GE 500M Installation instructions

THIS BOOK IS A VERY
IMPORTANT PART OF
YOUR WASHER. Read it
now.. .
. refer to it later.
It will help you.
BEFORE YOU CALL FOR SERVICE... Look at the Trouble Shooting Guide
on the back of this book. It can save you time and money.
NOTE TO INSTALLER — Be sure to leave this Use and Care Book with the Consumer

Dear Customer
You have just bought one of the finest
washers money can buy. This booklet is
designed to help you get the best use from
your new washer.
Please read this booklet before using your
washer and keep this booklet handy to
find answers to your questions and to
check before calling the serviceman. You
will find a checklist of service locations
provided inside the back cover of this
booklet.
General Electric wants you to be
pleased with your new GE appliance.
Part of our commitment in keeping you
pleased is providing the best possible
service we can. That's why our technicians
are carefully trained to give prompt,
efficient repairs on all your GE major
appliances.
Should the appliance fail and service is
required after checking the trouble-shoot-
ing guide on the back cover, contact the
State Service Centre nearest you for
Customer Care factory service or, should
you live outside the factory service areas,
contact the dealer from whom you
purchased the appliance. He may provide
the service himself or refer you to an
authorized Service Agent in your area.
Should any problem with our service
occur, we want to know about it. Please
write all details to:
MANAGER - CONSUMER COUNSELLING
AUSTRALIAN GENERAL ELECTRIC (APPLIANCES) PTY. LIMITED
P.O. BOX 100, CLAYTON, VICTORIA, 3168, AUSTRALIA
Before using your
washer for the first time
Locate your model and serial number on
a plate on the back of your washer and
write them in this book.
If you ever need service on your washer,
give both these numbers when making
your call.
Also write in the following information:
Dealer's Name
Date Purchased
omec
20
c- 7
(Save your sales receipt. )
GENERAL

ELECTRIC
*
RANK GENERAL ELECTRIC MAJOR APPLIANCES PTY. LIMITED
MODEL NO. 500M
SERIAL NO.

P
1-1-652
240V AC 50 Hz 2-1 AMPS APPROVAL NO. V78313
* TRADEMARK OF GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. USA
MADE IN JAPAN
Read the warranty which appears on page
16 of this Use
and Care Book.
In some areas you can buy General Elec-
tric Service Contracts to continue service
beyond the warranty period. Contact your
local authorized General Electric major
appliance service organisation to find out
if such contracts are available in your area
and how much they cost.

Service Centre Locations

Inside Back Cover
Trouble Shooting Guide  Back Cover
what to do if:
water won't drain

Back Cover
water leaks  Back Cover
washer won't spin  Back Cover
washer is noisy 
Back Cover
washer won't start 
Back Cover
water enters slowly 
Back Cover
water temperature is incorrect . . .

Back Cover
washer pauses in cycle

Back Cover
INDEX
MODEL FEATURES

2
• HOW TO INSTALL YOUR WASHER
requirements 
3
• general 
3
° electrical

3
plumbing 
4
installation procedures 
4
•
unpacking 
4
•
portable operation 
4-5
• permanent installation

5
•
HOW TO USE YOUR WASHER
connect washer to taps

6
use by-pass nozzle

6
sort clothes for washing

7
load clothes in washer

7
select water levels 
8
select correct water temperatures • •
 8
set washer controls

8
use liquid bleach dispenser

9
soak cycle 
9
energy conservation 
10
use fabric conditioner 
10
facts you should know about
detergents 
10
water hardness 
11
whiten "yellowed" or "grayed"
clothes 
11
pre-treat clothes for washing

12
remove stains 
12-13

tint in your washer
14
sanitize in your washer

14
wash special kinds of fabrics

14
wash special loads of clothes 
14
• baby clothes 
14
• curtains 
14
•
robes, washable bathmats and rugs .
 15
• plastics

15
•
HOW TO GET BETTER SERVICE
FROM YOUR WASHER
How to keep your washer looking
good 
15
How to store your washer 
15
How to clean the button trap

15
Automatic self cleaning lint filter . . . 15
Warranty 
16

nPOLie
r '
MODEL
FEATURES
This Use & Care Book incorporates the necessary information that will assist you to gain
total satisfaction from your purchase. Should you convert to portable operation at a later
date, then refer to the instructions under the heading "Portable Operation".
This model is supplied with two (2) water inlet hoses and a
separate drain hose and features a wash/rinse temperature control
which enables you to set for the desired wash and rinse
temperatures.
A position for portable operation is included should you convert
your washer to portable use.
Should you wish to convert now or at a later date, contact General
Electric and request the Conversion Kit. The Kit includes
unicouple, hoses, cap and mounting brackets (to store the
unicouple when not in use).
2

HOW
INS
A N
/ •
1
E
• 
A-ACTIVE LINE
N-NEUTRAL LINE
E-EARTH LINE
FIG. 1
General requirements
and specifications
Genera
1.
Local Codes — The installation must
conform with local code and ordinance
requirements.
2.
Location — The washer is designed to
operate on firm, level flooring. It should
not be operated on excessively weak or
sloping floor surfaces.
CAUTION:
Never operate or even store the washer in
locations where it could conceivably
create a hazard, such as top of stairs or
edge of unguarded landing.
Alcove or Closet Installation — When the
washer is installed in an alcove or closet,
the minimum clearances between the
washer cabinet and adjacent walls or other
surfaces are 10 mm on either side and
30 mm at the front and rear. Allow a
minimum of 1050 mm of vertical space
from floor to overhead shelves, cabinets,
ceiling, etc. Closet doors must be louvered
or otherwise ventilated and must contain
at least 387 cm 2
of open area equally
distributed. If the closet contains both a
washer and dryer doors must contain at
least 775 cm
2
of open area equally distri-
buted.
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION
IMPORTANT
(PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
FOR PERSONAL SAFETY, THIS APPLI-
ANCE MUST BE PROPERLY
EARTHED.
Your General Electric Automatic Washing
Machine requires a 240 volt, — 50 Hertz
circuit, fused with a 10 or 15 ampere fuse
or circuit breaker. No other electrical
device may be operated on the same
power point when the washer is operating.
Important — Do not under any circum-
stances, by-pass a fuse or circuit breaker.
This appliance is supplied with a flexible
power cord and three prong plug which
mates with a standard 3 prong power
point. (Fig. 1).
If there is any doubt as to whether the
power point is properly earthed, the
customer should have it checked by a
qualified electrician.
Do Not, under any circumstances, cut or
remove the lower earth prong from the
power cord plug.
NOTE: The use of extension cords
should be avoided. If an extension cord is
absolutely necessary, it must be three
conductor with heavy duty three-prong
male and female connections and properly
polarized. The wire size should be as large
or larger, than the power cord and the
length should be kept to a minimum to
prevent voltage drop and overheating.
Also, any connections made between the
wall outlet and power cord should be
tight and firm.
3

Remove foamed
styrene packing
FIG. 2
2 Brackets
(For hanging
Unicouple)
Fill hose (Make
hand tight plus
1 / 4 turn with pliers)
2 Brackets
(For hanging
power cord)
Clamp (For
drain hose)
Button
trap
(Inside)
FIG. 3
Plumbing
requirements
1
. Water Pressure —
Must be 69 kpa
minimum to 1035 kpa maximum dynamic
pressure measured at tap.
2
.
Water Temperature —
Water heater
must be set to deliver 60
° C to 71
°
C IN
THE WASHER when hot wash is selected.
3.
Supply Valve:
a.
For Portable Operation as in Installa-
tion Procedures Part II — Washer is
equipped with a Unicouple designed to
operate on a single tap. An adapter is
provided which mates with either a 7/8-27
external or a 15/16-27 internal tap thread.
b.
For Permanent Installation as in Instal-
lation Procedures Part III — Both Hot and
Cold shut off taps with 3/4" B.S.P.
threads must be supplied.
4 . Drain:
a.
For Portable Operation — Water is
drained through the Unicouple into a sink
or catch basin directly below the tap.
b.
For Permanent Installation — Water
may be discharged into a standpipe or set
tub. The discharge height should be be-
tween 760 mm and 1220 mm above the
base of the washer. The standpipe must be
38 mm minimum inside diameter and
must be open to atmosphere.
INSTALLATION
PROCEDURES
PART
I—Unpackin
g
:
1.
After removing carton, carefully tilt
the washer forward and "walk" it off the
foamed styrene bottom. This bottom
packing is not attached to the washer.
2.
Remove all packing material from
under lid (See Fig. 2).
a.
Remove foamed styrene packing.
b.
Now remove carton containing installa-
tion parts.
PART H—
For portable operation
(See PART III, For Permanent Installation)
1
. Remove
four (4) brackets and screws
from parts package and install as shown in
Fig. 3.
a.
Dog-leg brackets on left side for hang-
ing power cord — top bracket turned up,
bottom bracket turned down.
b. Remaining two brackets for hanging
Unicouple — smaller bracket to left, larger
to right.
c.
Hang the Unicouple on the storage
brackets as shown in Fig. 3 before con-
necting the hoses. This will ensure the
hoses area not twisted or distorted during
use and storage.
2.
Attach the fill and drain hoses to the
washer. Use a plain rubber washer at fill
hose connection. Hot side of inlet valve
must be capped.
4

Fill hoses (Make hand tight
plus Y4 turn with pliers)
Water taps
FIG. 4
Button
trap
(Inside)
Clamp
(For drain hose)
Fill hoses
a.
Make fill hose hand tight plus
1 / 4 turn
with pliers.
b.
Insert drain hose full onto nozzle and
install clamp as shown in Fig. 3.
3.
Attach tap adapter using instructions
provided in the envelope.
4.
Attach the Unicouple to sink tap
(instructions are included in envelope
with tap adapter).
5.
Set control dial to OFF position and
plug power cord into a properly earthed
receptacle. Run washer through a com-
plete cycle by hand — check for leaks and
proper operation in wash and spin.
6.
Continue on to Part IV.
PART III-
For permanent installation
1.
Inspect the fill hoses to ensure the
rubber washers are in place at both ends.
The washers should be pushed all the way
down into the couplings. Attach the fill
hoses to the water inlet valves (See Fig.
4). The connections should be hand tight
plus 1/4 turn with pliers.
2.
Attach fill hoses (with rubber washers
in correct position) to water supply taps
(Fig. 4). Be sure hose from the hot side of
the washer valve is connected to the hot
water tap and the cold side to cold water
tap. These connections should be hand
tight plus 1/2 to
2
/ 3
turns with pliers.
3.
Attach drain hose to washer drain
outlet. Move hose clamp to outlet and
tighten. Hook drain nozzle into standpipe
or set tub. Secure with tape or clamp.
4.
Set control dial to OFFposition and
plug power cord into a properly earthed,
receptacle. Run washer through a com-
plete cycle by hand — check for leaks and
proper operation in wash and spin.
PART IV
(For
Installer's Use)
Before you leave —
1
. Instruct the customer —
a.
How to attach and disconnect Uni-
couple, operate Faucet-Flo, etc. Answer
any questions customer may have on how
to operate the washer.
b.
On the importance of operating washer
only through a properly earthed three-
prong wall receptacle. Machine is not
otherwise electrically earthed and could
present a safety hazard.
c.
To read this Use and Care Book for
complete details on operating and caring
for the washer.
2
.
Give this book to the customer.
5

For operation when
installed permanently,
go on to next page.
How to use the
By-pass nozzle
The By-pass nozzle is part of
the Unicouple connector. Op-
erate the nozzle by depressing
the lever on the side of the
Unicouple connector. You will
find the By-pass nozzle useful
for several reasons:
•
It allows you to flush cold water out of
the hot water line so that you can better
regulate your wash and rinse water tem-
peratures.
•
It allows you to test the temperature of
the water before starting your washer.
IMPORTANT
Depress the By-pass lever at the end
of the cycle before disconnecting
the Unicouple. This relieves water
pressure and protects you, and the
room, from severe splashing.
Connect To Power Supply — Plug in the
power cord to a properly earthed three-
prong receptacle. See Installation Instruc-
tions on page 3.
HOW TO USE
YOUR WASHER
AS A PORTABLE
Getting ready for use
Roll your washer into the most level
position near the water source and power
outlet.
This machine is equipped with casters
for mobility. The casters should be
aligned to prevent rotation of the machine
during operation. This can be done simply
by pushing the machine straight back or
pulling straight forward the last few
inches when locating.
Moving or bumping the washer
may trip unbalance switch causing
washer to turn off without com-
pleting the cycle. To reset switch,
open and close the lid.
To attach Unicouple
INAL

Connector
Attach the Unicouple
connector to the tap
111


adapter by depressing
collar at the top of the
connector.
IMPORTANT
Disconnect Unicouple or turn taps
off when washer is not in use.
If Unicouple is left connected with
taps on for long periods, hot and
cold supply water may mix.
6

PORIABLE AND
!NEARED USE
Sorting and loading
Sorting
For best results, sort clothes into the
following kinds of loads:
• White or light-colored cottons and linens
• Dark, colorfast cottons and linens
•
White synthetics, Wash 'n Wear or Perm-
anent Press blends
•
Colorfast synthetics, Wash 'n Wear or
Permanent Press blends.
•
Non-colorfast items
• Washable woolens
In addition, sort clothes by kind and
amount of soil. For example, if you have
baby clothes in your "white and light-
colored cotton and linen load", wash
these separately. They are apt to have oils
and food stains. And, if you have heavily-
soiled clothes separate these and wash
separately.
Loading
Always load clothes dry (before filling
machine). Wet clothes take up less space
and may cause you to overload washer.
Mix different size articles in each load.
Do not make up any one load entirely of
sheets, tablecloths or other large items.
Washing more than one bulky item per
load is not recommended.
Before loading the clothes, pour a mea-
sured amount of detergent or soap into
the wash basket, varying the amount ac-
cording to the load size, soil level, fabric-
type, etc.
Place large articles in tub first. Grasp
large articles in middle, then fold and place
them in the tub by folding them back and
forth. Drop smaller articles one at a time
on top of load. Then place medium size
articles, such as pillow cases, on the small
items.
How to determine good load size.
There
are two basic ways to decide on a proper
size load.
a. By weight. All General Electric
Washers have a maximum load capacity.
To help you determine what a "by-
weight" load would be, here are some
typical fabric weight loads:
1 double sheet 
0 8  kg
4 pillowcases  0 5
2 to 3 bath towels  0 5
4 to 5 hand towels

0 5
10 to 12 guest towels
 0 5
16 face cloths 
0 5
2 luncheon cloths 
0 5
6 to 8 diapers

0 5
2 men's shirts  0 5
4 undershirts

0 5
1 overall

1 2
18 socks  0 5
4 boy's shirts 
0 5
1 boy's jeans 
0 7
2 or 3 women's dresses 
0 5
3 or 4 girl's dresses 
0 5
4 women's slips  0 5
6 linen towels  0 5
1 single sheet  0 5
b. By volume.
Although loading by
weight is excellent, most find it easier and
surer to load by volume or by the way the
clothes look in the washer. Simply place
clothes in washer tub, and continue load-
ing until tub is 1/2 to 2/3's full. Allow
load to build up loosely, as you drop
clothes in. Be sure not to pack or press
clothes down.
CAUTION: For personal safety
never use gasoline or cleaning fluids
of any kind in your washer. Never
wash any fabrics cleaned at home
or that contain flammable materials
in your washer. This includes
clothes used for waxing or cleaning
purposes.
SAFETY MESSAGE: The laundry
process can degrade the flame retar-
dancy of fabrics. To avoid such a
result, the apparel manufacturer's
instructions for laundering should
be followed carefully.
I M PO RTANT: When selecting
GENTLE, washload should be
about half normal load.
7

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4
WARM/COLD COLD/COLD
HOT/COLD —
PORTABLE
OPERATION
STOP)
START
Do not leave the washer lid up
during the cycle. The washer will
not spin with the lid up.
SAFETY NOTE: Never reach into
the washer while it is moving. Be-
fore loading, unloading and adding
clothes, push in control knob to
"STOP" position, then wait until
the machine has completely
stopped.
SETT
INC
THE
CONTROLS
PORTABLE OPERATION
•
Select water level to match your
clothes load.
• FABRIC WASH SELECTOR:-
For average wash set to NORMAL and for
delicate fabrics set to GENTLE.
•
WASH/RINSE TEMPERATURE
SELECTION
Set Wash/Rinse Temp Switch to "PORT-
ABLE OPERATION" and
leave it there.
The water temperatures must be con-
trolled by manual setting at your tap.
WASH TEMP: Adjust taps as needed to
provide desired wash water temperature.
RINSE TEMP: When wash water fill is
completed re-adjust the taps to provide
desired rinse water temeprature. No read-
justment is necessary if the desired rinse
temperature is the same as the wash.
(For optimum energy conservation always
use cold water for rinsing).
PERMANENT INSTALLATION
•
Select water level to match your cloth-
es load.
• FABRIC WASH SELECTOR:-
For average wash set to NORMAL and for
delicate fabrics set to GENTLE.
•
WASH/RINSE TEMPERATURE SE-
LECTION
Set Wash/Rinse Temp. Switch to desired
temperatures:
If you are in doubt about what water
temperature to use for a certain fabric,
check the "Special Fabrics" section of
this booklet, page 14... or read the wash-
ing instructions on the hang tag that came
with the article.
Cycle & Wash Time Setting — Push in the
Control Knob, and turn clockwise to set
DIAL POINTER to CYCLE and WASH
TIME desired.
The Cycle Control can be changed at
any time. Simply push in the knob to stop
the washer, then reset the DIAL POINT-
ER to the new position.
STARTING THE MACHINE — Pull the
Control Knob straight out to start. The
washer will stop automatically when the
cycle is completed.