English Electric Dryer At Work Today

[electron1100]

This time of year is a good time for tumble dryers to turn up at my work place

This beauty came in at another site and i had it delivered this afternoon

Not mint but an impressive peice of English laundry history

The heaters in the door i find interesting to say the least

 

[electron1100]

more fots

shot of the mechanical timer that still works

 

[electron1100]

Fots

The vent that still has its wire mesh filter

 

[electron1100]

fots

The door with the heating elements, the guard is inside the machine

 

[electron1100]

fots

picture of the drum

 

[toggleswitch2]

Very unique.

How does power get to the door?

 

[electron1100]

moving power

hmm probably via two crusty dry and lethal wires I love the buzz of switching on and old appliance, not that i have done it yet

I will report back at some point

 

[chestermikeuk]

"probably via two crusty dry and lethal wires "

Dont touch that wire Ethel!!! oops to late!! one burned hand and a permed head later!!!

Great to see these still coming out of the woodwork Gary!! its English Electrics first dryer, and probably the UK`s first Tumble Dryer...

Had never seen one until I was contacted by a courier company who had seen some pics on FlickR and wanted to find a good home as opposed to the crusher!! weighs a ton but wheels around very easily!!

the connections to the door are a simple bakelite "PLUG" which engages when you close the door and turn the handle to "LOCK"...this even had a homemade vent tube, one of those sleeves of plastic on a roll of lino!!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Connections

heres the "Shut & Start" plug, cosing the door latch pushes the connections of the door plug into the socket on the body of the dryer!! note the asbestos sheet to diffuse the heat

 

[chestermikeuk]

English Electric

You can just see the connector socket on the top right of the door inset

 

[tolivac]

Very interesting EE dryer there-never seen anything like that-but the burn scars from the heating elements on the door are sort of scary-DON'T brush up against that door while theEE dryer is working!Hope the exhaust air isn't hot enough to melt or burn the "poly" exhaust duct!Sounds funny--another use for the dryer-as a hot air generator for a small hot air ballon!The older machines are sure more interesting-but be careful in that ones use-keep the kiddies away from the door and pets,hands for that matter-after the load is done-guess you may have to use a potholder to open the door.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Airflow

Hi Rex, the elements are usually a low heat, this dryer has a high airflow, but it does look like the above one has had a "Blocked Airflow" which has resulted in burning etc..

The Airflow is drawn from under the front door, over the elements, through the clothes and then the fan pushes the air up through a channell to a vent on the top!! Out of a spin dryer it managed to dry very quickly and evenly with the door not very hot to toucg...I could imagine from a wringer it would take a lot longer!!

 

[matchboxpaul]

How do Gary.

My, that machine has lead a hard life! Been outside for a bit you reckon or does it seem, mechanically a fresh withdrawal from service?

Was going to warn of the asbestos thingy mejig, as I remember mike mentioning the 'A' word with reference to his machine.

Let us know how things go with it.
You gonna be brave and plug it in?

paul

 

[electron1100]

lethal Dryers

Hello Mike
well you beat me too it, after lugging it out of the car into the garage (mine has no wheels just raised metal stumps)..........i took a look at the door and yes there is a good bit of practical design and engineering for the power connections to the heater, rather than my cynical suggestion to "toggleswitch" about it

Hello Paul
Oh yes it is no virgin, been kept in a barn or shed i reckon but when things are this age and as rare as hens teeth you cannot pass them by

Right thats me peices sed.........wait around Mike and i will possibly get that perm

Gary
I have a problem with power in my garage at present so i wont be plugging this in or anything else for a while.......

 

[toggleswitch2]

Thanks for the info., gents. Rather ingenious.

All that and a little extra asbestos coating for the clothes.

There is much to be said for a remotely-controlled power-point protected by a RCD and a smallish fuse..........