Maytag Atlantis Electronic Timer

[Chetlaham]

Call me confused, but I've never seen this. The timer appears to be electronic on the back, however it looks like a standard clock dial on the front. Am I seeing this correctly? Does the knob move with the cycle? Just doesn't look like an electronic dial normally does with its individual detentes.

I hate that Maytag took this route, for example those power resistors look like they're dissipating to much heat for their application and size.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/356812918526?_skw=maytag+atlantis+washer&itmmeta=01K2JKVF8GSRV7VK27X1JJZHRS&hash=item5313b50efe:g:SxsAAOSw82ZoB799&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA8IUNi59bckQcV2ImusJGAkHE54coTZFG+JW8X08n3zD5ZHKRIlabiH5nev9dRw1Q4iOagJlkDjpA3tk8W42y6nlEW00jBcp2dCDE6Z6nl7/pphROFpA3Z2saQnq0cjHinfRkKRjbm8lSDto+XXlUWejkNsJukeblf3iDpPhBbCgvYVA3UuBjACGShy+3hALd7Bm62GK2q9PYct/B+LXo9iAlA2RAEFvbr3Zfl8WYhxlqQrVjn2HN26fvBR8f0mzVq34e6LK31VB4/4pp1bztRu71akD0PPCSNdhasXPa92byPJSwHaRXJJqL2bUFPmm7xQ==|tkp:BFBMtPTt05Rm

 

[cfz2882]

I think my Neptune 3000 is like that-mechanical timer controlled by a PC board.

 

[phillymatt53]

You can have that garbage design!
Shame they had to ruin their reputation by putting that crap into their machines.

 

[Chetlaham]

Whirlpool did the same thing, they are not any better:

https://appliantology.smugmug.com/Appliantology/Whirlpool-Dryer-Even-Heat/i-mZQcdRW/A




All a dryer has to do is tumble, add heat, and cycle via a a snap disc thermostat. Yet somehow despite the presence of an EM timer, they had to add a pointless electronic circuit board that adds nothing of value or performance to the machine. I can only deduce this is to help with failed obsolesce because as seen here that control board is a guaranteed service call or trip to the appliance store.

 

[phillymatt53]

Whirlpool did the same thing, they are not any better:

https://appliantology.smugmug.com/Appliantology/Whirlpool-Dryer-Even-Heat/i-mZQcdRW/A

View attachment 318005


All a dryer has to do is tumble, add heat, and cycle via a a snap disc thermostat. Yet somehow despite the presence of an EM timer, they had to add a pointless electronic circuit board that adds nothing of value or performance to the machine. I can only deduce this is to help with failed obsolesce because as seen here that control board is a guaranteed service call or trip to the appliance store.

Chet, regarding the other thread about Maytag and electrolytic capacitors.....
In THIS photo you posted, notice the two tall black electrolytics near the bottom of the circuit board?
I can't tell for sure, a closeup of them would help, but the tops of them look a bit bulged - a sure sign of failing, and one looks like it's leaking.
The white resistor on the board nearby looks cooked, and the board is blackened from overheating.
I've got a great eye for things like this.

 

[Chetlaham]

Chet, regarding the other thread about Maytag and electrolytic capacitors.....
In THIS photo you posted, notice the two tall black electrolytics near the bottom of the circuit board?
I can't tell for sure, a closeup of them would help, but the tops of them look a bit bulged - a sure sign of failing, and one looks like it's leaking.
The white resistor on the board nearby looks cooked, and the board is blackened from overheating.
I've got a great eye for things like this.

Indeed you are correct. And such failures are a given with electronics.

You do know that a dryer can indeed be this simple with auto dry as seen below? Not a single semi conductor.

 

[phillymatt53]

Indeed you are correct. And such failures are a given with electronics.

You do know that a dryer can indeed be this simple with auto dry as seen below? Not a single semi conductor.






View attachment 318007

Because it's a SIMPLE appliance doing a SIMPLE job.
It doesn't require some fancy CPU or Integrated circuits to perform such a SIMPLE task.

And the operator isn't going to stand there and watch the pretty LED lights change, or gawk at a little glowing screen with information of what is going on.
They've already got a little glowing screen that they cling to and carry around like it's some sort of life-saving device that they can't put down.

See, this is the culture that is widely spread and has slowly taken over society.
The "conditioning" and continued mental state that's touted as being "normal" and convenient.

And in "some" cases, it is convenient....... for certain things.
I've always said that there is a limit to what technology is good for, past that, it's rediculous, silly, and un-needed.

That evil little "glowing screen".....

 

[DADoES]

All well and good and fun ... how many manufacturers have abandoned electronics or have ongoing plans to change back to mechanical timers in response to the fussing on AW?

How much longer until Chet establishes an appliance manufacturing company, puts his designs into production and takes over the market?

 

[phillymatt53]

All well and good and fun ... how many manufacturers have abandoned electronics or have ongoing plans to change back to mechanical timers in response to the fussing on AW?

How much longer until Chet establishes an appliance manufacturing company, puts his designs into production and takes over the market?

We can only HOPE that appliance manufacturers wake the hell up and realize what a miserable mistake they've made, along with damaging their reputations.

 

[me]

I'm no electronic expert, but that scorched circuit board appears to be using capacitors and a high wattage resistor to convert mains voltage to low voltage DC to power its simple electronics, to avoid the extra cost (and bulk) of a switched mode power supply, or a transformer. The resistor will produce a great deal of heat, scorch the board and will slowly poach the electrolytic capacitors if they are mounted too close, or if there is insufficient airflow. So after some years use, it is practically guaranteed to fail. Had they spent an extra couple of quid or so, they could have made it last indefinitely.

Its not proof that mechanical controls are better, it's simply just another example of bad design and an appliance manufacturer putting cost before quality and reliability.

My gas boiler's control board uses a resistor and capacitors to power a few relays and a simple gate/timer chip, and regularly needs replacing, because the resistor burns a large hole through the PCB and destroys the board, I think I get about 5 - 7 years use out of one.

 

[jrap330]

Indeed you are correct. And such failures are a given with electronics.

You do know that a dryer can indeed be this simple with auto dry as seen below? Not a single semi conductor.






View attachment 318007

I wonder if some electronics where added when industry decided moisture sensing is better than thermostatic control in determine dryness of clothing