Anyone ever use a treadmill for....

Percy · August 03, 2016, 10:13:59 PM

a 120 volt variable speed application ?? I see the new years resolution crowd are peddling them cheap this time of year. Seems a butchered one could be used for a conveyor or to power a short transfer chain etc. has anyone done something with one of those??

Kbeitz · August 03, 2016, 10:18:40 PM

Most of them are nothing but a DC motor.
The problem is the voltage. Make sure you run a good ground...

drobertson · August 03, 2016, 11:04:45 PM

Sounds like it could work some have used power scooter motors, seems like HP/torque ratings and amp draw would separate the cans and will nots,

pineywoods · August 04, 2016, 10:21:46 AM

Treadmill motors are mostly 90 volt dc. If you need 12 volt, get the motor/gearbox off a handicap scooter, not a wheel chair...they are actually 24 volt, but run good on 12.

Hilltop366 · August 04, 2016, 12:02:23 PM

Found this on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtluSVAlFR8

Luke_Eames · August 04, 2016, 12:29:42 PM

Thanks for the video and great idea! I have a treadmill at home... hiding.... somewhere in the house....I know it's in there.....

. I think it would get more use at the mill then it would where ever it is...

AnthonyW · August 04, 2016, 01:40:44 PM

I was thinking even if the motor is wrong (or too far from electricity), a couple of treadmill belts, might make be hooked together to form an inexpensive conveyor belt. I wonder from the video what he used for a longer belt. Obviously it is not just the single belt that was on the treadmill.

Weekend_Sawyer · August 04, 2016, 01:53:26 PM

Quote from: Luke_Eames on August 04, 2016, 12:29:42 PM
Thanks for the video and great idea! I have a treadmill at home... hiding.... somewhere in the house....I know it's in there..... . I think it would get more use at the mill then it would where ever it is...

Look under the pile of cloths, that's where I found mine! ;D

Delawhere Jack · August 04, 2016, 06:20:34 PM

Recently completed a DC motor conversion on a drill press. The 1.5 HP motor and circuit board came from a clothes rack.... er, I meant treadmill. Had to machine a pulley with internal 1/2-13 left hand thread. Gives me useful torque from about 300-2700 rpm. Now I can just dial up the speed required for the job. Nice to be able to run a big hole saw without burning it up. Picked up the digital tach off eBay for $18. I found that I can set the RPM's, and when I start drilling, the circuitry will compensate for the load and recover the RPM's. All the circuitry came from the treadmill except I replaced the slide potentiometer with a dial type.

Delawhere Jack · August 04, 2016, 06:25:47 PM

Actually... the flywheel on the motor was 1/2-13 LH. I had to thread a stub arbor to mount the flywheel on to turn the hub down to 1" to mount a pulley.

I'm old and I get confused sometimes....... smiley_old_guy

BTW. When people finally figure out that NO ONE wants to buy their clothes racks, they often will pay to have you come take it away!