Kenmore Elite Dryer - Wrinkle Guard III?

[blockeight88]

Maybe somebody can help me out. I am wondering how the “Wrinkle Guard III” setting works on my Kenmore elite dryer from 2002? Is it normal for the cycle to complete and then the dryer turn on intermittently for a few seconds? This seems to happen for a period of around 35 to 40 minutes. I am guessing the logic behind this is to prevent wrinkles from setting hand. The 1996 Kenmore dryer I have works a lot differently with a cool down feature. The heat will shut off in the dryer just will keep tumbling with no heat. I find this very effective.

The model number to my machine is 11072994100. Any input would greatly be appreciated. I have searched and searched for an owners manual but unfortunately I cannot find one.

 

[DADoES]

 
That's correct.  Traditional Wrinkle Guard introduced in the late 1960s tumbles the load intermittently (typically 10-ish seconds every 5 mins) for maximum 2-1/2 hours duration.  The end-of-cycle signal should trigger after each tumble as a reminder to unload.  The III version on your machine should function on the intermittent tumble pattern for whatever is the maximum duration.  Lower-level versions II and I tumble intermittently or continuously (depending on the variation) for a shorter duration.

F&P SmartLoad tumbles for 30-ish seconds every 5 mins (reversing the tumble direction each time) for 255 repetitions (23 hours).

 

[ryner1988]

My 29-inch Whirlpool dryer, several years newer than your Kenmore, tumbles the load periodically at the end of the sensor dry cycle for up to 90 minutes. I've seen other models that tumble continuously instead, as you described with your other machine.

 

[blockeight88]

Interesting...

So it did this for about 2 hours today. Does it kick off the heat during this extended tumble period?

By the way, what is "Even Heat"? What does that do exactly?

 

[combo52]

Clothes dryer, wrinkle prevention cycles

As Glenn mentioned in reply number one the original whirlpool design and they invented and patented this it was originally on Kenmore and whirlpool dryers in the late 60s, the dryer would tumble for 10 seconds without heat every five minutes if there was a cycle signal or buzzer it would buzz each time it did this at the end of the tumble period.

This type of intermittent tumbling works better than tumbling the clothing continuously, there are several disadvantages to just letting it tumble with air, first of all much more conditioned air is being pulled out of the house depending on outside conditions this could be expensive, a dryer motor also draws about 400 W and there is more clothing wear by letting it run continuously, you also might build up more static, electricity during dry conditions.

John.

 

[blockeight88]

Relief

I am just relived my dryer is working as intended. Any insight on what the "Even Heat" feature does?

 

[blockeight88]

Cool Down

Anyone know if on the indicator lights "cool down" is the same as Wrinkle Guard?

 

[bradfordwhite]

"even heat" and "soft heat" is just a selling point about the Kenmore (Whirlpool) design. It told the customer that that dryer did not have HOT spots in the drum or excessive heat like older dryer designs previously had problems with. Those conditions of course can ruin clothing or create uneven drying.

 

[DADoES]

 
Even Heat relates to the electronic board that controls the timer on the moisture-sensor cycle, and also allows use of a thermistor for temperature control instead of a mechanical/bimetal thermostat.  A thermistor can control the heat more precisely and consistently than a bimetal for multiple temp choices and with less swing between on/off cycles.  Other multi-temp dryer models with a mechanical timer by this time didn't have individual thermostats for each temperature choice, they had one bimetal thermostat for the high temp (typically 155°F) with a bias heater to trick it into registering a higher temperature which in turn reduces the drum air temperature a lower temp setting.

The Cool Down light is reasonably lit during Wrinkle Guard being that both functions occur at end of the drying process.

 

[blockeight88]

Glenn

Appreciate your insight. So after having my electronic board repaired by Cocentric, I can happily say that my wrinkle guard setting now works; however, the light never comes on. I am hoping that replacing the monitor light with a used one will fix it so the cool down light illuminates.

 

[DADoES]

 
The Cool Down light doesn't illuminate during both the Cool Down and Wrinkle Guard periods?

 

[blockeight88]

Cool Down light

It doesn't, though the dryer works fine. Like I said, I'm hoping a replacement monitor light will fix the issue.

 

[blockeight88]

Cool Down light

Replaced the monitor light today and the cool light still never illuminates. I just don't get why it doesn't turn on at all (the dryer works fine). Completely refurbished circuit board.

 

[blockeight88]

Maybe the timer is bad? Glenn, what do you think?

 

[blockeight88]

Anyone know? This is driving me nuts. No matter what, the cool down light doesn't illuminate.

 

[DADoES]

 
Search for a wiring diagram and timer cycle chart if you don't already have it, which should show the circuit path for the indicator lights.  Check if it's receiving power via that path.  Are the lights connected to the timer or to the Even Heat board?

 

[blockeight88]

Lights are connected via the even heat circuit board.

 

[DADoES]

 
Then the board apparently isn't powering the indicator of concern, or the light is bad (neon? LED?).  This the replacement board?  If none of the indicators worked then I'd guess that it's a substitute board that doesn't support them.  But there's a connection for them all and the other two work, yes?

 

[blockeight88]

Correct. The other two lights work just fine. This isn’t a substitute board, it’s the original. And yes, this is a replacement monitor light. Both behave the exact same now.