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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    Default Suppliers of used DC treadmill motors?

    Hi,

    I'm looking to re-motor a bench-mounted mill/drill (Dore-Westbury Mk1)with a DC motor out of a treadmill running through a DC motor controller so that I can get variable speed without having to change belts/pulleys all the time. So far, the only supplier of used DC motors I can find is several hundred Kms from me (I'm in Sydney)and they won't arrange for post or courier. Does anyone know of any supplier of used DC treadmill motors either in the Sydney area itself or elsewhere (interstate is fine) who will arrange for delivery? Any help would be appreciated.

    Regards
    Swarfman

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
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    Default

    I guarantee someone here has one under a bench, otherwise hard rubbish?

  3. #3
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Do you already have a DC motor controller?

    If not, on a mill you are probably better off doing this with a small 240V 3 phase motor and a VFD as they can do a lot more than just vary the speed, eg sophisticated motor protection, jog, rapid deceleration, variable acceleration etc. Small used 3P motors are also much more common and reasonably cheap if you have to buy them.

    I've collected and played around with a few DC motors from old running machines but I find 3P and VFD are overall more flexible so I have not installed any DC motors on any of my machinery

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
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    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Default

    Hi SwarfMan,

    If you look around I'm sure that you will find someone that wants to get rid of a treadmill. Be sure to salvage the motor controller as well. They rarely fail, more often than not its the switches and panel that give up the magic smoke, or just wear out.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    Default

    Maybe talk to some fitness equipment hire places? They would turn over their equipment (as well as have damaged stuff), so may be able to help or point you in the right direction.

    Michael

  6. #6
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    Default

    The two treadmill motors have no cooling fan, so they would overheat pretty quick if used as a motor.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  7. #7
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by .RC. View Post
    The two treadmill motors have no cooling fan, so they would overheat pretty quick if used as a motor.
    Smaller motors like those used on running machines often have a blower inside that is hard to see that's also why they usually have no fins.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    gold coast
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    303

    Default

    Would you believe that I (the inherent bower bird) threw a tread mill motor with controller, in the bin a week ago after storing it under the bench for five years waiting to find a use.
    i apologise for sharing such insensitive information
    regards
    Brian

  9. #9
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    Aug 2006
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    Melbourne
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    Default

    It wouldn't be all that difficult to fabricate a cowling and fit either a AC or DC fan to the top of a treadmill motor, that should solve the cooling issue.

    I do agree with BobL that a 3 phase motor and vfd would be a much better option though.

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    The option of VFD might be true Com, but some people are scared sh**less with the idea of using VFD. All the mods and programing required, whereas, they're quite happy to unplug, dismantle, make a mount, plug in and use the machine.
    I know, I'M ONE of them!!!!
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  11. #11
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    The option of VFD might be true Com, but some people are scared sh**less with the idea of using VFD. All the mods and programing required, whereas, they're quite happy to unplug, dismantle, make a mount, plug in and use the machine.
    I know, I'M ONE of them!!!!
    Kryn
    A major problem with many DC motors and controllers from running machines is that they are not all "unplug, dismantle, make a mount, plug in and use the machine."
    They have a built in safety feature whereby whenever they are stopped the speed returns to zero. Then you have to manually bring them back to speed again. The speed is also not controlled by a potentiometer but by a "pulse button". So imagine this, you are happily zipping along at so many rpm on your mill and want to take a close look at your work. You stop the motor, inspect the work and then turn on the motor again and then you have to hold the pulse button down to get back to your original speed. This becomes exceedingly tiresome after about the 3rd time doing this. There are work arounds but it's different for every controller. I spent and hour and a half playing with one that I have and then gave up and went back to playing with my VFDs.

  12. #12
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    Thanks Bob for rectifying my thoughts, or is that wrecking my thoughts.
    Not as simple as it looks, well that's life.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  13. #13
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    When I have used DC motors, I have used a dedicated motor controller such as Baldor or Minarik, a potentiometer can be used with these. To buy one of these controllers new would be a costly option, a vfd is a much more elegant solution.

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