Maytag center dial dryer ID- 806?

[lowefficiency]

Hey everyone. This isn't the best picture, but can anyone identify this Maytag dryer from the dial? I'm pretty new to this, but does the split above the dial indicate that this was one of the models that had the backlit panel?

It looks like the dial has just a few options, and then a large section for "electronic control"... Is this an 806?

Thanks!

 

[swestoyz]

You are correct, this is a DE-806 Halo of Heat dryer, probably about a 1975 model.  The 1976 -1980 Stream of Heat (or Big Load) DE-808 dryers would have four buttons along the right hand side of the dial along with the glass & lighted panel.

 

Ben

 

[volvoguy87]

DE806

That is a DE806, electric Halo of Heat dryer, and it is an oddball. It is odd because it is one of the last produced as it has a gold colored control panel instead of a blue one. There is no gas access door on the front, so this is an electric dryer.

It is entirely electronically controlled, it is impossible to set a specific time. 806 dryers have their fans (I am one) and their detractors. I find it to be extremely accurate and always drys things just right.

Dave

 

[DADoES]

 
"Electronic Control" is marketing, feature-description text on the dial.  The cycle choices are
Air Fluff
Damp Dry
Heavy -- (Sturdy - Permanent Press - Knits)
Regular -- (Sturdy - Permanent Press - Knits)

 

[lowefficiency]

Thanks everyone. I've done some more reading on the Halo-of-Heat, and can see what you mean Dave. Do you know if that problematic felt seal on the front of the drum can be inspected without taking the machine apart? (I haven't seen one of these in person yet...)

 

[rp2813]

The most efficient, most accurate, most user-friendly set-and-forget, quietest, fastest, and best dryer we've ever owned was a mid-'70s DG806 HOH that we acquired for a daily driver when it was a dozen or more years old.

 

I wish I knew about this group when the bearing was failing and the screeching was intolerable because we might still have that dryer now, with an 806 washer to match.   Alas, we didn't even own a computer yet.

 

[brucelucenta]

Those were terrific dryers. They dried very accurately and evenly. There were few drawbacks with them. One was that they were just a tiny bit too small capacity, but not much. A really big load in a large capacity Maytag washer was almost too big a load for one. It would dry, but the clothes were just a little bit tight in there. The other thing was the lint filter was kind of inconvenient to clean. They certainly were work horses though and lasted many years. Very well built machines, like the washers that matched. I do think that many of them later in life did tend to squeak and such from the back bearing, pulley and fan blower wheel. I remember that speed queen dryers tended to have that same problem with the blower wheel on their dryers too. You could take them apart and grease them, but didn't seem to last very long.

 

[mrb627]

Temps

Are all three heat cycles high? Or are there different thermostats for each cycle?

Malcolm

 

[lowefficiency]

Malcolm- I was wondering the same thing, and after some searching, I found this post from Bob (appnut):

------------------
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?61242
Post# 838926 , Reply# 3 8/31/2015 at 11:06pm by appnut

Keith, although this was the TOL, it only had one drying temperature--"low" or delicate. Lower models had regular and delicate. The 806 was viewed as an all-fabric heat setting. The Perm Press was also intended for loads one wanted to have extra dry. The moisture sensor was calibrated for the extra dryness. It had to do with the way perm press fabrics were processed and treated back then. they needed a higher bit of heat to relax wrinkles. It also had a longer cool down than regular fabrics. Many I knew who owned this dryer, the pretty much just left it on the Perm Press setting.
------------------

 

[lowefficiency]

It's here!

Well, it took a little coordination, but this DE806 is now sitting in my garage!!

I spent a few hours checking it out and giving it the basic outside/inside cleaning. It's in surprisingly good shape, and really didn't have very much loose lint inside the cabinet. The belts have take a shape around the small pulleys, so it must not have been run for a while. I'll probably replace them, and keep these as spares.

I wired it up for 110V for testing, following the instructions in this thread:
Thread Number: 42684 "Coverting a Maytag model de308 220V dryer to 110V"
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?42684

It started right up and sounded horrible, so I shut it down. A little bit of searching led me to this thread:
Thread Number: 32586 "Tuning up the DE306 Dryer"
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?32586
Where I learned that the back panel needs to be installed to keep things in alignment, otherwise the drum will rub on the case. Whoops!! Put the panel back on, and it purrs along quietly. Rookie mistake.

The drum light worked, but I had to replace both the tube and the starter to get the fluorescent panel light operable. It might be a gimmick, but it's cool.

Next steps are to take it apart further, check that front felt seal, oil everything that needs it, and change the belts. I'll run some tests as well on that capacitor, and replace it if I need to. Then all I have left is to find a matching washer!

 

[lowefficiency]

And Ben, you were correct with your date estimate. It's a "WS" date code on the serial number, which looks like it means this dryer was made in August of 1975.

(Based on the info from this thread)
Thread Number: 41918 "My Maytags" Birthdate"
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?41918

 

[rp2813]

. . . it purrs along quietly.

Excellent!  That's what HOH dryers do!  You're going to fall in love with the companion washer too when you find it.

 

[lowefficiency]

Ok, I had a few minutes and was able to do a bit of disassembly. I was a bit surprised, the front felt seal is still intact. I don't see any signs of damage, but it might not be 100% secure judging from the part I tried pulling on gently.

What do you guys typically do in this situation? Should I just re-glue this existing seal, or should I replace it with a new one?

 

[panthera]

Wow!

That is so cool.

I've never seen these as too small - but, then, I like my loads slightly undersized so items tumble freely.

What a great find!

Regarding the felt, how 'loose' is loose? My feeling is, if you've gone this far, you might want to replace the major causes of failure, felt seal, capacitor, rear bearing. That capacitor should definitely be replaced. Even if it's still 'good' now, it's way way, far and away out of it's expected lifespan. While I'm not quite sure it's right to call this system 'electronic', it's a well thought out and extremely accurate control.

 

[lowefficiency]

>>My feeling is, if you've gone this far, you might want to replace the major causes of failure

Absolutely. The intention is to put this dryer back into regular service, so I'd rather do any preventative maintenance while it's outside here in the garage, BEFORE I haul it upstairs and replace the other dryer. This is my first HoH dryer, so I'm reading everything I can to figure out what should be looked at.

The capacitor is a Maytag-branded capacitor, so it's either an original or a factory replacement. I've read that the factory changed the value of this capacitor during the production run, so I'll have to find that reference again to make sure I get the correct value.

I also remember reading something about the pulley on the motor, and one type (I think it was the steel version?) being preferred for some reason?

 

[lowefficiency]

A few quick before/after pictures. It cleaned up pretty nicely without too much trouble, I'll give it a light buffing to fix a few areas and make it shine before installing it.

 

[lowefficiency]

This is what the heating element looks like. It's functional, and I've vacuumed out the lint. Is the rust on the heat shield anything to be concerned about?

 

[lowefficiency]

And I love helpful repair notes like this one! I have a few loose connectors to re-crimp or solder in place on the control module.

 

[lowefficiency]

No lint whatsoever behind the fan! Perfectly clean! :-D

 

[panthera]

The rust

Is no problem - leave it be would be my advice.

What a pretty machine!

I'll leave the pulley question to the Maytag Halo experts, but, before you test anything, remember the back panel MUST be in place or you'll get howls and screams and think the bearing, motor, idler, belt and pulley are bad.

 

[goatfarmer]

The pictures

that I took today.

 

[lowefficiency]

Perfect, thanks!

So I would need a little paint or a panel swap for the gold/blue, adding or removing the chrome strip, and then an aluminum dial and they'd be a match. Shouldn't be too difficult...

Based on this reference for the 806 series changes:
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?22010
Your washer is from somewhere between late 1971 and early 1975? (Painted dial, but with the acrylic knob).

 

[goatfarmer]

I can get a serial number tomorrow.

 

[lowefficiency]

Ok, we're making good progress with the cleanup, oiling, and re-assembly, but I have a question about the idler pulley.

Should there be anything between the idler pulley and the tensioning spring? Perhaps another fiber washer, or a spacer of some sort? (See photo attached.)

Also, is it normal for the idler pulley to be a few degrees out of alignment with the other pulleys due to the pull of the tensioning spring, or do I need to replace the sliding part with the shaft to fix that?

Thanks!

 

[lowefficiency]

It's a little tricky to see, but here is what I was saying about the pulley alignment.

 

[lowefficiency]

One last question. How should this style of motor be lubricated? I'm not seeing any obvious oiling points...

Thanks.

 

[lowefficiency]

Any thoughts on my idler pulley?    If I need to fix or change anything before putting this dryer back into service, it would be a LOT easier to do now before we get it installed.  

 

Thanks

 

[hippiedoll]

CONGRATULATIONS!!

On buying that DE806, and getting it up, running & back into service!

Looks like you're coming along nicely. And it's looking really great!

Sorry I can't answer any of your fix-it questions. But I wanted to share in your enthusiasm for your newly acquired center-dial maytag 806 dryer.
WOOOO HOOOOOO!
)

Keep up the GREAT work & progress!!

 

[lowefficiency]

Where does the time go? I can't believe it's been almost 2 1/2 years... but after fixing it up so long ago, this DE806 is finally now back in service!

Here are a few quick photos, from my other thread about my recently acquired A408 washer:
"A Second Chance for a Rusty Maytag A408"
https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?77619

We still need to have some electrical work done on the house, so for the time being I have the dryer wired for 120V (aka 115V, aka 110V). We've done over a dozen loads now, of all types of clothing and bedding, and couldn't be more pleased with how well it operates. I'm half tempted to just keep it at 120V because it works so well, but I know that it's less efficient, as the house furnace has to heat more makeup air when the dryer runs longer.

Anyone know why Maytag (and others) didn't make ALL dryers just sense the fabric moisture this way, like the 806s? It seems simple, and it works very well as far as I can see...

 

[charles99]

This is useful information! Any tips?

This is useful information! Any tips on getting the top/front off of this machine?