Maytag DE313: how does auto dry work?

[dlb]

Hi, I have a Maytag DE313 that uses an auto dry function. It seems like it senses how dry the laundry in it is and shuts off automatically. My question is, how does this work? What kind of sensor does it have to figure out how dry laundry is? I'm asking because sometimes it seems like it's not functioning properly, like it would just keep drying forever, but most of the time it works fine.

Thanks!

 

[qsd-dan]

 

[qsd-dan]

like it would just keep drying forever,

Where is the dryer located?

Thermostatic autodry works best inside the home in ambient temperatures (about 68F-75F). Below 60F, the dryer may continue to run forever without shutting off. Above 100F the dryer can prematurely shut off with damp clothes.

Being that you're located Canada and it's winter, if the dryer is located in the garage, it may never shut off. Best to use timed dry in this case. Electronic control drying (uses a sensor strip) doesn't have this problem.

I don't have the specs for the short lived 13 series machines, but I'm 90% sure your 313 is thermostatic autodry.

 

[bajaespuma]

Thank you

That video was one of the clearest explanations/demonstrations of the AUTOMATIC cycle. Now I understand what GE's COMPENSATED CONTROL was about.

 

[combo52]

Time/temperature auto dry cycles

Yes, thanks Dan this was a good video. It clearly shows how they work. It also shows that auto dry is not great for one item. Sometimes it’ll shut off too soon. Where is electronic sensors will compensate better next.

Hi Ken, even though GE compensated dry control is a time temperature system. It’s actually quite a bit more advanced than this Frigidaire dryer is. In the compensated dry cycle there is a operating thermostat that has a resistor assembled to the thermostat and the advantage of this is you can set the auto dry cycle for 120 208 or 240 V so that the auto dry will work properly no matter what the voltage and in addition it also helps compensate for room temperature if you were operating the dryer in a 50° room or 100° room it’s still worked quite accurately , with this GE system you used the same starting point, regardless of load size and it worked quite well.

John

 

[dlb]

thank you!

Wow, that video did a great job of explaining how auto dry works! Thank you qsd-dan.

Yep this dryer is thermostatic autodry, and it's in the laundry room in the house. I'll do some testing in the future to see if it's just wetter laundry loads causing the longer run time, or if one of the electrical components is faulty.

 

[goatfarmer]

Long dry times are sometimes a plugged vent.

 

[maytag85]

Not sure of this would be a culprit, but the high limit thermostat may possibly be getting weak. Usually it’ll keep the heat on with smaller to medium loads of laundry, but will kick the heat off with larger loads since the heating element is on for longer. Restricted venting plays a role in the high limit thermostat getting weak, but after many years of use, sometimes they plain just get tired and worn out.

 

[wayupnorth]

My 1984 LDE410 has auto-dry and it has worked perfect for nearly 40 years. Regardless of the load, I set it on less dry every time and everything comes out fine. I do notice a lighter fabric load dries much quicker than a heavier load.