The Sluggish Treadmill: The Amp Draw Test

Jun 02, 2020

The Amp Draw Test - In Brief

First off, we write about Friction Coefficient (FC) Here, which builds value in the need to perform amp draw tests on treadmills. Excessive FC is a result of poor or no deck maintenance, we write about silicone maintenance here.

Typically we see customers replacing motors or controllers to fix sluggish treadmill walking belt/deck performance, by guessing (boooo). Instead of guessing on the component causing this lackluster performance, why not do it right, do it with an amp draw test?  It's simple, first buy a "kill a watt" voltage/amp meter that plugs right into the wall, which leads us to step 1.

1) plug the amp meter into the wall, switch to amp mode (not voltage)
2) plug the treadmill into amp meter
3) Unloaded (no person on it) Turn machine on and move speed up to 4mph with 0% Incline, record results.
4) Loaded (now with person on the machine, same test, record results

Analysis
Unloaded, most new machines will be in the 1.8 - 2 amps(A Rating). A good (B-to C Rating) used treadmill will be in the 2-4 amps (By the way, this is what you should use to buy a used treadmill, an ok, but getting rough reading is 4-6 amps(D to F rating), but anything over 6 amps means excessive wear and tear.

Loaded, clearly when you put a person on the machine you will get a higher draw because more work is being done by the motor so it will be different, user weight will also alter the results.

An A rating will be 4-6 amps, B rating 6-8 amps, C-D Rating 8-10 amps and alas F Rating - 10 amps.  In general you will see a 3.8-4.2 Amp Increase Loaded vs Unloaded.

Interesting Note! If your unloaded amp reading is really high it is probably not your belt or deck system but one of the following;.

A) bad drive motor, motor replacement guide here.
B) Over tensioned drive belt
C) Front/Rear Roller Issues, we write about replacement here.
D) Over tensioned walking belt. We write about  Belt Tension here.

 

Related

Friction Coefficient - The Enemy Within, How to Save Your Treadmill From The Fitness Graveyard

Replacing Rollers, How to tighten a walking belt