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Fri Jan 07, 2022 6:15 pm

I have had this Schwinn elliptical for about 5 years so it's out of warranty. The problem I'm having is with the resistance. When you turn it on, it resets to the lowest setting like it's supposed to. Then you start start in the manual mode and everything works as it should. But when you start to add resistance, the motor works and it keeps cycling to all the way on then all the way off, continuously. You can turn it off and it goes back to the lowest setting. I've tried googling and about the only thing I know to do is replace the motor - or I may just take it to the dump.

I've tried turning it on and off multiple times.
I've tried unplugging it multiple times.
The motor works and varies the resistance but won't stop cycling.
I am using the manual mode, as I have always done so it's not a program problem.
The motor does not have an on/off switch.

Does anybody have any other thoughts?

Fri Jan 07, 2022 6:45 pm

I should probably clarify further, I'm thinking if I have to replace something, it would be the motor control board.

Sat Jan 08, 2022 3:43 am

is it possible to bypass the motor control board and rig up an on/off switch to the motor instead?

Sat Jan 08, 2022 5:59 am

I don’t want to lose the variability of the resistance.

Sat Jan 08, 2022 7:13 am

I assumed you could do that by blipping the motor.

Sat Jan 08, 2022 12:12 pm

Further research. They don’t make that motor control board anymore, of course. To the dump it goes.

Sat Jan 08, 2022 4:57 pm

Maybe I'm missing something here, why does an exercise device need a motor?, isn't it all about soaking up energy produced by you?, why does it need a boost?

I'm not razzing anyone, just curious since IMO a power assist is a bit like cheating. Can't you just unplug it?

Sat Jan 08, 2022 6:10 pm

It's not power assist - it's inductive resistance to make it harder to turn the wheel. Of course, in the OP's case, I'd be tempted to simply hook the magnetic band to a rheostat to see if the resistance can be adjusted that way.

Sun Jan 09, 2022 6:00 pm

The motor moved the bank of magnets closer (to make it harder to pedal) or further away (to make it easier to pedal).

The elliptical is gone. I have been running a lot lately- I bought a Forerunner 55 and have been following a training plan which is incorporated into the watch.

Sun Jan 09, 2022 9:48 pm

bigdog1962 wrote: I have been running a lot lately - I bought a Forerunner 55 and have been following a training plan which is incorporated into the watch.

Curious - Couch to 5K or something similar or ?

Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:48 am

Not really couch as I do Crossfit. But decided to start putting longer distance in - more than I get in Crossfit. My first one is a 10k end of February here in my hometown. Got another 10k in March and one in April. Trying to decide if I want to do a half in November. I've done several marathons and halfs in my past. It's just training during the summer months down south here is brutal with the heat and humidity.

Are you a runner?

Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:53 am

Ah....... remember the good old days?

We would get on our bike and go for a ride around the neighborhood?
Or go outside, take a walk, say "hi" to people we encountered along the way, got to meet our neighbors......

Mon Jan 10, 2022 6:09 am

bigdog1962 wrote: Further research. They don’t make that motor control board anymore, of course. To the dump it goes.

Sorry I missed this. If you sent me the board they can often be repaired by oldschiolers like me who had to read Horowitz and Hill in the 1970s (maybe 1980 early)

Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:10 am

any fuses? In the mean time, there are plenty of free weight exercises.

Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:25 am

No fuses - the motor worked but just kept cycling.

I no longer have the elliptical.

I run and do crossfit so I'm good.