Dryer vent temp with and without clothes

Dryer Repair
1

Heating element died a week ago, purchased from you guys a new element. New element is installed, is working fine, and dryer is drying again. However I want to make sure there isn’t anything else wrong, it appears to still be taking a little long to dry. I have thoroughly removed all lint from the dryer, all lines, manifolds, etc.

  • Running on high with no clothes the outlet vent temperature runs up to 160-165, then the element turns off. Vent temp slowly drops to about 125, then the element kicks back on and again returns to 165.

  • With a fresh wet load the vent temperature maintains a steady 105-110, with the element cycling on/off periodically to maintain that temp.

  • On the heating element housing, I’ve got continuity in the thermal cut-off and high limit thermostat.

  • I’ve got continuity on the cycling thermostat on both sets of contacts.

So what is the correct temperature to expect on the vent side with clothes in it? I’ve heard 160 is normal, but can’t find if this is with or without a load??? Obviously I’m not getting to 160 with clothes in.

I’m thinking that since the cycling thermostat allows the vent temp to reach 160 with no clothes, it should also allow it to reach 160 with clothes. Which makes me think the high limit thermostat on the heating element housing is what is cutting heat, and could be faulty.

Thanks for your assistance in troubleshooting!!!

Regards,
Robbie

2

Hi,

Being no one else has yet replied thought I would give you a shout. :slight_smile:

Can’t say I really have a answer as to what the temp should be with wet cloths in it, but I hardly ever see problems with cycling thermostats.

Does it seem to be drying the cloths ok sense you installed the new heating element?

3

Yes, it is drying clothes. It just seems odd to me that with no clothes the cycling thermostat allows the temp to get to 160, but with clothes it only allows it to reach 110. Was hoping that given the details above, someone could help me understand it. I’m a Georgia Tech engineering graduate… if nothing else, I am always trying to understand how things work.

Regards,
Robbie

4

[QUOTE]Which makes me think the high limit thermostat on the heating element housing is what is cutting heat, and could be faulty
[/QUOTE]

You can tell what it cycling on by checking the voltage across the thermostat when it’s running, thermostat closed = no voltage reading. Open thermostat = voltage reading.