remote control for dust extractor

**durwood** · 21st March 2006, 07:08 PM

There was discussion in the middle of last year about adding a remote control to the dust extractor to allow it to be switched on and off with a remote control.
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I had already thought about this and purchased one of the Jaycar units suggested.
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http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productVie...Max=&SUBCATID=
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Well I finally pinned down my electronics mate and we set it up last Friday.
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I took the motor and fan off my unit to save lugging gthe whole unit around and armed with the remote unit set off.
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First we had to replace the magnetic switch on the fan motor with a normal on/off switch.
The magnetic switch has to have power to it to work) by replacing it with a normal switch the remote unit can then do the switching.
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When we plugged in the remote unit it straight away blew its fuse. Upon opening it up we found a 5 amp fuse soldered in. As the motor needed 7 amp to start we replaced the fuse with a 10amp wire and it worked a treat.
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I set it up today. Plug in the unit into the power point turn on the switch on the dust extractor. When I press the on button on the remote control the unit starts up and turnes off when the off button is used.
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My mate tells me it is a radio controlled remote so as long as you are in range it will work. No need to point it at the power point unit it is actually on a power point in my workshop and the saw is in the garage. I even went outside up the drive about 20 feet and it still turns it on and off. Biggest problem we had was getting the screws out of the unit to replace the fuse - has those stupid screws with three one way ramps that only let you tighten up. Used a two prong driver to loosen and replaced the screws with Phillips head.
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At a cost of $30 on ebay that’s cheap in my book having seen some of the alternatives offered.
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It was suggested this wouldn’t work but its doing its job perfectly, although its early days yet it looks like it will be OK.
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All I have to do now is work out how to not loose the remote control in the workshop.

the picture shows the unit remote control and the switch replacement on the motor.

**BobL** · 21st March 2006, 09:41 PM

Interesting little project durwood and one that could well suit my needs as I have placed my DC behind my shed and going round the back of the shed and fighting past the dreaded bouganvillia ain't to much fun at night. Anyway, I'll be interested to see how it goes for longevity. So while you do the beta testing, for the moment I might just shift the switch on the motor to be on the inside of the shed.

**Iain** · 22nd March 2006, 08:47 AM

I have an infra red remote which I got from Dick Smith for about $50, it's made by HPM or Clipsal and rated at 10amps.
Used to use it for switching my vacuum cleaner on and off when hooked up to the sander.
Had it for a few years but no longer use it as I now have a switching shop vac, DC, never really thought about it, I just turn it on as required.

**inferno6688** · 22nd March 2006, 09:17 AM

i like the idea, i ws just going to hook up a 2 switch mounted to my TS to remotely turn on the DC, though i think i too will have the magnetic swtich problem.

**Just George** · 22nd March 2006, 07:25 PM

Another member with too much time on theirs hands, personally I just switch my DC on as I walk towards my saw table. It stays on alot of the time as it also goes to my router table, bandsaw, drill press and work bench.

**Skew ChiDAMN!!** · 22nd March 2006, 10:20 PM

I wonder if there's any legal way to monitor the current draw on a couple of circuits and auto-switch a third circuit when the draw reaches a preset level? That way the DC could cut in whenever any 1+HP tools are started.

Hmmm....

**eightbit** · 23rd March 2006, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

I wonder if there's any legal way to monitor the current draw on a couple of circuits and auto-switch a third circuit when the draw reaches a preset level? That way the DC could cut in whenever any 1+HP tools are started.

Hmmm....

Here in the US they have a system that will monitor when you turn your tool on, open the appropriate dust gate and turn on the dust collector. The base kit is for 4 tools with 4" gates and costs about $400 US. http://www.ecogate.com I've worked in one shop that had only recently installed it when I was there and it seemed to be a bit finicky about sensing the tool turning on so I wasn't impressed, they may have ironed out the kinks since then, I haven't been back. There are cheaper systems for sale that will turn your DC on when you open a gate like the long ranger- http://www.pennstateind.com/store/lrmset110.html. The starter package is for 2 gates for $50 and you can add more. That type of setup would be fairly simple to create your own but for $50 I'd probably buy the kit and just make more gates instead of buying theres.

Another option here is to buy an outlet that senses when power is used. These are only $20 but limit you to plugging in the tool that you want the DC turned on and off with. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...at=Tool+Safety

Then there is the option I did which is the same as Durwood except I didn't have a magnetic switch on my DC. I went down to the local Home Depot and bought a $12 remote control, I just plugged it in and can turn my DC on and off from the remote. I'm thinking of getting more remotes and attaching them around the shop since I seem to lose that little bugger all the time. Unlike you warmer climate folks I can't put my DC out of my shop since it would basically pump the heat out and it gets cold here.

**Iain** · 23rd March 2006, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by eightbit

Here in the US they have a system that will monitor when you turn your tool on, open the appropriate dust gate and turn on the dust collector.

Machne shops have a similar device here, they call them apprentices

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