Thanks: 0
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 7 of 7
-
15th January 2017, 10:00 PM #1Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2009
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 100
Standby power switch for switching shop vac on with tools?
I have been trawling around trying to find a little device to turn on and off the shop vac when im using the drop saw etc. Now there are a few US ones, but for 120VAC only, and there is the Jaycar relay that requires wiring. But i was reminded about this energy saving scheme in Victoria where they were basically giving away Embertec switches and i have a couple kicking around somewhere. (Embertec SmartSwitchâ„¢ | Embertec)
In lieu of being able to dig through boxes now, i was wondering whether anyone had used this or something similar for their shop vacs?
-
15th January 2017 10:00 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
- Join Date
- Always
- Location
- Advertising world
- Posts
- Many
-
15th January 2017, 10:46 PM #2GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Apr 2014
- Location
- Little River
- Age
- 78
- Posts
- 1,205
Reading thru the manuals on their web site there are two types of Embertec devices - an AV and a PC model.
According to the AV device's specs it should easily handle the load of a vac but there is no information on the capacity of the PC unit but I would expect them to be the same.
However the AV unit is designed to activate the controlled power not when the fixed power is used but when it senses the AV IR remote being used.
That is if you plug the saw into the fixed power and the vac into the controlled power the saw will operate normally but the vac will only switch on if you "flash" it with an IR remote. Any remote will do as it only detects the presence of IR radiation.
The problem is that it wont turn off for a minimum of one hour, or more if you program it.
Could be used to control a dust extractor which then runs for an hour after you turn it on but a simple timer would be more controllable.
The PC model activates the controlled power (within 5 secs) as the PC is woken up and shuts it off approx 1 min after it goes to sleep.
So it appears that the PC model may do what you require as long as your total load doesn't exceed 10 amps.
-
16th January 2017, 12:30 AM #3Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2009
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 100
-
28th January 2017, 02:21 PM #4Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2009
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 100
For what it is worth, no. Finally found my one from the giveawayand tested it. It takes far too long to activate, in the realm of 20s and then stays on for 60+ seconds afterwards.
Sadly this is a no go.
-
1st February 2017, 08:01 AM #5SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Dec 2012
- Location
- Australia
- Posts
- 684
If it's helpful in any way some shop vacs come with this feature built in. You just plug your tool into the vac and run it in a secondary mode where it will turn on when you activate the tool and mine runs for about 10 seconds after the tool is turned on. Haven't had any issues with power limitations yet using a TS-75 or large router. My shop vac is just a Ryobi unit from Bunnings. Happy with it so far!
-
2nd March 2017, 08:43 PM #6Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2009
- Location
- Melbourne
- Posts
- 100
-
4th March 2017, 10:32 AM #7SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- May 2004
- Location
- Sth. Island, Oz.
- Age
- 64
- Posts
- 754
You could always cannabalise a cheap vac for it's auto on/delay off switching device. Wiring of same would be fairly straightforward. The advantage of using a preexisting hardwired example is that the wiring is a bit of a doddle to trace, even if you're unfamiliar with basic electrics.
Connections can be crimped or soldered, and adequately double insulated with electrical tape &/or heatshrink, provided you keep the device discreetly remote and safe within the vac's insulated housing. Otherwise there's the possibility of housing the same in a robust grommeted plastic housing. I've seen these vacs for as little as $200; they may even be cheaper.
There's also plug-in Master/Slave switch devices available:
https://www.wagneronline.com.au/mast...ing/974155/fl/
also on flea-bay & via search engines on the interweb.
Then there's also the Jaycar device you've already mentioned. I'm sure adequate instructions are provided for safe installation. If in doubt, perhaps you could find a friendly teenager who could do it for you...
You'll probably require an master outlet of course:
Splash Proof 240V 10A Power Point Socket Outlet Outdoor Auto Close Lid S230E-7-3 | eBay
and an on/off switch to enable/disable the switching device to be fitted safely to the vac itself.
Safe fitting of any master/slave device within any appliance is predicated on the provision of a contiguous earth to the device itself and/or to the activation socket. Many devices do not have direct earth continuity. These will be clearly marked "Double Insulated" and have a double concentric square symbol on their type/voltage decal or plate.
I repeat again: DOUBLE INSULATED DEVICES ARE WHOLLY UNSUITED TO INTERNAL INSTALLATION OF MASTER/SLAVE DEVICES, & MUST UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES BE RETRO-FITTED WITH ANY FORM OF EARTH CONTINUITY.Sycophant to nobody!
Similar Threads
-
Switching/Splitting/Diverting 15amp Power
By Luke Maddux in forum GENERAL & SMALL MACHINERYReplies: 21Last Post: 22nd August 2015, 11:24 AM -
Switch for Sher Power lathe
By plantagenon in forum WOODTURNING - GENERALReplies: 2Last Post: 29th June 2011, 04:54 PM -
Triton Power Switch
By skot in forum TRITON / GMCReplies: 5Last Post: 25th August 2008, 09:50 AM -
Power tools for new work shop?
By Santalum in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 23Last Post: 20th April 2005, 02:09 PM