Plug-in on/off switch okay for treadmill?

[bushmaster1313]

My treadmill is pressed up against the wall, making it very difficult to reach the integral on/off switch for the power. The unit drops a maximum of 15 amps and I was thinking of putting a plug-in 15 amp on/off adapter into the outlet and plugging the treadmill's cord into the on/off adapter.

Any issues?

This one is GE and sells for about $7

 

[Rpg]

As long as you’re not on the treadmill it’ll work fine.

 

[Ziggy2525]

IMO, not a good idea. Not based on what you posted.

The most you want to run through a 15A rated switch is 12A. If the nameplate on the treadmill says it draws 15A (approx 2chp motor), it needs a 20A rated switch plugged into a 20A rated outlet, fed by a 20A breaker. If it actually draws 15A, it should be the only thing on that breaker.

What’s the user manual say about how to power it up?

 

[Farmer17]

I would try it, if it trips a breaker then you will need to try something else.

 

[s&wchad]

If you’re not currently tripping the breaker, I don’t see why it would be an issue.

 

[Bozz10mm]

IMHO, you should try to find a higher rated switch, at least 20 Amps.

 

[Rule3]

But if the wall outlet is only 15 amps then a larger adapter would make no difference. Put a penny in it,

 

[Ziggy2525]

But if the wall outlet is only 15 amps then a larger adapter would make no difference. Put a penny in it,

It might make a difference. The issue is that a 15 amp home circuit breaker doesn’t trip immediately at 15.0001 amps. Home circuit breakers use a thermo magnetic element to trip the breaker. At 16 amps it can take a 15 amp breaker two to three hours to trip. Maybe longer. Now you have a race condition between when the breaker trips and the switch possibly giving out.

OTOH, if the OP never pushes the treadmill hard, the treadmill may never get close to 15 amps.

 

[bushmaster1313]

OTOH, if the OP never pushes the treadmill hard, the treadmill may never get close to 15 amps.

Is it better exercise to push the treadmill or to walk on it?

 

[Ziggy2525]

Is it better exercise to push the treadmill or to walk on it?

Much better exercise to push the treadmill. Especially uphill.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Well it worked to power up the machine and to work the treadmill for 15 seconds

Hopefully it will work for my 16 minute walk

 

[Nevada Ed]

I hate things that use juice when not in use.

My wife leaves her bathroom night light on 7/24. Grrrrrr

My exercise units cord was 2 foot short, so I needed a extension cord but
I got one that has a on/off switch, since I do not work out each day.

No problems yet, after a year.

 

[billwill]

Before you give it a try, please set up the video camera so that we may share in the fun. You could also win 10K from AFV to help with those medical bills.

Careful out there and be sure and smile.

 

[ridewv]

I don't know if this is recommended but this is how I've been turning my treadmill on and off since I've had it which is going on 25 years now. I simply remove the safety magnet which powers it off and let it hang there on its tether, then stick it back the next time I use it to turn it back on.

 

[Drm50]

Electrical circuts are only as good as the weakest link in them.