Well, in the end that is the important thing. The things we accumulate should
do what we want them to do reliably and conveniently for the price we are
willing to pay.
It is sometimes difficult for me to remember that the only purpose a
manufacturer has is to move as much money from my pocket to theirs as they can
as quickly and efficiently as they can. Your treadmill was not built and sold
with your health in mind. That holds for every stage along the way from the
shipper to the retailer.
If a horsepower rating clinches a sale for some then that is what they will
give.
Like Dan's dilemma over an impact driver, the precise rating is less important
than enough power to perform the work he needs or wants to perform. Twisting
the heads off of bolts is not the goal.
----- Original Message -----
From: Edward Przybylek
To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 10:28 AM
Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] electric motor question
Hi Michael,
I'm sure your correct about so many of these ratings being marketing ploys
for people who know little about a given subject. I've always been a firm
believer of the bigger is better concept (the Tim Taylor syndrome). I've
gotten better over the years, though. Limited money and too many things out
there I'd like to own have influenced me a great deal over the last several
years. The only reason we bought the better, higher powered, treadmill is
because it was on clearance and actually cost $200 less than the model below
it. It has a few nicer features than the lower model but I'm sure we would
have done without them before we would have paid the extra $200 for them.
This list is great for filling in one's knowledge gaps and I'm sure I'll be
back with many more basic level electrical questions. Thanks.
Take care,
Ed Przybylek
From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:blindhandy...@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Michael baldwin
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 11:24 AM
To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] electric motor question
I would almost guess that the peak hp of that motor is 3.5, but the
continuous hp is around 1.5- 2.0.
Which basically means, that if all the right conditions existed, that motor
could put out 3.5 hp. Which, connected to a 20 amp 120 volt outlet won't
happen. Convert it to 240 volt, and then it won't be a problem.
It is a marketing ploy that a lot of treadmill manufactures use, they give
you the peak hp of the motor.
i have seen some treadmill motors now use PWM (pulse Width modulation),
which means nothing to me, so I don't know how this effects HP of an
electric motor. Or some electric motors actually run on D/C, and not A/C,
again, I have no clue how that will effect HP of the motor, I know it makes
the motor more energy efficient.
To make things even more confusing, some treadmill manufactures rate their
motor HP at the final drive, after all gear ratios and such. It is hard to
compare them apples to apples.
Michael
_____
From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> ]
On Behalf Of Edward Przybylek
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 7:48 AM
To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] electric motor question
Hi Dale,
Pretty much, what you said is what I thought but I figured it wouldn't hurt
to ask. How would I verify the horsepower of the motor? Both the manual
and the label on the side of the motor claim it's 3.5 HP. My knowledge of
electricity and motors is almost 0. Any information is greatly appreciated.
Take care,
Ed Przybylek
From: blindhandyman@ <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com>
yahoogroups.com [mailto:blindhandyman@
<mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Dale Leavens
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 6:02 PM
To: blindhandyman@ <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] electric motor question
Well, it isn't the end of the world to trip a breaker so I wouldn't worry
about it too much. I can however pretty well guarantee that motor isn't
anything near 3.5 hp. regardless what they rate it at or tell you. Why would
it have to be anyway, one horsepower is 550 foot pounds per second. Unless
you are running an elephant or you have quite spectacular foot pounds you
won't be taxing a motor anything like that hard.
----- Original Message -----
From: Edward Przybylek
To: blindhandyman@ <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> yahoogroups.com
<mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 3:11 PM
Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] electric motor question
Hi all,
I've been following this thread with much interest because we just purchased
a new treadmill. The unit has a 3.5 horsepower motor, is capable of a 12%
incline and has a top speed of 10 MPH. This discussion thread has concerned
itself with motors 2.5 HP and lower and whether there needs to be a concern
about breaker ratings. Given that this unit has a motor with 3.5 HP, are
there concerns I should be addressing? We use the treadmill for power
walking and I'm quite sure it will never see speeds much over 5 or 6 MPH.
We've had the incline up to 8 percent and I'm sure we'll have it up to the
12% maximum before too long. We haven't popped a breaker yet but I just
want to be sure that there isn't something I should be doing just as a
precaution. Thanks.
Take care,
Ed Przybylek
From: blindhandyman@ <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com>
yahoogroups.com <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:blindhandyman@ <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com>
yahoogroups.com
<mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> ]
On Behalf Of Tom Fowle
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 1:43 PM
To: blindhandyman@ <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> yahoogroups.com
<mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] electric motor question
David,
One Horsepower is generally considered to require about 750 watts.
so 2.25 HP will need a solid 1700 watts. This is probably a peak rating,
but none th less it must be on a 20 amp circuit that isn't used much.
If you have a coule 200 watt outside lights on at the same time, it will
get very close to the max rating of a 20 amp circuit.
tom
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