Thread Number: 65090  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
They arrived, 1978 Lady Kenmore washer/dryer
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Post# 877083   4/14/2016 at 16:03 (2,932 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        

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A MBM TOL first electronic KM set.  They look carefully used.   

 

I would have preferred the newer timer style from 1980, but time will tell.  

 

 


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Post# 877085 , Reply# 1   4/14/2016 at 16:05 (2,932 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        

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The washer appears to work perfect and no visible rust.  

 

I've had the 1986 TOL electronic washer and it was fun.  Everytime you push a button, there is a sound, and you can adjust the volume on the back of the machine.  This one doesn't have any sound. 


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Post# 877087 , Reply# 2   4/14/2016 at 16:08 (2,932 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        
Under the top

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A triple dispenser that hasn't disintegrated or broke away from the mounting screws is a great find.  The chlorine bleach has a tendency to do a number on the plastic and the machine in this area, as well.

 

I just need to finalize the plan for feeding the dispenser with freshwater, instead of recirculating water.  A 4 port water valve should do it.

 

 


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Post# 877088 , Reply# 3   4/14/2016 at 16:11 (2,932 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        
the underside ....

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isn't bad either.   

 

I don't get why they are drawing from the BOTTOM of the sump for flushing the dispensers.  I've found some interesting and rusty gunk in there over the years.

 

 


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Post# 877092 , Reply# 4   4/14/2016 at 16:19 (2,932 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        
and the dryer

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Clean as well.  It runs, but it squeaks.  An easy fix.

 

The issue is, it's gas.  Which means it will need to be changed to electric.  

 

Still for a gas dryer, the drum is quite clean.  I was under the understanding this dryer is electro-mechanical, but it is actually electronic with fake push buttons to give it that mechanical feel that's difficult to clean.


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Post# 877096 , Reply# 5   4/14/2016 at 16:33 (2,932 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

Those are very nice!

Post# 877105 , Reply# 6   4/14/2016 at 17:38 (2,932 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        
Those are beautiful!

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I love the non-shaded avocado. Nice.

lawrence


Post# 877122 , Reply# 7   4/14/2016 at 19:49 (2,932 days old) by oldskool (Kansas City, MO)        
Very nice

Congratulations on finding a set in impressive condition. Super cool.

John


Post# 877124 , Reply# 8   4/14/2016 at 20:03 (2,932 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        

Beautiful set, Congrats.  Sear's used to place these on the front row, by the escalator.  Probably to make people like us faint.  Best of luck with them.   A


Post# 877127 , Reply# 9   4/14/2016 at 20:13 (2,932 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)        

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AMAZING set. Got to love the condition. Congratulations.

Post# 877128 , Reply# 10   4/14/2016 at 20:18 (2,932 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
Wow!

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I really like these. Very nice indeed, and I agree with Lawrence, I like the non-shaded Avocado.

Best of luck with them!!

Gordon


Post# 877138 , Reply# 11   4/15/2016 at 00:15 (2,931 days old) by bigalsf (Salt Lake City)        

Congratulations!! That's a very nice set. Enjoy!

Post# 877161 , Reply# 12   4/15/2016 at 07:20 (2,931 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        
OMG!

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I'm so jealous!! Love them. You best make some videos mister! ;-)

Post# 877167 , Reply# 13   4/15/2016 at 07:45 (2,931 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Cool Washer & Dryer

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Always great to find such lightly used well cared for appliances that were actually good appliances when new, it so often seems when some low mileage appliances are found they are often some WCI junk etc.

 

The Triple-Dispenser System worked very well as long as people had enough sense to use ENOUGH DETERGENT for water conditions, if they did there was no reason for any build up what so ever in the dispenser, outer tub etc of this washer. The water feed for the dispenser does not actually come from the bottom of the pump protector, if you look inside the PP there is a molded in tube that goes up inside to pickup the water for recirculating through the dispensers.

 

Its too bad that you do not have natural gas available to take advantage of this great gas dryer, trying to dry clothing that is only spun at a little over 500 RPMs with electricity is just plain crazy from a cost and an environmental perspective today, hopefully you have a Spin-X.

 

Hope you have fun with these machines keep us posted about your adventures with them.

 

 


Post# 877170 , Reply# 14   4/15/2016 at 07:59 (2,931 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
I had the chance to play with similar ones a few years back

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They worked quite well. Properly done, as these were, there's no reason electronic controls can't be reliable and durable. I would have the electrolytic capacitors replaced, they're now past their shelf-life and can do harm to the rest. Otherwise, baring sharp fingernails, no reason that 'brain' can't be running for decades.

 


Post# 877183 , Reply# 15   4/15/2016 at 12:18 (2,931 days old) by Volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)        
Nice!

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Are these the only 1st generation Electronic Lady Kenmores in captivity?

I have a 2nd gen set in rough shape, and a 3rd gen washer that looks good, but is untested.

Dave


Post# 877186 , Reply# 16   4/15/2016 at 12:52 (2,931 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        

delaneymeegan's profile picture

 

 

Thanks everyone !  Yes, I like the non-shaded colors better as well.

 

alr2903-  I remember those days.  Sears was like a candy store back then.

 

Joey- I will.  I have a good camera but the editing program ....?  

 

John- Thanks for the info on the sump.  I don't know when, but they changed over the input for the bottom port from the sump, to a specially molded hose between the pump and sump with a "T" in the hose.  Don't know if that was after or before this.  As for the dryer, gas is against my politics for safety reasons amongst others, and for dryers it's filthy.  No way I would use that to dry clothes.  Spin drier is a great product. 

 

Panthera-  Will have to check on the capacitors.

 

Dave/Volvoguy- It would be cool to see pics of what you have.  

 

 

As you may imagine, I'm busy having fun with these.  Too many things to do, not enough time in the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Post# 877189 , Reply# 17   4/15/2016 at 13:19 (2,931 days old) by repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        
Lady K set

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What a nice set! Congrats!

Post# 877263 , Reply# 18   4/15/2016 at 22:45 (2,931 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
...sump with a "T" in the hose

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Eric,

I wondered the same thing so I entered some model numbers into Sears' site and found our answer. The T-hose was present in the 1971 Lady Ks, and in the first 1972 Lady, which is model 110.7204900. I then checked 110.7204903, which is the third revision to the 1972 model. This machine has the new sump and no T hose. I don't think we saw the T hose used again after that. Everything I checked after that had the new sump and no T hose.

So it would seem that this change happened during production of the 1972 model.

Gordon


Post# 877385 , Reply# 19   4/16/2016 at 23:20 (2,930 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)        

Beautiful set, and congratulations on getting them. I remember these in the local Sears store, but in a brown/black color. They were hooked up and the salesman was showing customers the beginning of the wash cycle with the dispenser running. How I wanted one! Best of luck with these.

James


Post# 877391 , Reply# 20   4/17/2016 at 00:45 (2,929 days old) by toploadloyalist (San Luis Obispo, CA)        
Indicator lights

Do all the cycle phase indicators light simultaneously before the cycle begins?

Post# 877402 , Reply# 21   4/17/2016 at 05:45 (2,929 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Great set. I take it from John's comment about the spin speed that the washer is belt-drive. Don't ever recall seeing that particular water level selector before.

Congratulations and many care-free loads to you and your avocado beauties!


Post# 877417 , Reply# 22   4/17/2016 at 08:48 (2,929 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))        
Outstanding! And nothing short of!

whirlykenmore78's profile picture
An amazing find. As John said it is nice to find a GOOD appliances with low miles. My grandparents had the 1976 mechanical control version and these LKs are real workhorse machines.
WK78


Post# 877420 , Reply# 23   4/17/2016 at 09:03 (2,929 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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Congratulations, that's a very pretty set!

Fascinating that the fabric selection is totally different on the washer than on the dryer. One would think that the dryness level would be similar to the water level selector and the fabric selections would be push buttons.

Happy washing!


Post# 1130168 , Reply# 24   10/2/2021 at 13:43 (935 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

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Anyone know if these beauties are still in existence?

Post# 1130802 , Reply# 25   10/10/2021 at 08:05 (927 days old) by CottonCandy80 (Washington )        
Sell me those

Where did you find these ? I own a old home and I’d love to have a set like this I’ve looked everywhere most I find are across the country your a lucky man!

Post# 1130807 , Reply# 26   10/10/2021 at 09:37 (927 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

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