The Dryer Saga

You may remember, about a year ago, a friend from work gave me a washer.  Yea, didn’t have to go to the laundry mat.  But. . .since I had to use either my sister’s or niece’s dryer, it restricted the times I could wash.  It couldn’t be while they were washing, late at night or when it’s raining, etc.  Bummer.  But still better than going to the laundry mat.

Recently, a young couple from my church (New Hights)—Amber & Phillip Gray—upgraded their washer and dryer and gave me their old ones.  They graciously delivered them even though they live in Winnsboro.  I assured Phillip I could hook them up no problem.  Wha-ha-ha.  Let the saga begin. 

Just that week, I had been named employee of the month at Neiman Service Center (a warehouse).  I received $100 and the coveted parking spot.  The $100 covered buying the hoses for the washer and electric cord for the dryer.  (Thank you, Lord, for the blessing.)  I traced my dryer outlet and headed to Lowes©.  I told the young man what I needed and showed him the picture of the outlet.  In minutes, I was headed home.

I got the washer hooked up, first time, no leaks.  Whoa.  Fist bump.

I have a four prong dryer outlet.  Got the cord out of the package and read through the directions.  Did a quick read over the back of the dryer and took the plate off to hook up the cord. . .  Screeching halt.  A four prong dryer means four wires to hook up.  There were three screws.  I looked at the four wires and back at the three screws; four wires, three screws; four wires, three screws:  huffed and read the instructions again.  My first thought was ‘spit, I’m going to have to get a new outlet’ which meant finding someone to put it in.  

Let me preface the rest of the story by stating I was tired by this time. 

I called my brother-in-law.  Not answering.  So, after a bit, I texted my Ex.  He called and I explained what I was doing and saw.  He said I could put the neutral and ground together if I had to but there was a 'you really don’t want to do that' in his voice.  After more discussion, I said ‘there is a white wire across the bottom attached to a screw’.  (All you real macho men and women keep the laughter down.  Like I said, I was tired.)

When I started laughing, he asked ‘what’.  Remember, I said I had read over the back of the dryer.  Literally, this was what I was looking at.

EXTERNAL

GROUND

CONNECTION

Yes, letters that big with this huge long arrow pointing at the screw with the white wire attached.  He told my how to make sure there wasn’t any electricity running through the dryer body without killing myself and to call him back when I was done.

Hooked it up, plugged it in, didn’t get shocked and it started heating right way.  Score.  Didn’t have the vent hooked up and as much as I wanted to try it out, it could wait till tomorrow.

To be continued.  I did say this was a saga.  :-)