I need help with DC motor control wiring

[Fyrme]

I have a DC treadmill motor that I have hopes of using on a bandsaw. I've done tons of searching on here and on Google, but can't find anyone with a control board like mine, which is just one board, not two. I can't figure out which three pins to use for a potentiometer. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to figure this out?

 

[Dustball]

If you can't get that to work and would like an alternative, I've installed an Ironhorse DC drive with good results.

https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Motor_Controls/Drives/DC_Drives

 

[dave_dj1]

I hate to ask but why?
Is there a potentiometer on the treadmill? If so just trace the wires up to it?

 

[CoogarXR]

You aren't going to be able to connect a potentiometer to those connectors. The short story is, treadmill controls typically use a microcontroller for their interface to the drive board. So it's a digital signal, not analog (like a pot would be).

 

[engineer2]

Check on the alternative energy forums. They tear apart old treadmills because the motors work OK for power generation.

 

[cgrutt]

Didn't read through the attached thread but looks like this guy was trying to do same thing as you are. Controller looks very similar I think it might be same. Hopefully will offer some help, good luck. I have a treadmill motor I was thinking about using on a drill press so interested in seeing how this turns out.

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/th...ith-this-treadmill-motor-and-speed-controller

 

[cgrutt]

This seems to be what you need to do (absent buying a different controller). Need to build a control circuit that includes the pot, a couple of 555 timer chips and a few additional components.

Video here:

Details on speed controller build here:
http://el34world.com/Misc/Cnc/TreadmillMotor1.htm

Schematic here:

 

[Fyrme]

I hate to ask but why?
Is there a potentiometer on the treadmill? If so just trace the wires up to it?

No, it's controlled by a digital control panel with all the other **** I don't need.

 

[Fyrme]

You aren't going to be able to connect a potentiometer to those connectors. The short story is, treadmill controls typically use a microcontroller for their interface to the drive board. So it's a digital signal, not analog (like a pot would be).

That's what I was afraid of.

Check on the alternative energy forums. They tear apart old treadmills because the motors work OK for power generation.

I've scoured them and they all appear to use an older analog type board, or they use treadmills with the two boards and bypass one of them. But mine is all integrated into one board.

 

[Fyrme]

Didn't read through the attached thread but looks like this guy was trying to do same thing as you are. Controller looks very similar I think it might be same. Hopefully will offer some help, good luck. I have a treadmill motor I was thinking about using on a drill press so interested in seeing how this turns out.

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/th...ith-this-treadmill-motor-and-speed-controller

Yes, I read that one too. He is in the same boat I am I think. I tried reading some of the replies and links, but it all turned my head to mush and started sounding like Charlie Browns teacher.....

I have a treadmill motor on my 14" bandsaw, I used a KB electronics KBIC 125 controller. They are cheap on ebay and come with a pot and instructions. I know you asked how to wire the one you have but from your pictures I could not see the pot connection that is on several of the controllers I have.

It sounds like I will end up having to go with a different controller. However, the term "cheap" varies based on ones tax bracket I'm afraid. $80-$100 is not considered "cheap" on a fireman's salary.

 

[Fyrme]

This seems to be what you need to do (absent buying a different controller). Need to build a control circuit that includes the pot, a couple of 555 timer chips and a few additional components.

Video here:

Details on speed controller build here:
http://el34world.com/Misc/Cnc/TreadmillMotor1.htm

Schematic here:

I think with the exception of the transformer mounted to the board, this is the same board as mine. If I can get my head wrapped around the understanding of the electronic circuitry, This sounds like it will work.

 

[cgrutt]

I think with the exception of the transformer mounted to the board, this is the same board as mine. If I can get my head wrapped around the understanding of the electronic circuitry, This sounds like it will work.

Curiosity got the best of me and I was poking around the internet last night. Seems like all of the components to build that controller are readily available and fairly inexpensive. I think you could buy everything needed in above diagram from an electronics supply for under $20. Keep in mind I just pulled this off the Internet and have no idea if it actually works but suspect it will. Good luck.

BTW, your board is stamped MC2100 just like the one in video so believe they are same. I think you would need to use the transformer to power the timer circuit if you decide to build it. Check the red and black wires (as shown in video) they should have 12v DC I suspect this is coming from transformer.

 

[Fyrme]

Found another freebie treadmill I MIGHT go get tomorrow. It's a good hour drive, so it will cost me a little fuel, but fingers crossed that it has a MC-60 board in it and I can use it with a simple POT controller.

 

[PWC Repair]

How about just get one of these and wait a couple weeks til it shows up?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/400W-AC-11...550094&hash=item3ab3fcc2ed:g:FtsAAOSw7ehXQtNF

That's what I'll do when I convert my drill press into a mini mill.

 

[marinusdees]

How about just get one of these and wait a couple weeks til it shows up?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/400W-AC-11...550094&hash=item3ab3fcc2ed:g:FtsAAOSw7ehXQtNF

That's what I'll do when I convert my drill press into a mini mill.

This is OK as long as your motor doesn't draw more than 5 amps. Most treadmill motors draw more under load. Jus' sayin'.

 

[Fyrme]

How about just get one of these and wait a couple weeks til it shows up?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/400W-AC-11...550094&hash=item3ab3fcc2ed:g:FtsAAOSw7ehXQtNF

That's what I'll do when I convert my drill press into a mini mill.

I saw that one. I'm not scared to order anything from over seas and wait on it. But like marinusdees said, it may be a bit smallish for a load. It says in the listing that the motor must be started slow, or it could blow the fuse.... Hmmm, I think I might spend a little more and get one I don't have to think about before flipping the switch.

On another note, I picked up the other free treadmill today and it too has a MC-2100 board. So now I have two motors that need controllers, lol.

 

[American Locomotive]

It sounds like I will end up having to go with a different controller. However, the term "cheap" varies based on ones tax bracket I'm afraid. $80-$100 is not considered "cheap" on a fireman's salary.

How much in gas is it going to cost you to drive your truck an hour each way for a junk treadmill that might not even have what you need?

I know it wouldn't be worth my time to be driving two hours for something that might not even have what I need.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

These pics are all I have at the moment. Perhaps they can help somehow as I'm not good with electrical. I bought this off Kijiji and modified it slightly; enclosed the computer board so the smoke wouldn't escape when sanding metal. There are more pics in my album. 2 wires, the red and black go to the motor. The other 4 are split, one pair to the on/off switch and the other pair to the dial for speed control. I don't know which pair colors are for what, sorry.

 

[marinusdees]

OK, so I'll expose myself as a 20th century ignoramus. I have a floor model Craftsman I bought new 40+ years ago. Somewhere along the way I acquired a PM motor, like a treadmill motor. For a power supply, I use a 10 amp rotary dimmer feeding thru a full wave bridge rectifier. Rotary dimmer 10 amp $30 bucks on ebay. Full wave bridge. a couple of bucks, same place. It works wonderfully. I can feed on power with my left hand while controlling the down pressure with my right. I used a small 10 amp circuit breaker in line.
Yes, the output voltage exceeds the 90 amps the motor is rated for, so I don't maximize the voltage. Given the rectifier is not 100% efficient, I'm safe anyway,

This is admittedly not an elegant way to do it. I don't really care. I don't have to deal with complex circuit arrangements, etc., etc.

 

[Fyrme]

How much in gas is it going to cost you to drive your truck an hour each way for a junk treadmill that might not even have what you need?

I know it wouldn't be worth my time to be driving two hours for something that might not even have what I need.

Oh, about $12. And even though it didn't have the board I needed, I got another good DC motor as well as some good tube steel I can use for projects. So, yes it was a cheap trip.

 

[laser3kw]

I might be late to this party....
What was the make and model of the tread mill you are trying to pirate? That might lead down a different path towards a manual / schematic.