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Using washing machine parts for a DIY mini wind turbine
Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 10:17 pm
by EcoTreedweller
Our washing machine ceased to do the one thing expected of it. Wash. However the parts are all intact, so I'm thinking about stripping it down to do something useful with the motor, water pump etc. (The drum is already bagsied as an incinerator or planter.)
Has anyone come across any so-simple-an-8-year-old-could-do-it plans or instructions for how to construct a basic wind turbine using these parts? Blades are not really a problem, it's the electricity/generating/connecting things up bit that I am less sure of. Thankee.
Re: Using washing machine parts for a DIY mini wind turbine
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 6:58 am
by solarwind
Not really a practical starting point for all sorts of reasons, you'll need some sort of permanent magnet generator (PMG) which COULD be made from a washing machine motor but you'd need to rewind the stator and buy or construct a permanent magnet rotor. (not a "so simple an eight year old could do it" project.)
You might try
http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index. ... d,8.0.html for more advice.
Re: Using washing machine parts for a DIY mini wind turbine
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 7:08 am
by oldjerry
Whatever you do with the rest of it,you'll find the glass window makes a brilliant salad bowl.
Re: Using washing machine parts for a DIY mini wind turbine
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 7:21 am
by contadina
The also make looking out of the round window possible
- trullowashingmachinewindow.jpg (5.08 KiB) Viewed 21365 times
Re: Using washing machine parts for a DIY mini wind turbine
Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 7:08 pm
by doofaloofa
ETD you are my hero
My friend made a wood lathe from a wasing machine motor
Re: Using washing machine parts for a DIY mini wind turbine
Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 7:33 pm
by Skippy
Doofer I did the same thing ages ago , a simple lathe out of a washing machine motor. I made a couple of dozen bowls in beech , ash and sycamore all around 9" across and it worked a treat until I became over ambisious and tried to turn a bowl almost twice that size and ended up bending the shaft on the motor
I like etd's thinking mind and if anyboby gets this sort of thing done I'd like to see the details.
Pete
Re: Using washing machine parts for a DIY mini wind turbine
Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 7:46 pm
by EcoTreedweller
@solarwind - Thanks for the link, looks like a lot of info there, will see if I can get my head around it. :)
@oldjerry - Haha, the only two things I've found to do with the door is a) salad bowl and b) (@contadina) a round window. Lol.
@doofaloofa - Bless ya! (liking your avatar btw - the mozzies I met today, I could've done with that kit, lol!).
The whole project is being made up as I go along, so of course it's subject to change (i.e. giving up and doing something else) but will keep y'all posted on how it goes, if it does go, that is! Cheers.