Free Power for 16 years from a modified Washing Machine / Water Wheel

Marty T May 10, 2020
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About

For over 20 years, I've been living off-grid, powered by a DIY micro hydro generator built from a repurposed smart-drive washing machine . This channel started as a way to share that project and demonstrate how easy it can be to live sustainably. Over time, my focus expanded to include sustainably harvesting timber for firewood and building materials. To make that work easier, I began acquiring and restoring vintage machinery – on a shoestring budget. Seeing these abandoned workhorses come back to life has become a passion, and I love sharing the process with you. My ultimate goal is to inspire others to embrace resourcefulness, reduce waste, and find creative solutions to everyday challenges. If you're interested in DIY off-grid projects, machinery restoration, or simply living a more sustainable life, subscribe and join me on this journey.

Video Description

I've been living off grid for the past 16 years, I make my own electricity using an old washing machine I found at the dump. I rewired the smart-drive washing machine motor to generate electricity, the generator is rotated via a water driven Pelton Wheel ( Hydro Turbine ). Water goes into the intake, creates pressure due to the difference in height between intake and outlet nozzle. Water comes out of the nozzle at 60psi and spins the pelton wheel which is attached to the modified washing machine motor (now a generator). The generator puts out 3 phase ac voltage which is passed through a 3 phase diode block rectifier to change it into dc, it is then fed directly into a 24v battery bank, a 24 - 240vac inverter is connected to the battery bank, 240vac travels up the power lines to my house. I can now power all my 240vac household appliances from the inverter It makes enough power to heat my water and run all the appliances in my energy efficient house as well as most of the tools in my shed. Occasionally I have issues with it and need to go down to the stream to problem solve, a small price to pay to avoid paying a power bill. My other channel (Angry Ram) - https://youtu.be/vIjTxxD3M4U