Monday, April 4, 2011

Re: [Electric Boats] Treadmill motor

 

Most treadmill motors operate on 90vdc from single device switching.  

To get the 2.5hp rating, compressed air is injected into the armature/magnet gap at many cubic feet per minute. Unless you're using a $600 Emerson, the usual Icon (80% of the market) motor is designed for a 3 month lifetime at a 10% duty cycle. 

When I offered a lifetime motor to several of the largest treadmill manufacturers in China and Taiwan, they all laughed at the thought. Like Minnekota and Motorguide, they depend on programmed obsolescence for the majority of their repeat business. 

And old golf cart motor, also rated for 2.5hp, would be a much better choice. Note the sizes of the two motors, and their similar "ratings". 

Be Well,
Arby

On Apr 4, 2011, at 6:15 AM, "vectorges" <vectorges@gmail.com> wrote:

 

I saw a post recently on a woodworking site about using the motor from a treadmill as a replacement motor for tools. Most treadmills use a DC motor in the 2 - 2.5 hp range. Speed control appears to be a solid state unit operated by a small potentiometer. There (must be) an AC-DC converter, since it plugs into the wall. What about using this as a motor on a small electric boat? It is much bigger than the usual scooter motors, has an integrated cooling fan, and all of the speed control. The question would be how to find schematics to use batteries instead of the AC power.

Thoughts?

George
Conway, SC

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