From Red Lion, PA. to Brooklyn, NY. A 1972 Maytag DE806

[lowefficiency]

>> I no longer have to reset the dryer very 12 minutes or so. Nothing has changed.
>> Was/is there an issue with the moisture sensors?

Sounds suspiciously like there had been a problem, which has now fixed itself.

As part of the electronic control diagnostics, Maytag's service literature states that the dryer should turn off in approximately 9-12 minutes with the yellow wire disconnected (ie: disconnecting the circuit of the slip ring & baffles).

So if your dryer was turning off in ~12 minutes each time, instead of when the clothes were dry, it sounds like you had an open circuit somewhere in the baffle circuit.

It's good that you're finally seeing how well the dryer can work, but if it were mine and a loose connection was suspected, I'd take both the top cover and the back panel off, and check that all of the wiring connectors are firmly seated, just to be safe! You might also inspect the brush on the slip ring.

 

[Ultramatic]

Thanks guys for the imput.

 

 

I will indeed open up the cabinet to check for something loose.

 

[combo52]

DE806 Dryer

Hi Louis, glad it is working properly now, I would leave it alone, it is likely that the sensor circuit brush and slip-ring was not making a good connection and broke-in after a lot of running time, you are not likely to find anything wrong by taking it apart, if it starts not working again then I would take a look.

 

John L.

 

[Ultramatic]

Thanks John.

 

 

So far, so good.

 

[juliegott]

DE 806

Hi Louis,

I was so glad to see that you and I share a dream- I acquired a matching set in Red Hill, PA. about a year ago. I was so lucky to find the pair a few blocks from my home off of Craig's list. They were in mint condition- not a speck of rust- I think-due to the fact of being located in an upstairs, first floor room, instead of a damp basement.
I recently had a flood and had to disassemble the A806 washer -and dry it out completely- the dryer was not wired yet, so I let that go for a month until I checked for water damage. I got it to run, but then smelled a burning material, which I believe was the front felt seal, since it came out in pieces with black scorch marks.
I put on a new seal (HAha-I used wooden clothepins to hold mine in place), 2 new belts-then put everything together. It ran, but drum didn't turn,nor the drum belt. The motor belt does move. I have tried repositioning pulley.
I thought something may be between drum and shaft or bottom right pulley is not lined up correctly.
I also tried to get the square bolt out of top pulley, but can not budge it. I've greased it inside and out but still can't break it free.
How did you get your's out ? I see you showed the round part of wrench placed around it, but nothing works for me. I do not have a torch, but I may try a hand steamer on the bolt itself. I assume I'm going counter clockwise ?
Also- I noticed the washer on the pulley has a worn flat edge (this may not be visible in pic, since it's in the bottom part of picture frame). Might this be the reason for drum not turning ?
Any advice would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[combo52]

Removing the bolt on the drum pulley on a HOH dryer

You just need a very good Vice-Grip pliers or a small pipe wrench, these are tight but I have never had any real trouble removing or reinstalling one.

 

But you should take the blower out to lubricate the bearing in it and the main drum bearing as well, use a light oil on the BB and a heavy grease on the main drum bearing.

 

John L.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Hi Julie. I have to agree with you, Maytag 806's are among the best out there. As for the tight bolt, you may try tapping it lightly to get it going. Remember Righty-Tighty, Lefty-Lucy. As for lubrication I used Zoom Spout oil on the wick on the drum shaft bearing, and greased the pulley tensioner. I found this thread (link) helpful when refurbishing my 806. Once I greased and reinstalled the belts, it was very tight. It took a lot of effort just to move it by hand. Perhaps you are experiencing the same thing. Anyway, keep us posted!

DE806 operation and refurbishment...

It's been awhile, but Elginkid and I finally got our 1975 DE806 put back together and we have some issues and questions. I finished reassembly, plugged the old girl in, and pushed Air Fluff (to test the motor without heat) and she purred quietly to life. I opened the door to turn it off and I...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[Ultramatic]

Loud!

 

 

The DE806 has developed a low rumbling sound, along with a sight squeak. When I was rebuilding it, I used Zoom oil and the correct grease to lube the tensioner. I'm going to have to open it up again. Sigh.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

A lot of pics of that work in progress, and enough to make a record number...

Keep up the good work...

— Dave

 

[yogitunes]

you'll figure it out in no time.....your just at the fine tuning stage

that is just a beautiful machine all cleaned and lit up.....

amazing what a few sprays of windex, cleaning cloths, and elbow grease can do for a machine....

some should take notes!

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

A question on temperatures. What would be the "Low Heat" setting? Damp Dry?

 

[combo52]

DE806 Dryer Temperature

There is only one drying temperature, IF the electronic control is working properly on damp dry the clothes probably would only reach around 100F but the dryer will stop with very damp clothing.

 

On PP the sensor takes the clothing to a lower moisture level so the clothing end up getting hotter on PP, many customers dried everything on PP as the regular did not always get things as dry as many users wanted.

 

John L.

 

[Chetlaham]

Why is green used as a current carrying conductor?

 

[Ultramatic]

Thanks John

 

 

Yeah, I thought so. Very true about using the Permanent Press cycle. I use it all the time because it dries the best. I have some cotton blankets that stipulate to dry in "Low Heat". I've been reluctant to put them in the Maytag.

 

[combo52]

Drying Cotton @ Low Heat ??

Most Washing Instructions on clothing today are incorrect, just use your common sense when washing and drying clothing.

 

The problem with the dry @ low heat instruction is they don't say what is low heat, I would dry them on normal and if not completely dry lay them out to finish drying before storing them away.

 

John L.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Yup. That's what the tag says. Well, no matter how much could it shrink?

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Something I had forgotten to mention. At the end of every cycle, the bell would ring as normal. But once in awhile, the bell rings and the cycle will continue, usually for a half hour more, then it will shut off. The bell does not ring again. What could be causing this?

 

[qsd-dan]

The bell only rings once on these machines before shutting off. The cool down thermostat is responsible for cutting power to the motor once temps hit 120F and below. Check that the paper clip linkage is free working smoothly and the tab it's connect to. That tab itself can break or start to crumble where the linkage connects. That sliding mechanism on the control board can become loosey goosey after a gazillion cycles and cause intermittent operation.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Thanks Dan!

 

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

After 3 years of faithful service, I decided to open up the rear panel for a look see. Quite dusty, but not as bad as I thought it would be. Still operating on 115V service. I'll do some vacuuming and add some sound mats before putting it back in service.