GE Combo Drying System
This and All GE Combos has two heaters, a smaller 1200 watt element and a larger 2800 watt element, the smaller 1200W one is on the top left and is the most visible one in Jon's pictures. Both are used for normal drying at the start of the dry cycle and with a full rated load of ten pounds of cotton towels [ spun at 210 RPMs ] all 4000Ws of heat will be on constantly for at least 45 minutes, once the thromostat trips [ about 280 degrees F ] and the timer starts moving it will switch off the 1200w element and the 2800W element will heat the load again to 280F, this phase will take another 15 minutes or more.
All the while 1/2 gallon of cold water is flowing down on the right inside of the outer tub , which not only condenses all the water being evaporated out of the clothing, but also carries at least 80% of the heat away and all of the lint, dust and other grit right down the drain.
The drying temperature is adjustable and can be turned down to as low as 180F for drying delicate items and when the temperature is set for delicate clothing the smaller 1200W element is not used at all.
GE combos were very effective dryers and they had to be to dry clothing that was close to being dripping wet. Tom and I found that if a load was re-spun in even a WP BD TL washer the drying time was cut in 1/2.
John L.
