Hi all,

I am new here and have a very basic knowledge of electrical circuits. Only what I learned in school and what I have needed to learn since to fit lighting etc. and other basic DIY. I hope someone here can help me with what seems like a very basic problem but one that is beyond my understanding.

I am probably the only person who has ever wanted to do this as it seems counter intuitive, but I want to disable the heating elements in my clothes dryer. I have looked all over the place for clues but most people are wanting to do the exact opposite and repair dryers that don't heat (understandably).

Why? Well, I am wanting to dry feathers. I have a millinery supply business and drying feathers by hand is too time consuming. I can currently use the the dryer as it is but the temperature on the low setting is still a bit high for ideal. No heating element and just air running through is fine for my requirements.

It's a very simple old Hoover dryer. It has this functionality built in because at the end of the cycle the element is off for a cool down. I just want to know how I can rewire it to bypass the elements or induce this phase of the cycle permanently. Below is the circuit diagram.



I have tried just literally bypassing them (see below), but that throws the circuit breaker. I'm assuming that's because there is too much current without he resistance f the elements.



I could just wire up the motor (I'm assuming) because that runs every function I need. But it would be good if the timer and door switch were still functional.

If someone could help I would really appreciate it.

Kind regards

Lindsay

 

Welcome to AAC!

I'd try disconnecting the heating elements. Completely - both ends.

 

Welcome to AAC!

I'd try disconnecting the heating elements. Completely - both ends.

And insulate the removed wires.

 

Try unplugging the orange wire from off the timer. But, make sure you insulate the wire well. A number of turns of insulation tape will be ok, nd hold the wire securely with a cable tie to stop it moving around.

 

Bypassing the heating elements as shown in your second image trips the breaker because you're creating a short circuit between the hot and neutral lines. As dl324 says, disconnecting the heating elements completely will do the trick.

I think it would probably be easier to remove the orange wire from between the timer switch and the overheat protector device, as dendad says (red circle). It will likely have a connector on each end of the wire, so you'll probably be able to remove it completely. If that's the case, you won't even have to insulate the wire, because it will no longer be in there. I would cover the [now] exposed terminal of the overheat protector though.

Edit: There also appears to be a connection on the back of the timer between terminals 15 & 7 (?). The heating elements should also be disabled if that is removed (red arrow).

 

Welcome to AAC!

I'd try disconnecting the heating elements. Completely - both ends.

Hi Dennis,

Well, that was simple. Thanks for the solution. It worked a charm.

Albert, I thought of that part

Dendad, I suppose essentially that's the same thing.

Thanks all

Lindsay

 

Bypassing the heating elements as shown in your second image trips the breaker because you're creating a short circuit between the hot and neutral lines. As dl324 says, disconnecting the heating elements completely will do the trick.

I think it would probably be easier to remove the orange wire from between the timer switch and the overheat protector device, as dendad says (red circle). It will likely have a connector on each end of the wire, so you'll probably be able to remove it completely. If that's the case, you won't even have to insulate the wire, because it will no longer be in there. I would cover the [now] exposed terminal of the overheat protector though.

Edit: There also appears to be a connection on the back of the timer switch between terminals 15 & 7 (?). The heating elements should also be disabled if that is removed (red arrow).

View attachment 173051

Thanks Jbeng,

I did what dl324 said this morning when I got to work before seeing all the other replies. Removing the orange wire would have involved less insilating but it has worked fine and the dryer is back together. If I have to pull it apart again I'll perhaps change it. But for now it is doing what i want.

Linds

 

You could install an external switch in the orange wire so it could run cold and "normal".

 

100% agree with @dendad. The overheat thermal switch is what will shut the heating elements off IF it senses an overheat condition. Removing that from the circuit is the quickest and easiest way to disable the heat. And as dendad said, putting a switch in the line of the orange wire will make it so the dryer can be used as a standard dryer or a "Air Dry" dryer.

 

You could install an external switch in the orange wire so it could run cold and "normal".

Thanks both of you. I think I might do this. It would be handy at times.