Homebrew: A green spin on the tumble dryer 
Published: 07 Dec 2007 11:39 GMT
For his entry into ZDNet.co.uk's Homebrew Challenge, Gren Mercer from Weymouth, Dorset, has built a prototype of an energy-saving device for tumble drying. The sensor switches the machine off when the clothes are dry. While expensive dryers have this feature, cheaper ones do not.
Gren claims the device should help people who can afford only the cheaper models to save money and energy.
The prototype has two parts: a sensor and a switch unit. The small humidity sensor is inside a small plastic clip, with a heat-shield made from an oven glove, that is attached to the article of clothing likely to take the longest to dry. The switch unit is a compact plug/socket that plugs in between the wall socket and the dryer cord. There is a very low-power radio link between the sensor and the switch unit.
The dryer is loaded with clothing, including the article with the clip, and the dryer timer is set to maximum. (This is to make sure the clothing is not under-dried.) The sensor measures the humidity inside the machine and, when it meets a certain level, sends a signal to the switch unit that turns off the power to the dryer.
There's more on this sensor and on other personal projects in ZDNet.co.uk's Homebrew Blog, where members tell all about the tech project they are working on at home. The best project will bag a £20,000 Toyota Prius car, courtesy of Intel, in the Homebrew Challenge, so watch out for the winner to be announced soon.
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