Thread Number: 61071
/ Tag: Vintage Dryers
Kenmore Dryer 110.86273800 - 62738 |
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Post# 836967 , Reply# 1   8/16/2015 at 18:22 (3,147 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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The dryer apparently has choice of two drying temperatures, high and low, so there are two thermostats on the exhaust (blower) housing accordingly. The adjustable thermostat (135°F to 155°F) (A-B-C-D-E? presumably in 5°F increments) is substituted so FSP doesn't have to source multiple fixed-limit thermostats. The replacement is adjusted to the correct limit per the original thermostat. Not an unusual situation. |
Post# 836979 , Reply# 3   8/16/2015 at 20:55 (3,147 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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The replacement element you have is factory-authorized substitution. The rewiring is an acceptable procedure, same as the substitution on the adjustable thermostats. Regards to auto-dry on your machine, it's probably thermostatic instead of direct moisture sensing. Process works by the timer remaining "off" while the heat source is energized, timer advances when heat cycles off (target operating temp is reached). Longer and more frequent heating cycles to reach and maintain the temp (due to moisture evaporation) when the load is wet at the start, so the timer runs less. Shorter and less frequent heating cycles to maintain the temp as the load progresses toward dryness, and the timer begins progressing more quickly toward cool down and off. |
Post# 837111 , Reply# 5   8/17/2015 at 19:35 (3,146 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)   |   | |
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Glenn is absolutely correct, this is a thermostatically controlled dryer when used on either of the two auto-dry cycles. Your dryer is a 1982 model. There are two nearly identical dryers in my family, mom has had hers since December 1982 and I got mine in 1986. He is correct as well about the adjustable thermostat. This is how we can have factory support and replacement parts available for models that are 30 or more years old.
When starting out on fresh or wet loads, the temperature of the exhaust is kept low by moisture content until clothes start to dry, which at that point the exhaust temp starts to increase. When the exhaust temp reaches a preset point, a circuit is completed to the timer motor and it begins to advance. One can hear that now on our dryers as both timer motors are getting loud with age and you can hear them churning when running. The idea is that the time it takes to get from the set point on the dial to the cool down,,wrinkle guard or off position is approximately the time needed to finish the drying. This is where the more or less dry settings come into play. This has always worked very well for us, though I understand the electronic sensor models are a bit more precise. About the 4391960 element. This is a Whirlpool factory authorized element. There is nothing wrong with using it. This was the current replacement back in 2007 when I did heavy work on Mom's dryer, and had been the current element for a long time even then. The element it replaced (279827 I believe) had the same terminals that you are objecting to, and that part dates to 1992 or earlier. To find an element with the original style terminals is going to be next to if not completely impossible. These are the most widely produced dryers in the world, and have been in production since 1966 in this design. There are too many out there consuming parts for there to be a bunch of NOS 1982 elements on someone's shelf unless the parts store is a time capsule. You only have to clip two wires. This little "surgery" has been done probably hundreds of times a day for at least two or three decades. It is easy and safe. The effort to find an original element is not worth the trouble, not IMO. If memory serves, I had the wiring mod and the element reinstall done in about 20 minutes. I felt the same way, not wanting to cut wires, etc. but having seen factory washer timers require this for many years, I just followed the directions and did it. Good luck! Gordon This post was last edited 08/17/2015 at 20:02 |
Post# 837114 , Reply# 6   8/17/2015 at 20:01 (3,146 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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Hi Jeff, Welcome to this site, All the parts you got are correct for your dryer, But why are you replacing so many parts ? I would just replace the parts that HAVE failed and any that show definite signs of failure.
You may do more harm than good replacing good orignal parts that could last another 20-30 years.
John L. |
Post# 837906 , Reply# 8   8/23/2015 at 18:51 (3,140 days old) by Combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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Glad you got this dryer working well. Yes the length of the vent pipe on your mothers Maytag dryer will affect the drying speed however the Maytag has about 800 W smaller heating element to begin with and Maytag HOH dryers don't do well with long vents anyway. The Maytag HOH dryers were always good performers but they are much older design than the whirlpool dryer you have and never were as fast or as large they also leaked a lot more lint internally so they were a little messier inside.
The Maytag dryer also has plastic baffled's but most dryers do usually not a problem. I hope you find all your dream appliances and keep restoring them hopefully we can help good luck. John L. |