1971 Maytag DE806

[realvanman]

This is the one I salvaged from the house that was being sold, along with the BIG freezer from 1968.

I reconnected the dryer for 115 volt operation, so I could run it temporarily in the backyard. I had A LOT of laundry to do today, so I figured it could contribute in a small way to the '80's Whirlpools in the laundry room

I was very pleased to see that the fluorescent lamp behind the panel works. I LOVE lighted laundry equipment like that, and this is my first one

After an hour or so, I heard the most adorable sounding bell! Cool! But, an hour is nowhere near long enough with only about 1 kw of heat, and of course they were still damp. I had hoped that the electronic moisture sensing would compensate, but evidently not. After another hour or so, the clothes felt warm and dry, but were actually a tad damp. I spread them out and they dried fine.

Keith

Here's a video, and I have another in the works, showing inside the control panel.

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC1iPlULi6A&feature=youtu.be

 

[mjg0619]

Keith, your Maytag washer is still one of the most dependable and best cleaning washing machines ever made. Many on this site will agree with me there. There will ALWAYS be people who have negative opinions or prefer other machines.

I would strongly encourage you to try it out for yourself and see if it works well for your needs. Not every machine is right for every person. That's why there's so many different kinds out there!

I would also encourage you to hook up the dryer to its full power supply and enjoy it too!

BTW, you have a very pleasant voice! Clear and easy to understand what you're saying. Hope to see more videos from you in the future!

 

[hippiedoll]

the newer maytag washer...

It's hard for me to tell, but it looks like it says, under the maytag logo:
2 speed x large capacity

If it does, than I think that maytag washer is the same/equivalent to an A806 washer just in the newer control panel style instead of being a center-dial. I guess it also depends on if that washer has a long, slower stroke (helical) or short, faster stroke (orbital) transmission?

And like you, I like to use the gentle wash & fast spin cycle, that is possible on an A806 washer.

 

[appnut]

Keith the Electronic control 806

Keith, although this was the TOL, it only had one drying temperature--"low" or delicate.  Lower models had regular and delicate.  The 806 was viewed as an all-fabric heat setting.  The Perm Press was also intended for loads one wanted to have extra dry.  The moisture sensor was calibrated for the extra dryness.  It had to do with the way perm press fabrics were processed and treated back then.  they needed a higher bit of heat to relax wrinkles.  It also had a longer cool down than regular fabrics.  Many I knew who owned this dryer, the pretty much just left it on the Perm Press setting. 

 

[alr2903]

Realvanman,  nice video thanks!  Bob I had not thought of that in years, people as a general rule did dry everything on PP in these vintage Tags..  IIRC,  "Regular" would dry towels but jeans in particular where always damp on heavy seams.  Thanks -A

 

[kenmore71]

Actually ALL Halo of Heat dryers offered after 1966 only had one temperature, which, if I recall correctly, was about 150 degrees. The electronic dryness control should, in theory, work correctly when the dryer is connected to only 120 volts. I operated one that way for a few weeks a while back and it worked fine. You might need to up the capacitor size on the electronic control.

 

[DADoES]

 
As I recall from a previous discussion which cited a Maytag service document, the PP cycle continues to run & heat after the electronic control is satisfied for moisture level until the air temperature reaches 165°F (or some such higher temperature) for purpose of "ironing out the wrinkles" then progresses to the cool down which IIRC is controlled by a 120°F thermostat.

 

[kenmore71]

While this is "theoretically" true, there is in fact no sensor or thermostat that guarantees this. The PP setting simply uses a different circuit path with additional resistors in it which causes the capacitor to charge more slowly, thus a longer run time. If you remove the drum baffle circuit from the electronic control, the dryer should operate for the following times before it shuts off:

Damp dry: 7 - 17 seconds
Regular and Air Fluff: 9-11 minutes
PP: 12-19 minutes

This auto dry system was pretty ingenious for its day. I spent the better part of a summer doing electrical experiments with an 806 dryer a few years ago.

As mentioned above, the cool-down was a purely thermostatic issue. The PP cool-down would take longer, in theory, because the load would be hotter when the heat was turned off. But 120 degrees was the cut-out temperature for the fan circuit. However long it took to get there was the cool-down period.

 

[realvanman]

Thank you all!

For the constructive, complimentary, and thoughtful replies!

When I first got my HAM radio license I was told by a kind old fellow that I should get into radio because of my voice. I had never thought about it, but, of course our voices sound much different from the "inside" But, at any rate, I'm SO shy!!

About the Maytag LA712 Washer, I also have a Whirlpool machine, built within a couple of months of the Maytag, in 1984. So I can see about setting up a head to head competition That Maytag does indeed say "Two Speed, Large Capacity". And both machines are of the long stroke design.

While looking around inside the 806's control panel, I spotted what looked like an electrolytic capacitor. Those are notorious for drying out and losing capacity, and so is likely no longer of the correct value after more than forty years. I'll look into replacing it if that's the case, and maybe that will fix the inadequate drying time, if I'm understanding how the system works.

At any rate, electricity is astronomically expensive here, what with overpopulation and under-generation. Now they've even taken away our nuclear plant, so under-generation is even worse. So our rates are going up, up, and away!! So, the electric dryer will remain a toy until I move to someplace better

In the meantime, here's another video for you to enjoy. Please excuse my ranting out of frustration with the iphone lol.

Keith

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=spKlD01po5M

 

[kb0nes]

Hey Keith, out of curiosity what is your callsign (assuming you are still current)? There are a few Hams that lurk here on this site. My user ID is my Ham call.

Forgive the thread detour...

73

Phil, KB0NES

 

[realvanman]

HAMs

Hi Phil,

No problem, I love the "thread drift" feature of this forum! My call is KE6LRZ. If I remember correctly I was licensed around '94.

I don't know how to post more than one film at a time, so here's one more. Laundry in the dark was never so much fun!!

Keith

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkJnprtg0Z8

 

[realvanman]

Laundry in the Dark. Part II

Here's the other half of that first nighttime footage

Keith

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbEECjHdauc

 

[realvanman]

Put the Maytag dryer into service

We moved to a place in May that has no gas service, so this electric Maytag was pulled out of storage. I hooked it up to 240 volts, and began using it. I've experimented with the different settings, and found that just plain old normal works about the best. It dries the clothes a little more than I'd prefer, but not bad. It appears to have a cool down period after the adorable bell rings, which is nice. Permanent Press seems to not quite get the clothes dry enough. I'll have to experiment some more though. Hope everyone here is doing well.

Regards,
Keith

 

[qsd-dan]

Sure you don't have that backwards? "Regular" should leave the clothes with a slight dampness on the thicker areas like cuffs. "Permanent Press" should make them feel dry as a bone.

You can parallel different rating capacitors across the factory original and custom tailor the dampness setting. The factory cool down thermostat in these are on the high side and kick the machine off too soon in my opinion. I use an adjustable cool down thermo and set it down to 100F which smooths out the wrinkles.

 

[bpetersxx]

Dan

I have everything backwards

I use PP all the time but have to run twice on loads

 

[realvanman]

Permanent Press

I ran a normal sized load, containing "normal" clothes, on the Permanent Press cycle last night. They came out much dryer than I recalled from the last time I tried that setting. I tried to time the cycle, but was not there when it finished. I believe it was at least an hour though, and I'm pretty sure the Normal cycle runs around 45 minutes, including maybe about 10 for cool down. I really should pay more attention, and take notes!

Am I correct in that adding capacitance will lengthen the dry cycle, resulting in dryer clothes when finished? I can only imagine that these (presumably) electrolytic capacitors have dried some with age, and have reduced in capacity at this point, being over 50 years old.

Thanks,
Keith

 

[realvanman]

The Fluorescent Light

Hey Guys!

I’m still running this dryer since last year. It’s been working very well using the “Normal” cycle.

My question now is- how do I access the fluorescent lamp behind the dial?

I have looked it over and gently rugged and nothing obvious jumped out at me.

Haven’t pulled it away from the wall yet.

Hope you’re all doing well,
Keith

 

[maytag85]

You remove the top cover by removing the screws on the very top, lifts away. The fluorescent light removes just like any other fluorescent bulb from a fluorescent light fixture.

 

[realvanman]

Thanks!

Here's the neat old Westinghouse lamps...