You may have seen my recent thread #95249, on replacing the drive belt on my Creda 37405 reversair tumble dryer.
Shortly after that, I noticed the dryer wasn't always switching off, but then was ok again. A couple of days ago, the timer stopped completely, and the dryer was staying on unless I manually turned the timer back.
So off came the top again for a look see. Just a good old fashioned timer. Clockwork and no electronics. It wound up ok, but it had stopped winding down. So I took it apart. The clock/timer is german, so it was always going to be almost bullet proof from back then I suppose. Although the switching is Australian. Global even then. 120 minutes, less 10 minutes cooling down time.
Once I took off the mica board I could see the contacts. And under that block, the clock.
Genius in its simplicity, and well made parts of good quality. No wonder the timer's lasted so long. All it needed was taking apart, cleaning, and a bit of watch oil.
A bit fiddly getting it reassembled, but got it all lined up before putting the main cog and spring back on, and then geting it assembled again. Fully working once again, and no signs of wear.
See pictures. A bit out of sequence. Sorry, I don't know how to reorder them.
It's a 41 year old clock/timer already, and I reckon it's got another 20/30 years left in it yet.
Here's a link to a video of the working timer.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/teb4...ey=ska5fy3os76hz1xmytk8g9oez&st=7ft8xdjf&dl=0
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Interestingly, I was given some advice the other day, by someone who claims a degree of expertise in this subject. He advised me that, --
I am "actually quite a novice when it comes to the function of tumble dryers". That I have an "outdated view". That I am "an old fart that knows nothing about appliances". That I have a "desperate need to have a basic outdated vented timer dryer".
And, it is "quite comical really as even most appliance collectors have come to realise that heatpump technology is infinitely better and the old adage of "don't make them like they used to" is infact bullshit and a well picked modern dryer is no more likely to break down as anything decent 40 years ago. Probably less so actually".
When I stopped rolling on the floor laughing, after I read all that nonsense, I wondered how many other people think, that what is now called vintage dryer technology, is inferior to everything modern.
I have a degree in electronics, and I know how good and reliable electronics can be. But give me a simple vented electromechanical tumble dryer anytime, over a condensing or heat pump version. I think it is EXTREMELY unlikely a modern complex tumble dryer is going to last 41 years. And this particular dryer, is certainly going to see this "old fart" out. LOL.
Anyway I hope this helps anyone else with a stuck mechanical timer.
Shortly after that, I noticed the dryer wasn't always switching off, but then was ok again. A couple of days ago, the timer stopped completely, and the dryer was staying on unless I manually turned the timer back.
So off came the top again for a look see. Just a good old fashioned timer. Clockwork and no electronics. It wound up ok, but it had stopped winding down. So I took it apart. The clock/timer is german, so it was always going to be almost bullet proof from back then I suppose. Although the switching is Australian. Global even then. 120 minutes, less 10 minutes cooling down time.
Once I took off the mica board I could see the contacts. And under that block, the clock.
Genius in its simplicity, and well made parts of good quality. No wonder the timer's lasted so long. All it needed was taking apart, cleaning, and a bit of watch oil.
A bit fiddly getting it reassembled, but got it all lined up before putting the main cog and spring back on, and then geting it assembled again. Fully working once again, and no signs of wear.
See pictures. A bit out of sequence. Sorry, I don't know how to reorder them.
It's a 41 year old clock/timer already, and I reckon it's got another 20/30 years left in it yet.
Here's a link to a video of the working timer.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/teb4...ey=ska5fy3os76hz1xmytk8g9oez&st=7ft8xdjf&dl=0
----------------------------------------------
Interestingly, I was given some advice the other day, by someone who claims a degree of expertise in this subject. He advised me that, --
I am "actually quite a novice when it comes to the function of tumble dryers". That I have an "outdated view". That I am "an old fart that knows nothing about appliances". That I have a "desperate need to have a basic outdated vented timer dryer".
And, it is "quite comical really as even most appliance collectors have come to realise that heatpump technology is infinitely better and the old adage of "don't make them like they used to" is infact bullshit and a well picked modern dryer is no more likely to break down as anything decent 40 years ago. Probably less so actually".
When I stopped rolling on the floor laughing, after I read all that nonsense, I wondered how many other people think, that what is now called vintage dryer technology, is inferior to everything modern.
I have a degree in electronics, and I know how good and reliable electronics can be. But give me a simple vented electromechanical tumble dryer anytime, over a condensing or heat pump version. I think it is EXTREMELY unlikely a modern complex tumble dryer is going to last 41 years. And this particular dryer, is certainly going to see this "old fart" out. LOL.
Anyway I hope this helps anyone else with a stuck mechanical timer.
