Dryer Installation

[sqslabs]

So I've read an account or two on the forum of people installing their dryers themselves, and am considering doing the same. Its a (very lightly) used Adelco JF150S, and from what I've been told was in perfect working order before it was broken down and crated.  Its currently in four pieces (infeed, outfeed, 10' heat chamber, 3' extension), and looks to plug together pretty easily.  The two belts would have to be installed as well.

My main concern is that I'd have to break down my current dryer in order to install this one, and the shop will be at a standstill until the new one is up and running.  I run a four day workweek so I'd have three days to get it dialed in without losing production. I've never installed a dryer belt but imagine it can't be that tough, right? The electric and plumbing would be done by professionals.  So for anyone who has installed a gas dryer before, how tough is it really?  I'm willing to give it a shot if it makes sense to do so.

[screenxpress]

I'll take a shot here.  I have an electric Vastex, but would be surprised if the belt setup is that different for gas.

If it's like the teflon mesh belt I have on my Vastex, it's a long belt with metal hinge type things at each end that you match up like a zipper and shove thru a piece of piano wire to hold it together.  Like a hinge pin for a door.

When I got my Vastex, it was disassembled just like you described here.

You assemble the infeed, outfeed, heat chamber and extension first, but not extended to the max. 

Wrap the belt around, connect it together and then adjust the infeed (or outfeed) to snug up the belt.

I hope that's in the ballpark you were asking about.  Someone else might have more but that should be the basics.

[jvanick]

I assisted the install guy for our mini sprint last week.  Piece of cake really... bolt it together, put the belt in, tension it after you warm it up for the first time... have your hvac guy check for CO leaks and away you go.

other than the chimney and gas hookup, no different than an electric dryer

[Binkspot]

Not hard at all. Biggest bitch it lacing the belt. You can lay two pieces of conduit in the bottom of the chamber to slide the belt on to get it to the other end. Before putting the wire in the lacing grind a little point on the one end, sand it smooth if there is any rust or nicks on it. A little WD40 will help it slide through a little better.

I did our Vortex in two days including pipe, conduit, wire with 20' ceilings from a ladder.

[sqslabs]

Thanks much for the responses guys, I'll go ahead and give it a shot next weekend.  Wish me luck.   

[ebscreen]

If you get stuck on lacing the belt together, chuck the piano wire up in a drill and spin it through.
Not sure where I learned that but it can be a lifesaver. Honestly that's probably the hardest part.

[Gilligan]

We did like eb.. just turned it real slow.

Can't imagine trying to do it any other way.

But ours was used.. New I imagine is a piece of cake.

[Printficient]

What year is this Adelco?  If a circa 2009 or so be sure to pay close attention to the crystal for the ir sensor.  Also all fans must work for the dryer to work.  Any questions feel free to call me.
404-895-1796

[Rockers]

What year is this Adelco?  If a circa 2009 or so be sure to pay close attention to the crystal for the ir sensor.  Also all fans must work for the dryer to work.  Any questions feel free to call me.
404-895-1796

Those Adelco dryers apparently get pretty hot on the outside and are real flamethrowers in terms of consumption.

[Binkspot]

Something else to consider since the electrician is there any way pulling wires, just a few more wires in the conduit. Drop a 120vac line to the dryer so if needed you could plug a fan or radio or something in. I would also do it to the center of the presses for the same reason or to maybe power a laser alignment system. It keeps loose extension cords up off the floor. 

When I rearranged our shop last year I added one 120vac drop to the auto, first flash, manual and dryer which I ran a outlet to each end of it. 

[sqslabs]

Great tip on the belt installation, it will definitely be coming in handy. 

What year is this Adelco?  If a circa 2009 or so be sure to pay close attention to the crystal for the ir sensor.  Also all fans must work for the dryer to work.  Any questions feel free to call me.
404-895-1796

I believe it's a 2011, but am not 100% positive of that.  Will see if I can decipher anything from the serial when I get into the shop tomorrow.  I've already put in a request with Adelco for a spare crystal, and will keep an eye on the fans.  Thanks for the offer on the questions, I'll likely be taking you up on it.

Those Adelco dryers apparently get pretty hot on the outside and are real flamethrowers in terms of consumption.

Definitely the first I've heard of this. Have you used one of these dryers in the past?

Something else to consider since the electrician is there any way pulling wires, just a few more wires in the conduit. Drop a 120vac line to the dryer so if needed you could plug a fan or radio or something in. I would also do it to the center of the presses for the same reason or to maybe power a laser alignment system. It keeps loose extension cords up off the floor. 

When I rearranged our shop last year I added one 120vac drop to the auto, first flash, manual and dryer which I ran a outlet to each end of it. 

Great idea. And one I wish I had a couple days ago as they've already pulled the wires.    Rough inspection is tomorrow so nothing is hooked up yet, maybe I can still convince them to pull some extra wires before finalizing everything.

[BorisB]

Those Adelco dryers apparently get pretty hot on the outside and are real flamethrowers in terms of consumption.

Two of ours are not hot on outside. One of them has hot spot which we caused and haven't repaired it yet.

@falmethrowers; The only  way to tell it is to compare gas consumption.  On year's average our 150cm wide 3m long Adelco is using 31,00 m³ per shift.  It's being fed with plastisol printed T-shirts from two presses. Time setting 70 sec, temp. 170 deg C


Boris

[Rockers]

Those Adelco dryers apparently get pretty hot on the outside and are real flamethrowers in terms of consumption.

Two of ours are not hot on outside. One of them has hot spot which we caused and haven't repaired it yet.

@falmethrowers; The only  way to tell it is to compare gas consumption.  On year's average our 150cm wide 3m long Adelco is using 31,00 m³ per shift.  It's being fed with plastisol printed T-shirts from two presses. Time setting 70 sec, temp. 170 deg C


Boris

Your dryers where probably still "Made in UK".  The Adelco dryers  build in China are apparently not so good anylonger. But of course cheaper.

[BorisB]

Those Adelco dryers apparently get pretty hot on the outside and are real flamethrowers in terms of consumption.

Two of ours are not hot on outside. One of them has hot spot which we caused and haven't repaired it yet.

@falmethrowers; The only  way to tell it is to compare gas consumption.  On year's average our 150cm wide 3m long Adelco is using 31,00 m³ per shift.  It's being fed with plastisol printed T-shirts from two presses. Time setting 70 sec, temp. 170 deg C


Boris

Your dryers where probably still "Made in UK".  The Adelco dryers  build in China are apparently not so good anylonger. But of course cheaper.

This one is made in China. The older one we have is still UK made.  I don't know, maybe this is big consumption. Haven't seen anyone else Data on it. Older one had consumption 2/3 of the new one. 
CPN dryer was favorite when I was shopping. But it was insanely more expensive than Adelco or M&R.

[sqslabs]

Your dryers where probably still "Made in UK".  The Adelco dryers  build in China are apparently not so good anylonger. But of course cheaper.

Is this first hand info?  I only ask because I spoke to some very knowledgeable people in the industry about the dryer before making the purchase and they had nothing but good things to say about it. I hadn't even heard of Adelco before the opportunity to buy one came up, but from what I've gathered they are pretty highly regarded, save for a few quirks on the older models that Sonny outlined above.