How to make a wheel motor from a washing machine?

Electric bikes are gaining popularity, but the cost of bicycles, as well as their components, remains high. But there is an alternative - to build a wheel motor from a washing machine yourself. An engine from an LG direct-drive automatic machine, which is sold cheaper than other inverter engines on the secondary market, is perfect for such purposes. Finding a motor for a future wheel is easy, but fitting it into place is a difficult task. We will try to describe all the nuances of making a homemade electric device.

Requires a step bearing and mounting disc

The idea of ​​using an electric motor from a washing machine as the basis of a wheel motor for a bicycle is not new. This option allows you to save a lot: if branded components for electric bicycles have a price of 5-7 thousand, then LG inverter engines can be found for 800-1000 rubles. The final cost will depend on the age and power of the machine.

The load the engine can withstand is determined by the capacity of the machine. Models from LG can have a tank with a volume from 3-5 to 10-12 kg. Consequently, the engine power will vary between 300-1000 W.

Inverter engines from LG machines are suitable as the basis for the motor wheel for an electric bike.

Selecting an engine based on power is only the first nuance. Also, when making a motor wheel with your own hands, you will have to come to terms with a number of disadvantages:

• the motor from the washing machine has only a stator and a rotor (without a bearing and a hub);
• You will additionally need a mounting ring for the stator;
• the washing motor has an unsuitable winding;
• there will be problems installing the spokes on the wheels.

Installing a washing machine motor onto a bicycle wheel is quite difficult. The old engine has only a stator and a rotor, which without a drum shaft, outside the washing unit, do not engage and are not centered. To adapt the device to an electric bike, you will have to find a wheel bearing and carry out a series of turning operations to grind out the mounting “socket”.

You also need to make a mounting disk for the stator. It is cut from a sheet of metal using laser cutting. In the absence of the latter, you can get by with a milling machine and a grinder.

Winding problems

The third point concerns the winding. The fact is that on electric motors from automatic washing machines it is aluminum, which is not suitable for electric bicycles. Moreover, the wiring is designed for a voltage of 220V, while bicycle controllers provide a maximum of 72V.

As a result, there are two options left:

• rewind the winding (instead of aluminum, copper);
• replace magnets.

Washing machine motors are equipped with ferrite magnets, in which the maximum rated power cannot be exceeded. There is also difficulty in magnetization, since each block has four poles. Some craftsmen heat the device, loosening the magnets, or knock them out with a hammer. Instead, more suitable neodymium analogues are installed. True, it is additionally necessary to strengthen the rotor bowl with a steel ring, constructing a closure system for magnetic fields.

To improve the magnets on an LG engine, you will have to spend a lot of effort and money. Additional expenses increase the cost of the homemade product, making it pointless - for the same price you can buy a special motor for an electric bike. As a result, most craftsmen take the easy route: replacing aluminum with copper, adjusting the voltage.

How to spoke a wheel?

Difficulties will also arise with the installation of spokes. The rotor bowl from the washer does not have protrusions with holes - you will have to make them from scratch. Next, the rods are inserted and welded to the rims.

If you have experience working with electronics and access to various equipment, then you can take a risk and make a full-fledged and budget-friendly wheel motor out of the LG engine.

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