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Stationary bike as laundry agitator

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 3:33 pm
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!

Re: Stationary bike as laundry agitator

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 4:18 pm
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?

Re: Stationary bike as laundry agitator

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 5:04 pm
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?

Re: Stationary bike as laundry agitator

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 5:33 am
by vexed87

Re: Stationary bike as laundry agitator

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 12:52 pm
by vexed87