more solid (the leveling legs are pretty messed up) but when it went into 'spin', the same 'thunk' was heard, the spin stopped momentarily, then the solenoid engaged again to try to get the machine to spin.   This time, as I tried to spin, though, I was observing the rear of the machine.  As the spin solenoid engaged the mechanism seemed to twist to the right; when it kicked out again, the mechanism twisted left again.  For the additional attempts at spin, the mechanism again swung to the right slightly.  I am not sure what exactly this might mean, but I have an awful feeling there's something loose.  I've not spotted it yet, though... 

 

My other thought is because that solenoid seems to be supplying current to the motor, what if there is a problem with the motor itself that's making the solenoid overheat or temporarily short?   Yes, I know, another one of my theories... LOL   Seriously, I have never seen a solenoid with five terminals before!  Was that unique to Frigidaire or did other manufacturers use something like this?  The idea of a replacement is already spinning in my head, but maybe only around 900 rpm's at the moment... 

 

Phil is on his way down to Ogden this afternoon so perhaps between the two of us, we can figure something out!

 

 


Post# 776709 , Reply# 20   8/11/2014 at 12:24 (3,517 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture

Two things -

  • The leveling legs can be replaced with legs from a Big Load Maytag dryer (1976 through the 90's). 
  • Before tearing into the timer and going hog wild with it, try bi-passing the 'Push to Reset' button, and see if you get the same symptoms with spin.  There is a small possibility that it's causing an issue.  Also, you could try isolating the motor by connecting a test cord to the motor leads, and manually tripping the solenoid to see if you can get the motor repeat the same issue.

Post# 776730 , Reply# 21   8/11/2014 at 15:54 (3,517 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

As mentioned, Phil came down to Ogden this afternoon to check out the 'new' Frigidaires.  I did a quick demo for him to show him what exactly had been happening.  

 

He spotted the problem immediately...


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Post# 776731 , Reply# 22   8/11/2014 at 16:00 (3,517 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
The real culprit...

turquoisedude's profile picture

And anyone who grew up with lousy wiring like I did should be ashamed of themselves for not having thought of this sooner...   What kept kicking off the washer during spin?

 

This blasted power bar!!  

 

The clicking and stalling Phil heard was actually not the washer clicking... It was the breaker on the power bar; it's an old one (circa 1984) and the breaker would almost, but not quite, trip when the spin 'overload' draw was generated.  

 

I am ashamed of myself, because the first test I did was with the washer plugged directly into a wall outlet (well, ceiling outlet actually, because we are still fiddling with the garage outlets for the drywalling).  The washer ran and could spin then but heavens forbid I was able to make the connection

 

Now, let's see if I can take this defective power bar back to Pascal's Hardware tomorrow... LOL

 

 

 


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Post# 776732 , Reply# 23   8/11/2014 at 16:01 (3,517 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

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So this time, everything ran normally.  I had to fill the tub to show off the machine to Phil, of course!


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Post# 776733 , Reply# 24   8/11/2014 at 16:05 (3,517 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Needless to say,  I was pretty darn happy too!!

 

Now, as per Ben's suggestion, I'm going to find a set of legs for the Unimatic and get this beastie down to the Ogden Laundry!  I've got LOTS of dirty work clothes from the garage drywalling job from the past two weeks. 

 

I am going to try to slot the Unimatic next to the Canadian MultiMatic and do some side-by-side comparisons.  

 

Phil was filming the first spin test more than I was, so he'll probably be posting that later. 

 

PHEW!!!


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Post# 776735 , Reply# 25   8/11/2014 at 16:15 (3,517 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture

Woo Hoo!! So glad to hear that the problem wasn't with the Frigidaire.  I'm looking forward to seeing these beauties featured in the Ogden Laundry Hall!

 

Ben


Post# 776776 , Reply# 26   8/11/2014 at 19:17 (3,517 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Unimatic Up And Running

combo52's profile picture
Great guess Ben about a circuit breaker problem, while the other guess were all possible I usually try not to guess unless I am pretty sure what is likely wrong with members appliances and none of the other guesses sounded that likely.

We used several of those cheap power strip's at our Warehouse when testing appliances before we installed permanent wiring and had funny problems with them a few times, and with a UM that drawing around 26 AMPS as it goes into spin for 10 seconds or longer I am not surprised that the power-strip did not like it.

John L.


Post# 776780 , Reply# 27   8/11/2014 at 19:33 (3,517 days old) by GadgetGary (Bristol,CT)        
Paul

gadgetgary's profile picture
Same thing happened to me when I connected my HA806 to a powerstrip. It would not engage in spin. When connected directly to the wall, it spun perfectly!


Post# 776823 , Reply# 28   8/12/2014 at 00:37 (3,517 days old) by 114jwh (Vancouver)        

Congratulations Paul - these look great! You must have been happy that it was only the power bar!

Post# 776826 , Reply# 29   8/12/2014 at 00:54 (3,517 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

Yes,power outlet boxes aren't typically meant to be used with large motor loads such as a washer or many types of power tools.They were meant for lower current electronic gear that doesn't have the large start currents a washer would require when going to spin mode.
The contactor soleniods are similar to those in a washer that are used in the various high current circuits in our transmitters-if the contactor soleniod cycles frequently-it will get warm.If it gets very hot,hums loudly, and then smokes you have a problem.Think washer soleniods would be similar in action.The coil windings can short to each other or to the soleniod case or core.Then the smoke comes out!


Post# 776830 , Reply# 30   8/12/2014 at 01:48 (3,517 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

Paul, what I heard was the washer clicking, but I figured it was because it got intermittent power! That's why I suspected the power bar! 

 

I did make a few videos yesterday but most of them disappeared from my phone's memory card! I was quite mad to see that the pictures I took of the moon and the video I made of a spider in it's web just a few hours later were gone as well as all the photos and videos I have captured earlier today today. But mysteriously, the video I wanted to upload on YouTube was still there (and the only one that remained from yesterday!). 

 

So here it is!

 




 


Post# 776868 , Reply# 31   8/12/2014 at 08:16 (3,517 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Paul !

jetcone's profile picture

as we say out west - "She shore is pretty" LOL ~

 


Post# 776874 , Reply# 32   8/12/2014 at 08:28 (3,517 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Thanks - I just can't wait to get this down to laundry room!!  

 

Dumb question du jour:  I need a replacment germicidal bulb for the Filtrator (and a couple of other machines, too) and I have found potential replacements on-line at places like bulbs.com.  However, they seem to be rated at 10.5 v - when connected in series with the 40w incandescent drum light will this provide a voltage low enough to safely power the germicidal bulb?

 

Ben, I've sent you a PM about the Maytag dryer legs.


Post# 776904 , Reply# 33   8/12/2014 at 11:17 (3,516 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Germical Bulb Voltage

combo52's profile picture
10.5 Volts should be about right, but Paul you know that you should not be playing with electricity, LOL, But I do love you guys anyway.

John L.


Post# 776936 , Reply# 34   8/12/2014 at 14:50 (3,516 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Oh, I deserve that...  LOL.   Know anywhere I can get those porcelain tubes for the rest of the garage wiring??  (ducks and runs...) 


Post# 777073 , Reply# 35   8/13/2014 at 08:08 (3,516 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Bonne nouvelles!  I found a local parts place who can get me a new set of legs.   There are a very few reconditioned appliance dealers left around here anymore, so used parts are harder to come by than new sometimes.

 

At any rate, I think my 'new' Unimatic deserves new legs to bring it one step closer to that 'maiden wash'.    Stay tuned!!


Post# 777624 , Reply# 36   8/16/2014 at 17:26 (3,512 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
Fun with Frigidaires.... well not exactly

turquoisedude's profile picture

I've been busting at the seams waiting for a chance to get tuhe latest acquisitions into the Ogden Lauhndry, as you all can imagine.  

 

Finally today, a slot in the basement laundry room became available...


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Post# 777625 , Reply# 37   8/16/2014 at 17:27 (3,512 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

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The ' 58 Hotpoint dryer graciously gave up its spot for the 'new' Unimatic!


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Post# 777626 , Reply# 38   8/16/2014 at 17:32 (3,512 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Here it is,  fresh from the garage!! 

 

I somehow managed to straighten the leveling legs and I figured with a solid pad, the machine would be fairly stable. 

 

Well, I actually turned out to be right on this one and the machine ran through a fill, wash and spin with some vibration, but nothing like what I had been experiencing in the garage.  Oh, and just to be on the safe side, I connected it directly to the wall outlet and not to the drop light cord with a screw-in adapter... LOL 


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Post# 777627 , Reply# 39   8/16/2014 at 17:36 (3,512 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
And here's the 'but'...

turquoisedude's profile picture

There was a fairly good leak somewhere...  I know someone in this household would have kittens if there are any leaky washers or dishwashers, so I knew I had to find it... 

 

It wasn't just a loose connection, alas.  It's the solenoid itself.   This, however is not a big problem - I think I'll be able to swap one of the Whirlpool water solenoids from one or the other of the leftover parts donors from the Inglis restoration.  I'm slating that job for tomorrow, though.  


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Post# 777628 , Reply# 40   8/16/2014 at 17:38 (3,512 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

I did take advantage of having a couple of very wet towels from the mop-up to test that 1140 RPM spin with... 

 

I was amazed at how dry the towels came out of the Frigidaire.   I think this is love.... LOL 


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Post# 777629 , Reply# 41   8/16/2014 at 17:40 (3,512 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Well, I figured I might as well get the Filtrator dryer out of Hubby's way in the garage.   I can be so considerate sometimes... 

 

 


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Post# 777630 , Reply# 42   8/16/2014 at 17:41 (3,512 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

I jury-rigged an American to Canadian dryer plug and extension cord.    It looks scarier than it is... Honest!!   I used one just like this for a few weeks with the 58 Hotpoint and only (possibly) one power hit in the county was caused by it ... 


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Post# 777633 , Reply# 43   8/16/2014 at 17:52 (3,512 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

However, when I tried the dryer, nothing happened!!  I had tested it last week on 120v only and I had managed to get the drive motor and timer to run.   Today, only the drum light would work...  GRRRRRR!!

 

I quickly went through a list of the 'usual suspects'... I was afraid I'd mixed up the wiring of the US-style dryer outlet, but this was not the case.  

 

I tried connecting a test cord directly to the black and white leads on the terminal block like I had done last week.  Still nothing. 

 

I took the timer box out to check for loose connections.  I found one, I tightened it, and still nada.  

 

I took the back off, looking for loose or broken wires.  None to be found.  I tested the belt switch in case it was out of alignment.  It was fine.    This was about when I started to whimper like Canyon during a thunderstorm... 

 

I'll do some more serious tracing and testing tomorrow, but now I'm scared something happened to the timer or motor with the bumps and bounces getting the dryer down the basement stairs.  

 

In the meantime,  I'll be seeking a wiring diagram and service literature... I have a complete parts list (again, thanks to Jon for that!!) but I'll need more.   That and a large Manhattan...   OY!


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Post# 777675 , Reply# 44   8/17/2014 at 00:03 (3,512 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Paul, I have all of the service lit and wiring diagrams scanned. Let me know what you might need. This may sound silly, but did you triple-check to make sure that the timer knob was pushed in? If it got pulled out into the "off" position nothing will happen!


Post# 777707 , Reply# 45   8/17/2014 at 07:23 (3,512 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Thank you Mark!!   If there is any complaint chart for the symptom 'dryer will not run' and the wiring diagram, I'll start there.  

 

I definitely pulled out the timer knob (several times).   It seems to be supplying power since the drum light went off, when the knob was pushed in and the panel toggleswitch was off, also.  

 

I had nightmares of a timer failure last night.   I'll probably focus on changing the water valve on the washer today though.   But, I'll be back down in Ogden again next week for an extended stay and I can hopefully figure something out then. 


Post# 777721 , Reply# 46   8/17/2014 at 09:24 (3,512 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Wow, what an ordeal you've gone through Paul! For the dryer, I'd double check the belt safety switch again. I don't remember which filtrator it was that I've had, but one had a finicky safety switch.

The motor will run even with the elements out of service, so concentrate on that leg of 220v first.

Also, I had put a three temp Maytag valve in the washer to obtain a warm wash and rinse. It might not be a bad idea to either swap in another three temp or rebuild that one.

Ben


Post# 777731 , Reply# 47   8/17/2014 at 10:54 (3,512 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Ben, I thought that water valve looked Maytag-ish!  Eesh,  those three-temp models are harder and harder to find.  I'll still experiment with the WP valve though - something tells me I'll end up with a cold rinse, though...    I've sent you a PM about the shut-off valve that was connected to the fill tube... 

 

I hope I'll be able to get to some electrical troubleshooting with the dryer later today.   I'm hoping it will be 'pas grande chose' but I'm still worried about the timer for some reason...  Oh wait, 'cause I have awful luck with timers... LOL 


Post# 777732 , Reply# 48   8/17/2014 at 10:54 (3,512 days old) by kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

kenmore71's profile picture
Ben, that was the finicky one. I remember more than once starting that dryer (when it was your only one hooked up) and you reminding me to open up the door and give the drum a push to trip that switch.

Post# 777739 , Reply# 49   8/17/2014 at 11:27 (3,511 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
Secrets of wash temperature revealed!

turquoisedude's profile picture

Just did a circuit test of the water valve supply wires.   With a 'regular' two-solenoid valve, I'll get the choice of a hot OR a cold wash with a cold rinse by default.   I'll need to do some fiddling here, but I just may have a three-solenoid valve that I bought as a 'just in case' for the Dominion that may work out for me here.  Well, if it fits...


Post# 777740 , Reply# 50   8/17/2014 at 11:32 (3,511 days old) by washman (o)        
Keep us posted

and congrats on your find.

Post# 777789 , Reply# 51   8/17/2014 at 13:59 (3,511 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
Some good news - the washer is up and running!

turquoisedude's profile picture

And also not 'walking' like it was doing yesterday during some initial spin tests... LOL 

 

I found a supposedly-Maytag-compatible three solenoid water valve some time ago (I thought I was going to need it on the Dominion but I managed to rebuild the original valve) so I figured I could just pop that in and be done with it.   Fortunately the valve fit the Frigidaire mounting plate nicely, but I still can't seem to get a warm wash or rinse...  However the new valve is 100% leak-free and I seem to have the right flow level to fill the tub correctly for the rinses, so I'm not too stressed by this.  In a worst case scenario, I can manually toggle the wash selection between hot and cold to get the right wash temperature.  

 

So, I think I may be ready for a 'Maiden Wash' later today!   

 

I'll do a little more messing around with the dryer now...  One thing I did was to double-check the electrical supply I'd been using.  It's good - I have the full 240v total and 120v on each 'leg'.  I had to check this again because, yes I condemned not one, but two dryers to death because of a faulty breaker that did not deliver the full 240v to the dryer outlet...  Stay tuned... 


Post# 777795 , Reply# 52   8/17/2014 at 14:39 (3,511 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture

Mark - you're right! I totally had forgotten about that. Paul, give the drum a push (doesn't matter direction) to get it running.

 

Also, hook the warm wire (I don't recall the color) to the warm side of the three temp valve. I had to drill holes in the Frigidaire mount to get the 3-temp valve to fit. It's much easier to replace the original brass valves with the three temps, due to the scarcity of finding a two solenoid warm/hot valve, vs a cold/hot valve.




This post was last edited 08/17/2014 at 14:57
Post# 777814 , Reply# 53   8/17/2014 at 16:10 (3,511 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
Well son of a ....

turquoisedude's profile picture

When I read what Mark and Ben had mentioned about giving the drum a spin by hand, I remembered that that was something I had done before first trying the machine.  I was checking to make sure that nothing was binding or had slipped out of alignment in transit.  I figured I had nothing to lose by trying again.

 

At about 3:30 this afternoon,  anyone strolling down the Tomifobia Nature Trail along the banks of the river would have heard a vociferous exhortation to the Holy Spirit, the Eucharist, the tabernacle, the Virgin Mary and a few assorted saints.  In French, that's offensive... trust me!  I tried the dryer after giving the drum a spin and well, it worked!!

 

I ran it for about 20 minutes to 'burn off' any lint that shook lose and it was just fine!  The timer ran, the Radiantubes lit up and the fan turned beautifully!  

 

I gave the belt switch a bit of an 'attitude adjustment' too, while I was at it... Let's see how that works out!

 

I'm just about ready for the first load of washing AND drying in my 'new' Frigidaire set!!


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Post# 777819 , Reply# 54   8/17/2014 at 16:23 (3,511 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Belt Switch On a FD Filterater Dryer

combo52's profile picture
Paul that BS is adjustable, just move it toward the idler spindle, or if your fire insurance is paid up you could just by-pass it.

Post# 777921 , Reply# 55   8/18/2014 at 07:47 (3,511 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Okay somebody

jetcone's profile picture
I want to see what a 3 solenoid valve looks like and how do you wire it in?? I tried on my gyramatic but could only get hot/warm never cold again.

IS this hot/warm/cold ????


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Post# 777935 , Reply# 56   8/18/2014 at 10:09 (3,511 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Vintage Three Coil Inlet Valves

combo52's profile picture
Jon Where did that new valve come from, LOL, is that what you tried to install on your Gyramatic? Post a picture of the actual valve and I will explain all.

John L.


Post# 777949 , Reply# 57   8/18/2014 at 11:57 (3,510 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Hmmm.... I wish I'd have taken a picture of the 'replacement' I installed on the Unimatic.  However, I am going to try to rebuild the Maytag valve I took out.

 

But cold water rinse or not, anniversary supper to make or not, I was determined to try out the Frigidaire washer AND dryer last night!


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Post# 777950 , Reply# 58   8/18/2014 at 12:02 (3,510 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

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I had been saving some washing to try out the new machine with, but I thought while I was at it, I could now do a side-by-side comparison of the 1951 WO65 to the 1963 Canadian Deluxe Frigidaire! 

 

To compare cleaning results, the blue shorts in the first pile of laundry were evaluated against the green pair in the second pile.   The first pile went into the 51 and the second pile went into the 63.    


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Post# 777951 , Reply# 59   8/18/2014 at 12:03 (3,510 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Out of the 51 and looking good!


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Post# 777955 , Reply# 60   8/18/2014 at 12:06 (3,510 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Now let's try out that Filtrator and hope the belt switch adjustment holds... LOL 

 

Not knowing a great deal about Filtrator drying, I set the dry temperature between Medium and High and started with 25 minutes drying time.  

 

I would up having to put the machine on for an additional 15 minutes to fully dry the load however.   But, the results were good!  Nice and soft!!


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Post# 777956 , Reply# 61   8/18/2014 at 12:09 (3,510 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Meanwhile, the second load of wash was churning in the 63 Deluxe.   Oh, forgot to mention in both cases, washing was done at warm (with a little extra hot mixed in) with a cold rinse.  No fabric softener was added to either load. 

 

The 63 ran fine, too but the clothes felt a bit damp compared to the 51... Wonder why??  LOL 


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Post# 777957 , Reply# 62   8/18/2014 at 12:13 (3,510 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Now into the 62 Canadian Deluxe dryer for a tumble.   I set this dryer at Regular (high) heat for 35 minutes and that was all it took.  


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Post# 777959 , Reply# 63   8/18/2014 at 12:14 (3,510 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Final result?  Well, I think the blue pair from the WO65 are cleaner... but that's just my rose-tinted view of things... LOL 


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Post# 777960 , Reply# 64   8/18/2014 at 12:19 (3,510 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
One hurdle to overcome, though...

turquoisedude's profile picture

During the wash spin and for the first rinse spin, the Unimatic shook like a demon and started to creep forward a bit.   For the final spin, it shook like a demon with the DT's; it was an 'extreme out of balance' condition for sure!  I had to push the machine back in and redistribute the load twice to get a full-speed spin.  

 

I will venture a guess that the wobbly wooden floor the machine sits on is not my friend.  I need to do some 'extreme leveling' to get things just right, so next time a Frigidaire expert (cough... Phil?) is on-site, I'll seek their advice.

 

But wow, what fun with these machines so far!! 


Post# 777971 , Reply# 65   8/18/2014 at 13:41 (3,510 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

You kept those bolts from the Bendix!? We'll just have to bolt it down!

 

Or you'll do like I do. With small loads, Unimatics sometimes go out of balance (at least, that's what mine does!)... You just need to redistribute the load when it happens! 

 

Unless the water pump cover doesn't move freely on the snubber... But don't bother with that now!


Post# 778056 , Reply# 66   8/18/2014 at 19:59 (3,510 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)        

joelippard's profile picture

In my experience Frigidaires do not like wooden floors or lightly loaded tubs.  Also when you get up to those kinds of RPM's you're going to experience some vibrations, both of my Rapidry Frigidaires do that but they don't walk.  You can seriously pack that Unimatic full and it'll still roll those clothes over.   The old fables about women sitting on their Frigidaires are true, some had to during the spin cycle.


Post# 778058 , Reply# 67   8/18/2014 at 20:13 (3,510 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Frigidaire made a special cup that would be placed under each leveling leg. The cup is wide and has holes molded into bottom to grip the floors. Gyromatic had also suggested using the no slip padding under the legs, the stuff that you put under rugs.

But yes, wooden floors aren't the best for the high spinners. Being perfectly level is also crucial.

Ben


Post# 778059 , Reply# 68   8/18/2014 at 20:18 (3,510 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
As for the water valve, here's the Dole example we are all familiar with. Hook the green wire to the warm solenoid, and the red to the hot side. Leave the cold side disconnected. This will effectively give you a true warm wash or rinse.

Post# 778615 , Reply# 69   8/22/2014 at 07:44 (3,507 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
thank you Ben

jetcone's profile picture

that finally clarifies the mystery of a 4- wire machine operating a 3- solenoid valve !!

 

 


Post# 778755 , Reply# 70   8/22/2014 at 17:20 (3,506 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

More good news:  the Filtrator is drying its second load of wash!  I'd partially line-dried some shirts, then it started to rain, so into the Frigidaire they went.  And the dryer started up immediately.  The belt switch adjustment seems to be holding.  WAHOO!


Post# 778763 , Reply# 71   8/22/2014 at 17:58 (3,506 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
Dry!

turquoisedude's profile picture

Wow - 25 minutes at medium-high turned out a load of soft and unwrinkled shirts!!  That hideous Magic Chef dryer is most definitely NOT moving with us when we sell the apartment in Montreal - Kia deserves what little metal is in that useless thing...


Post# 778766 , Reply# 72   8/22/2014 at 18:35 (3,506 days old) by danemodsandy (The Bramford, Apt. 7-E)        
Fair Warning:

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In the dead of Winter, there is no more effective aphrodisiac than the smell of Filtrator-dried sheets!

Post# 778774 , Reply# 73   8/22/2014 at 19:51 (3,506 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Have To Look

launderess's profile picture
Somewhere in my stash know have a GM/Frigidaire "Tech Talk" repair book for the 1957 though 1960's dryers. Think it came as part of a set of books one wanted for our GM/Frigidaire ironer.

Post# 778776 , Reply# 74   8/22/2014 at 19:59 (3,506 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Sandy

jetcone's profile picture

is right about that and nothing is nicer than a basement warmed with a Filtrator !

 


Post# 778872 , Reply# 75   8/23/2014 at 08:42 (3,506 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture
Sandy, I'll remind a certain Hubby about that when he's kvetching about the lack space in the basement... LOL

To be fair, though, he put up a minimal fuss when I announced that I would be getting these machines and get this: when I placed the dryer in the hotly-debated 'middle row' in the basement, he asked me about how the hell I was going to vent it, but then surprised with, and I quote, "Oh, right. A Filtrator can be installed anywhere'. I'm getting to him, by golly...

I did two more dryer loads last night and I just happened to get this rare view of the back of the dryer with the radiantubes aglow. Kinda eerie, but neat!


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Post# 778928 , Reply# 76   8/23/2014 at 18:39 (3,505 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Welcome to my world!

launderess's profile picture
For all one's complaints about the length of time, energy use and so forth regarding my Lavatherm condenser dryer towels are divine when dried in the machine. Indeed all laundry has a softness and aroma you just cannot obtain otherwise.

Post# 781906 , Reply# 77   9/6/2014 at 14:09 (3,491 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
What to do a rainy day? Laundry, of course!!

turquoisedude's profile picture

I worked my tail off this week with the emptying of the storage unit and resulting fallout and realized that I had neglected the accumulated laundry!  Can't have that - the MIL is coming to visit next week!!

 

And as if I was going to use anything but the 'new' 51 Frigidaires...   

 

Now, this time around, I put a BIG load o' clothes into the Unimatic.  A set of double sheets plus some assorted t-shirts, shorts, and underwear.  

 


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Post# 781907 , Reply# 78   9/6/2014 at 14:11 (3,491 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

But how would it spin with so much in it??

 

Just fine, thank you very much!

 



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Post# 781908 , Reply# 79   9/6/2014 at 14:12 (3,491 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

And as if I was going to dry the load in anything other than the TR-60 Filtrator.... 


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Post# 781911 , Reply# 80   9/6/2014 at 14:16 (3,491 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

And better still,  notice that purple glow?   I got a replacement germicidal lamp on Thursday and just had to install it right away!   So, as I write this, the clothes are happily Filtrating - I set the thermostat between High and Medium again and started off with 35 minutes - we'll see how that goes.  

 

And I just had to say a huge thank-you again to Ben for thinking of me when this set became available!  The Canadian '63 Frigidaire is going to get jealous of its older sibling washer... LOL 


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Post# 782054 , Reply# 81   9/7/2014 at 02:50 (3,491 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Nice shots

jetcone's profile picture

these do put on a display don't they. and now your laundry is polio free too so MIL will be happy !


Post# 782081 , Reply# 82   9/7/2014 at 07:30 (3,491 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

OMG - the view counter just hit <1951>....   Cue up that Twilight Zone intro...  


Post# 782926 , Reply# 83   9/10/2014 at 23:46 (3,487 days old) by wmlask (Spring Grove, IL)        
W065

I'm thinning out the herd here. If anyone is interested in my WO-65 let me know.
Bill



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