How To Repair Nesco American Harvest Dehydrator that Doesn't Turn On or Heat Up Square Model FD-80A

In this video I repair the Nesco FD-80A Square Dehydrator by replacing the thermal cutoff fuse. This involves opening the unit up and manually removing the fuse and replacing it but requires no special tools. 🚨🚨🚨TIP: To prevent excess heat from building up in the unit, you should always use all four trays when dehydrating, even if some of them are empty. Also, try not to overload the top tray closest to the fan because it may not allow enough heat to escape down to the lower trays.
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[@joelaw8153]

Just finished replacing the thermal fuse on my dehydrator. I soldered the fuse to the clips so it's easier to replace next time. Thanks for the video.

[@lgsyrrm]

Thank you Phil. This worked for me. Note to viewers that it seems to matter which way the thermo cut-off fuse "points". Take note of the pointy side before you replace it.

[@ScifiGuitarguy]

Loved this video. Great job. I loved the lighting, clear speech, pace, and explanations. Really great, thank you!

[@rgomer808]

I'm away from home when my Nesco died. Can't wait to return and try the suggested repair. THANKS!!!

[@jeremysacco]

Yet another thanks, that worked. My model was a little different, the most significant piece was that the fuse wasn't held in by clips, the leads from it just wrapped around some small rivets at either end. It was a little fussy but I just unwrapped the old one and then rewrapped the new one around those rivets.

[@vickielovesrandy]

Awesome video with clear and visible instructions! Good camera work. Thank you!

[@harlowzeppelin7448]

Crazy stuff, an old guy with bad eyes actually did this and it worked! I don't know if it was coincidence or not, but the thermal fuse on mine blew when I tried to dehydrate a small batch of jerky without adding in a couple extra empty trays. I think it got too hot without a little extra room for air circulation. Thank you for your post, you saved me the cost of a new dehydrator.

[@catherineamy4843]

My Wife did the same thing with ours. She did with one tray after 1000+ hours with 3 trays, and the fuse popped. Thanks to you prior comment, I know what to order. I can make it work by bypassing the fuse, but that could lead to a fire...

[@jkollmeier64]

Hey FixItPhil. This video was spot on! I watch a lot of repair videos and yours was clear and well produced. I was able to replace the resistor for a few dollars and saved a lot on replacement. Way to go Phil.

[@FixItPhil]

Thank you for the compliment! I'm glad the video helped you fix your dehydrator 👍

[@kennethelwell8574]

Great video, and just what I thought would be the trouble (already had mine apart)...I have the round one, and the insides are the same. My fuse was illegible, so the part specs helped me out a lot! Replacement part is waiting for me at local electronics shop!! Glad to give him my business to continue to have a local resource, instead of only/always shipping from Amazon!!

[@FixItPhil]

Awesome! Hope your unit is working good as new!

[@dklr1959]

Awesome video. It worked on my vivohome dehydrator. Thanks!!!!

[@FixItPhil]

You're welcome, I'm glad it helped!

[@dklr1959]

@FixItPhil So, would you happen to have a video of how to fix a "battery error" on a robot vacuum?

[@FixItPhil]

🚨🚨🚨TIP: To prevent excess heat from building up in the unit and blowing the fuse, you should always use all four trays when dehydrating, even if some of them are empty. Also, try not to overload the top tray closest to the fan because it may not allow enough heat to escape down to the lower trays.

[@JohnCorwith]

Wish I knew this B4 blowing the fuse.

[@rickao330]

Yes this worked! Thank you so much! Excellent walk through from beginning to end! I can now dehydrate my Serrano peppers so I can make some pepper powder for popcorn seasoning!

[@chikentot7939]

Okay so I bought this dehydrator a month ago from an older gentlemen off Facebook market. I was extremely excited. I tested it the same day, and I used it yesterday for the first time. Only for 3 hours though. This morning I checked, and some things still needed to dry out so I set it for another hour. 20 minutes in...... it just cuts off and now doesn't come back on. I immediately wanted to use a hammer. The point is, your video gives me hope. Thanks.

[@FixItPhil]

You're welcome, I hope it's the cutoff fuse like mine because it is a relatively easy and inexpensive fix. I was reading through some posts from other users who had the fuse burn out and it sounds like that you have to use all four trays, always, when dehydrating even if some of them are empty because otherwise the heat builds up too quickly and kills the fuse. The other tip was to not overload the top tray closest to the fan because it doesn't allow enough heat to escape down to the lower trays. Hope this helps and good luck with the repair!

[@chikentot7939]

@@FixItPhil Wow it seems I caused the issue then. I was only using one tray at the time. Thanks for all your information.

[@francescatomaino9790]

Thank you! I am so grateful for this video

[@JCVdude]

Exellent instructions!! Thanks so much! When I got mine apart, I found one of the coils is broken near it's rivet. Could I solder that or do you have a suggestions for a fix? Thanks! (Cindy)

[@FixItPhil]

Hi Cindy. I wouldn't recommend soldering the heating coil back together, since the melting point of the solder temperature may be too low and would just melt again when you go to use the dehydrator. Unfortunately, I don't know of any source where you could buy just the heating element for this model dehydrator. Wish I had a better solution for you!

[@ASCCoins]

Well done thank you!

[@salayna]

Excellent video.

[@patricksughrue1313]

Thanks that was a BIG help

[@FixItPhil]

You're welcome!

[@davidcolman6070]

Excellent tutorial.

[@kellydoughty9478]

Great post. I used it to deconstruct and test my dehydrator. I have the same square Nesco model. Unfortunately both the fuse appears blown plus the fans not turning at all when direct wired as you demonstrated. I tested the motor coil and it appears to have continuity. The fan blade doesn’t spin freely though. Turns easily by finger but doesn’t just spin. Any thoughts on a fix or further testing?

[@FixItPhil]

It sounds like the motor on the fan is bad. Not sure if there's an easy fix for this other than replacing the motor itself, if you can even find an exact replacement part. I've not disassembled the fan/motor, so I'm not sure exactly the process or parts you'll need. Sorry, I wish I could be of more help.

[@mombo1881]

Hi FixItPhil, Thanks for your video. Your instructions are clear and easy to follow. But my husband broke off one of the crimps while trying to pry it open. . Is there a way to replace the crimp?

[@vladladygin9341]

Thanks for the tutorial. My part is AUPO BF142. Can I use the part you mentioned in your video instead? Will it work, or I need this specific part number?

[@FixItPhil]

The fuse you indicated has the same exact specifications as the one I used in my video, so I believe they would be interchangeable (142°C cut off, 250V, 10A). When in doubt, however, try to replace the part with an exact match if you can procure it!

[@TheKiltedHam]

mine just died but it isn't the fuse. my heating element broke. is there somewhere I can get parts?

[@eileenrichards9064]

Thank you this should save me throwing the whole unit in the trash.

[@brucewalker1908]

I have the same unit. Problem is Max Temp is 165F. Mine only heats to 140F. Feel like throwing it in the trash.

[@viar1494]

After replacing the fuse did you have to do it again? Is this dangerous to do? Like a fire hazard? I have zero experience but want to try!

[@FixItPhil]

Unfortunately, I have replaced the fuse twice now. I think this has more to do with the thermal distribution design of the unit rather than the longevity of the fuses themselves, but I'm not 100% certain on that. The repair is simple to perform though, and as long as you make sure none of the heating element parts are damaged or displaced, I believe that it would not pose any significant fire risk above normal operation.

[@kevinphillips1280]

Before removing the power cord you should check to see how far is power getting into the unit. It could have just been a bad cord. If it's not the cord proceed.

[@FixItPhil]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@carolynhughes550]

This is a great video. I realized that the issue w/ my dehydrator is actually the fan. I can't find anything helpful on how to fix that. Let me know if you have tips!

[@FixItPhil]

Hm, how were you able to isolate the fan as the issue? Does the unit heat up when you plug it in, but the fan doesn't spin? The only reason I ask is because when the thermal fuse blows, it cuts power to both the fan and the heating element, so even though the fan doesn't come on when you plug the unit it, it could still be in working condition; it's just that the circuit isn't complete when the fuse is burned out which is why it doesn't turn on. To test the fan motor, you'll have to apply direct power to the motor only, like I showed at 3:56 to see if it starts spinning. If it still doesn't work after this, then it sounds like you'll need to replace the motor or perhaps the power cord itself.

[@carolynhughes550]

​@@FixItPhil Yeah I could see and feel the heat turn on but the fan wouldn't spin. I actually ended up fixing it! I used the first part of this video to disassemble the dehydrator (up to about 2:45). Then I could tell that the square carriage (housing the fan's motor) had gotten misaligned and it was causing the blades to not spin cleanly. This makes sense that something had been jolted because the dehydrator had been dropped. The unit must automatically just turn off the fan if a blade is even slightly obstructed. I was able to re-align the placement of the fan motor the old-fashioned way... literally just took a hammer and straightened it out. Not sure if it was the most recommended but it works well now!

[@jeremysacco]

@@carolynhughes550 3 years later... same here, but I didn't just whack it. On the opposite side of the fan housing there are four screws with washers that hold the fan in place, and when I looked at mine two of them were no longer in place, so the fan wasn't straight. I just had to loosen those screws a bit, push on the fan motor until I could slip the washers back in place, and retighten. I *also* had to replace the fuse, but it all works now!

[@848meme]

well done.

[@lettybromenschenkel5807]

thank you

[@FixItPhil]

You're welcome

[@KenDanieli]

I can't get the clamps to open to get the blown fuse out

[@joesmithgold7509]

Get a mini flat screw driver, hammer and a piece of steel(I used dumbbell) to wedge it open.

[@Straightasftho]

I liked and subbed

[@VeNoM0619]

My Nesco stopped turning on after 8 uses... The fan got louder after 2 uses.

[@claudedumas441]

HinI did replace it but the fuse blew up twice! Could the problem be something else?

[@FixItPhil]

Hm, if the fuse continues to blow there may be another problem causing a short or the motor to output too much power which is overloading the fuse. If this is the problem, then perhaps it is time for a new dehydrator 😔

[@Straightasftho]

I am first to Join I don’t believe it

[@Straightasftho]

Duhhhh