I bought a Bosch tumble dryer 2 years ago. The appliance seller
installed it with a flexible exhaust tube. Six months ago it broke and
the heating element had to be replaced. The repairman said that I had
to exchange the flexible tube for a fixed hard plastic tube. He said
that each 90 degree bend adds 4.5 meters to the length of the tube and
there are three such bends, putting the length well over the maximum
allowable 7 meters. He also said the tube needed massive amounts of
lint removal. I removed the lint and began using the dryer again,
thinking it had worked fine for a year and a half in such condition,
why wouldn't it work for another 1.5. Well, it "broke" again in three
months--overheated. All I had to do was hit the reset button, of
course. But now what? I called the appliance company to see if they'd
do the fixed tube installation and they advised against it, saying that
they had seen problems like this continue even with a hard plastic
exhaust vent. They suggested that I purchase a unit with a "condenser"
on the back. What do you think? Switch out the flexible for a fixed
tube or buy a new machine? (By the way, the machine is in my toddler's
room, if that changes your advice.) Any advice is appreciated.

jmj wrote:
I bought a Bosch tumble dryer 2 years ago. The appliance seller
installed it with a flexible exhaust tube. Six months ago it broke and
the heating element had to be replaced. The repairman said that I had
to exchange the flexible tube for a fixed hard plastic tube. He said
that each 90 degree bend adds 4.5 meters to the length of the tube and
there are three such bends, putting the length well over the maximum
allowable 7 meters. He also said the tube needed massive amounts of
lint removal. I removed the lint and began using the dryer again,
thinking it had worked fine for a year and a half in such condition,
why wouldn't it work for another 1.5. Well, it "broke" again in three
months--overheated. All I had to do was hit the reset button, of
course. But now what? I called the appliance company to see if they'd
do the fixed tube installation and they advised against it, saying that
they had seen problems like this continue even with a hard plastic
exhaust vent. They suggested that I purchase a unit with a "condenser"
on the back. What do you think? Switch out the flexible for a fixed
tube or buy a new machine? (By the way, the machine is in my toddler's
room, if that changes your advice.) Any advice is appreciated.

I would guess that some kind of additional in-line fan would work
and/or maybe a slightly bigger hose. Is the hose clogged up with lint
again?

...or I guess use a washing line :-)

They suggested that I purchase a unit with a "condenser" on
the back.

Having used both types, I would never buy a vented tumble dryer again.
Condensors rule. I've never seen a satisfactory vented installation where it
doesn't trip out overheating, or where the hose doesn't kink and get caught.
Obviously, it isn't the cheap option.

Christian.