How to turn a washing machine motor into a 220 V generator

How to turn a washing machine motor into a 220 V generator

An electric motor from a washing machine is very easy to find due to the fact that it rarely fails compared to other components, and the machines themselves are often thrown into landfills. This is a very valuable thing for DIYers; I consider how many simple machines can be built on its basis.

This motor can also work as a generator. But unfortunately, it will not generate energy just like that, since it does not have permanent magnets capable of creating an EMF in its windings.

How to start the engine from a washing machine as a 220 V generator

The motor from the washing machine has the classic structure of a commutator electric motor. And it can operate on both direct and alternating current. It's all about managing it.

Typically, the motor from the washing machine has 6 pins on the connection block: the first pair on top are the tachometer sensor pins, to control the rotation speed - we won’t need them. The second two in the middle are the stator winding terminals. The third lowest pair is the rotor output.

To make the motor produce current, you need to apply some voltage to the rotor.This will create a magnetic field on it, which in turn, when it rotates, will create an EMF on the stator winding.

We connect the wires to the rotor, to which the power source will be connected in the future.

We connect the wires to the stator. To the ends of the wires - multimeter to measure the output voltage.

To demonstrate, let’s spin the motor shaft without a source connected to the rotor.

Eventually multimeter showed zero volts and this is understandable.

We connect the power source. It will be played by a 3.7 V lithium-ion battery. Again, turn the shaft by hand.

Multimeter gave a certain value, which means energy is being generated.

We change the 3.7 V battery to a 12 V battery. Rotate it by hand.

Result: voltage increases.

To create a greater torque corresponding to the operating speed of the engine, we wind a winch around the pulley.

Let's pull, creating rotation.

Though multimeter shows 75 V, but in reality the voltage is higher, since the electronic device has a delay and is not able to count instantaneous surges of electricity.

For clarity, let’s connect a 220 V incandescent lamp. We’ll also wind the winch and pull it.

How to turn a washing machine motor into a 220 V generator

The light will flash for a short time.

Conclusion

The motor from the washing machine is quite suitable as a voltage generator, but it is difficult to “attach” it somewhere, since it: produces direct current, requires high speeds, requires additional power to operate, and if it stops, this power must be turned off somehow.

But there are also advantages: the output current can be easily controlled by adjusting the rotor circuit current, there is no magnetic sticking, and it is small in size compared to permanent magnet generators.

Watch the video

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Comments (6)
  1. Snail Achatina
    #1 Snail Achatina Guests 22 August 2019 20:23
    12
    There is an even more interesting way: disassemble the engine, install neodymium magnets into the rotor poles without removing the rotor winding, then connect the rotor to the stator. But the author correctly noted that the motor from the washing machine requires high speeds.
  2. Guest Anatoly
    #2 Guest Anatoly Guests 10 March 2020 10:27
    5
    the current will be alternating
  3. MIHAIK03031965
    #3 MIHAIK03031965 Guests March 23, 2020 11:38
    5
    HELLO CROWD! I’m looking at this section - s.s.s.r., AND I’M AMAZED - some of the generators are made into electric motors; OTHERS are made of electric motors into generators.....QUESTION - WHY TURN EVERYTHING UP UP YOUR HEAD ?!
  4. Burner
    #4 Burner Guests April 9, 2020 00:29
    7
    Yes, you drive, and the author is the first. If you only power the rotor, there will be nothing really on the stator. When the rotor rotates, the collector maintains its field in approximately the same relative position. stator, and in order for voltage to be induced in the stator, the rotor field must rotate rel. stator.Now, if you power the stator, the rotor will still produce a constant, slightly pulsating voltage
  5. Alexander S
    #5 Alexander S Guests 30 July 2020 02:36
    3
    Modern cars have asynchronous motors.
  6. I
    #6 I Guests August 7, 2020 00:31
    3
    Who did it? WE did everything as expected, but nothing worked for us((. We installed a 12 V battery, rotation ~ 4 rps and it came out no more than a volt((. Who understands the reason - explain.