Thread Number: 76843  /  Tag: Vintage Dryers
GE Americana Dryer refurbish
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Post# 1007099   9/13/2018 at 18:43 (2,022 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        

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Ok. So here’s yet another thread from me. I’ve been a busy boy this week! From what I can find online, I believe this GE large drum Americana dryer was made August, 1973. I’ll include a photo of the serial and model numbers below. On a subjective note I will say that, never again, will I underestimate the ability of a dryer being every bit as disgusting as a washer. This thing was filthy!!!

I’m not quite as type A as many of you are but I broke this thing almost completely down and did a pretty thorough cleaning. Since it didn’t appear to be heating very well, I went with the assumption that it had a bad element. That pretty much requires a tear down to replace so just as well. The elements arrived today so I wasted no more time and jumped right in. This was my first time doing a removal and restoring of heating elements.

So, apart it came and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much lint and debris. Even my ‘68 that sat outside for years wasn’t this bad! Also a lot of rust on this cabinet so I’m wondering if this machine spent some quality time on the western coastline.

With the drum extracted I was able to inspect the elements noting lots more lint trapped within the coils and, sure enough, a broken outer coil. After carefully disconnecting the wires from coil terminals, I was able to remove the entire heating component. Carefully restrung new coils and a good cleaning of course. This part went better than expected. Just wanted to be sure the coils were evenly spaced and apart so no hot spots would prematurely burn up the new elements.

Went ahead and installed a new exhaust pipe as the existing one was a bunch of pieces together ones and appeared to have been leaking condensation causing rust. New pipe is one piece so that won’t be an issue and less lint buildup.

Back together we go and hooked up for a quick test. Success! Much hotter and works both delicate (single inner element) and high speed (both elements). Hopefully the Versatronic moisture sensor and timer function properly so clothes dry adequately. Running shop towels as we speak so we shall find out soon!

Thanks for looking and enjoy the photos!


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Post# 1007107 , Reply# 1   9/13/2018 at 20:09 (2,022 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

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Nice dryer! I have always liked the porcelain drums in a General Electric dryer. Glad you got it operating correctly again. According to the serial number GE manufactured this dryer in August 1973. Enjoy!

Post# 1007121 , Reply# 2   9/13/2018 at 22:09 (2,022 days old) by good-shepherd (New Jersey)        

Nice job, glad it was an easy fix.

GE dryers can lint up over time. Popping open the cabinet for cleaning every few years isn't bad idea.


Post# 1007130 , Reply# 3   9/14/2018 at 01:23 (2,022 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

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.
Is it any more likely that the second heating coil will fail before too long? Or does one coil sometimes go well before the second?
I guess i’m wondering if the coils aren’t too expensive, would it make sense to just do both while your at it.


Post# 1007135 , Reply# 4   9/14/2018 at 03:06 (2,022 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        
Agreed

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That’s what I thought so I ordered to elements and installed both of them so the old ones are out.

Post# 1007155 , Reply# 5   9/14/2018 at 07:55 (2,022 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

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Very nice!

Post# 1007262 , Reply# 6   9/15/2018 at 04:40 (2,021 days old) by potatochips ( )        

Nice job, Jon! Nice to see the moisture strips are nice an intact too. Great find!


Post# 1007267 , Reply# 7   9/15/2018 at 06:37 (2,021 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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Very Nice Machine!....

one of the few dryers to offer a true modulation of heat.....

the two elements allowed for three temps.....the small inner one offered 1/3 the heat(low), the outer one offered 2/3rds the heat((med).....combined you got 100% high temp....


love your little helper too.....


Post# 1007477 , Reply# 8   9/16/2018 at 19:16 (2,019 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        
I love an easy fix

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Still had an issue with the timer advancing too quickly through AutoDry cycles. The only possible cause I could come up with was that a wire wasn’t connected somewhere. I accidentally did this once with my ‘68 so this was exactly the same. Sure enough, followed the wire trail to find one of the wires running through the door hinge somehow had been cut. Maybe years of opening and closing the door cause a weak spot?

Reattached the wire and so far the timer seems to be taking its time on a large load of towels.


Post# 1007480 , Reply# 9   9/16/2018 at 19:50 (2,019 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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Jon, when you get a chance, would you mind taking better pics of each section of the dryer's panel?  I went back to the original thread when you acquired this dryer and I couldn't make out all the letters for the temperature/fabric selections even with blown up nor the timer dial.  Thank you. 


Post# 1007504 , Reply# 10   9/16/2018 at 23:31 (2,019 days old) by Maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)        
I'll ask....

What's the name of your "supervisor" in photo # 1?


Lawrence/Maytagbear


Post# 1007524 , Reply# 11   9/17/2018 at 03:18 (2,019 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        
She’s the boss for sure

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That’s Rose. She’s my girlfriend and sidekick during my projects in the garage. My golden just likes to have a good time.

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Post# 1007572 , Reply# 12   9/17/2018 at 13:43 (2,018 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        
Dryer control panel photos

jons1077's profile picture
Appnut:

I took photos of each of the three GEs that I have so you can compare. They’re all essentially the same with a few tweaks. The Americana is a ‘73 model, the ‘70 (‘69 model year?) has the backlit dial and the ‘68 has the fully lighted panel.


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Post# 1007610 , Reply# 13   9/17/2018 at 18:59 (2,018 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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Jon, thank you so very much for providing the pictures.  I find it a bit "odd" the 1968 dryer only had the 10 minute cool down on the timed cycle to serve as the air fluff cycle and it being a TOL dryer.  On the Americana dryer, I wonder if any of the schematics showed any difference in the "Normal" temperature of the Automatic Cycle button vs. the "Normal" temperature for the Permanent Press/Poly Knit button as well as the corresponding timer cycle. Bob


Post# 1007662 , Reply# 14   9/17/2018 at 23:58 (2,018 days old) by Maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)        
Jon-----

Love your Rose! My tabbycat is named Rosa. I got her from a shelter, and saw no reason to change her name......



Lawrence and Rosa.


Post# 1007734 , Reply# 15   9/18/2018 at 20:34 (2,017 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
I love the fun model names that manufacturers would dream up. Although it is a 70s model, Versatronic has a very mid-century ring to it!



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