DC Treadmill Motor Controller Explained -Belt Grinder

[@intjonmiller]

This is WAY easier to understand than all the forum posts I had to go through to learn the same thing. I've picked up three free treadmills over the last two years. Two had MC-60s, the other some other junk. Looking forward to your next video so I can use the third motor without paying for an MC-60. Oh, by the way, those motors are always rated at a ridiculous RPM for their stated power output. Probably that 7100 RPM figure. You won't get anywhere near that at normal speeds, but still more than enough for a belt grinder or most home size lathes and mills. Finally, if you ever want one of these to always run at full speed for some reason all you need is a $3 bridge rectifier. It's all they use on electric lawn mowers and such. Couldn't be cheaper or easier to wire up.

[@mikemanmade3087]

Thanks for watching!

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

becuz you made this so easy to understand - I'm gonna bring my controller board to the REstore (habitat for humanity) - since I want the motor as a bicycle generator. But I didn't want to just "destroy" any parts that might have value. The poor chipmunk that bit into the red wire - I'll just have to remove his skull. Other than that - the parts of fine. I did take some cool photos of the chipmunk skull - if you want to see. Just scroll down on my blog. elixirfield.blogspot.com/2019/01/treadmill-dc-motor-hack-investing-in.html

[@TRAVDOG-pg3cm]

good job explaining brother! I am trying to decide what i want to do.... Faceting motor, small lathe, belt sander, large ceiling fan setup, winch motor setup, so many cool things to do....

[@houseoquinnizyodaddy]

I am by no means a wiring genius, and after countless videos trying to understand how to wire all this up you just simply explained in in 5 min. Good job and I'm gonna subscribe. Thanks.

[@Linsdell-forge]

"Running sucks". That sir is pure gold.

[@chuckintexas]

EXCELLENT work ! Thanks ! Simple and to the point, with GREAT narration !

[@leksey7870]

Well when grider is possible to change momentum. The best processing quality. I like it!

[@mikemanmade3087]

Thanks!

[@josearrue4072]

Thanks very much for the excellent explanation. I had always wanted to change my grinder to dc but was not really sure how to do it until now. I am even planing to attach a digital tachometer. I've suscribed. Best regards from Panama

[@muddyfences5559]

Great information Mike. Treadmills are a dime a dozen around here and I have your belt grinder high on my to-do list. I can't wait for part 2.

[@johntamez7971]

Awesome video! Thank you very much for a good detailed, well edited video!! I am wanting to do the same project and was coming to a dead end with the motor that I have. This video saved the project! Thanks

[@JamesOliverLindsey]

Perfect video. Thank you for explaining this system!

[@JUSTINOURSE]

Great video ‼️ It made me get out my pen and paper Thank you for sharing ‼️ And you have a new subscriber 🤘😁

[@CharlesKiblinger]

Looking forward to the next one. Thanks! I have a good motor with one of the weird controllers so I'd like to learn how to make a better controller.

[@eddietowers5595]

Like your videos, and like everyone else, I want more...lol. You're correct in the cost and effectiveness in machine placement. I have gutted 5 pro form treadmills I got for $10 each, at separate times at separate thrift shops and have placed them into those cheap Chinese lathes and milling machines. I'm in the process of building a universal band saw that's going to be utilizing one of the MC-60 speed controllers and their respective motors, that's going to enable me to cut any materials off of it. So, yeah, invest in a used up tread mill and gut it for it's electrical a and it's electronics. It's very worth it.

[@mikemanmade3087]

Thanks, with a two month old my project time is is minimal, but I'm going to try to focus on projects more. If for no other reason than to escape the piercing screaming.

[@eddietowers5595]

mikemanmade tinkering around is like a bumper sticker I saw, "a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work" just replace "fishing" with "tinkering", that is if you're not fishing, of course.

[@peterciurea7771]

A mod for the MC 60 to dim the soft start effect somewhat is to clip the RPS 3 resistor.It's located next to the W terminal you use for the pot. It helps the range somewhat. You should try and add a fan to cool the motor - it's what the manufacturer specifies. Especially since you're likely to use it sporadically which will make you think it's not likely to get overheated till the one time you need to use it a longer time then normal. An independently powered computer fan or something similar, that's not depending on the speed of the motor, blowing into the back of the motor.

[@justinlogue31]

What exactly does "Dim" the soft start mean? How will the motor now work after clipping the resistor? THanks

[@kentlovelace4108]

Good info! Thanks for uploading this.

[@johngolden2979]

Great video. Answered all my questions.

[@BIZARRAZO]

Yeahh, exactly what i was looking for. Thank you so much.

[@fredir3596]

Exactly the information I need! Subscribed.

[@lonewolf14779]

OK people I have been looking at many of these treadmill motors...He did good here with it... OK i have 4 motor only 2 real treadmill controls (MC 60 the easiest to work with) as some one said its a 9/16 (17mm) shaft all you need to do take the controller and hook up the so works and get yourself a angle grinder start motor take the angle grinder, forget something you also need a 5/8 (about 16mm) shaft pulley now just run motor a start grinding away until the pulley fits I just did 4 motor in about a hour there you go...

[@teejay622]

Awesome video. Thank you for sharing this kind of knowledge and info! Please explain why you would not utilize the thermal protection. I mean, it's right there, wired and everything. How can it be a negative thing? I'm asking - is there a downside to using it or just a personal preference of yours? Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. This is exactly what makes the internet so amazing!

[@gymover]

Thank you so much for this, I have about 9 treadmill motors that I removed during my tenure as a service tech for an exercise equipment company in Denver, but didnt save the controllers, I was thinking they are desirable for windmills.

[@lazyh-online4839]

The rpm of the motor is too high to get useful power from windmill use unless gears or pulleys are used. You'll get power, but it won't make much until much higher rpm than what a direct mounted turbine would be able to produce even in high wind

[@toastersock]

Nice explanation , I am looking forward to your next video as I have three of these motors and three dead controller cards! There are several projects I'd like to use them in, soft start not required. Thank you!

[@mikemanmade3087]

Glad you liked it!

[@kocnn]

Great vid Mike, Thanks

[@mrdavidurquhart]

Really helpful Mike. Thanks

[@aros007z]

You are 'the man'.

[@NathanielKeitt]

Question: Can an E-Bike Throttle, Thumb Throttle Speed Control Power Switch with Key Lock operate a treadmill motor control board that has the capacitors to power a quad E-Bike?

[@souptonutsbolts9209]

hi , mike ,looking forward to your 15 dollar controller, i love the treadmill motors got a free tread mill with a 3hp motor and all the electronics, now is powering my bridge port,,really is great having good variable control...got other dc 90 volt motors but no controllers. mike

[@beauleggedwatkins]

Where can I find this type of poteniometer? Or what should I use? Making a disc grinder with my motor.

[@flywelder]

My treadmill is not working. The motor is working properly but there is a problem in the circuit board that shuts down the treadmill after 10 or 15 seconds and gives an error code of 11 and/or 21. My research on-line points to there being a faulty component on the circuit board. After watching your video, I was thinking I could purchase a rectifying diode and motor controller, disconnect the motor leads from the circuit board, and attached those leads to the motor control switch. That should allow me to control the speed of the motor with the rotating switch and use the treadmill once again, correct?

[@jbehzad]

Great informative video . That controller also convert AC power to DC for the motor ,is that right ?

[@daveob256]

Thanks for a great explanation of controllers. I'd been looking around for something similar with no luck, until your vid surfaced. Looking forward to the DIY controller vid!

[@gerhardnortje7336]

hi the boards that you had on the table,was those bought extra or did they come out the treadmill

[@joelhull3473]

Will the motor run without the potentiometer? Probably a dumb question,but my treadmill motor with the circuit board wired to the AC and the motor,nothing happens. I also tried with the treadmill's original control panel and nothing happened. The treadmill motor was running when I took it apart.

[@gatesofroyalty863]

Thank you, very helpful 🤗🤗🤗

[@shelby50411]

Great video.. Can i use the orig treadmill treadmill controller board...if so how do i control the motor without the treadmill main board connected

[@traviswalker6831]

Thanks buddy!

[@TomSommer]

Thanks for sharing this info. Do you need to use the flywheel?

[@helicrashpro]

If you put a switch on one of the pot leads, it can act as a reset without moving the pot from the speed setting you want to leave it at. So using that switch to shut the motor off will allow you to restart the motor at the original set speed.

[@MatthewRulla]

I just desolder the resistor labeled RPS3 to eliminate the "soft start". I have no problems so far (10+ years) and I even reverse the motor while running for things like power-tapping threaded holes.

[@ForcingFlow]

@mikemanmade I have one of these running a bandsaw (the MC-60). My issue has been the compensation is way too high. As soon as I start cutting something the motor controller compensates and speeds up the saw. This is extremely disconserting. Have you had the same issue / know how to solve it?

[@boots7859]

Like he said, troll different forums looking for mods to the mc-60.

[@TheGdcb]

I may have missed it but where do you connect the choke? Also, what is a choke? Is there a better name for it so I can look it up?

[@MsPetra2009]

2 questions: Do you need an inline power switch when using a 5K linear potentiometer? I didn't see one on your finished grinder. , Do you need a 3 prong cord with ground wire or is a polarized plug sufficient?

[@FangarJim]

Thanks Mike. Would you be able to detail where the inductor is wired in? Cheers.

[@johnstrange6799]

Is the MC 80 board useable in the same easy plug and play manner as an MC 60?

[@dirtroadfarmsjimmideanreen2458]

What kind of controller would I use for a D.C. system? Is there something I could salvage from the junkyard??? Also on the AC system why. Could I just use the controller that comes in the treadmill? If the one you were showing was out of the treadmill my apologies!!!

[@boots7859]

He just showed you, unless you are talking about mains power being DC. If so, then you need a DC-DC converter to get to the appropriate voltage first. After that, you need to find a DC controller. Check eBay.

[@fuzz2978]

Got your channel from"make everything channel" if I got a ground lead coming from the motor.....do I cap it off?

[@MatthewMakris]

Great video! What do you do with the green ground wire?

[@tuckeman]

The ground wire gets connected to him🤔🤔🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂

[@Football5198]

Gentlemen, I have a question that may sound silly. I have been looking but cannot find an old treadmill. Where do y’all locate them? I’ve been on Craigslist consistently but no luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[@lovacoustic]

Great videos. I am a pretty handy guy, but know very little about electricity/electronics. I want to be able to attach a display for RPMs to the controller. Any suggestions on how to do this?

[@boots7859]

There are cheap $20 units that you can get that look like those remote thermometers 'guns'. Just paint the shaft black, and then paint a white stripe on it that the gun can reflect pulses from.

[@drakeswake]

Thank you.

[@vincentdimaggio5627]

Great info Mike. I have the type of board with the 2 caps. How do I attach the potentiometer? Not seeing where to. Also I tried with the cheap scr relay and br rec and it works but I can’t get the motor to run slow enough. Want to use it on a wood band saw. Thanks Vinny

[@MatthewRulla]

Many of the cheap SCR power controllers have the wrong size potentiometer included, limiting the resolution available to properly adjust the speed. Try a couple other value pots and I bet you'll get it working correctly.

[@blender_unleashed]

My board has a port with four pins designated for the controls, how can I control this?

[@rustybrowneye]

alright. i subbed, u got me. i have been lookin for a vid like this and the next one

[@MrMalditor]

One thing I'm confused about, and perhaps I just missed it during your explanation, is If I take apart the treadmill doesn't it already have the speed controller board in it? The treadmill we have sitting around just has a single nob that you turn to power it on and speed/slow the belt. Wouldn't I basically just be able to keep everything hooked up as is wiring wise and just mount the motor into the chassis of the belt grinder?

[@harriscreekcentral]

That is correct if you get one that is working. Quite often it is the main board that is the problem, then you have to bypass the board and use your own system. Check my comment elsewhere in the reply comments. I listed the Ebay components that I am setting up to control the motor.

[@chabrolchristopher5763]

A big YES thanks a lot

[@matthewprentce4419]

Hey Mike. Do I need the transformer from the original Treadmill to get the motor to work with the MC-60. I see that you didn't show hooking that up.

[@JI-ev9pp]

matthew prentce nope. You connect the 120 directly into the board (at least on the mc60). The speed controller takes care of everything else.

[@reynoldfernandez3778]

Hi, I have a controller model MC1618DLS from Pro Form treadmill, I set all the connections, except where connect the potentiometer, could you help me?

[@gschnaper]

Awesome! I watched the vid where you built the belt grinder. And now you explain the electronics. I used the same SCR controller and rectifier but motor has a loud hum. Maybe needs a inductor choke? I see you have one here in your box. Where does it wire into? inline with pos or neg or across pos and neg like a capacitor???

[@lazyh-online4839]

The hum is simply from the AC turning to pulsed DC, a choke inline with the motor would help but isn't necessary unless something isn't wired properly. Just double check your wiring and you should be fine.

[@justinlogue31]

Does a 10k POT work or does it have to be the 5k?

[@rustybrowneye]

when im lookin around for a treadmill. what type can i find than control board in? i alrady pulled a tread mill apart but my board is huge and all digital and so on. that little guy seems much simpler

[@michaelg4931]

I usually look for treadmills with a rotating knob or slider (which is actually a potentiometer) on them, as they don't resort to digital wizardry, as a rule, to control the motor speed controller.

[@BarryKooda]

Hey Mike, I know this is an older video so I don't know if you ever check comments but would it be possible to use the control circuit from the treadmill that you scavenged the motor from?

[@MrRaynemaker]

I've had the same thoughts. I'm in the middle of accumulating and planning and I can tell you that, yes the controls from the treadmill will run the motor. The problem is the speed sensor on the controller(at least on mine) picks up it's signal from a magnet on the drive roller on the treadmill deck. It is measuring the speed of the roller driving the mat. If you can figure a way to fool it, my hat will be tipped to you.

[@rustycraig1713]

Doesn't the motor need to be sealed so the dust and ground metal don't get in and ruin it? Are DC motors sealed or open?

[@user-zq6pj5jo8j]

That is crazy speed for a sander...One could loose a finger like that

[@stephengreen3566]

You should consider building guards for that thing. If the belt breaks at high speed....wow.

[@rewster9759]

what did you do for the wheel mounted to your motor? not sure on how to mount something safely to the motor without it spinning to pieces. and just to be sure im not going to die or burn my house down without the inductor am i?

[@mikemanmade3087]

The flywheel is threaded on. The inductor will make things run more smoothly, it's not a safety device.

[@rewster9759]

thank you i feel better about not having an inductor now. did you weld a price of pipe to the flywheel and use that to drive the belt?

[@BlackBeardOutdoors]

do most working treadmills already come with the MC-60?

[@kocnn]

Hey Mike, I have have this coil that i got from the treadmill, do i have to use that in my drill press build

[@mikemanmade3087]

Dammit, i forgot to mention the inductor. Short answer, no it is not absolutely needed. It will make the motor run more smoothly though, and could possibly protect the motor board from current spikes.

[@kocnn]

mikemanmade, ok thanks, looking forward to the next vid, I have a few DC motors and would like to make a 6" belt sander,

[@blkmgic83]

Mike what did u use for a drive wheel

[@mikerodriguez2163]

Where do I purchase the motor? Do you have instructions or sell instructions ?

[@jimmyfavereau]

Thanks!

[@yutub561]

Mine has a transformer after the controller on the black wire. can you just delete that transformer and wire it directly to the motor like in this video?

[@richardingram3517]

That is not a transformer, it is a motor choke used to smooth out the current to the motor. It should be connected in series with the motor circuit. Connect the one wire from the choke to the motor black motor wire and and the other end to the B terminal on the board.

[@matthewenquist]

What are you doing with the ground wire from the wall?

[@boots7859]

I'd tack it too the control box/tool.

[@tomkneeland2638]

Wish someone had information to use the MLH0913I controller from a Johnson Horizon treadmill

[@selador11]

I can't remember if you touched on torque or not. But people should consider what these motors are intended to do. Imagine the torque it takes to keep that treadmill belt moving, when it has a 400 pound person on it!

[@cc4744]

What is the place you solder the pentiometer to called

[@bobbg9041]

I really want to see a working controller with a pulse modulation motor control board, it's always mc60 or mc80's. How about a mc2100

[@ashrafsaad5898]

I get confused about my treadmill motor. It's 1.5 HP and 4900 RPM 100 v. 14 Amps So if I used 10000w scr controller is big also if I used 4000w it need bigger size controller with fan because I read if is more than 10 Amps it need fan for get hot. Thanks Ash

[@ashrafsaad5898]

Thanks for that information I am looking for used my traedemill Dc motor for bandsaw. but my motor is 1.5 HP , RPM 4900 100v AMPS 14. so I cannot get 4000w scr controller because I read more than 10 AMPS need fan also if I get 10000w controller it will be big and I want used 110 v not 220v. So is anybody can find out what is good for controller size and other like Full wave Bridge rectifier and Liner potentimoter. thanks ASH

[@rafasamurai]

I can't seam to find this MC-60 controller here in my country, do you know any similar speed controller I can order from China, from Aliexpress, for example ?

[@mikemanmade3087]

Yes, in my next video I will show how to control these motors with cheap internet available parts.

[@mohammedsufiyanwaghoo4066]

Can you help with dc controller so the i can run it on batteries.

[@jdedmnds1]

a dimmer will not slow a single phase ac motor. it will only lower the voltage will will overheat the motor and burn it up. the only way to slow an ac motor is to change the line frequency.

[@AnonYmous-qg4ph]

You cant put a dimmer switch on an AC motor. It will still spin the same speed, but will overheat

[@lazyh-online4839]

False, it will spin at a lower speed and it's only more likely to overheat, not guaranteed. That being said it's highly not recommended.

[@tiverious8437]

How do i bypass the speed sensor error ?

[@SteveKaltenbach]

Ac1 says blue. When i put black on it i pop a fuse

[@lifttheempirestate83]

I have a the whole set up but no potentiometer. Is it possible to set up without one and just use a dc router controller from harbor freight? Please help!

[@woodchuckhillsny3900]

Hello Mike, using the existing board and connecting the potentiometer (rv24yn20s b502 5k ohm Pot), the treadmill motor runs but just before turning to full throttle on the pot the L4 light goes out (on the board) and motor shuts off. The motor will not reach full speed. Any ideas? thank you

[@Pj-lx7le]

speed too high. turn down pot in middle of board.

[@ZackofAllTradesct]

Wow... there were a bunch of words in there I've never heard before...lol

[@MarkWiz]

How much HP is that motor?

[@mikemanmade3087]

IIRC it is 2.5HP @ 130V.

[@josephmorgan8370]

120 hertz?

[@lesstime1678]

Whit the controller no good because you have no torque to start and a delay .Hock up direct to 120 v ,,,,,whit rectification of course ,,,,,,you can keep the choke in the circuit if you want

[@xjstwr]

Chatterbox!

[@bobbg9041]

Jamming your fingers inside the power box isn't as big a problem 110 will just bite you I'd be concerned about the wire termnials off the motor rated at 90 to 130 volts DC because that will kill you. It only takes 1/4 amp of current acrossed your Hart to stop it and 90 to 130 vdc has enough power to pentrate your skin. Ever been shocked with a 1.5 volt battery and a step up transformer? Same thing only a lot less voltage but a lot more power your looking at 15 amps. Now I'll ask you this have you removed a car battery and shorted the positive cable to the car body? Everyone has, we all have a wrench that looks like you welded with it. But you can with dry hands grab the post and not die, but don't do it anyway. Electrons are moving faster at higher voltages and can break through the insulation your skin provide at low voltage. You need to cover the termnials on your treadmill motor. You might not touch it but you kid dam sure will. Even if you think I'm full of shit do it for safety anyway.

[@shawngoldsberry9436]

I guess I’m already dead from the welding machine

[@fraciscowertasvenanc710]

Eu queria uma explicação em português porque inglês não entendo nada quero uma explicação é o preço desta máquina em real só isso.

[@alastairbarkley6572]

Sorry, I can't agree with your comments about 'ac motors'. The commonest AC motor (in fact the commonest motor type, period) is the single phase induction motor. You're right, these are absolutely UNSUITABLE to be controlled from a lamp dimmer switch. But it's wrong to claim that these can be controlled from a VFD instead. VFDs are used to run three phase induction motors, often from a single phase mains supply. Whilst designs for single phase output VFDs exist, nobody (AFAIK) has ever brought a successful implementation to market - anywhere. The usual VFDs are simply useless for single phase motors (and the control software won't let you run with only one output phase connected, anyway). But, look, 'universal' brushed/commutator motors are 'ac motors' - they run equally happily on AC or DC. Universal motors are everywhere, fully working, scrapped from washing machines, tumble driers, vacuum cleaners, heavy duty kitchen equipment and so on at zero cost. Although these may be bit noisy (and need some integral fan cooling) these work FINE on triac based light dimmer switches of suitable power rating. Being series wound, they are weak at low rpm but that shouldn't be a problem on a belt sander. They're much cheaper to get than treadmill motors.

[@boots7859]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX-3p4quoZh8qdk

[@CalPil0t]

Alas, the treadmill I took apart has the "everything else" controller.

[@jamestylerjr5911]

Bolt the motor down before you plug it in.Look out it will go 4 a fly if u dont

[@CORZER0]

Sounds like you'd be a fool to NOT use a treadmill system!

[@jasongreene303]

You really should figure in some safety into your projects. That green wire is there for good reason. Please at least connect it to the case.