Remote control for a dust extractor?

[Mike Fletcher]

Maybe I'm missing something but, if this is a permanent arrangement, why not just extend the wiring so the NVR switch is inside the workshop. Or is it that you want to be able to turn it on and off from a fob?

That would be easy, but I don't want wires trailing around the shop. Plus I use it for four different machines in different areas of the shop.

 

[Sideways]

Before you go wild, understand that starting and stopping the induction motor almost certainly used in an outdoor dust extractor is a very different thing from turning on and off a lightbulb.

The relays ( termed contactors) that you can see in a Direct On Line (DOL) starter box adorning a lot of machinery is a big lump. The relays or worse, the electronic switches, inside the average smart switch are tiny and their full power rating which may well be 16A only applies to so called "resistive" loads like light bulbs and heaters. Motors are not that. They are big inductors and the current that draw (albeit briefly) while starting is much greater than their current while running.

There is a reason contactors for motors are much bigger and more robust than typical smart switches. Their contacts are more massive to cope with the electrical arcing that occurs across the contacts and they open wider when switched off.

Go to the web site of "tough leads" and look up their info about using wireless or smart switches to operate a bigger contactor which can start and stop the motor reliably.

 

[justinpeer]

Good point. I hadn’t thought of that as I only use smart switches for smaller loads. I’m going to get one of the remote controllers from tough leads, just need to open the switch and check to see if it’s a 4 or 5 pin switch.

 

[Dabop]

Good point. I hadn’t thought of that as I only use smart switches for smaller loads. I’m going to get one of the remote controllers from tough leads, just need to open the switch and check to see if it’s a 4 or 5 pin switch.

The easiest way is use '230v contactors'- which have a coil voltage of 230v instead of the 5/12/24v found in smaller relays...
Readily available at any electrical suppliers...

Use the relay/triacs in the smart switch to 'switch the contactor' coil on and off...

All the major 'usual brands' have something suitable in their range...
just an example (this ones heavily overrated for the job at 25A lol- just the first one I came across in the RS components cattledog...)

You can readily find them around if you look...

The contactor coil basically becomes the 'lightbulb' for the smart switch/remote and is wired up as if it was just a normal lightbulb- its outputs take the place of the now redundant NVR switch, so minimal extra wiring is involved...

 

[StephenArfer]

Recently picked up a dust extractor that will live outside my workshop. I’d thought to use a smart switch to turn it on and off but it has an NVR switch so that won’t work as it won’t turn back on after it’s been turned off by the smart switch.

Any suggestions on how to add a remote control other than just removing that switch and fitting it with a regular one?

Putting the electrical installation to one side for now, I would like to have a HVLP extraction system in my workshop, but I just don't have enough space. I've been wondering about putting one outside between the workshop (wooden) and fence. There's about a two foot+ gap. I'm intrugued as to how you intend to protect the unit from the weather. Or, if anyone else has any ideas on this?

To this day, over the last 25 years since I built the workshop, I've regreted not using that 2 ft of space. Especially since our current neighbours built their shed right up against the fence (ours). I could have incorporated the shed back wall as part of the fence. I thought about it all those years ago when I was a young man, but no more than that. I forgot that any space is never big enough a few years later!

 

[Sideways]

Good point. I hadn’t thought of that as I only use smart switches for smaller loads. I’m going to get one of the remote controllers from tough leads, just need to open the switch and check to see if it’s a 4 or 5 pin switch.

I bought a couple of the toughleads remote controls, keyfobs and a longer range orange remote after they were mentioned on UKW. I fitted each in a spare corner of one of these big mennekes distribution boxes with a 40A schneider 4 pole (2NO 2NC) contactor in front to do the work. The 40A contactors I chose (the big block on the R, about 4 breakers wide, is good enough to start and stop a 2.2kW induction motor in average use. Not many dust extractors in smaller shops are bigger than that. Contactors crop up on ebay regularly for about £25 new surplus to requirements.

The wireless module is nice that it takes it's power at 240v so no messing about also fitting in a low voltage power supply for the wireless receiver . Below are it's switched connections. Obviously there are dinky changeover relays inside it. Start button operates relay 1, stop button operates relay 2 momentary action. You have to wire it it to make the contactor latch on and then you get the NVR function for free.
The whole wireless rx is about half the size of the contactor. It tucks in behind the din rail that the breakers are clipped on to.

 

[undergroundhunter]

I removed the NVR on 2 of mine, I then fitted this Remote relay in its place, it needed the spade crimps removing and replacing with ring terminals, but that's not difficult and it's easy to reinstate if you ever sell it. It came with 2 remotes so one lives on my tablesaw fence the other is on my apron strap, so I've always got one to hand.

Matt

 

[justinpeer]

Putting the electrical installation to one side for now, I would like to have a HVLP extraction system in my workshop, but I just don't have enough space. I've been wondering about putting one outside between the workshop (wooden) and fence. There's about a two foot+ gap. I'm intrugued as to how you intend to protect the unit from the weather. Or, if anyone else has any ideas on this?

To this day, over the last 25 years since I built the workshop, I've regreted not using that 2 ft of space. Especially since our current neighbours built their shed right up against the fence (ours). I could have incorporated the shed back wall as part of the fence. I thought about it all those years ago when I was a young man, but no more than that. I forgot that any space is never big enough a few years later!

My workshop is built inside one of our barns. I stud walled the end, insulated and boarded it out. The dust collector will be outside the workshop but still inside the barn so I don’t need weather protection for it.

Perhaps building a small shed type structure around yours would work?

 

[MarkAW]

Putting the electrical installation to one side for now, I would like to have a HVLP extraction system in my workshop, but I just don't have enough space. I've been wondering about putting one outside between the workshop (wooden) and fence. There's about a two foot+ gap. I'm intrugued as to how you intend to protect the unit from the weather. Or, if anyone else has any ideas on this?

To this day, over the last 25 years since I built the workshop, I've regreted not using that 2 ft of space. Especially since our current neighbours built their shed right up against the fence (ours). I could have incorporated the shed back wall as part of the fence. I thought about it all those years ago when I was a young man, but no more than that. I forgot that any space is never big enough a few years later!

I did the opposite. I regret putting so close to the fence that it's difficult to apply preserver or remove leaves. Having some access all round is useful