Hi all,

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer and assuming the realistic repair timetable
exceeds our clothes drying schedule, we may be in need of a
replacement. ;-(

We have repaired it a few times now, from new bearings in the motor, I
turned a new belt tension / idler, replaced the rear bearing spigot
(they actually make / sell that bit saving having to replace the whole
drum) and a couple of drive belts. It currently also needs the front
felt drum-seal and we have that waiting to go on.

The problem we had last time when looking for a replacement machine
was actually finding something that was vented and with a vent port on
the LHS and wasn't likely to self combust. ;-(

So, where are we now with condensing / de-humidifying (non gas) dryers
please?

If any waste heat came into the kitchen, rather than being blown
outside then that would be ok (especially in the winter g) and we
already have a dehumidifier out there (again for the winter) that we
could turn on if any new condenser dryer didn't condense all it's
moisture. The tumble dryer also sits over the washing machine (on a
shelf) and so we could easily plumb-in the condensate drain.

Daughter recently bought us a Bosch washing machine to replace the
Zanussi we salvaged from being scrapped (at 13 months old, from
Freecycle) after that finally died after about 8 years or so.

So, makes, models, suppliers and personal recommendations please?

Cheers, T i m

T i m wrote:

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer

It might be helpful to use the "piece of cord" trick to open the door
while waiting for a replacement ...

https://youtu.be/a2R_16778MA

On Wed, 27 Dec 2017 21:55:34 +0000, Andy Burns
wrote:

T i m wrote:

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer

It might be helpful to use the "piece of cord" trick to open the door
while waiting for a replacement ...

https://youtu.be/a2R_16778MA

Spooky ... we (daughter and I) worked that trick out before looking
here again (with a piece of Xmas parcel ribbon). ;-)

That wasn't till we had stripped it down to see if we could release it
from inside first of course (you couldn't).

However, I knew that if I could get the door open and the latch /
handle replaced I would need to replace the front felt seal / bearing
so we did that whilst we were there.

The original seal had worn though and the drum had worn the plastic
slightly so we built it back up with some Kapton tape and fitted the
new seal.

We re-assembled it (easier with someone with strong hands rather than
arthritic ones as when the Mrs helps me) as we could get the motor
tension spring on and the belt fitted without having to pre-tension it
with a big cable tie or similar.

We stripped the door down and (gave it a clean) and re fitted the
catch and made it releasable with a cable tie for now. ;-)

I *might* look at fixing the old handle with a little bit of steel and
some small bolts but with a new one at about 7 quid delivered ...

Thanks for that string trick though, that could have been a life-saver
and would have allowed us to get the clothes out and the catch bodged
without having to take it to bits (but I am glad we have as we did the
felt bearing etc). ;-)

Cheers, T i m

On 27/12/2017 21:55, Andy Burns wrote:
T i m wrote:

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer

It might be helpful to use the "piece of cord" trick to open the door
while waiting for a replacement ...

https://youtu.be/a2R_16778MA

Will that always work? How does it work? I would have thought that the
cord would do the same thing the handle does and any locking mechanism
be in the body of the washer. Or does it only work with *some* causes of
jamming, such as a broken handle?

--
Max Demian

On Thu, 28 Dec 2017 11:07:42 +0000, Max Demian
wrote:

On 27/12/2017 21:55, Andy Burns wrote:
T i m wrote:

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer

It might be helpful to use the "piece of cord" trick to open the door
while waiting for a replacement ...

https://youtu.be/a2R_16778MA

Will that always work? How does it work? I would have thought that the
cord would do the same thing the handle does and any locking mechanism
be in the body of the washer. Or does it only work with *some* causes of
jamming, such as a broken handle?

I would have thought it would work with any catch / lock that was
sprung loaded outwards, and especially where it was the handle that
was broken (as it was in our case).

Many of them are a simple spring loaded plastic 'barb' that hooks into
the body of the machine or a striker plate of some sort. With a
washing machine (or later TD than ours) there could also be solenoid
interlock but on our TD there is just a 'tang' on the door that goes
into the body to a micro switch that inhibits the motor when the door
is open. I'm not sure if then the 'string trick' would work as the
handle is also normally locked out?

Cheers, T i m

Max Demian wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

It might be helpful to use the "piece of cord" trick to open the door
while waiting for a replacement ...
https://youtu.be/a2R_16778MA

Will that always work?

I can only say it worked for me, and seems to work on several
hotpoint/ariston/indesit/whirlpool models according to youtube videos

How does it work? I would have thought that the
cord would do the same thing the handle does and any locking mechanism
be in the body of the washer.

It works by acting /directly/ on the locking hook

Or does it only work with *some* causes of
jamming, such as a broken handle?

Dunno

On 27/12/2017 21:07, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer and assuming the realistic repair timetable
exceeds our clothes drying schedule, we may be in need of a
replacement. ;-(

I'm genuinely surprised anyone is still using a vented tumble drier,
where a condensing one is so much more convenient and efficient.

I have one that also stops on the desired dryness as well. Again makes
for greater efficiency and not having wet or over-dried/melted clothes

On Wed, 27 Dec 2017 22:17:51 +0000, Fredxx wrote:

On 27/12/2017 21:07, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer and assuming the realistic repair timetable
exceeds our clothes drying schedule, we may be in need of a
replacement. ;-(

I'm genuinely surprised anyone is still using a vented tumble drier,
where a condensing one is so much more convenient and efficient.

I can see why it could be more efficient but not why it would be more
convenient? If it leaks humidity we may have to run the de-humidifier
and that reduces the efficiency a bit?

I have one that also stops on the desired dryness as well.

As did ours (although that bit isn't so reliable these days).

Again makes
for greater efficiency and not having wet or over-dried/melted clothes

Can't say we have seen that in the many many years we have had this
one.

The good thing is that now we have it running again we have at least
bought ourselves some time to find a good replacement.

Or ... make that heat exchanger I was going to put in the exhaust ...
;-)

Cheers, T i m

On 28/12/2017 01:20, T i m wrote:
On Wed, 27 Dec 2017 22:17:51 +0000, Fredxx wrote:

On 27/12/2017 21:07, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer and assuming the realistic repair timetable
exceeds our clothes drying schedule, we may be in need of a
replacement. ;-(

I'm genuinely surprised anyone is still using a vented tumble drier,
where a condensing one is so much more convenient and efficient.

I can see why it could be more efficient but not why it would be more
convenient? If it leaks humidity we may have to run the de-humidifier
and that reduces the efficiency a bit?

I find mine leaks very little. If I use conditioner its not obvious
until I open the door.

I have one that also stops on the desired dryness as well.

As did ours (although that bit isn't so reliable these days).

Again makes
for greater efficiency and not having wet or over-dried/melted clothes

Can't say we have seen that in the many many years we have had this
one.

The good thing is that now we have it running again we have at least
bought ourselves some time to find a good replacement.

Well done.

Or ... make that heat exchanger I was going to put in the exhaust ...
;-)

I think one with a purpose built-in heat exchanger might be easier.

On Thu, 28 Dec 2017 01:54:03 +0000, Fredxx wrote:

On 28/12/2017 01:20, T i m wrote:
On Wed, 27 Dec 2017 22:17:51 +0000, Fredxx wrote:

On 27/12/2017 21:07, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer and assuming the realistic repair timetable
exceeds our clothes drying schedule, we may be in need of a
replacement. ;-(

I'm genuinely surprised anyone is still using a vented tumble drier,
where a condensing one is so much more convenient and efficient.

I can see why it could be more efficient but not why it would be more
convenient? If it leaks humidity we may have to run the de-humidifier
and that reduces the efficiency a bit?

I find mine leaks very little. If I use conditioner its not obvious
until I open the door.

Ok, that's good to know. I was reading up a little earlier and it was
suggesting that it might take the life span of a heat-pump dryer (~10
years) to save the extra cost over a condenser dryer. ;-(

snip

The good thing is that now we have it running again we have at least
bought ourselves some time to find a good replacement.

Well done.

Thanks. It was good that daughter helped as as I have said to her
before, I'll not be around for ever and being able to do such things
herself could help to save herself some money in the future.

I showed her the pulley I made and she took the door off and to bits
because she wanted to give it a good clean out. I thought we had
mislaid a little panel that covered the inside on the handle but she
looked at it closer and suggested there wasn't one (doh).

Or ... make that heat exchanger I was going to put in the exhaust ...
;-)

I think one with a purpose built-in heat exchanger might be easier.

Or better would be one that made better use of the heat but wasn't as
complicated or expensive as a heat pump type, especially if these
white goods don't seem to last as long as they once used to? ;-(

It's as if this old Zanussi was designed to be repaired as it comes to
bits pretty easily (once you know how etc) with no 'snap together'
parts.

I was really surprised to get a replacement spigot bearing (to save
having to replace the whole drum) and that's probably been in there
about 10 years now. You had to drill the rivets out and I just used SS
pan headed Allen screws and Nyloc nuts to put it back on and it
doesn't seem to have moved. ;-)

And it doesn't have any complicated digital programmers to go wrong or
the displays to fail on (when the rest of the machine is still working
fine).

As it seems we have this one working again, I wonder at what point it
would make sense to replace it with something more energy / cost
efficient?

Cheers, T i m

On 28/12/2017 03:11, T i m wrote:
On Thu, 28 Dec 2017 01:54:03 +0000, Fredxx wrote:

On 28/12/2017 01:20, T i m wrote:
On Wed, 27 Dec 2017 22:17:51 +0000, Fredxx wrote:

On 27/12/2017 21:07, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer and assuming the realistic repair timetable
exceeds our clothes drying schedule, we may be in need of a
replacement. ;-(

I'm genuinely surprised anyone is still using a vented tumble drier,
where a condensing one is so much more convenient and efficient.

I can see why it could be more efficient but not why it would be more
convenient? If it leaks humidity we may have to run the de-humidifier
and that reduces the efficiency a bit?

I find mine leaks very little. If I use conditioner its not obvious
until I open the door.

Ok, that's good to know. I was reading up a little earlier and it was
suggesting that it might take the life span of a heat-pump dryer (~10
years) to save the extra cost over a condenser dryer. ;-(

I looked at heat-pump tumble driers. As you say the payback period is
very long, especially in my case it's not in constant use. For a large
family it might become worthwhile.

Secondly, the drying time is much longer, and I want to retain the bulk
of my clothes as they are, rather than making more felt.

snip

The good thing is that now we have it running again we have at least
bought ourselves some time to find a good replacement.

Well done.

Thanks. It was good that daughter helped as as I have said to her
before, I'll not be around for ever and being able to do such things
herself could help to save herself some money in the future.

I showed her the pulley I made and she took the door off and to bits
because she wanted to give it a good clean out. I thought we had
mislaid a little panel that covered the inside on the handle but she
looked at it closer and suggested there wasn't one (doh).

Or ... make that heat exchanger I was going to put in the exhaust ...
;-)

I think one with a purpose built-in heat exchanger might be easier.

Or better would be one that made better use of the heat but wasn't as
complicated or expensive as a heat pump type, especially if these
white goods don't seem to last as long as they once used to? ;-(

If used when you would normally have heating on, it adds to the warmth
of the house. More costly than gas, but all the heat is dissipated into
the room.

It's as if this old Zanussi was designed to be repaired as it comes to
bits pretty easily (once you know how etc) with no 'snap together'
parts.

I was really surprised to get a replacement spigot bearing (to save
having to replace the whole drum) and that's probably been in there
about 10 years now. You had to drill the rivets out and I just used SS
pan headed Allen screws and Nyloc nuts to put it back on and it
doesn't seem to have moved. ;-)

And it doesn't have any complicated digital programmers to go wrong or
the displays to fail on (when the rest of the machine is still working
fine).

As it seems we have this one working again, I wonder at what point it
would make sense to replace it with something more energy / cost
efficient?

Zanussi appliances used to have a good name.

On 28/12/2017 01:20, T i m wrote:
If it leaks humidity we may have to run the de-humidifier
and that reduces the efficiency a bit?

AFAIK they all leak humidity.

I'd design it with a closed cycle air system. They don't seem to do that
- they heat fresh air, then cool it again on the way out to extract some
of the moisture. Not all of it.

Andy

On Mon, 1 Jan 2018 21:25:24 +0000, Vir Campestris
wrote:

On 28/12/2017 01:20, T i m wrote:
If it leaks humidity we may have to run the de-humidifier
and that reduces the efficiency a bit?

AFAIK they all leak humidity.

I'd design it with a closed cycle air system. They don't seem to do that
- they heat fresh air, then cool it again on the way out to extract some
of the moisture. Not all of it.

I think our vented TD also leaks a little bit of humidity but most of
that is probably because it's not pretty old and quite worn (felt
seals etc).

Luckily, dealing with the potential issues of condenser dryers can now
wait for a while as we got the old vented one going (again). ;-)

Cheers, T i m

On 27/12/2017 22:17, Fredxx wrote:
On 27/12/2017 21:07, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer and assuming the realistic repair timetable
exceeds our clothes drying schedule, we may be in need of a
replacement. ;-(

I'm genuinely surprised anyone is still using a vented tumble drier,
where a condensing one is so much more convenient and efficient.

I have one that also stops on the desired dryness as well. Again makes
for greater efficiency and not having wet or over-dried/melted clothes

Cost and reliability?

Both can have sensor drying.

--


Adam

On Wednesday, 27 December 2017 21:07:10 UTC, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer and assuming the realistic repair timetable
exceeds our clothes drying schedule, we may be in need of a
replacement. ;-(

We have repaired it a few times now, from new bearings in the motor, I
turned a new belt tension / idler, replaced the rear bearing spigot
(they actually make / sell that bit saving having to replace the whole
drum) and a couple of drive belts. It currently also needs the front
felt drum-seal and we have that waiting to go on.

The problem we had last time when looking for a replacement machine
was actually finding something that was vented and with a vent port on
the LHS and wasn't likely to self combust. ;-(

So, where are we now with condensing / de-humidifying (non gas) dryers
please?

If any waste heat came into the kitchen, rather than being blown
outside then that would be ok (especially in the winter g) and we
already have a dehumidifier out there (again for the winter) that we
could turn on if any new condenser dryer didn't condense all it's
moisture. The tumble dryer also sits over the washing machine (on a
shelf) and so we could easily plumb-in the condensate drain.

Daughter recently bought us a Bosch washing machine to replace the
Zanussi we salvaged from being scrapped (at 13 months old, from
Freecycle) after that finally died after about 8 years or so.

So, makes, models, suppliers and personal recommendations please?

Cheers, T i m

You'd get clothes dry with a fraction of the energy use by replacing the heating element with a vigorous fan. Do that and you don't need to worry about door seals, thermostats etc.


NT

On Wed, 27 Dec 2017 14:43:53 -0800 (PST), wrote:

snip

So, makes, models, suppliers and personal recommendations please?


You'd get clothes dry with a fraction of the energy use by replacing the heating element with a vigorous fan.

So why don't manufacturers make such a thing then?

Do that and you don't need to worry about door seals, thermostats etc.

I get the idea ... and personally I tend to run it on low temperature
as I think the drum motor / fan (same thing) draw less power than the
higher heater element and as long as you aren't in a hurry ...

Cheers, T i m

On 28/12/2017 01:23, T i m wrote:
On Wed, 27 Dec 2017 14:43:53 -0800 (PST), wrote:

snip

So, makes, models, suppliers and personal recommendations please?


You'd get clothes dry with a fraction of the energy use by replacing the heating element with a vigorous fan.

So why don't manufacturers make such a thing then?

Do that and you don't need to worry about door seals, thermostats etc.

I get the idea ... and personally I tend to run it on low temperature
as I think the drum motor / fan (same thing) draw less power than the
higher heater element and as long as you aren't in a hurry ...

The longer the tumble, the more felt you make.

Its not just a question of being in a hurry.

On Thursday, 28 December 2017 01:55:16 UTC, Fredxx wrote:
On 28/12/2017 01:23, T i m wrote:
On Wed, 27 Dec 2017 14:43:53 -0800 (PST), tabbypurr wrote:

So, makes, models, suppliers and personal recommendations please?


You'd get clothes dry with a fraction of the energy use by replacing the heating element with a vigorous fan.

So why don't manufacturers make such a thing then?

Do that and you don't need to worry about door seals, thermostats etc.

I get the idea ... and personally I tend to run it on low temperature
as I think the drum motor / fan (same thing) draw less power than the
higher heater element and as long as you aren't in a hurry ...

The longer the tumble, the more felt you make.

Its not just a question of being in a hurry.

The longer and the faster the revolving, ie the total number of twists & falls. That can be reduced by slowing tumble speed - a vigorous fan blows air through the clothes even when they're not falling through the air, so no need for anywhere near as much tumble & wear on the clothes.


NT

On Thursday, 28 December 2017 01:23:50 UTC, T i m wrote:
On Wed, 27 Dec 2017 14:43:53 -0800 (PST), tabbypurr wrote:

snip

So, makes, models, suppliers and personal recommendations please?


You'd get clothes dry with a fraction of the energy use by replacing the heating element with a vigorous fan.

So why don't manufacturers make such a thing then?

who knows. It does seem silly what they make. Hopefully someone will come along & kick their collective butts into the 21st century.

Do that and you don't need to worry about door seals, thermostats etc.

I get the idea ... and personally I tend to run it on low temperature
as I think the drum motor / fan (same thing) draw less power than the
higher heater element and as long as you aren't in a hurry ...

Cheers, T i m

If the fan is vigorous enough it's just as quick.


NT

On Wed, 27 Dec 2017 14:43:53 -0800 (PST), wrote:

snip

You'd get clothes dry with a fraction of the energy use by replacing the heating element with a vigorous fan. Do that and you don't need to worry about door seals, thermostats etc.

I also cleared the external exhaust port / grille / flap thing earlier
and she tells me it's all working well again. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

On 27/12/2017 22:43, wrote:
On Wednesday, 27 December 2017 21:07:10 UTC, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer and assuming the realistic repair timetable
exceeds our clothes drying schedule, we may be in need of a
replacement. ;-(

We have repaired it a few times now, from new bearings in the motor, I
turned a new belt tension / idler, replaced the rear bearing spigot
(they actually make / sell that bit saving having to replace the whole
drum) and a couple of drive belts. It currently also needs the front
felt drum-seal and we have that waiting to go on.

The problem we had last time when looking for a replacement machine
was actually finding something that was vented and with a vent port on
the LHS and wasn't likely to self combust. ;-(

So, where are we now with condensing / de-humidifying (non gas) dryers
please?

If any waste heat came into the kitchen, rather than being blown
outside then that would be ok (especially in the winter g) and we
already have a dehumidifier out there (again for the winter) that we
could turn on if any new condenser dryer didn't condense all it's
moisture. The tumble dryer also sits over the washing machine (on a
shelf) and so we could easily plumb-in the condensate drain.

Daughter recently bought us a Bosch washing machine to replace the
Zanussi we salvaged from being scrapped (at 13 months old, from
Freecycle) after that finally died after about 8 years or so.

So, makes, models, suppliers and personal recommendations please?

Cheers, T i m

You'd get clothes dry with a fraction of the energy use by replacing the heating element with a vigorous fan. Do that and you don't need to worry about door seals, thermostats etc.


You'll be telling us next that you cannot get pregnant if you have sex
whilst stood up.

--


Adam

On Saturday, 30 December 2017 21:55:42 UTC, ARW wrote:
On 27/12/2017 22:43, tabbypurr wrote:
On Wednesday, 27 December 2017 21:07:10 UTC, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

The door opening handle had just broken on our old Zanussi TD-534
vented tumble dryer and assuming the realistic repair timetable
exceeds our clothes drying schedule, we may be in need of a
replacement. ;-(

We have repaired it a few times now, from new bearings in the motor, I
turned a new belt tension / idler, replaced the rear bearing spigot
(they actually make / sell that bit saving having to replace the whole
drum) and a couple of drive belts. It currently also needs the front
felt drum-seal and we have that waiting to go on.

The problem we had last time when looking for a replacement machine
was actually finding something that was vented and with a vent port on
the LHS and wasn't likely to self combust. ;-(

So, where are we now with condensing / de-humidifying (non gas) dryers
please?

If any waste heat came into the kitchen, rather than being blown
outside then that would be ok (especially in the winter g) and we
already have a dehumidifier out there (again for the winter) that we
could turn on if any new condenser dryer didn't condense all it's
moisture. The tumble dryer also sits over the washing machine (on a
shelf) and so we could easily plumb-in the condensate drain.

Daughter recently bought us a Bosch washing machine to replace the
Zanussi we salvaged from being scrapped (at 13 months old, from
Freecycle) after that finally died after about 8 years or so.

So, makes, models, suppliers and personal recommendations please?

Cheers, T i m

You'd get clothes dry with a fraction of the energy use by replacing the heating element with a vigorous fan. Do that and you don't need to worry about door seals, thermostats etc.


You'll be telling us next that you cannot get pregnant if you have sex
whilst stood up.

Incorrect. Unlike you I've experimented with clothes drying by fans.


NT

On Sat, 30 Dec 2017 17:18:49 -0800 (PST), wrote:

snip

Incorrect. Unlike you I've experimented with clothes drying by fans.

You don't live near a wind farm do you and are confused what they are?
;-)

So, when we dry clothes outdoors we absorb energy from the environment
as the water evaporates. If we raise the airflow we also raise the
rate of evaporation and so also lower the temperature of the clothes
further (and how people make basic camping coolers with a rag and some
water).

So, if you were to blow air though a (moving?) container of clothes,
what would stop them cooling down to the point where they could
freeze? Worse if you were recycling the air?

Given both of our de-humidifiers (working on the same principal of a
liquid evaporating cooling a surface) often go into defrost mode if
they are in an unheated room in the winter, what is to stop the
clothes simply freezing up, if you don't introduce heat energy into
the system to stop that?

I don't know the answers, I'm just asking the questions? ;-)

Cheers, T i m

"T i m" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 30 Dec 2017 17:18:49 -0800 (PST), wrote:

snip

Incorrect. Unlike you I've experimented with clothes drying by fans.

You don't live near a wind farm do you and are confused what they are?
;-)

So, when we dry clothes outdoors we absorb energy from the environment
as the water evaporates. If we raise the airflow we also raise the
rate of evaporation and so also lower the temperature of the clothes
further (and how people make basic camping coolers with a rag and some
water).

So, if you were to blow air though a (moving?)
container of clothes, what would stop them cooling
down to the point where they could freeze?

Same thing that never sees camping coolers freeze.

Worse if you were recycling the air?

Nope, because once the air is saturated, it
doesn't evaporate any more from the clothes.

Given both of our de-humidifiers (working on the same
principal of a liquid evaporating cooling a surface) often
go into defrost mode if they are in an unheated room in the
winter, what is to stop the clothes simply freezing up, if you
don't introduce heat energy into the system to stop that?

Same thing that never sees camping coolers freeze.

I don't know the answers,

That's obvious.

I'm just asking the questions? ;-)

Stoppit at once or go to your room, boy.

On Sunday, 31 December 2017 01:56:20 UTC, T i m wrote:
On Sat, 30 Dec 2017 17:18:49 -0800 (PST), tabbypurr wrote:

snip

Incorrect. Unlike you I've experimented with clothes drying by fans.

You don't live near a wind farm do you and are confused what they are?
;-)

So, when we dry clothes outdoors we absorb energy from the environment
as the water evaporates. If we raise the airflow we also raise the
rate of evaporation and so also lower the temperature of the clothes
further (and how people make basic camping coolers with a rag and some
water).

So, if you were to blow air though a (moving?) container of clothes,
what would stop them cooling down to the point where they could
freeze? Worse if you were recycling the air?

Given both of our de-humidifiers (working on the same principal of a
liquid evaporating cooling a surface) often go into defrost mode if
they are in an unheated room in the winter, what is to stop the
clothes simply freezing up, if you don't introduce heat energy into
the system to stop that?

I don't know the answers, I'm just asking the questions? ;-)

Cheers, T i m

The faster the wind blows, the faster heat is transferred from ambient to the water in the clothes. I've subjected clothes to some pretty strong winds and afaik they've not frozen. I suppose if they did they'd thaw again almost instantly.

The same basic principle applies to evaporation, the faster the wind speed the faster the evaporation. Fans dry clothes with a small fraction of the energy use of heat. Whoever designs tumble dryers must be stuck in the 20th century, they're abysmally slow and inefficient compared to their potential.. And they damage clothes more than necessary.


NT

We have a Bosch heat pump dryer. We like it* and it does the job it is
asked to do.
Downsides are initial cost, and the one we have doesn't reverse tumble*.

*You'd think that wouldn't be a problem - until you forget to button up
the duvet cover before drying it and end up with a twisted wet mass of
clothes inside it

On Wed, 27 Dec 2017 23:01:21 +0000, Lee
wrote:

We have a Bosch heat pump dryer. We like it* and it does the job it is
asked to do.

Are you able to say / tell if it does so better than others you have
had Lee?

Downsides are initial cost,

Yes, they do look quite expensive (only see the Bosch so far) and I
guess you would have to compare the extra initial cost with the energy
savings over the machines life span?

and the one we have doesn't reverse tumble*.

I'm not sure about that on our existing one as the belt has a
tensioner on one leg and the drive motor also (directly) drives the
blower?

*You'd think that wouldn't be a problem - until you forget to button up
the duvet cover before drying it and end up with a twisted wet mass of
clothes inside it

Ah, yes, no fun that. Given I've never seen anything coming out
twisted up, ours must reverse I'm guessing then.

Cheers, T i m

On 28/12/2017 01:30, T i m wrote:
On Wed, 27 Dec 2017 23:01:21 +0000, Lee
wrote:

We have a Bosch heat pump dryer. We like it* and it does the job it is
asked to do.

Are you able to say / tell if it does so better than others you have
had Lee?

Downsides are initial cost,

Yes, they do look quite expensive (only see the Bosch so far) and I
guess you would have to compare the extra initial cost with the energy
savings over the machines life span?

and the one we have doesn't reverse tumble*.

I'm not sure about that on our existing one as the belt has a
tensioner on one leg and the drive motor also (directly) drives the
blower?

*You'd think that wouldn't be a problem - until you forget to button up
the duvet cover before drying it and end up with a twisted wet mass of
clothes inside it

Ah, yes, no fun that. Given I've never seen anything coming out
twisted up, ours must reverse I'm guessing then.

It's a great deal better than the washer dryer we had before, but I
guess that's not saying much


Most of the complaints about heat pump dryers (apart from the cost) is
people saying they take longer to dry, I'm not convinced this is the
problem people make it out to be.
A "normal" load of say a bedding change (cotton) and a couple of
towels spun at 1600rpm dries in about 2.5 hours. AFAICS this is about
on par with a non heat pump machine.

I guess spinning at a lower speed or putting m,ore stuff in will greatly
affect drying time.

On 28/12/2017 13:17, Lee wrote:

Most of the complaints about heat pump dryers (apart from the cost) is
people saying they take longer to dry, I'm not convinced this is the
problem people make it out to be.
Â*A "normal" load of say a bedding change (cotton) and a couple of towels
spun atÂ* 1600rpmÂ* dries in about 2.5 hours. AFAICS this is about on par
with a non heat pump machine.

I guess spinning at a lower speed or putting m,ore stuff in will greatly
affect drying time.

I believe that like some freezers, Heat Pump driers aren't able to cope
with winter garage temperatures which might be where some of the more
extreme non-drying times are quoted as I'd suspect there's a very large
percentage of UK residents that have both washing machine and
tumbledrier in the garage or some form of un-heated utility room.
It's something manufacturers haven't (as far as I'm aware) taken into
consideration when detailing the location requirements.

On 28/12/2017 16:09, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:
On 28/12/2017 13:17, Lee wrote:

Most of the complaints about heat pump dryers (apart from the cost) is
people saying they take longer to dry, I'm not convinced this is the
problem people make it out to be.
Â*A "normal" load of say a bedding change (cotton) and a couple of towels
spun atÂ* 1600rpmÂ* dries in about 2.5 hours. AFAICS this is about on par
with a non heat pump machine.

I guess spinning at a lower speed or putting m,ore stuff in will greatly
affect drying time.

I believe that like some freezers, Heat Pump driers aren't able to cope
with winter garage temperatures which might be where some of the more
extreme non-drying times are quoted as I'd suspect there's a very large
percentage of UK residents that have both washing machine and
tumbledrier in the garage or some form of un-heated utility room.
It's something manufacturers haven't (as far as I'm aware) taken into
consideration when detailing the location requirements.



Makes sense.
Our machine uses the "waste" heat from the heat pump to heat the clothes
just as a non heat pump design would, (though it doesn't get as hot) but
the main purpose of the design is to have the cold plate to dry the air.
At very low incoming air temperatures it looks like it would struggle on
both fronts...

On Thursday, 28 December 2017 13:18:01 UTC, Lee wrote:

Most of the complaints about heat pump dryers (apart from the cost) is
people saying they take longer to dry, I'm not convinced this is the
problem people make it out to be.
A "normal" load of say a bedding change (cotton) and a couple of
towels spun at 1600rpm dries in about 2.5 hours. AFAICS this is about
on par with a non heat pump machine.

I guess spinning at a lower speed or putting m,ore stuff in will greatly
affect drying time.

I had an electric tumbledrier years ago. Nothing ever took more thn 40 minutes.


NT

On Thu, 28 Dec 2017 08:15:15 -0800 (PST), wrote:

On Thursday, 28 December 2017 13:18:01 UTC, Lee wrote:

Most of the complaints about heat pump dryers (apart from the cost) is
people saying they take longer to dry, I'm not convinced this is the
problem people make it out to be.
A "normal" load of say a bedding change (cotton) and a couple of
towels spun at 1600rpm dries in about 2.5 hours. AFAICS this is about
on par with a non heat pump machine.

I guess spinning at a lower speed or putting m,ore stuff in will greatly
affect drying time.

I had an electric tumbledrier years ago. Nothing ever took more thn 40 minutes.

Using a heat pump?

Cheers, T i m

Wrote in message:
On Thursday, 28 December 2017 13:18:01 UTC, Lee wrote:

Most of the complaints about heat pump dryers (apart from the cost) is
people saying they take longer to dry, I'm not convinced this is the
problem people make it out to be.
A "normal" load of say a bedding change (cotton) and a couple of
towels spun at 1600rpm dries in about 2.5 hours. AFAICS this is about
on par with a non heat pump machine.

I guess spinning at a lower speed or putting m,ore stuff in will greatly
affect drying time.

I had an electric tumbledrier years ago. Nothing ever took more thn 40 minutes.


NT


For 7 pairs of Y fronts & three shirts maybe...
--
Jim K


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/

In message , at 13:17:57 on Thu, 28 Dec
2017, Lee remarked:

A "normal" load of say a bedding change (cotton) and a couple of
towels spun at 1600rpm dries in about 2.5 hours. AFAICS this is about
on par with a non heat pump machine.

Nope. A conventional dryer will cope with that lot in under an hour,
even if spun at 800-1000rpm.

We stayed at a holiday rental earlier in the month and it had a
condenser-dryer.

Apart from having a control panel to rival a 747 (and no instruction
manual), when it failed to dry half a load in 2hrs the assembled company
decided it was completely unfit for purpose (which was getting some
stuff washed overnight dry again to wear that morning).
--
Roland Perry

On 29/12/2017 11:53, Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 13:17:57 on Thu, 28 Dec
2017, Lee remarked:

A "normal" load of say a bedding change (cotton) and a couple of
towels spun atÂ* 1600rpmÂ* dries in about 2.5 hours. AFAICS this is
about on par with a non heat pump machine.

Nope. A conventional dryer will cope with that lot in under an hour,
even if spun at 800-1000rpm.

We stayed at a holiday rental earlier in the month and it had a
condenser-dryer.

Apart from having a control panel to rival a 747 (and no instruction
manual), when it failed to dry half a load in 2hrs the assembled company
decided it was completely unfit for purpose (which was getting some
stuff washed overnight dry again to wear that morning).


Ok, not entirely sure what your point is then, non-condenser models do
dry quicker whether heat pump or not.
Not exactly surprising when you consider how hot they get.

The argument was whether heat pump condenser models are slower than non
heat pump condenser ones.
That's the point I'm not convinced about, except in the circumstances
tabbypurr points out.

On Fri, 29 Dec 2017 11:53:59 +0000, Roland Perry
wrote:

In message , at 13:17:57 on Thu, 28 Dec
2017, Lee remarked:

A "normal" load of say a bedding change (cotton) and a couple of
towels spun at 1600rpm dries in about 2.5 hours. AFAICS this is about
on par with a non heat pump machine.

Nope. A conventional dryer will cope with that lot in under an hour,
even if spun at 800-1000rpm.

So by 'conventional' do you mean 'vented' Rowland?

FWIW, we generally spin at 'not the fastest' speed because I'm not
sure it does the bearings any good. [1]

We stayed at a holiday rental earlier in the month and it had a
condenser-dryer.

A condenser-dryer or heat pump?

Apart from having a control panel to rival a 747 (and no instruction
manual),

That's fine, as long as it's intuitive (and many aren't).

when it failed to dry half a load in 2hrs the assembled company
decided it was completely unfit for purpose (which was getting some
stuff washed overnight dry again to wear that morning).

Great.

Since we have repaired the old vented Zanussi (again) she tells me
it's working very well again. There is a short length of the
corrugated hose going to some of that rectangular box ducting, 90
Degree turn at the top and though the outside wall to a flap valve and
grille. Even when the glass of the dryer door feels fairly warm the
ducting feels fairly cool so I'm guessing most of the heat energy is
going into the clothes to balance the latent heat of vaporisation?

Cheers, T i m

[1] The previous WM had a 1200 spin speed but stamped into the spider
holding the bearings it said 'MAX 1000 RPM'.

On 27/12/17 21:07, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

So, makes, models, suppliers and personal recommendations please?

5 years ago when we moved here we decided a condensing TD was required.
After reading reviews and looking at the models, we decided a Beko would
do what we wanted, and got one. It's been fine, even when we heard it
was one of the models Beko were doing a recall on to fit a replacement
part. The technician came and fitted the part when we requested.

I have no idea if it was really required or not (maybe we're unusual in
that we regularly clean the filter!), and it's working as well as it did
when we first got it. I must say that it is a bit noisy, and you really
don't want to be in the kitchen for any length of time when it's on.

Oh, as a bonus, if you're into fussy house plants, you get a litre of
pure water for watering them after a batch of washing has been dried.

--

Jeff

Jeff Layman Wrote in message:
On 27/12/17 21:07, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

So, makes, models, suppliers and personal recommendations please?

5 years ago when we moved here we decided a condensing TD was required.
After reading reviews and looking at the models, we decided a Beko would
do what we wanted, and got one. It's been fine, even when we heard it
was one of the models Beko were doing a recall on to fit a replacement
part. The technician came and fitted the part when we requested.

I have no idea if it was really required or not (maybe we're unusual in
that we regularly clean the filter!), and it's working as well as it did
when we first got it. I must say that it is a bit noisy, and you really
don't want to be in the kitchen for any length of time when it's on.

Oh, as a bonus, if you're into fussy house plants, you get a litre of
pure water for watering them after a batch of washing has been dried.


Fsvo of "pure" ;-)
--
Jim K


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/

On 28/12/2017 10:04, jim wrote:
Jeff Layman Wrote in message:
On 27/12/17 21:07, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

So, makes, models, suppliers and personal recommendations please?

5 years ago when we moved here we decided a condensing TD was required.
After reading reviews and looking at the models, we decided a Beko would
do what we wanted, and got one. It's been fine, even when we heard it
was one of the models Beko were doing a recall on to fit a replacement
part. The technician came and fitted the part when we requested.

I have no idea if it was really required or not (maybe we're unusual in
that we regularly clean the filter!), and it's working as well as it did
when we first got it. I must say that it is a bit noisy, and you really
don't want to be in the kitchen for any length of time when it's on.

Oh, as a bonus, if you're into fussy house plants, you get a litre of
pure water for watering them after a batch of washing has been dried.

Fsvo of "pure" ;-)

They'll choke on the microplastics unless you only use natural fibres.

--
Max Demian

On 28/12/2017 10:04, jim wrote:
Jeff Layman Wrote in message:
On 27/12/17 21:07, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

So, makes, models, suppliers and personal recommendations please?

5 years ago when we moved here we decided a condensing TD was required.
After reading reviews and looking at the models, we decided a Beko would
do what we wanted, and got one. It's been fine, even when we heard it
was one of the models Beko were doing a recall on to fit a replacement
part. The technician came and fitted the part when we requested.


+1 for Beko, very pleased with mine.

I have no idea if it was really required or not (maybe we're unusual in
that we regularly clean the filter!), and it's working as well as it did
when we first got it. I must say that it is a bit noisy, and you really
don't want to be in the kitchen for any length of time when it's on.


Yes, agree.

Oh, as a bonus, if you're into fussy house plants, you get a litre of
pure water for watering them after a batch of washing has been dried.


Fsvo of "pure" ;-)


Not sure how pure it is, but it does smell of whatever detergent was
used to wash the clothes.

--
Cheers, Rob