Member Avatar for maui_mallard

Hello,

I have been having an issue where when I run on my treadmill my 2 Wire modem (From Bell Canada) encounters an error of some sort and turns off my internet access.

I have heard from many people that it's possible a small surge is being sent of the power lines when the treadmill is on and it is causing some sort of interference.

I have tried powering the modem into a different outlet, and that was to no success. I tred placing the modem at a different "jack" but apaprently only one jack in my house will supply internet to the modem. When I plug the modem in a different jack, it just blinks and internet light will never turn on.

Does anyone have any ideas? I've tried calling my ISP but they suggest not running on the treadmill when the interent is needed ....

I appreciate all help!

Thanks.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by whipaway

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Summary from the thread: reports a 2Wire DSL gateway that drops internet whenever the treadmill runs, the modem only works on one wall jack, and a UPS did not stop the problem. Other replies suggested power or line-noise causes. Below are practical, non-UPS steps that isolate the source and give clear next actions.

  1. Test at the demarc. Use a short RJ11 cord to connect the modem directly to the telco/network interface device (NID). If the link stays up while the treadmill runs, the house wiring or jacks are the problem.
  2. Separate circuits. Run the treadmill from an outlet on a different breaker (temporarily using a heavy-duty extension) to see whether the fault follows the treadmill or stays with the modem location.
  3. Short, neat signal runs. Keep the DSL/phone cable as short as possible and routed away from the treadmill power cable; avoid parallel runs.
  4. Look for motor arcing. Intermittent broadband impulses from a worn motor (brushes, commutator) will kill DSL. Listen for a loud electrical noise or use a battery AM radio near the motor while running. If present, have the treadmill motor serviced.
  5. Add snap-on ferrite cores to the treadmill mains cord and to the modem power and phone cables as a low-cost RFI reduction.
  6. Ask the ISP/telco to test noise at the demarc and to run a line test from their end; if the demarc is clean, have an electrician check bonding/ground and internal phone wiring.

Cautions: do not open the NID or treadmill unless qualified; mains wiring is dangerous. If tests point to motor noise or house wiring issues, have a qualified technician or electrician perform repairs.

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for JorgeM

Connecting the modem to a UPS device would probably resolve the issue. However, some UPS devices provide power from their batteries 100% of the time which is what you want vs the inexpensive ones that only supply power from the battery when power is cut off. Do some research. You want a UPS that provides a constant steady power.

Member Avatar for maui_mallard

I appreciate the reply. I have heard this from many people. I have been just hesitant to spend money on that, I was hoping to find a solution that was a little cheaper.

Member Avatar for JorgeM

The cheap solution unfortunately is the one your ISP suggested.

Member Avatar for maui_mallard

Ok, thank you very much. I'll check back in when I've tried it.

Member Avatar for remixedcat

I highly recommend a UPS for all networking gear. The cost is worth it in the reduced frustrations.

Member Avatar for caperjack

get a manual treadmill, lol

Member Avatar for maui_mallard

Update:

I got an UPS, and it did not help. At first I got 7 minutes out of it, then it cut out. Now I'm only getting 30s to 2min out of it.

Any other ideas?

Member Avatar for whipaway

It would appear that the treadmill is impressing noise upon the phone line. A, EMI filter installed on the phone line might be the answer to your problem. Many telcos provide this device free of charge. Depending upon the device, it either installs in-line with your phone line via modular jacks, or else is hard wired at the demarc or NID.

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