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Thread Number: 7256
The Incredible 1947 General Electric Automatic |
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Post# 142930 7/16/2006 at 22:05 (6,487 days old) by unimatic1140  (Minneapolis) |
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The very first GE automatic is just an incredible washer!!! I can't say enough good things about it. I washed seven loads in it during the course of the day, after each one making some adjustments on my way to getting the machine back in perfect working order. Just a couple left minor adjustment left and a paint job is all it now needs. I’m so very impressed with this washer, it’s by far one of the best automatics I have ever seen. Its spin is just amazing with the ribbed wash basket and nine minutes of final spin at 1140rpm, the washer can’t keep up with the dryer. Loads spun in the GE dry in the ‘57 High-Speed Kenmore dryer in less than 20 minutes, some lighter weight things dried in less than 10. I love being able to save the rinse water in the outer tub and reuse it for the next wash. If I didn’t use fabric softener in the previous wash, I reused the rinse water and it works great and saves a wash tub of water. I feel much more comfortable reusing rinse water for the next wash than I do reusing the previous loads wash water, I’ve never been a believer in suds saving, but this was is very cool. Here are some pictures from the final tests and today’s first wash load. Now I better get out the video camera. CLICK HERE TO GO TO unimatic1140's LINK | ||
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| Post# 142943 , Reply# 1 7/16/2006 at 22:26 (6,487 days old) by helicaldrive (St. Louis) | ||
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It's absolutely awesome! Definitely one of the most interesting. What does the machine sound like? | ||
| Post# 142945 , Reply# 3 7/16/2006 at 22:38 (6,487 days old) by utjj99 () | ||
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JOYGASM! Robert Very happy that you got this one going and love it so much. The trick is not getting what you want....its wanting it after you got it. Best of luck with your new washer and the one soon to come. John | ||
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Post# 142946 , Reply# 4 7/16/2006 at 22:45 (6,487 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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Post# 142948 , Reply# 5 7/16/2006 at 22:53 (6,487 days old) by brisnat81 (Brisbane Australia) |
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Wow Thats a pretty amazing machine :) I'm glad to see you've got it up and ticking happily along. I cant wait to see it in action next year :) | ||
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Post# 142952 , Reply# 6 7/16/2006 at 23:06 (6,487 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
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Thanks everyone, I sure am excited about this washer. Its something I've always wanted to see. Is the tub filling at the same time it's spraying into the dispenser and the outer tub, or does it measure the water in the outer tub, shut the valve off, then pump it into the washtub? Hi Greg, no the wash basket is pumped with water at the same time that incoming water is filling into the outer tub. There are two seperate water measuring devices. When the water level reaches the top of the wash basket, water then overflows out of the basket (thorough the holes at the top of the agitator) and the weight of the water hitting the metal cup pushes it down and this starts agitation. But the washer continues for fill for another 45 to 60 seconds until the float in the outer tub is also satisfied, this assures that the pressure is the recirculation pump is at full force. And all this without any electronics! | ||
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Post# 142955 , Reply# 7 7/16/2006 at 23:10 (6,487 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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Post# 142957 , Reply# 8 7/16/2006 at 23:25 (6,487 days old) by appnut (TX) |
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| Post# 142959 , Reply# 9 7/16/2006 at 23:33 (6,487 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
So nice | ||
| Post# 142960 , Reply# 10 7/16/2006 at 23:45 (6,487 days old) by scott55405 () | ||
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...does anyone else see the similarity between this washer's filter and that of later-day Hotpoints? ;-) Very cool machine! | ||
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Post# 142970 , Reply# 11 7/17/2006 at 00:58 (6,487 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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Post# 142981 , Reply# 12 7/17/2006 at 02:52 (6,487 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia) |
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What Ingenuity! | ||
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Post# 142982 , Reply# 13 7/17/2006 at 02:54 (6,487 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc) |
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Robert:--Now THATS a GE washer!!The idea of the Rinse water reuse is unique-good idea.Now if we can revive the water reuse in todays washers!That could make everyone happy!I used to have a GE washer that used the outer rim of the tub as a lint filter. | ||
| Post# 142990 , Reply# 14 7/17/2006 at 03:55 (6,487 days old) by brettsomers () | ||
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its only fitting that our Webmaster has change his panels background from Fri-aire to GE! | ||
| Post# 142994 , Reply# 15 7/17/2006 at 04:59 (6,487 days old) by angus (Fairfield, CT.) | ||
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I am amazed how progressive that machine was and the saving of rinse water combined with 1140 rpm spin would certainly qualify this as a real energy efficient machine. Perhaps we should take a step back in time...... | ||
| Post# 142999 , Reply# 17 7/17/2006 at 06:24 (6,487 days old) by eddy1210 (Burnaby BC Canada) | ||
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| Post# 143000 , Reply# 18 7/17/2006 at 06:44 (6,487 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida) | ||
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Post# 143009 , Reply# 19 7/17/2006 at 07:24 (6,486 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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Post# 143013 , Reply# 20 7/17/2006 at 08:19 (6,486 days old) by gizmo (Victoria, Australia) |
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ahead of its time Hi Robert Isn't it amazing, you should invite some GE engineers to see the 60 year old washer that is more advanced than their current model machines. Pity is, they probably wouldn't give two hoots. 47 GE, Apex on the way, this is some year you're having! Chris. | ||
| Post# 143020 , Reply# 21 7/17/2006 at 08:44 (6,486 days old) by jasonl (Cookeville, TN) | ||
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YAY!!! The other Holy Grail of washerdom, the 1947 GE. YAY YAY YAY YAY! | ||
| Post# 143026 , Reply# 22 7/17/2006 at 09:19 (6,486 days old) by rickr (.) | ||
Fantastic machine! Way ahead of it's time. The design team that came up with the ideas on this one were looking into the future. It is too bad that some of the ideas from this machine could not be used today. I would guess that this machine would cost thousands to build today. Love the quality of this design.
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| Post# 143028 , Reply# 23 7/17/2006 at 09:26 (6,486 days old) by lesto (Atlanta) | ||
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What a fabulous machine! I'm curious about the agitator stroke myaelf. Also, how long does it take to rev up to the full 1140 rpm, is it as fast as a Unimatic? Does it take awhile to coast to a stop? Does it spin clockwise or counterclockwise? Inquiring minds want to know. Les | ||
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Post# 143030 , Reply# 24 7/17/2006 at 09:30 (6,486 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
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Ohh lots of question. Let me get started.
Robert, is the agitation any different than say GE machines from 1955 to 1960? Good question Bob. I was surprised to see that the stroke is slightly less wide and slightly faster than the 1951-1960 GE washers. Nothing like the 1961-1995 Fast stroke GE perforated tub washers, but different none-the-less. does anyone else see the similarity between this washer's filter and that of later-day Hotpoints? Hi Scott, I agree, I suppose in the 70's when the Hotpoint self-cleaning Filter-Ring was introduced they probably looked back at the old GE patents and found this. The big difference between the two is that the '47 GE uses recirculation water to clean the filter, where as the Hotpoint uses fresh incoming water to clean the filter. I was surprised to see first how much lint it caught in the screens and second how the screens were completely clean after the final spin. What's the acceleration rate to 1140 RPM? By far this machine has the fastest water throw of any GE I have ever seen. While it’s no Unimatic, it ramps up to 1140 rpm slowly, about a minute and a half from 0 to 1140, but the water is out of the tub quite quickly and it’s up to 600rpm, in less than 30 seconds. Does it have a tub brake or does it coast all the way from 1140 down? Hi Eddie, it has a brake, but it takes about 40 seconds to slow the tub down from 1140 to 0. When it first stops spinning it coasts like there is no brake, but as the shifter bellows slowly drains of oil, it lets the mechanism inside the drive unit drop and contact the brake. 47 GE, Apex on the way, this is some year you're having! I'll say! One last thing that needs to be fixed is the top seal that seals the top to the cabinet. During the screen flush, when the recirculation water hits the screens spinning at 1140rpm, the force of the water is so great that bit of water comes down on the outside of the cabinet. After I get that fixed, its time to take the machine completely apart again and have it painted back to showroom new. Then once reassembled it can take its place in the collection. It will be one of my most cherished machines for the rest of my life. | ||
| Post# 143056 , Reply# 27 7/17/2006 at 11:40 (6,486 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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You're so happy !!!!!!!
Does the screen flush have greater water pressure than the normal circulation pressure? Does any of the flush make it through the screen to provide even a little bit of a spray rinse? Delighted to see this machine is so amazing that it's changing your mind about water savers! Can't wait for the day when you wash clean sheets in a BD Whirlpool and use the suds-return for at least the rags if not the towels. | ||
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Post# 143066 , Reply# 28 7/17/2006 at 12:11 (6,486 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) |
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Aferim! (Armenian for 
I don't know what thrills me more, the primordial GE activator with its solid-tub style straight vanes and its perf-tub looking cap or that beautiful white amazing wash tub. I think it's the tub! As soon as I can make it, I will post a rendering of this; it's very challenging. 1. Is the agitator all-metal or are the vanes some kind of plastic? 2. Is it noisy? 
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Post# 143070 , Reply# 29 7/17/2006 at 12:36 (6,486 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Robert, Wow, what a resto job! The mechanicals of this machine are the most fascinating we will probably ever see. Everything works together so well - all hidden in that tiny cabinet, and you can even wash clothes in it! You should be proud of this amazing machine - if anyone could have done it, it was you. Congrats Robert ~ Ben | ||
| Post# 143072 , Reply# 30 7/17/2006 at 12:43 (6,486 days old) by brent-aucoin () | ||
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Amazing Robert! Thanks for the pictures. I bet you had a blast all day! Brent | ||
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Post# 143079 , Reply# 31 7/17/2006 at 13:26 (6,486 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
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Does it spin clockwise or counterclockwise? Hi Les, you know I observed that washer all day yesterday and for the life of me I can't remember.  When the solenoid engages for spin, does the agitator slow down as the tub starts turning, "morphing" into spin, or is it a direct shift like the Unimatic? Hey Austin, well first of all the solenoid is deep in the Drive Unit and its like a water valve solenoid so you can't hear it switch on. Yes for the first wash load it does the morph into spin, but after the tranny get warm, the agitator just turns once and then it starts to spin. There is a 30 second pause to let any sediment out of the 2 drain holes at the bottom the wash basket, then the spin begins. Does the screen flush have greater water pressure than the normal circulation pressure? Hi Mike, no the recirculation pumps at the same rate, just the spinning tub at 1140rpm adds to the noise and drama. Does any of the flush make it through the screen to provide even a little bit of a spray rinse? It's hard to really tell, but I don't think so. Although you might want to close the lid during the screen flush as you do get a bit wet. Delighted to see this machine is so amazing that it's changing your mind about water savers! Can't wait for the day when you wash clean sheets in a BD Whirlpool and use the suds-return for at least the rags if not the towels. Ain't goona happen. And if the sheets were clean there would be no reason to wash them. :) 1. Is the agitator all-metal or are the vanes some kind of plastic Ken the agitator is all-aluminum. Great art work by the way! 2. Is it noisy? No not really, GE has never been a quiet washer, but this is one of their quietest. Its certainly not as quiet as a Unimatic, but its not intrusive in any way like a Norge. | ||
| Post# 143100 , Reply# 32 7/17/2006 at 14:22 (6,486 days old) by christfr (st louis mo) | ||
aww man | ||
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Post# 143115 , Reply# 33 7/17/2006 at 15:21 (6,486 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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That machine is beyond words
I don't know where to start! The biggest impression is that white porcelain tub ring-THAT IS HOT! All the design into getting the clothes rinsed and lint free that is amazing! I remember that machine got high marks from CU but it most certainly deserved it. Robert do you think its the 9 minute spin or the fact that the tub is ribbed so the clothes can't lie flat in spin that gets them so dry?? HUBBA HUBBA what a machine. jon | ||
| Post# 143133 , Reply# 34 7/17/2006 at 16:38 (6,486 days old) by golittlesport (California) | ||
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| Post# 143134 , Reply# 35 7/17/2006 at 16:48 (6,486 days old) by customline (pennsylvania) | ||
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WOW! I'm very impressed. Can't wait for the action packed video. | ||
| Post# 143136 , Reply# 36 7/17/2006 at 17:05 (6,486 days old) by jamman_98 (Columbia, SC) | ||
Bravo!! | ||
| Post# 143145 , Reply# 37 7/17/2006 at 17:50 (6,486 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS) | ||
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Robert ... that's a really great machine!! I can't believe it holds the rinse water!! What a great idea on GE's part. Is this a strictly warm-water rinse machine, too? Geoff | ||
| Post# 143181 , Reply# 38 7/17/2006 at 20:15 (6,486 days old) by wmlask (Spring Grove, IL) | ||
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Looks great Robert: Very nice job on the machine. Its an incredible machine and an interesting example of what was done later to "dummy down" complexity to keep the price competitive. My Aunt had that machine with its amazing white tub still running in 70's. I wish I knew what happened to it. Thanks for sharing your progress. Bill | ||
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Post# 143192 , Reply# 39 7/17/2006 at 21:14 (6,486 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
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Robert do you think its the 9 minute spin or the fact that the tub is ribbed so the clothes can't lie flat in spin that gets them so dry?? I think its both Jon. Greg and I were talking last night and we don't know if GE realized that the ribs help with Spin drying or not, they might have put the ribs in for extra scrubbing power like some wringer washers had in the 30's and 40's. Is this a strictly warm-water rinse machine, too? Hi Geoff, yes it is, but the thermostatic water valve is not so sensitive that I can turn off the hot water faucet if I just want a cold rinse. | ||
| Post# 143193 , Reply# 40 7/17/2006 at 21:14 (6,486 days old) by rocky2 (Northwest Indiana) | ||
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Way Cool !!! Robert, I am truly amazed at how quick you got the GE running. What an amazing machine with all its innovative features. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the videos. | ||
| Post# 143207 , Reply# 41 7/17/2006 at 22:37 (6,486 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm) | ||
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Wash Wash Wash go the Jeans Perfect! That's exactly what they do! You are so funny Robert. Pardon me; I was asleep in class. Water enters the outer tub first and then is pumped to the wash tub? Float controlled or pressure switch? | ||
| Post# 143229 , Reply# 42 7/17/2006 at 23:18 (6,486 days old) by norgeman () | ||
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Unimatic (Robert). Are you going to make a video of this machine and would you post it in see it wash? | ||
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Post# 143270 , Reply# 43 7/18/2006 at 09:06 (6,485 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
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| Post# 143280 , Reply# 44 7/18/2006 at 09:42 (6,485 days old) by golittlesport (California) | ||
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Post# 143281 , Reply# 45 7/18/2006 at 09:53 (6,485 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK) |
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Oh My!!!!
Thats right Robert, no interest at all in this machine....NOT!!!!!.....LOL I think Rich`s suggestion sounds a great one.... Love the restoration, those designers really did spend time on it. Is this the machine with three castors only?? Does it move much when spinning?? Cheers, p.s. if you didnt do the GE you could always use your time to hop on a plane and film Jets stuff...we know he needs help, LOL....Thwack from Boston!!! | ||
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Post# 143312 , Reply# 46 7/18/2006 at 11:46 (6,485 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands) |
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Treasure
Robert, congrats on this wonderful machine. I can believe you that it will be one of the most cherished machines for the rest of your life. It is special, a real treasure. I would love to see a video. The idea of a DVD sounds great to me. And the next DVD? The Apex? I know, as if you haven't enough to do.
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Post# 143325 , Reply# 47 7/18/2006 at 13:18 (6,485 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
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The idea of a DVD sounds great to me. -- Why don't we make the 47 GE the next DVD Sorry guys, as great as that sounds, I'm way way way way way way way way way way way tooooooooooooooo busy to even think of taking up such a huge time commitment like filming up a DVD, editing the DVD, compling a DVD, copying the 50 or 60 disks, collecting the cash and mailing the disks, at least right now. BUT, I will try and make some web videos later on in the week if I get a spare moment. | ||
| Post# 143335 , Reply# 48 7/18/2006 at 14:02 (6,485 days old) by lesto (Atlanta) | ||
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Robert, does this timer move continuously like an electric clock the way the filter flo GE timers did? | ||
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Post# 143402 , Reply# 49 7/18/2006 at 19:07 (6,485 days old) by pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI) |
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| Post# 143408 , Reply# 50 7/18/2006 at 19:35 (6,485 days old) by agiflow () | ||
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Very nice restoration and what a truly innovative washer for it's time. I bet that three vane agitator makes for some serious breezes spinning at 1140! | ||
| Post# 143466 , Reply# 51 7/19/2006 at 00:02 (6,485 days old) by norgeman () | ||
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Video of 47? I certanly would like to see this in, "See it Wash". As you don't have a G.E. washer in the list. Thanks for listining. Danf. | ||
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Post# 143699 , Reply# 52 7/19/2006 at 22:54 (6,484 days old) by pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI) |
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Post# 143780 , Reply# 53 7/20/2006 at 09:33 (6,483 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
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now that you have found 2 of your dream machines, you should update your profile a bit! lol I'll add that to my to-do list Jamie :) Actually on Tuesday night I filmed an entire cycle in AW6 GE. Last night I took the ENTIRE machine apart again so I can send the cabinet and base out for a nice sanding and painting it so desperately needs. Hopefully I will get the videos created over the weekend or early next week. | ||
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