By Cassandra Tribe | Updated March 24, 2022
The Bedini motor is a popular “free‑energy” prototype that has intrigued hobbyists for decades. While the scientific community remains skeptical, building one is an excellent hands‑on project for beginners who want to explore electromagnetism, transistor circuitry, and basic power‑conversion principles.
Start by unwrapping the two wire spools. Separate the ends, then twist them together so they form a double‑strand cable. Thread this cable through the anchor hole on an empty coil and secure it. Wrap the double‑strand around the coil in a single layer from top to bottom. When you reach the bottom, reverse the winding direction to add a second layer, keeping the layers tight and uniform. Continue until the coil is fully filled. On the finished coil, ensure you have two wires emerging from the top—one 22‑AWG and one 26‑AWG—and identical wires from the bottom. For the core, cut several welding rods to match its length, stack them, and bond them with super‑glue to create a solid magnetic core.
Attach the rotor to its mount following the kit instructions. Position the rotor so it can spin freely and the permanent magnets pass directly over the coil’s core. Use a sturdy wooden or plexiglass stand to keep the coil and rotor aligned.
Place the 2N3055 transistor on a flat surface with the emitter (E) on the left, base (B) on the right, and collector (C) on the back. Connect a 1N4001 diode across the emitter and base, with the cathode pointing toward the B pin. Attach a 430 Ω resistor to the B pin and connect its free end to the potentiometer. Mount a 1N4007 diode across the collector, cathode toward the collector body.
Cut five lengths of wire. Tie one to the free end of the 1N4007 diode. Connect two lengths to the emitter pole of the collector. Attach one wire to the farthest point on the collector, and connect another to the potentiometer.
Use two 12‑V rechargeable car batteries: one as the recharging source and the other as the starting source. Wire the positive terminal of the recharging battery to one end of a connecting wire; tie the negative terminal of the starting battery to the other end. Cross‑connect the two batteries with a third wire and splice a fourth wire into its middle to allow a mid‑point connection.
From the splice point, connect the 22‑AWG coil wire. Tie the emitter pole wire to the negative terminal of the starting battery. Link the 1N4007 diode wire to the positive terminal of the recharging battery.
Finish by connecting the remaining emitter wire to the bottom 26‑AWG coil wire, the potentiometer to the top 26‑AWG wire, and the last collector wire to the bottom 22‑AWG coil wire.
Attach a small neon bulb to the emitter pole and a second bulb to the collector body. The bulbs will glow when the motor generates sufficient voltage.
Set up a clear workspace. Wind at least 450 turns of double‑strand wire onto the coil. Wrap the coil in a tight, non‑conductive cover. Follow the step‑by‑step wiring sequence above. Test the motor on a well‑lit, ventilated area.
Never allow the neon bulbs to ignite while the motor is running; this indicates the transistor is under excessive voltage. Ensure your batteries are undamaged—leaks or cracks can be hazardous. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and always work in a well‑ventilated environment.
