Stationary bike as laundry agitator

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daylen
Posts: 2528
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2015 4:17 am
Location: Lawrence, KS

Stationary bike as laundry agitator

Post by daylen »

Need engineering brains!

What is the simplest way to use the mechanical energy generated from a regular stationary bike to agitate laundry in a 5-gallon bucket?

Go!

bryan
Posts: 1061
Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2014 2:01 am
Location: mostly Bay Area

Re: Stationary bike as laundry agitator

Post by bryan »

First thing that comes to mind would be attach a rod or two to the wheels or pedals which then goes to a custom piston (like a donut, or shaped to provide just enough agitation) or two in the bucket? This would be a reciprocating engine.

edit: at that point you could customize the tower the rods connect to to suit your needs (gearing) I guess? Googling for "antique washing machine" gives some further ideas (instead of piston you could have a rotating thing, etc). Though I would think rods to the wheels/pedals is simplest. Otherwise you would need a wheel that accommodates a belt?

daylen
Posts: 2528
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2015 4:17 am
Location: Lawrence, KS

Re: Stationary bike as laundry agitator

Post by daylen »

I agree that using the pedals would be easiest. The wheel on my bike is smooth without a good way to accommodate a belt. Another problem is that the pedals only come off the ground by about 3-4 inches at the lowest point, and I would rather not have to raise the bike.

What if I used a simple pulley to raise and lower a an x-shaped bar at the bottom of the bucket? Would that be enough agitation?

vexed87
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Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:02 am
Location: Yorkshire, UK

Re: Stationary bike as laundry agitator

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vexed87
Posts: 1521
Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:02 am
Location: Yorkshire, UK

Re: Stationary bike as laundry agitator

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