LintAlert® Installation FAQs

The directions say to clean out my dryers' exhaust duct prior to doing the initial calibration, why is this necessary?

Clothes dryer exhaust motors and fan designs differ greatly between the many appliance manufacturers. During calibration, the LintAlert learns the current pressure level of the system. This necessary step provides the user visual feedback of pressure increases, caused by lint build-up and/or some other type of blockage in the exhaust. Calibrating the LintAlert with a presently blocked system will either cause the unit to error or will severely limit the intervals of build-up indications. We highly recommend the exhaust conduit be brought up to "like new" condition and to use the safer and more efficient aluminum semi-rigid flex hose behind the dryer.

Will the LintAlert work with either the wire bound foil flex transition hose or the semi-rigid aluminum flex hose?

Yes, but we recommend the use of the semi-rigid aluminum flex. If white vinyl flex hose is currently being used for your dryer, please take this opportunity to replace it. It has been well documented to be extremely unsafe and has been associated with many dryer fires.


Can I plug the washer or gas dryer into the pass through terminals on the power module?

Yes, but it is recommended that the appliance plug into the electrical outlet directly, if available. Our pass through terminals can support up to a maximum of 15 amps. WARNING: Although most washing machines and gas dryers are rated for 15 amps or less, there are certain appliances that require more than 15 amps. Consult your appliance's User Manual for exact product specifications. Do not use this product in the pass-through capacity if the appliance requires more than 15 amps, as this can result in a fire. Do not overload the wall outlet, use an adaptor, or plug the product or any other device into a loose or damaged wall socket. If your appliance requires more than 15 amps or additional outlets are needed, consult a licensed electrician to install additional circuits or outlets.


There are no 110v outlets near or behind my washer or dryer. Are there alternative mounting suggestions?

In most cases, the washer and dryer reside side by side, and the washer uses 110v. If the washer outlet is hidden or too far from the dryer's location, then consider extending the tubing. We offer longer tubing lengths in our online store, but the same tubing (1/8" ID ¼" OD) is usually available at aquarium or pet outlets. Lengths up to 24 feet have tested positively with the LintAlert.

The second alternative would be to purchase and mount a Multi-Outlet Power Strip with 15FT Cord above the dryer for the LintAlert to plug into. http://amzn.com/B00006HQR8


Can the tubing be extended?

Yes, the tubing can be extended or replaced with similar diameter tubing. We offer longer tubing lengths in our online store, but the same tubing (1/8" ID ¼" OD) is usually available at aquarium or pet outlets. Results with lengths up to 24 feet were shown to be consistent. It is important that the tubing placement and type of tubing prohibit being compressed. Also, a positive slope with no sagging in the first 12 inches is critical to disallow any condensation to create an air blockage.


I have two dryers, each with their own exhaust hose and conduit. Can I use only one LintAlert to connect to a "T" fitting to monitor both exhaust lines?

No. The LintAlert needs a direct sealed connection between an individual conduit and the monitoring device. Any breach in this connection impedes the reliability of the system.


Where is the best location to install the Smart Tap fitting?

It is best to install the Smart Tap fitting in the middle or high point (11:00 to 1:00 positions) of a known radius and as close to the dryer as possible. The location of the tap fitting is important and does play a part in providing the most accurate readings. On an outside bend, there is generally too much airflow. On an inside bend, too little airflow. Further away from the dryer, and the LintAlert is unable to monitor the section between the tap fitting and the dryer. This position will also minimize the sagging of the tubing, which can lead to air blockage caused by condensation.


Does the LintAlert work on gas dryers, or stackable dryers?

Yes, the LintAlert works on gas and stackable dryers but there are some Dual Motor Technology dryers where the LintAlert will not work.  These type of dryers alter the speed of the fan motor during the drying cycles, likewise the monitoring of the velocity and air pressure is unreliable.


Can you tell me more about dual motor technology?

Dual motor technology refers to how a few clothes dryer models employ two motors. One runs the fan and the other turns the drum. Typical residential dryers use a single motor to drive both. Dual motor systems are a fairly new concept which are only included in a handful of dryer models. Whirlpool has recently discontinued use of these systems which were in their Elite models ($1500+).

Dual motor systems alter the fan motor speed during different cycles in an attempt to provide more even heat. Because the LintAlert reports on pressure increases over time, the resulting changes in fan speed during a typical dual motor cycle interfere with its ability to ideally show incremental changes due to lint buildup or blockage. The only models we currently know of that use this system are listed below.

Kenmore Elite Dual Motor Models:
11067082600110670926001106808770111068097701110770876001107808270011078092700
11067086600110680827001106809270011077082600110770926001107808270011078092701
11067087600110680827011106809270111077086600110780728011107808270111078097701


GE Profile Duo Dryer System (Dual Motors):
DPGT750xxxxDPVH890xxxxDPVH880xxxx

To find out if your dryer uses two motors, you may also check the dryer manual's schematics drawing. You will be able to see two distinct motors as in this picture of what makes a dryer a dual motor technology dryer.

This site has a nice feature to find your dryer's schematics:
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/product-types/Dryer-Parts


I am moving to a new house, will this unit work there, and what do I need to do?

Yes, the unit will work on most all tumble dryers. The dryer duct will need to be new or cleaned to a like-new condition. Then, just recalibrate the unit. This is accomplished by holding the button in for approximately 12 seconds (each LED will progressively light and then an audible alert will confirm).


How much power does the unit use in "ready" or standby state?

The LintAlert's electronic design and components are extremely energy efficient. LED's (light emitting diode) are used to illuminate the logo and provide the "night light" feature. In the "ready" or standby state the LintAlert uses approximately 17.2 ma (milli-amps) 2.064 Watts (at 120VAC) of power. Annual energy cost is estimated at $1.29.


Do I calibrate with clothes in the drum or empty and on what heat setting?

It is important to calibrate with nothing in the drum, a clean lint screen, at your usual heat setting and with the dryer ON. But it is also important to plug in the LintAlert BEFORE attaching the tubing to the barb on the control module. 


Will the LintAlert work if I have a booster fan?

Yes. Lint build-up, a blocked termination hood or a crushed hose will still create a positive pressure condition by the initial dryer's exhaust fan motor. The LintAlert may also detect an inoperable booster fan, which would create a substantial blockage and be displayed by the indictor lights. Make sure you calibrate with the dryer and booster fan ON.


Will the LintAlert work with a "periscope" style dryer-to-wall fitting?

Yes, the SmartTap fitting can beLintAlert Connection to Periscope Dryer Ventsmodified slightly to work in "periscope" style fittings and hard-piped connections to the wall outlet that do not have any curved portions. Due to the thicker metals it will require a 5/16" hole be drilled instead of "punctured." To modify the SmartTap fitting, a pair of wire cutters could be used to remove the two curved wings of the umbrella portion of the tap fitting that will be on the inside of the duct. This removal will minimize the air-flow obstruction the two curved "wings" would create if not removed. The felt washer would be located on the outside of the pipe and the curved washer portion would be installed upside down to minimize any gap. Click here to see larger image.


I’ve cleaned out my vent pipe and double checked everything in the installation manual but I still get the LED 4 and 5 error (excessive pressure), what else could be wrong

Most likely this is a case of an excessively restrictive vent hood. The two most common culprits are the small 4” wide roof “gooseneck” vent hoods and the older 22-degree flapper style wall>LintAlert Connection for Roof Vents vent hoods. Both of these vent hoods are restrictive in their design. The dampers in both of these are not able to open adequately to allow the airflow that modern day dryers are capable of producing. This causes the air back-pressure to rise to a point in the exhaust conduit that 1) is not within the acceptable range of all or most dryer manufacturers’ installation guidelines and 2) will not allow the LintAlert to be calibrated as the device recognizes it at an already dangerous level. So what options do you have? Well, if drying your clothes in the least amount of time and saving energy costs is important to you, then replacing the vent hood with one of the newer more efficient models is the likely best choice. Another option, especially for roof vents is to “Y” or “T” off to a second roof vent, spreading out the “restriction”. If these are not options you are welcome to send the LintAlert back for a refund. Click image to enlarge.

The word LintAlert is a registered trademark of In-O-Vate Technologies, Inc.   All rights reserved.