I'm after some suggestions for delaying the startup of our White Knight condensing tumble dryer, (in order to take advantage of economy 7 electrickery).
A simple plug in time switch won't work as the dryer has a momentary action push switch that has to be pressed to start the drying cycle. I see from other Google results that wedging in the start button, (and using a timer), also doesn't work as the unit then doesn't switch off when the automatic dryness detector determines that the clothes are dry, (although to be honest I've not tried that myself).
Crucially, the solution needs to be SWMBO compatable.
Any ideas?

On 17/09/2012 13:35, pepper wrote:
I'm after some suggestions for delaying the startup of our White Knight condensing tumble dryer, (in order to take advantage of economy 7 electrickery).
A simple plug in time switch won't work as the dryer has a momentary action push switch that has to be pressed to start the drying cycle. I see from other Google results that wedging in the start button, (and using a timer), also doesn't work as the unit then doesn't switch off when the automatic dryness detector determines that the clothes are dry, (although to be honest I've not tried that myself).
Crucially, the solution needs to be SWMBO compatable.
Any ideas?


If you start the dryer, then power it off at the socket, does it resume,
or still need the button pressed?

--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

On Sep 17, 1:35*pm, pepper wrote:
I'm after some suggestions for delaying the startup of our White Knight condensing tumble dryer, (in order to take advantage of economy 7 electrickery).
A simple plug in time switch won't work as the dryer has a momentary action push switch that has to be pressed to start the drying cycle. *I see from other Google results that wedging in the start button, (and using a timer), also doesn't work as the unit then doesn't switch off when the automatic dryness detector determines that the clothes are dry, (although to be honest I've not tried that myself).
Crucially, the solution needs to be SWMBO compatable.
Any ideas?

Line drying, more energy efficient

Buy a new tumble that doesn't have a start switch and Ebay the one you
have?

Heath Robinson job involving a solenoid and a simple circuit?

Philip

On 17/09/2012 13:35, pepper wrote:
I'm after some suggestions for delaying the startup of our White Knight condensing tumble dryer, (in order to take advantage of economy 7 electrickery).

Implying, presumably, that you want to use the tumble dryer either when
you're asleep in bed, or away from the house.

Given that AFAIK tumble dryers, along with a few other appliances like
washing machines and dishwashers, are high on the list of causes of
house fires.... is that a good idea?

David

Chris Hogg wrote:
On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 05:35:19 -0700 (PDT), pepper
wrote:

I'm after some suggestions for delaying the startup of our White
Knight condensing tumble dryer, (in order to take advantage of
economy 7 electrickery).
A simple plug in time switch won't work as the dryer has a momentary
action push switch that has to be pressed to start the drying cycle.
I see from other Google results that wedging in the start button,
(and using a timer), also doesn't work as the unit then doesn't
switch off when the automatic dryness detector determines that the
clothes are dry, (although to be honest I've not tried that myself).
Crucially, the solution needs to be SWMBO compatable.
Any ideas?

Most time switches have an override button. Press it. Set the tumble
dryer going. Immediately press the override button on the time switch
again to set it back to normal timed switching. Next morning: dry
clothes.

That's what we do with both the washing machine and the dish washer
for Economy & use.

Might work but I think most appliances like this use a latching relay that
will "unlatch" once the power is interrupted. Consequently, it'll still
need the start button re-pressed.

I think the only way will be to hack into the dryer's wiring.

Tim

On 17/09/2012 16:16, Tim+ wrote:
Chris Hogg wrote:
On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 05:35:19 -0700 (PDT), pepper
wrote:

I'm after some suggestions for delaying the startup of our White
Knight condensing tumble dryer, (in order to take advantage of
economy 7 electrickery).
A simple plug in time switch won't work as the dryer has a momentary
action push switch that has to be pressed to start the drying cycle.
I see from other Google results that wedging in the start button,
(and using a timer), also doesn't work as the unit then doesn't
switch off when the automatic dryness detector determines that the
clothes are dry, (although to be honest I've not tried that myself).
Crucially, the solution needs to be SWMBO compatable.
Any ideas?

Most time switches have an override button. Press it. Set the tumble
dryer going. Immediately press the override button on the time switch
again to set it back to normal timed switching. Next morning: dry
clothes.

That's what we do with both the washing machine and the dish washer
for Economy & use.

Might work but I think most appliances like this use a latching relay
that will "unlatch" once the power is interrupted. Consequently, it'll
still need the start button re-pressed.

I think the only way will be to hack into the dryer's wiring.

Tim

A circuit that will operate a relay wired across the current switch for
a couple of seconds after power up (Probably after a short delay) would
work - maybe with a switch to enable/disable it "Manual and Auto" - The
power button may be more than just a single press to make switch though.

--
Toby...
Remove pants to reply

On 17/09/2012 16:16, Tim+ wrote:
Chris Hogg wrote:


Most time switches have an override button. Press it. Set the tumble
dryer going. Immediately press the override button on the time switch
again to set it back to normal timed switching. Next morning: dry
clothes.

That's what we do with both the washing machine and the dish washer
for Economy & use.

Might work but I think most appliances like this use a latching relay
that will "unlatch" once the power is interrupted. Consequently, it'll
still need the start button re-pressed.

I think the only way will be to hack into the dryer's wiring.

Tim

How about a programmable robot to press the button?
--
Cheers,
Roger
____________
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:38:56 +0100, Lobster
wrote:

Given that AFAIK tumble dryers, along with a few other appliances like
washing machines and dishwashers, are high on the list of causes of
house fires.... is that a good idea?

I've heard stories of tumble dryers catching fire, I can see how they
could overheat, but I didn't realise dishwashers and washing machines
did too. What goes wrong with them? An electrical fault?

I think I have the same dryer as the OP and I did use E7 for the
washing machine and dishwasher and thought about using E7 for the
tumble dryer too but it was the thought of fire whilst I was in bed
that stopped me pursuing this.

I have heard of fridges starting fires and that is a worry as you
cannot switch them off over night or when you go out.

OTOH how many white goods catch fire? If there were too many, they
would not be sold.

On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:16:45 +0100, "Tim+"
wrote:

Might work but I think most appliances like this use a latching relay that
will "unlatch" once the power is interrupted. Consequently, it'll still
need the start button re-pressed.

Whilst my washing machine and dishwasher do "remember" where they were
before a power cut and carry on when the power is restored, my tumble
dryer does not and I think I have the same/similar model of tumble
drier to the OP. Perhaps it is a safety feature to prevent it
switching on unattended after a power cut?

On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:55:57 +0100, Toby
wrote:

A circuit that will operate a relay wired across the current switch for
a couple of seconds after power up

Hi,

I thought about doing exactly this to my WK tumble dryer. I was going
to put a relay across the terminals of the push switch and have the
time switch activate the relay briefly when I wanted the dryer to
start.

That way you could still use the switch to start the dryer manually.

But I never got round to doing it ;(

On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 05:35:19 -0700 (PDT), pepper
wrote:

I'm after some suggestions for delaying the startup of our White Knight con=
densing tumble dryer, (in order to take advantage of economy 7

I think I have the same/similar model. How do you find it?

Now we have moved house it is in a small utility room, so although the
condenser removes the dampness from the air, sometimes it gets too hot
and I find myself switching on the extractor fan, which seems to
defeat the purpose of having a dryer that is not ducted!

If it is drying towels I sometimes find the condenser cannot cope and
the room does become damp and the fan goes on again.

I hear you can now get heat pump dryers. Are they much cheaper to run?
I might look into those when I need a new one.

"Lobster" wrote in message
...
On 17/09/2012 13:35, pepper wrote:
I'm after some suggestions for delaying the startup of our White Knight
condensing tumble dryer, (in order to take advantage of economy 7
electrickery).

Implying, presumably, that you want to use the tumble dryer either when
you're asleep in bed, or away from the house.

Given that AFAIK tumble dryers, along with a few other appliances like
washing machines and dishwashers, are high on the list of causes of house
fires.... is that a good idea?

David


Good point but I've been doing this (starting at night for Eco-7) for 15
years now with no problems. BUT I'm a stickler for cleaning out all the
filters and vents regularly (filters, before every single dry!). I've also
got the dryer at the rear of the house in an extension with smoke and fire
detectors between it and the nearest bed room. Did I mention that I'm a
light sleeper too?

Paul DS.

On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 8:25:57 AM UTC+1, Fred wrote:
On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:38:56 +0100, Lobster

davidlobsterpot601 wrote:



Given that AFAIK tumble dryers, along with a few other appliances like

washing machines and dishwashers, are high on the list of causes of

house fires.... is that a good idea?



I've heard stories of tumble dryers catching fire, I can see how they

could overheat, but I didn't realise dishwashers and washing machines

did too. What goes wrong with them? An electrical fault?



I think I have the same dryer as the OP and I did use E7 for the

washing machine and dishwasher and thought about using E7 for the

tumble dryer too but it was the thought of fire whilst I was in bed

that stopped me pursuing this.



I have heard of fridges starting fires and that is a worry as you

cannot switch them off over night or when you go out.



OTOH how many white goods catch fire? If there were too many, they

would not be sold.

There are 69,000 house fires a year in the UK

I don't see much point in tumble dryers. Most other methods of drying use a small fraction the energy and don't damage clothes.


NT

On 18/09/2012 08:50, Paul D Smith wrote:
"Lobster" wrote in message
...
On 17/09/2012 13:35, pepper wrote:
I'm after some suggestions for delaying the startup of our White
Knight condensing tumble dryer, (in order to take advantage of
economy 7 electrickery).

Implying, presumably, that you want to use the tumble dryer either
when you're asleep in bed, or away from the house.

Given that AFAIK tumble dryers, along with a few other appliances like
washing machines and dishwashers, are high on the list of causes of
house fires.... is that a good idea?

David


Good point but I've been doing this (starting at night for Eco-7) for 15
years now with no problems. BUT I'm a stickler for cleaning out all the
filters and vents regularly (filters, before every single dry!). I've
also got the dryer at the rear of the house in an extension with smoke
and fire detectors between it and the nearest bed room. Did I mention
that I'm a light sleeper too?

Paul DS.

Also, many washing machines and dishwashers have built-in timers to
allow a delayed start to take advantage of off-peak tariffs. Surely,
manufacturers wouldn't do this if this was a *serious* fire risk.
--
Cheers,
Roger
____________
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

On 18/09/2012 08:25, Fred wrote:
On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:38:56 +0100, Lobster
wrote:

Given that AFAIK tumble dryers, along with a few other appliances like
washing machines and dishwashers, are high on the list of causes of
house fires.... is that a good idea?

I've heard stories of tumble dryers catching fire, I can see how they
could overheat, but I didn't realise dishwashers and washing machines
did too. What goes wrong with them? An electrical fault?

Dunno, but washing machines and tumble driers are flagged he
http://www.esc.org.uk/stakeholder/po...ch/statistics/ (way
behing "cooking appliances", which is no surprise)

And St Helens Fire Station watch manager Jim Brammeier says "We advise
people not to leave tumble dryers, washing machines and dishwashers
running while they are out of the house - or at night or while they are
sleeping."
http://www.sthelensreporter.co.uk/ne...laze-1-4667449
So there...

And Which? concurs, so it must be true... in seriousness, that link also
mentions that they are most likely to catch fire due to faults as
opposed to misuse or accident - as is the case with most cooking
appliance fires. That's the factoid which I find most relevant.

David

"Lobster" wrote in message
news
And Which? concurs, so it must be true... in seriousness, that link also
mentions that they are most likely to catch fire due to faults as opposed
to misuse or accident - as is the case with most cooking appliance fires.
That's the factoid which I find most relevant.

All that shows is that its harder to abuse some appliances than others.
It would be pretty obvious that an error with a cooker is more likely to
cause a fire than an error with a washing machine.
Its typical of Which to state the bleeding obvious IME.

In article , Lobster davidlobsterpot6
scribeth thus
On 18/09/2012 08:25, Fred wrote:
On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:38:56 +0100, Lobster
wrote:

Given that AFAIK tumble dryers, along with a few other appliances like
washing machines and dishwashers, are high on the list of causes of
house fires.... is that a good idea?

I've heard stories of tumble dryers catching fire, I can see how they
could overheat, but I didn't realise dishwashers and washing machines
did too. What goes wrong with them? An electrical fault?

Dunno, but washing machines and tumble driers are flagged he
http://www.esc.org.uk/stakeholder/po...ch/statistics/ (way
behing "cooking appliances", which is no surprise)

And St Helens Fire Station watch manager Jim Brammeier says "We advise
people not to leave tumble dryers, washing machines and dishwashers
running while they are out of the house - or at night or while they are
sleeping."


We had a Hotpoint dishwasher start smoking some years ago, the back of
it was glowing red. It went outside faster than our cat spying a mouse..

Wouldn't give that make house room anymore!...


http://www.sthelensreporter.co.uk/ne...lowing-tumble-
dryer-blaze-1-4667449
So there...

And Which? concurs, so it must be true... in seriousness, that link also
mentions that they are most likely to catch fire due to faults as
opposed to misuse or accident - as is the case with most cooking
appliance fires. That's the factoid which I find most relevant.

David




--
Tony Sayer

On Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:16:03 +0100, tony sayer wrote:


We had a Hotpoint dishwasher start smoking some years ago, the back of
it was glowing red. It went outside faster than our cat spying a mouse..

Wouldn't give that make house room anymore!...

Ditto, if you want your food cooking choose a Hotpoint frost free fridge
freezer.


--

On 18/09/2012 08:25, Fred wrote:
On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:38:56 +0100, Lobster
wrote:

Given that AFAIK tumble dryers, along with a few other appliances like
washing machines and dishwashers, are high on the list of causes of
house fires.... is that a good idea?

I've heard stories of tumble dryers catching fire, I can see how they
could overheat, but I didn't realise dishwashers and washing machines
did too. What goes wrong with them? An electrical fault?

I think I have the same dryer as the OP and I did use E7 for the
washing machine and dishwasher and thought about using E7 for the
tumble dryer too but it was the thought of fire whilst I was in bed
that stopped me pursuing this.

I have heard of fridges starting fires and that is a worry as you
cannot switch them off over night or when you go out.

Indeed. Friends of ours had their home entirely gutted, all their photos
and other irreplaceable possessions destroyed and their dog killed a few
weeks ago by a fire started by a fridge/freezer. It was a Beko and I
don't know what model it was, but do know that a year or more ago,
hundreds of thousands of Bekos were found to be likely to cause a fire.

OTOH how many white goods catch fire? If there were too many, they
would not be sold.

I don't personally know anyone else it has happened to.

SteveW

On 18/09/2012 09:36, wrote:
On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 8:25:57 AM UTC+1, Fred wrote:
On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:38:56 +0100, Lobster

davidlobsterpot601 wrote:



Given that AFAIK tumble dryers, along with a few other appliances like

washing machines and dishwashers, are high on the list of causes of

house fires.... is that a good idea?



I've heard stories of tumble dryers catching fire, I can see how they

could overheat, but I didn't realise dishwashers and washing machines

did too. What goes wrong with them? An electrical fault?



I think I have the same dryer as the OP and I did use E7 for the

washing machine and dishwasher and thought about using E7 for the

tumble dryer too but it was the thought of fire whilst I was in bed

that stopped me pursuing this.



I have heard of fridges starting fires and that is a worry as you

cannot switch them off over night or when you go out.



OTOH how many white goods catch fire? If there were too many, they

would not be sold.

There are 69,000 house fires a year in the UK

I don't see much point in tumble dryers. Most other methods of drying use a small fraction the energy and don't damage clothes.

The point of them is that when you are two adults with three young
children and it's been raining all summer, but is too warm to put the
radiators and gas fire on, you can still get clothes and uniforms washed
and dried in time for when they are needed!

SteveW

In article ,
SteveW wrote:
On 18/09/2012 08:25, Fred wrote:
On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:38:56 +0100, Lobster
wrote:

Given that AFAIK tumble dryers, along with a few other appliances like
washing machines and dishwashers, are high on the list of causes of
house fires.... is that a good idea?

I've heard stories of tumble dryers catching fire, I can see how they
could overheat, but I didn't realise dishwashers and washing machines
did too. What goes wrong with them? An electrical fault?

I think I have the same dryer as the OP and I did use E7 for the
washing machine and dishwasher and thought about using E7 for the
tumble dryer too but it was the thought of fire whilst I was in bed
that stopped me pursuing this.

I have heard of fridges starting fires and that is a worry as you
cannot switch them off over night or when you go out.

Indeed. Friends of ours had their home entirely gutted, all their photos
and other irreplaceable possessions destroyed and their dog killed a few
weeks ago by a fire started by a fridge/freezer. It was a Beko and I
don't know what model it was, but do know that a year or more ago,
hundreds of thousands of Bekos were found to be likely to cause a fire.

OTOH how many white goods catch fire? If there were too many, they
would not be sold.

I don't personally know anyone else it has happened to.

one of my music class mates had her dishwasher catch fire overnight.
Luckily, there was a smoke alarm in the kitchen and they managed to put out
the fire before it did too much damage.

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

On 17/09/2012 16:55, Toby wrote:

On my _washing_ machine, which now has the compulsory switch off if not
in use, it's one push of a button to turn on the power, a press of
another button to start the cycle. After applying power it may be a
sequence of events that is required.

I have a battery charger (for a drill) that's even worse. It only
activates when inserting the battery. Once charged it stop charging
forever, but still runs hot. The battery will start self discharging.
Turning the mains off/on doesn't start a charge cycle so an external
timer cannot be used to force a periodic top-up.

--
mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 5:51:21 PM UTC+1, SteveW wrote:
On 18/09/2012 09:36, meow2222 wrote:

On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 8:25:57 AM UTC+1, Fred wrote:

On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:38:56 +0100, Lobster



davidlobsterpot601 wrote:







Given that AFAIK tumble dryers, along with a few other appliances like



washing machines and dishwashers, are high on the list of causes of



house fires.... is that a good idea?







I've heard stories of tumble dryers catching fire, I can see how they



could overheat, but I didn't realise dishwashers and washing machines



did too. What goes wrong with them? An electrical fault?







I think I have the same dryer as the OP and I did use E7 for the



washing machine and dishwasher and thought about using E7 for the



tumble dryer too but it was the thought of fire whilst I was in bed



that stopped me pursuing this.







I have heard of fridges starting fires and that is a worry as you



cannot switch them off over night or when you go out.







OTOH how many white goods catch fire? If there were too many, they



would not be sold.



There are 69,000 house fires a year in the UK



I don't see much point in tumble dryers. Most other methods of drying use a small fraction the energy and don't damage clothes.



The point of them is that when you are two adults with three young

children and it's been raining all summer, but is too warm to put the

radiators and gas fire on, you can still get clothes and uniforms washed

and dried in time for when they are needed!



SteveW

Since one can do that trivially with no tumble dryer, it does seem to leave them pointless.


NT

On Sep 23, 9:07*am, wrote:
On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 5:51:21 PM UTC+1, SteveW wrote:
On 18/09/2012 09:36, meow2222 wrote:

On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 8:25:57 AM UTC+1, Fred wrote:

On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:38:56 +0100, Lobster

davidlobsterpot601 wrote:

Given that AFAIK tumble dryers, along with a few other appliances like

washing machines and dishwashers, are high on the list of causes of

house fires.... is that a good idea?

I've heard stories of tumble dryers catching fire, I can see how they

could overheat, but I didn't realise dishwashers and washing machines

did too. What goes wrong with them? An electrical fault?

I think I have the same dryer as the OP and I did use E7 for the

washing machine and dishwasher and thought about using E7 for the

tumble dryer too but it was the thought of fire whilst I was in bed

that stopped me pursuing this.

I have heard of fridges starting fires and that is a worry as you

cannot switch them off over night or when you go out.

OTOH how many white goods catch fire? If there were too many, they

would not be sold.

There are 69,000 house fires a year in the UK

I don't see much point in tumble dryers. Most other methods of drying use a small fraction the energy and don't damage clothes.

The point of them is that when you are two adults with three young

children and it's been raining all summer, but is too warm to put the

radiators and gas fire on, you can still get clothes and uniforms washed

and dried in time for when they are needed!

SteveW

Since one can do that trivially with no tumble dryer, it does seem to leave them pointless.

NT

And how would you do that when it is raining outdoors and you have
very little space indoors and do so without causing damp?

replying to Toby, Big Ginger wrote:
I thought of wedging the on switch as well, and setting the timer to switch
off after say 1 hour or 1/2 hour. but is it dangerous to wedge the switch on?

--
for full context, visit http://www.homeownershub.com/uk-diy/...er-834509-.htm