Can a Frigidaire 1-18 gas dryer be converted to electric?

[norfolksouthern]

Last month, I took home the Frigidaire 1-18 gas dryer as part of my set. Unfortunately, I am unable to use it because I don't have a gas hookup. Does anybody have any experience working on them? Is there any possibility that this one can be converted to use a 220 electric outlet?

NorfolkSouthern

 

[norfolksouthern]

Here's a closer look at the control panel. It's a little basic, but everything there works.

 

[norfolksouthern]

Inside the drum,

it must not have seen much use.

 

[norfolksouthern]

The lint filter is in perfect condition

It looks better in person than it does in the photo.

 

[norfolksouthern]

bump...

Anybody?

 

[revvinkevin]

I don't know for sure but my thought is..........

......you could, but you would need an generally matching donor 220V dryer.

You would have to not only swap out the burner for the 220V heating element and related ducting etc, but also all related temp sensors, maybe the timer(?), the temp selector switch and the "power block" where the power comes into the dryer.

That would be my thought.

I've been thinking about doing the opposite, converting a KM dryer from 220V to gas.

 

[danemodsandy]

Probably Cheaper...

...And faster, to call the plumber and get a gas hookup installed.

Remember, you'll have to find a donor machine, you'll probably have to transport it from where you find it, and then you'll have to spend a fair amount of time figuring out all the differences between one machine and the other, so that you can transfer all the parts necessary to accomplish your goal.

Unless you're in a rental where you're not allowed to make that kind of change, I'd just have the right hookup put in.

 

[alr2903]

We now have a gas dryer, and i would never go back to electric. Gas is drying your clothes when u push "start", I think electric really does have a very slow warm up time. alr2903

 

[norfolksouthern]

While I like the idea of a gas dryer, I can't have a gas hookup because I am a renter. It seems like an electric conversion would be more trouble than it's worth, so I will put it up on the market, or arrange a trade if anybody is interested.

NorfolkSouthern

 

[gansky1]

Trouble? Convert it and use it on propane.

 

[rollermatic]

that's a beautiful dryer

you have! gas or electric, it's a gem! wish i could have been more help but i have no ideas that could help you in trying to convert it. i would say keep an eye out for a donar machine and in the meantime enjoy it even if you can't use it.

the more i think about it you might be able to convert to l.p gas like we discussed on the phone and was mentioned above. you could always get a 20 lb cylinder just to use on occasion so your machine would be "working" at least. something to think about.

enjoyed talking to you on the phone tonite.

 

[toggleswitch2]

~We now have a gas dryer, and i would never go back to electric. Gas is drying your clothes when u push "start", I think electric really does have a very slow warm up time.

Actually, electric heats up immediately (open NiChrome elemets) and gas takes one to two minutes to ignite (the glow-bar or chattter-box take some time), unless it has a standing pilot light.

In the grand scheme of things neither is significant.

Electric can be throught of as cleaner in terms lack of combusition fumes, bur dirtier in that if carbonzes lint.

Gas can be through of as dirtier, but less harsh, in that water-vapor is a byproduct of combustion. Don't like propane in that the tips of such flame are normally yellow-orange, a sign of carbon.

The overall differences between heat sources, I'd say is negligible.

 

[bajaespuma]

Here's a way to convert your gas 1-18 to electric:

Swap your gas 1-18 Frigidaire dryer with my electric version of your dryer:

 

[andrewinorlando]

Generally, a standard 22,000 BTU gas dryer is roughly equivalent to an electric dryer with a 5600 watt heating element. Some electric dryers use smaller elements which will, of course, dry more slowly given their size. But my current Kenmore gas dryer takes exactly 12 seconds to ignite the burner.

Not sure if it actually dries faster then my previous electric Lady Kenmore dryer (1989 model) because the Calypso spins a lot faster then my previous Lady Kenmore washer did, but it also washes a larger load. Timewise, the gas dryer dries larger loads much faster then the electric model did, but it benefits from the Calypso's faster spin speed. (800 RPMs vs. 620). Don't exactly know how to compare the two given that factor, or if the larger load size evens out the faster spin speeds.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Where BTU = British Thermal Unit

Yep. There are 3.4 BTU generated per watt with resistance coils.

Therefore 5,600w @ 3.4 BTU/w = 19,040 BTU.

22,000 BTU less: 19,040 BTU is 2,960 BTU, which accounts for any speed differences. But a higher BTU input is needed with gas (to get the same results as a slightlly lower heat input from electrircy) to counteract the water-vapor byproduct of combustion.

 

[appnut]

Swap your gas 1-18 Frigidaire dryer with my electric version

Ken, it's not an exact match feature to feature. Your dryer has an auto dry cycle. Norfolk's dryer has only timed cycles. His dryer is also part of the pair in today's POD.