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Automatic electrical switch for shop vac

J

jerry stoper

Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Messages
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Location
Little Rock, Ar.
I seems to me there should be a way to have a relay of some type that can sense electricity flow in the power cord of my lathe and automatically turn my shop vac on. I am hoping to build something not buy a high priced fancy commercial unit.
 
Yeah you can with enough electrical know-how and a Digikey catalogue, but around here (Western Canada) you can get an iVac vacuum switch for $40. I dont know how far you will get buying components for $40, but theres one option for you.
 
Jerry I bought the Penn State Ind unit many years ago. It is a relay you plug into the wall and a hand held switch. It's worth every penny and probably not much more expensive than what it would cost to rig one up from scratch.
They have gone up in price (DUH). I think I paid $39 about 8 years ago.
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LR110-3.html
 
I wanted a remote switch for my dust collector too but I didn't want to spend the money. The cheapest I saw was on Rockler for $49.99. I was looking at switches at Menards in my city and found a remote switch. It was for "outside lights and appliances". It was rated at 13 amps but it looks pretty heavy duty, nice thick cord. My dust collector is rated at 15 amps. But I bought it anyway to see if it would work.
It works great! I keep checking the box that is plugged into my outlet for the DC and it is not even getting warm. I don't know how long it will last but I am very happy with it and it only cost $6.99 on sale. Very happy indeed.
 
john lucas said:
Jerry I bought the Penn State Ind unit many years ago. It is a relay you plug into the wall and a hand held switch. It's worth every penny and probably not much more expensive than what it would cost to rig one up from scratch.
They have gone up in price (DUH). I think I paid $39 about 8 years ago.
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LR110-3.html
Click to expand...

I bought 2 somewhere 10 years ago_ I think they were around $39. I maskin taped a small magnet on the back and have on the right leg of my lathe. It just died a couple of weeks ago, but I had a spare. Works very well. Gretch
 
This isn't automatic, but remote. Stanley 31170 3-Outlet Outdoor Receptacle with Wireless Remote Control, Black. Amazon $19.95 works great on my shop vac. Gauge: AWG 14/3 SJTW Rating: UL/CUL 125V/15A/1875W,60Hz Res good for 50 ft. or so they say.
 
If you like the idea of building it yourself... If the motor of the lathe creates a magnetic field when running, you could build a pretty simple circuit using a mormally open reed switch, 12vdc wall power adapter, and a 12vdc relay with high current contacts rated at 120v. I'm just not sure how sensitive reed switches are. In theory, it sounds good. 😀 I've got my doubts that you could get enough magnetic field from the motor.
 
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