How can i fix my Zanussi condenser TD (TC-470)?

I just repaired my TC 470 which would trip every time it was turned on.
The trouble was the condenser was clogged with felt like material and because of that moisture had built up around the heater element causing a short circuit.
The solution was to a) clrean the condenser b)remove the cover from the heater element and dry it out with a hair dryer.

Lewis Thomas
August 2007

I had this problem - generally caused when it has been moved - especially if the water container has water in. This caused a spillage in the back of the machine - just empty out water leave to dry and it should work again. And don't move the machine with the water container in it again.

K Thompson
October 2006

The fact that it fails on the hot setting, suggests an element problem to me - although I'd expect this to fail open-circuit. There is a fan that blows air over the element - if the fan wasn't going around then the element would get too hot and trip hopefully via one of the thermal cut-outs (TCO's).
I'd pull it out of the mains, and remove the rear plastic panel - check on the little fan belt, and if this is ok, remove the raised section of the rear panel that covers the element and TCO's.
I had a problem where one of the TCO's had tripped and I had to press it to make it reconnect again. They have coloured dots on - eg green and yellow - I don't know what these mean - but I have heard that people sometimes need to replace them in Tumber Dryers. (I haven't had to in mine as yet).
There are three connections to the element, I think there is a common and two separate wires going to each half of the element such that you can have half or full power. So you should read a low number of ohms between any of the three wires. I think you can buy the element with the TCO's online - but you are looking close to a hundred notes.

Obviously, you shouldn't attempt this sort of maintenance unless you are confident with mains electricity.

There is a long discussion about the TC-470 on www.ezee-fix.co.uk discussion forum.

BobG
February 2005