Using a tabletop dishwasher as a parts washer

[cheb]

I found this at the local tip. It may work, it may not. First thing is to let it dry out. The power lead has been cut off, that might be a good sign as it might have been working when removed. If it was broken then where I think it's come from wouldn't bother.







Next is to find a manual for it.

[Horse]

Isn't next to 'get a very long extension lead and hose to the end of the garden, plug in switch on, watch'?

[cheb]

I'll let it dry first. It's a glasswasher, not a dishwasher. May or may not make a difference. If the water's hot enough it'll be useful for rinsing and drying parts when they come out of the acid bath.

And yes, that is part of the plan. What's worst it'll do? Blow a fuse or trip the breaker.

[the_priest]

Any update? Does it work, does it go pop or does it wash the parts nicely.

[cheb]

It didn't go bang, but neither did it do what it should. All the parts work, but not necessarily in the right order. It's likely the electronic control board is defective so stripping and rebuilding it with manual controls is on the cards.

[TightRS]

This YouTube channel looks right up your alley
https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePostApocal ... tor/videos

[cheb]

It is, thanks

[derek badger]

Is that an old Oxford oil cooled welder sat out in the rain?

[cheb]

Nearly. It's now an Oxford water cooled welder. I have a suspicion this won't be a successful modification.

It was scrap when I got it, mostly for the wheels.

[cheb]

I'm back at this now I've a bit of space.

First remove most of the clutter. The heater tank may or may not stay. There's an element inside I might be able to use, it'd mean simpler plumbing but less soapy water capacity. We shall see.



Leaves me with this:



The pump has an RPM on it so I don't think it needs electronic control, that'll make the wiring easier:



The first thing I have to do is make a valved drain. I'll need to decide on fittings for that.

[cheb]

It was easier just to plug the drain. Happily a 15mm push fit stop cap was the correct outside diameter:



All the major functions work, it fills, it sprays, it heats.





Minor setbacks are that the head of water isn't enough to make the pressure switch function so it'll have to be manual fill. A push and hold switch for that for flood prevention. Only the arm with the bigger holes spins by water pressure, the others move by hand so I might have to reduce the flow to the lowest arm. That can be tweaked when it's built. The current heater has no place to add a thermostat, improvisation will be done, or the other heater and tube will be refitted.

The next job is wiring and plumbing it neatly.

[cheb]

That's the wiring finished and tidied.



I've also fitted a shelf to the inside, made from a scavenged oven shelf. If you don't know what one of these looks like ask your wife.

Test day tomorrow, assuming I can find some dirty scrap metal somewhere in the shed.

[cheb]

Well I gave it a go and I reckon it's a fail. It heated up quick enough and stayed hot but there wasn't enough water pressure to knock the softened grime off. There's no seal round the door so the shed filled up with steam. I could probably tweak it but I don't think it'll ever be quite good enough.

It's been interesting and there's plenty of useful bits left over. I'm minded to strip the casing right back and make it into a smoker.