Hey guys, i have been toying with trying to put my dust collection system (currently shop vac and separator) on a remote controlled switch so i don’t have to walk across my little shop which is sometimes full of obstacles to turn on the shop vac. Does anyone know of any products that would basically plug into a regular outlet and then provide a remote control for turning that outlet on/off?
Thanks.
JD
Replies
Just saw what you're looking for in the latest Tool Crib catalog. It's called a Long Ranger Dust Collector Switch. Costs around $60.00. A think there are a few other brands also available.
John W.
The product that tool crib sells is made by PennState Industries(I think) I have a few of them and they work great. just make sure you get a difference frequency for each controller.
the only problem that I have had with them is that sometimes the turn on for no apparent reason, but they don't usually turn off by themselves. Probably due to "out side interference"
They come in 110 volt and 22o volt, single phase. They can be used for a three phase machine, but you will need an outside magnetic switch. pretty simple to do.
JD-
Do a Google search on X-10 devices. You will find just what you need at very reasonable cost.
BJ
I took a look at some of the X-10 stuff. It seems like the option you are talking about is what they call their lamp controller. I didn't look for very long, but it seems like the recept on the lamp controller was a 2 prong (no ground) and it looked like it was not built to handle any kind of serious load (e.g., the load from a 1 or 2 hp motor.)
Do they have another controller built for bigger equipment that I just did not see?Steelkilt Lives!
Yes, they have controllers for 220 single phase(up to 3 hp?) and 110 voltage models. Alll with grounded receptacles. The box size is 4"wide X 7-8"high X 3"deep
When I bought mine, quite a while ago and the controller/remote ran about was $69-89. And extra remote is $10. My memory has been way off lately, but what ever these things cost, they are worth it.
A buddy of mine here at work is big into X-10 stuff so he sold me a remote, controller, and appliance module for $20 so i'm set.
Thanks guys.
JD
I bought mine at Wal-Mart (you know the store with the smiley face and a million hidden cameras) it cost me $20.00 CDN. It is built for outdoor use and has not failed me for the last 2 years I have been using it.
Scott C. Frankland
"This all could have been prevented if their parents had just used birth control"
There are also air pressure switches which sense a positive air pressure brought on by sawdust flying into the line, which then activates a circuit. Dryer Vent Boosters use this technology and Grainger has some outboard switches like these.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
clap on,
clap off,
clap on clap off, THE CLAPPER
One of the back issues of FFW so how to build a current detection switch for a dust collector. I will dig up the issue and post it for you.
Scott C. Frankland
"This all could have been prevented if their parents had just used birth control"
JDorn,
I've done exactly this with the x10 devices. You need a transmitter/receiver pair, and also an x10 outlet to switch on/off. They're cheaper than the Lone Ranger, and the remote is a small 1x1 1/2" device that you could wear one your apron.
Google x10, you'll get all the info you need.
My 2 hp dust collector is wired to a 30 amp 220 circuit. I built a low voltage control with a 220 v 30 A relay with an 18 V control side. I put it and an 18 V door bell transformer into a radio shack project box and wired single pole, double throw switches at various dust collection outlets in the shop in parallel. It works great.
However, 18 years later, I might just choose to go with the wireless Penn State controller that a previous contributor discussed. Post if you'd like some pictures.
Hi,
Fernbrook Smart Switch, 1-800-382-1924, http://www.dnet.net/frnbrook/fernpage17.htm#APPLIANCE%20MODULES, makes the unti I have been using for the past 5 years. Don't let the "security systems" home page throw you. It is a two "station" unit and I run a 2hp DC off of the 220v "B" side and on the "A" side I run a smaller 110v shop vac. The remote has two sets of buttons, On and Off for both the A and B units. Each side has a seperate power module - the part that your tools plug into - and a single receiver that plugs into one of the 110v outlets. I have a remote transmitter unit on each side of the shop so I activate either DC unit without crossing over. I think the total costs for the receiver, two power modules and both transmitters is probably <$120. For a single tool setup, 110 or 220v, I suspect the cost is <$80.00. These switches have been totally trouble-free and the company is great to work with.
Doug
If you guys are as good a bunch woodworkers as you are electricians then you must be making some seriously gorgeous stuff.
This reminds me of the old Clint Eastwood movie where he steals a Soviet fighter that is capable of reacting to what the pilot is thinking; the pilot does not have to touch anything.
I'm thinking.... planer dust collection on, jointer dust collection off....
Edited 8/2/2003 8:10:50 PM ET by CHASSTANFORD
As long as you can think in Russian!Steelkilt Lives!
We've become electricians because were too cheap to pay someone else to do it for us. First shop I had an electrician friend helped me wire it and he spent more time showing me how to do it myself than the actual labor. Now 5 shops later(and going on #6 soon), I do it myself. This includes running 220 single phase through a rotary phase converter to make three phase power for my machines. I even have one of those remote controllers on the rotary converter. Just puss a button, turns it on a the shaper is ready to fire up
Now, I'm always helping others run their electrical(for free)
It's kinda like learning to ride a bike
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