Setting Up a Pedal Powered Washing Machine
Written by Amy Preuit

Introduction

Human power motorizes the washing machine at the Center for Appropriate Technology on the HSU campus. The CCAT washing machine is hooked up to a pulley system and connected to an exercise bicycle, so all the energy that runs the machine is from pedaling a bicycle.

The project itself is not that difficult to set up, it just takes a little elbow grease and patience. The washing machine should need no special conversions, so the majority of the time is just taking out the washing machine motor and setting up the parts.

CCAT's pedal power washer

Materials

One washing machine from about the 1940-50's. (CCAT uses a Maytag) If it looks like tub on 4 legs, it's the right kind. If it has more than one speed (ie rinse cycle, wash cycle, etc. it will not work with this design due to the need for gearing and other complexities).

  • 1 exercise bicycle with a weighted front wheel. (flywheel).
  • 2 wooden blocks of equal dimensions
  • 2 fan belts (1 Large & 1 Small)
  • 2 pillow-bearings
  • 2 pulley wheels (1 large, around 5-6," & 1 small, around 3-4")
  • 1 bar for bearing connection Directions for setup

Setting Up Your Washing Machine

  1. First look at figure 1 and familiarize yourself with overall look of the set up. What it looks like is an excercise bike with a belt coming off the front flywheel that is looped around a pulley wheel. This pulley wheel is on a bar which has another pulley wheel next to the first. Pulley #2 has another fan belt around it which goes underneath the washer to the gear wheel.
  2. Look under your washing machine and line up the gear wheel (the belt will go around it) located under the washer so it runs the same direction as the bicycle's front flywheel.
  3. Assemble each pillow bearing on the blocks of wood. Using a screwdriver secure pillow-bearing piece so each block of wood has one.
  4. Run the bar through the two pulley wheels (the large wheel should be the farthest away from you) and attach to one pillow bearing set ups.
  5. Attach smaller fan belt to the underside of the washing machine on the gear wheel.
  6. After the belt is attached to the washer run the other end around the pulley wheel that is closest to you.
  7. The larger belt is going to be attached to the bicycles front wheel and the larger pulley wheel that's on the far side of the bar.
  8. Place the fan belt that is attached to the bicycle on the pulley wheels first because it is on the far side of the set up.
  9. After both belts are attached to the proper stations you can attach the other pillow bearing to the open end of the bar.
  10. Make sure the system is aligned properly with enough tension so the belts will catch when moving.
  11. Then you should be able to attach your water source to the washing machine and pedal away.

*When it is all set up, refer to the figure 1 and see if your project and the figure look similar. Alternative Design The washing machine set up can vary in assembly. The washing machine can also be mounted over the bicycle flywheel to eliminate the need for the two-pulley wheel set up. A person should be able to attach a belt from the washing machine gear wheel to the flywheel of the bicycle with one fan belt.