BajaNomad

frigidaire dryer question, part needed

vandenberg - 12-5-2012 at 07:57 PM

We bought a Frigidaire washer/dryer set at City Club in La Paz. The dryer is gas and the instructions state that it needs a converter kit from natural gas to LP. Since it was bought here, I assumed it was automatically set for LP gas, since that's all that's available here. Is my assumption correct and how do I find out?? And what, if any, are consequences of running it of LP gas without a conversion??
BTW, also found a 21 ft upright freezer there at about the same price it sells for in the US. Also Frigidaire.

[Edited on 12-6-2012 by vandenberg]

mcfez - 12-5-2012 at 09:46 PM

I bet that if you called them .....having the serial number handy ....they can answer that for you.

Phone:
1 (800) 374-4432
Monday - Saturday
8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (EST)

mcfeez is correct!! but...

captkw - 12-5-2012 at 09:52 PM

depends on who/what answers the phone at that moment!! there is a change of jet size in the Safety valve and maybe a change of other

bajaguy - 12-5-2012 at 09:56 PM

Most natural gas appliances have removable gas jets. If you are running on LP or propane, you need to change the jet(s).

I can't remember if LP/propane jets have a larger or smaller orifice than natural gas.

hUMMM,,bAJA GUY...GOOD ANSWER !!

captkw - 12-5-2012 at 09:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
depends on who/what answers the phone at that moment!! there is a change of jet size in the Safety valve and maybe a change of other

RnR - 12-5-2012 at 10:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
We bought a Frigidaire washer/dryer set at City Club in La Paz. The dryer is gas and the instructions state that it needs a converter kit from natural gas to LP. Since it was bought here, I assumed it was automatically set for LP gas, since that's all that's available here. Is my assumption correct and how do I find out?? And what, if any, are consequences of running it of LP gas without a conversion??
BTW, also found a 21 ft upright freezer there at about the same price it sells for in the US. Also Frigidaire.



Yes, you probably have to change the jet. And switch the regulator/gas valve to the LPG position. And remove (or install) a small plug in the gas valve.

We looked at many dryers and finally bought a Whirlpool in La Paz. EVERY dryer in EVERY store that we looked at came set up for natural gas and had to have the jet changed to operate safely on LPG.

There was a small service fee to come to the house. No fee if you brought the dryer to the Whirlpool service center.

LPG has a much higher BTU content than natural gas. About 2 1/2 times as much. Therefore, for the same BTU input, you need a much smaller jet.

I asked the Whirlpool technician what happens if the jet is not changed. He said "A fairly expensive ($100 USD) component will fail from overheating usually within a month or two, this will not be covered by the warranty as it is owner negligence, and, your clothes will dry very quickly."

So, best be calling Frigidaire.

City Club just sells 'em, doesn't service them. Same goes for Home Depot. The San Diego store has the technician come to the store before they deliver the appliance. I think that was the same at Elektra, too.

[Edited on 12-6-2012 by RnR]

DaliDali - 12-6-2012 at 05:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg

BTW, also found a 21 ft upright freezer there at about the same price it sells for in the US. Also Frigidaire.


Wow......exactly what I am looking for.
Do they have another one? freezer that is?

I have looked high and low and cannot find uprights.

About 9000 pesos or so??

vandenberg - 12-6-2012 at 07:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DaliDali
Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg

BTW, also found a 21 ft upright freezer there at about the same price it sells for in the US. Also Frigidaire.


Wow......exactly what I am looking for.
Do they have another one? freezer that is?

I have looked high and low and cannot find uprights.

About 9000 pesos or so??


Dali,
I didn't see another one in the store, but that doesn't mean they don't have other ones. Final price was $11855.55, with the $12.94 exchange rate on the visa card, about the same price as in the US.

RnR,
Thanks for that info. About what I expected. Getting this done here in Loreto going to be a pain.

Sandlefoot - 12-6-2012 at 08:16 AM

There will be a tag on the gas connection advising what it is set up for. If you need to change the orofices there will be a different tag that states the appliance is now set up for (which ever gas tpye it was changed to). The tag "should" indicate the current type of gas it is set up for. If you do have to change the orfices do your self a favor and make sure the tag is correct. It makes it easier to check latter if you have frn out of film in you photografic memory.

Happy Trails

QUETZALCOATL - 12-6-2012 at 08:25 AM

mcfez had good info-bet u didnt think 2 call them so much insite glad we have a true brain here.

weebray - 12-6-2012 at 12:44 PM

Go see Monygas corner of Ocampo y Ramirez in La Paz.

Bob and Susan - 12-6-2012 at 01:06 PM

the kit is about $40 or less
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-5300171852-Frigidaire-Kenmore-Dr...

and takes 5 minutes to install
susan did ours

DENNIS - 12-6-2012 at 01:08 PM

I can't believe that City Club in LP is selling them unready to go. Just makes no sense.

bajaguy - 12-6-2012 at 01:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I can't believe that City Club in LP is selling them unready to go. Just makes no sense.





In my somewhat limited experience, all of the gas appliances that I have purchased (stoves/ovens, clothes dryers and water heaters) come set up for natural gas. Even had to do the conversion to LP for products purchased in the states sold in a LP environment.

Exceptions have been the "tankless" water heaters which are marked either natural gas or LP

DENNIS - 12-6-2012 at 02:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy


In my somewhat limited experience, all of the gas appliances that I have purchased (stoves/ovens, clothes dryers and water heaters) come set up for natural gas.



Were they all new appliances sold by stores that rely on reputation, or were they Segunda material called new?

bajaguy - 12-6-2012 at 02:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy


In my somewhat limited experience, all of the gas appliances that I have purchased (stoves/ovens, clothes dryers and water heaters) come set up for natural gas.



Were they all new appliances sold by stores that rely on reputation, or were they Segunda material called new?





Nope, all new items. Manufactured in the good old US of A.

Next time you are NOB, or even at Home Depot here, check the gas appliances.....Should all be set up for natural gas.

vandenberg - 12-6-2012 at 03:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I can't believe that City Club in LP is selling them unready to go. Just makes no sense.


Dennis, that was my reasoning also. Why sell an appliance in a total LPG using country and not sell it converted.
But, then again, this IS Mexico, where lots of stuff doesn't make sense. Have to love it.:biggrin::biggrin:

DENNIS - 12-6-2012 at 03:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Dennis, that was my reasoning also. Why sell an appliance in a total LPG using country and not sell it converted.
But, then again, this IS Mexico, where lots of stuff doesn't make sense. Have to love it.:biggrin::biggrin:



I have to see it to believe it. I'll go to Home Depot and check out the stoves. Maytag...LG....whatever they are, I'll bet they're propane ready.

vandenberg - 12-6-2012 at 03:58 PM

Well, awaiting your findings. In the mean time the conversion kit, mentioned in the installation instructions,(in English btw) calls for conversion kit PCK4200.
Anybody in La Paz able to do me a favor and see if it's available.??

DENNIS - 12-6-2012 at 04:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Well, awaiting your findings. In the mean time the conversion kit, mentioned in the installation instructions,(in English btw) calls for conversion kit PCK4200.
Anybody in La Paz able to do me a favor and see if it's available.??


I wonder what the kit consists of? The burners I've been inside of have a tiny cup with a hole to regulate the flow of gas and that's where the difference is. Propane burns hotter and requires a smaller hole.

bajaguy - 12-6-2012 at 04:09 PM

Little nozzles that look sort of like fuel injectors.....they have different size openings. They screw into the manifold or whatever it is called



[Edited on 12-6-2012 by bajaguy]

DENNIS - 12-6-2012 at 04:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Little nozzles that look sort of like fuel injedtors.....they have different size openings. They screw into the manifold or whatever it is called



Like I mentioned, I've only seen the tiny cups, before and after the local experts P-nched the opening end with pliers to close the orfice a bit. Not too precise, but it works, and if it doesn't, he's collected his money and left the building.

mcfez - 12-6-2012 at 04:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Little nozzles that look sort of like fuel injedtors.....they have different size openings. They screw into the manifold or whatever it is called



Like I mentioned, I've only seen the tiny cups, before and after the local experts P-nched the opening end with pliers to close the orfice a bit. Not too precise, but it works, and if it doesn't, he's collected his money and left the building.


That's exactly how my Grandfather did it back in the fifties to his mountain stove he dragged up there. Wow.....haven't had that thought for decades! You know...it worked too! Txs for memories DENNIS

Hook - 12-6-2012 at 04:24 PM

We bought a brand new Whirlpool gas stove in Mexico in 2009. It's actually manufactured by Acros and made in Mexico, even though it says Whirlpool all over the outside.

It is set up, as is, for LPG. It has a label adhered to the back that states this in Spanish and English. It also states this in the owner's manual.

DENNIS - 12-6-2012 at 04:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Txs for memories DENNIS


Glad I could add something to your day, Deno. :biggrin:

vandenberg - 12-7-2012 at 10:54 AM

Got a hold of frigidaire's service center in Guadalajara and they promised to send out a local technician to convert that dryer. The tags on both the washer and dryer state that they were manufactured in the USA.

Nat gas-propane conversion

Retireded - 12-7-2012 at 11:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
depends on who/what answers the phone at that moment!! there is a change of jet size in the Safety valve and maybe a change of other


Propane uses a smaller hole due to the higher pressure at which it operates. Nat gas uses very low pressure.