Thread: Carbatec Dust Collector - Switch Change for Remote

Where in Sydney are you pach? Yes you need to change or bypass the switch.

You're right, it is to do with the switch. I'd call a sparky and get them to swap it for you.

The switch (known as a "No - Volt" or "Electromagnetic latching" switch), is deliberately designed like that.

This is so if the power fails the switch will trip out and not allow the power to come back onto the motor (especially if you happen to have you hand down the impeller to clear a blockage).

Your alternatives are;

As you say replace the switch with a non latching switch like rocker switch. If you don't know how to wire it you should get an electrician or someone who does to do it. Some advice received over these forums is dubious and if you don't know how to do it already would you really trust someone on the web? A really conscientious sparky might not even do this since it is reducing the level of safety on the a machine

Hold the switch in the on position with a zip tie and a small block of wood. Not the best solution but it does mean the switch can be quickly restored with a snip of a wire cutter.

Remove the "no volt" switch altogether - again you need to know how to wire it .

Originally Posted by BobL

Hold the switch in the on position with a zip tie and a small block of wood. Not the best solution but it does mean the switch can be quickly restored with a snip of a wire cutter.

Probably the best solution as it is easily reversable and you can do it yourself (so no $$$).

[QUOTE=BobL;2079461
Hold the switch in the on position with a zip tie and a small block of wood. Not the best solution but it does mean the switch can be quickly restored with a snip of a wire cutter.

Remove the "no volt" switch altogether - again you need to know how to wire it .[/QUOTE]

Thanks for your help guys, I will do both:

1. Hold down with a cable tie (great practical solution)!
2. Find someone to change the switch at some stage.

Cheers
Nick

I'm planning to replace my switch (it was the same switch as pach's, before my dogs ate it) with one of these Sonoff RF - Smartkit

I'm planning to program it to stay switched off in the event of power being dropped, but the main worry I have is that the amperage rating is a little close to what the DC will actually draw, and I'd be happier with a higher current switch. They were out of stock when I ordered, but perhaps I should have another look.

Hopefully I'll be able to leave the DC running after I've finished working and switch it off from the house after a few minutes to help clear any remaining dust floating about.

I'm pretty sure the Sonoff defaults to output power "off" when it is first turned on, so no programming should be needed.

Sonoff do make some interesting gear and I am occasionally following what they are up to.

Last year I bought a Sonoff air quality sensor that shows temp/humidity/air quality on a mobile phone display but it turned out to have a couple off issues. The temperature/humidity sensor used was the cheap and relatively inaccurate DHT11, and the air quality sensor turned out to report only qualitative data so it was of limited value. As for reading any parameters, I though it's a bit silly to have to use a mobile phone to see them and prefer to have an independent display that I could just glance at, at any time even when I'm in the middle of something. I bought it just to see what it was capable off

Just watch out when buying Sonoff remote switches as some come only with Wifi for control only via Wifi controller, like a mobile phone, and the last thing you'd want to be doing is fumbling around for a mobile just to switch the DC. I think the higher power (16A - TH16) module which should really be used for a 2HP DC because of the start up currents, is a Wifi only device. It would be better to use a Sonoff to switch a power relay that in turned switched the DC on/off.

I'm thinking that even using the small 433 MHz remote could be a bit of an issue for me. I'd be forever losing it, eg it would end up in my pants pocket in the wash, and so I would just end up fixing it to a point in my shed and then there's no difference between that and a fixed switch.

The prices of the Sonoff remote switches have certainly come down since I last looked at them, especially if you buy a bulk pack of 5 or 10, they work out to $2 for a 433 controller and about $6.

If you want to be able to switch a DC off from the house you will need the Wifi version and a Wifi network that reaches your workshop.

SWMBO has a rock tumbler in my shed that she leaves running but wants to be able to switch it off from the house. I set it up on an RF switch that also powers a low wattage lamp that shines through the shed window and can be seen up at the house through the back windows. When we turn all the house lights out before bedtime it's pretty obvious if that shed light is showing and so then the rock tumbler can be turned off if needed.

Originally Posted by BobL

Just watch out when buying Sonoff remote switches as some come only with Wifi for control only via Wifi controller, like a mobile phone, and the last thing you'd want to be doing is fumbling around for a mobile just to switch the DC. I think the higher power (16A - TH16) module which should really be used for a 2HP DC because of the start up currents, is a Wifi only device. It would be better to use a Sonoff to switch a power relay that in turned switched the DC on/off.

They’ve released new version of their 16A switch which also records power usage and it can be used with the 433MHz remote, and I might buy one of those.

The whole Wi-Fi business is a bit pointless for me - I don’t have Wi-Fi outside, and don’t want to fiddle with my phone either. I think it’s designed for those who want to whip their phone out at dinner and declare that the lounge back at home is getting a bit warm, they’ll just turn the AC up.


edit: I forgot to put in a link - it's the Sonoff Pow R2 Sonoff Pow R2 - Smartkit

Originally Posted by Colin62

I forgot to put in a link - it's the Sonoff Pow R2 Sonoff Pow R2 - Smartkit

When I look up the Sonoff itread.cc site
(https://www.itead.cc/sonoff-pow-r2.html)
it lists 5, 16A models but none of these have 433 MHz control

I suspect the site I was about to order off may have made a typo, which means that you have just saved me some money, and consequently I believe that I owe you a beer. If you’re ever in or near Durban, let me know

Originally Posted by Colin62

I suspect the site I was about to order off may have made a typo, which means that you have just saved me some money, and consequently I believe that I owe you a beer. If you’re ever in or near Durban, let me know

Cheers. Meanwhile I'll have one for you and you can have one for me.