Whirlpool Dryer Rescued from the Scrap Metal Yard.

[combo52]

WP Built Compact Dryers

These never got very fancy, a few KM versions did get a temperature selector switch, and and 240 volt versions often got a time-temperature auto-dry cycles. The 120 volt dryers did not really need a temperature control as the maximum heat on a 120 volt dryer is not likely to ever damage clothing.

Since the DOE has required all clothes dryers sold in the last 10 years or more to have an auto dry cycle, WP opted to add the electronic sensor system that they use on many of their large to all 120 volt versions of these dryers. This feature can be added to 240 volt and gas versions of this dryer if you are handy and clever. It is also fairly easy to convert the 120 volt versions to 240 volts by changing the heating element and a few other simple wiring modifications.

Note they never made these compact dryers in 110 volts as the US switched to 115 and then to 120 volts long before these dryers were ever made.

The very rare models with the window door are a John & Jeff modification only available at extra cost, LOL.

John L.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

LOL! I didn't know that was a Lefever option...

 

[Ultramatic]

Whirlpool '80's Dryer

 

 

After a thorough cleaning.

 



 



 

New foam gasket installed.

 



 

 

[Ultramatic]

'80's Whirlpool Dryer Reassembly

 

 

Motor cleaned, oiled and reinstalled.

 



 



 

Rear is complete.

 



 

 

 

[hippiedoll]

lookin' good......

ultramatic, lookin' good!!! now that's what i'm talkin' about!!! i knew you were gonna get it looking all spiffied up & shining!!!

DAMN! that looks good!!!

)

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Thanks Christina!

Believe it or not, I plan to finish the dryer later today.

 

[Ultramatic]

'80's Whirlpool Dryer Reassembly

 

 

I gave the dryer a short test and I noticed the heating element comes on instantly, to full power within seconds. Unlike the other dryers that are more leisurely. Was this an actual improvement in performance or are the '72 and '74 dryers need to be looked into. Wouldn't mind if they had the same performance.

 

[ovrphil]

Louie, you gotta get that J&J mod in front on door and then in the back, so you can view your handiwork. Mirror on wall for sexy rear end shots. Sorry, couldn't resist verbage. Looking good, as usual...

 

[Ultramatic]

Thanks Phil...

 

 

Yeah, eventually am going to get that windowed door.

 

[Ultramatic]

'80's Whirlpool Dryer Reassembly

 

 

 

First test run of motor after cleaning.

Notice how bright the heating element gets.

 



 

 

[this post was last edited: 3/18/2014-03:35]

 

[Ultramatic]

'80's Whirlpool Dryer Reassembly

 

 

First test run after cleaning. Now notice the heating element. It's a lot dimmer. Like the other Whirlpools. The only thing different is that the drum has been added.

 

 

[Ultramatic]

'80's Whirlpool Dryer Reassembly

 

 

All finished!

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Couldn't resist, even though the washer is a slightly different shade and vintage.

 



 



 

 

[gansky1]

Another good looking portable, you'll be the king of laundry portability soon!

 

[combo52]

Conpact WP Dryers

Yay another one saved Louie,

The chain that is mentioned on the racks sticker was to be attached to the wall behind the rack and to the rack to keep the whole thing from tipping over if you decide to try hanging from the open dryer door.

The newer style heater, which is much smaller in length gets much hotter than the older dryers heater where they actually used a 5600 watt 240 volt element and ran it on 120 volts, even though both types put out the exactly same 1400 watts when run on 120 volts.

John L.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Thanks Gan!

 

John, any reason why the element doesn't get so hot, so quickly now that I reinstalled the drum? Check out the videos and you'll see what I mean. Without the drum, red hot super fast, with the drum, slow and dim. Did I reinstall something wrong?

 

And thanks! Looking forward to seeing you and Jeff this Saturday!

 

[hippiedoll]

you did an amazing job!!!

there louie!!!
WOW!!!!

and i KNEW it was just a matter of time before we see the pictures of the washer, dryer & rack all set up!!! i was actually hoping to see it soon!!! LOL.....

that little set up looks really snazzy!!!

you know, you really do an "OUTTA SIGHT" job with getting the portable dryers all spiffied up!!! i can't even imagine the great sense of accomplishment you must feel when you get done with each dryer. they look brand new!!!

thanks for sharing your progress louie.

)

and that is strange....
why did the heating elements get so hot & bright without the drum on??? but when you had everything assembled, the heating element didn't look as bright & hot as it did.

 

[akronman]

element

With the dis-assembled dryer for test purposes, you arent getting much, if any, airflow over the element, so it can get real hot real quick. When fully assembled with the drum installed, even if you have the door open for pictures while it's running, the blower will pull a decent amount of air over the coils, properly pulling the heat into the drum instead of letting it build up and get cherry red glowing. Then, with the door closed, you've got approx 100% of the airflow pulling air over the element. That way it may glow a bit, but not much, and the correct overall airflow from intake over the element, into the drum, thru the clothes, out the back right perf area, down to the blower and out of the cabinet will all work as designed.

It's wise to test elements and such while re-assembling, but not for long. The airflow and safety issues are wrong for more than a quick test.

 

[hippiedoll]

that makes sense....

thank you for the detailed explanation akronman. i can actually see it happening, the way you explained & described it. and it totally makes sense to me. thank you for making it very easy to understand. cuz i was like, "huh, how come???".

thanks again akronman.

;o)

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Hey thanks Christina. I just love that rack. Going to make a big difference when I finally build my laundry closet.

 

You're right Mark. Makes total sense why the heating element was heating up so quickly. Thanks!

 

 

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Well, the mid-80's Whirlpool dryer has died. According to it current owner it does nothing when switched on. It's seen heavy use without fail since it left my hands some years ago. Could it be the power switch went bad?