I think the circuit board in my treadmill fried itself but it looks like the motor still works. Would it be possible to wire the motor with a dimmer switch to get it to work or is that a bad idea?

Talk about Redneck engineering, I like it my man.

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Agreed.

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Most dimmer switches are resistive devices. As the motor is inductive, its unlikely to work well. A dimmer that works with those low energy fluro lights may work. The biggest problem for you is that any dimmer device is probably good for maybe 100watts, the motor on your treadmill is probably closer to 2,000watts.
Just see if you can get the proper part.

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A lot of treadmill motors are DC, you should find out what you have and plan accordingly.

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Thanks Layback - I wasn't sure about how that part of it worked. Also, I'm not sure if the motor is AC or DC so there's a chance it wouldn't work anyway.

No longer true here, mate, where resistive dimmers, or rheostats, are pretty much long gone. Most dimmer switches are now electronic, with variable pulse widths.

That said, double-check the treadmill motor nameplate to find out what it expects. If it wants DC, a dimmer won't work at all.

You would be amassed the number of people who have replaced their incandescent globes with the low energy mini fluro only to find their dimmers dont work.
The pulse with variation units are good but again have power limits on them.

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

I don't understand the problem. Simply move your beer stash to a quarter mile away. Go get a beer, walk back to the tread mill, stand on it, drink the beer, walk the empty back to the container and repeat as desired.