Kitchen Gas Appliances - Dryer Fuel Conversion

I read your reply to the gas dryer conversion problem. I to am converting a LP gas dryer to natural gas. I sent to the manufacturer for the correct orifice and regulator. The instructions said to remove the air shutter which I did. It also said to remove the regulator blocker and install the leak limiter which was in the kit. I assume the regulator blocker was the part that had a spring and a plunger type device on the end. I removed that and put the leak limiter in. I then remove the LP gas orifice and installed the natural gas orifice from the kit. The house I moved the dryer to had never been plumbed for a gas dryer, so I used 3/8" copper tubing to go 6' from the gas meter to the inside of the utility room where the dryer is located. My problem is that the dryer burner is seems to be getting warm, but not hot. Is there any suggestion you can make as to what my problem might be. Thanks for the help.

Hello Jenhappy. Welcome to my Gas Appliances forum and our Do-It-Yourself Web Site.

I seperated your question from the other question I found it posted in. Your intitled to an individual reply for each question.

Seperating your question helps to personalize the info for you, and the solution.

If all the replacemnet parts for the conversion are installed and done so per the instructions. That part is completed.

The flames are too small because the supply line is too undersized. The natural gas supply pipe to a dryer must be 1/2 inch diameter.

In most states it is not code to use copper piping with natural gas. The sulfur and some other chemicals in natural gas corrode the inside of the pipe and leaks will develope.

To be sure copper is allowed, contact your local building and safet department in your are. Using copper with natural gas is risky, may violate local codes and void home fire insurance, etc.

If you need further assistance, use the REPLY button to add any additional information or ask additional questions. Doing so will automatically keep your question at the top of the forum list.

Regards & Good Luck. TCB4U2B2B Company Enterprises.
Doityourself Web Site Host & Gas Appliances Forum Moderator. Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.

I have got a plumber coming to install the larger gas line. Upon furthur inspection last night, looking under the dryer with a mirror while it was running, I say that the igniter was glowing, but the dryer wasn't lighting. Would it ignite at all with the copper tubing? The reason I ask is that I am now questioning whether I installed the kit correctly. I don't think the plumber knows anymore than I do about the conversion. I hate to spend $150+ on installation of a new line if the dryer is not going to work. Is there anything I can check while waiting for him to arrive?
Thanks for your help.

Hello Jenhappy

You stated and I quote for reference "My problem is that the dryer burner is seems to be getting warm, but not hot."

Classic signs of two possible problems. Only the hot surface ignitor is working or there is not sufficient gas volume to ignite the burner.

In order to establish any other known or suspected problem with the dryer, the gas line has to be sized to match the load. The correctly sized pipe to be installed will resolve that problem.

Money well spent too. Resolves yet another potential problem. Insuring the gas supply line meets existing codes...:)

Once that line is installed, the plumber bleeds out the air, connects the dryer and the vent, retest and note the results.

Post back those results either way, If the dryer operates normally the readers of your question would like to know the results.

If the dryer does not heat properly, post those results in detail description for additional help. You most likely made the conversion correctly. Not all that difficult of a task.

Reading the existing questions on dryers that do not heat will also supply you additonal information to determine the problem and fix it. I suggest you read them while waiting.

Regards & Good Luck.
Sharp Advice

Hello again,
Well, the plumber came and installed the correct size pipe to the dryer, but it still didn't work. Last night I got on the internet and was finally able to find a blow-up of the conversion kit that we were replacing. We had removed two parts that were supposed to have been left in. The instuctions we had received just said to replace the regulator blocker, but didn't describe what the regulator blocked looked like. As soon as I found a diagram of the old LP kit that we were replacing I saw that we had mistakenily removed a spring and another small part that should have been left in. It works great now. Have already dried five or six loads of clothes! I feel better having had it installed professionly and to code. Thanks for all the help!

Hello & Thanks Jenhappy

Glad to know you where able to locate the source of the problem and able to correct it. Thanks for taking your time to reply back with the final successful results too.

Small request if possible. Would you mind providing the link to the web site which showed the blow up view of the conversion parts? Doing so would provide a great resource for all members reading your question and the forum.

I'm also happy to know that the installation of the gasline is now current and up to local codes. Guess we can now say you are truely Jen Happy!...:)

Yes, here is the web link where I found the picture of the LP gas conversion kit. http://www.barfieldsapplianceparts.com/we25x173.html
Hope this helps someone else.

Thanks

Thanks for the web site Jen Happy.

Now I am happy too...:)

And so will many others.