Dryer motor smoker

Is there a centrifical (sp?) switch that opens a starting winding that maybe wasn't opening due to some dirt???

Maybe some sort of start circuit failed to switch off causing the smoke/problem but it's impossible to be certain without the model # of the motor.

Even if you had the model number for the motor, what good would it do? It was probably made just for that series of dryer so that's probably all it will get you, not technical details of what they consider a non serviceable component.

Well you never know what data is available if you don't look.

I've had that problem with these motors before. The start switch goes and makes the thing overheat and smoke. The real problem was that mine was rivited togeather, so I didn't even bother to try to fix it.

Mike

It's probably not fixable but knowing for sure would fix my curiosity and add to my knowledge base for future reference.

Well, it wasn't apparent at first but the switch is where the smoke came from on mine and as I said I didn't bother to disassemble it because of the rivits. Didn't seem worth the effort of grinding them out to get to a centrifugal switch that I probably can't fix.

Mike

I'd go with a problem in the starting circuit. If the centrifugal switch contacts stuck, the starting winding would overheat very quickly as it's not designed for continuous operation.

However, I haven't actually looked at a dryer motor in 20 years or so. I assume they are still induction motors!

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Unfortunately I have, they still have a starting winding on the one I worked on.

You're to late, you let the smoke out!... there is no hope now!

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It does use that type switch, yes. I checked the pins; contacts were good; movement of switch lever was good. It could have been sporadically sticking, I suppose; I guess I'll never know, but it certainly isn't sticking now. I opened the switch assembly up and the contacts are in good shape ? I'll still burnish them to like-new condition, though.

Indeed, I found it impossible to squeeze any info out of GE at all on this thing ? it's got a great many sorts of identifying numbers on it, none of which GE themselves could reference. I got the entire blower for a song ? and a little bit of time as a captive audience (the guy was bored and lonely :) ? from an appliance repair shop. The shop owner couldn't tell me which dryer it came out of, so I can't go on that kind of info, either.

I opened this one up. In my case, no drilling or grinding was required. It was a simple matter of prying up the rivet rims with a jeweler's flat blade driver and pushing them through with an appropriate size hex driver. The switch contacts are in decent shape and the switch levers move freely (and appear to have done so all along, as it's clean around the pivot points). There's also a fairly powerful spring pushing down on the starter switch lever, ensuring disconnect ? from the compression force required (calibrated finger, admittedly), this spring seems quite adequate to break a sticking contact. I honestly can't see this switch as the culprit, but it's possible.