Whats wrong with my Carl Lewis Treadmill?

I've recently bought a Carl Lewis motorized treadmill (to my knowledge the model number shouldn't affect the solution to the problem so I won't dig it out) and am having a hard time getting it to work.

The first time I plugged it in and switched it on I heard a loud 'snapping' sound and immediately smelled burning, needless to say the treadmill didn't start. I discovered the internal fuse (not the one in the plug) had blown and smashed completely (a 10amp 250v quick blow fuse, 32mmx6mm which is standard to the model).

I am connecting the treadmill to a 230v mains power supply and having changed the fuse 3 times am continuing to have the same result. Every time I turn the treadmill on the fuse blows.

Does anybody have any idea what is causing this? I am reluctant to send the thing back because I've been told a replacement would take over a month to arrive!!

Many thanks!

Ben
November 2008