OT: Treadmill motor current requirement?

[Guest]

Bought SWMBO a treadmill for Christmas.

It has a 3hp (continous duty) Leeson DC motor and draws about 21 amps. Must be a true hp rating.

Is this thing only going to draw near 21 amps when it's running near full throttle and under load? For normal use is it going to run on a 15 amp circuit or is it going to require more?

Thanks,
Dan

[cebump]

In most cases the treadmill will pull about half the max amps when new and under load. as the walking surface belt and deck wear your draw will increase. Follow the mfg lube instructions and that will keep the draw as low as possible. 12-15 amps is probably average for most of it life. We generally replace the walking surface when the draw exceeds 18 amps. if you will loosen the belt and clean the dirt and dust that accumulates once a month or so, it will add about 25 percent to the life as well.

[pgmrdan]

Great info cebump!

Thanks!

Dan

[cebump]

Dan

Any time. It is not often I get to sound like I know what I am talking about on this board As a hobbiest, the experience and knowledge always amaze me.

Brian

[wierdscience]

SWMBO?

[J. Randall]

Weird SWMBO means she who must be obeyed. James

[CCWKen]

3HP!!!! ????
SWMBO must be big!

[pgmrdan]

Wierd - She Who Must Be Obeyed is what Rumpole (of the Rumpole of the Bailey books and TV series) called his benevolent dictator of a wife. The abbreviation is used quite a bit on some other boards.

CCWKen - Be nice! She's not big. She's just trying to take care of herself. I tell her she's going to end up looking like the 50 year old grandmother in the bikini that does the Bowflex commercials.

They brought out the treadmill last night and set it up. There's a 15 amp breaker switch built in so it's fine on a 15 amp circuit. Works like a champ. (The motor has a nicely machined fly wheel. Looks like cast iron.)