Remote Switching

[paulm]

Came across this in B&Q

http://ccgi.byrons.force9.co.uk/product ... &prodid=42

It plugs into a mains socket and you plug your appliance in to that in turn, and can then switch the appliance on and off using the supplied remote up to a distance of 25m away.

Plan to use it for the main dust extractor in the workshop so that can start and stop it at will without having to leave the machine I'm working on at the time.

Costs £20 and is rated to handle up to 2400w. Can purchase additional sockets seperately without the remote and the remote will switch up to four such sockets in total.

Haven't tried it yet but looks really useful for this kind of application.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[RogerS]

Yup..they're very handy. I've used these quite successfully. One controls the vacuum. The second one was used to switch the outside Christmas tree lights on and off :lol:

 

[davy_owen_88]

What dust extractor are you going to be using it with and what is its rated current? The reason I ask is that induction motors draw far more than their rated current during start up. Since the receiver is only suitable for 10A, you may find the fuse will blow.

Let us know how it goes, looks like a good idea if it works.

Davy

 

[dedee]

I guess that means I could turn the heating on in the workshop without having to trudge down the garden.
Great idea - thanks

Andy

 

[woodbloke]

Looks interesting - saw something similar to this in Philly's shop when I visited just before Christmas - Rob

 

[Shultzy]

If you want home automation have a look at this site

http://www.letsautomate.com/

They use X-10 commands and I have an 8 in 1 remote that covers all the usual tv/dvd/adio etc. and x-10. They also have dimmers and the remote sockets will handle 13amps.

 

[paulm]

Just given the switch a proper try out in the workshop and it's great !!!

Handles the 2000w dust extractor no problem, works instantaneously on/off from anywhere in the workshop, terrific !

Next best thing to properly automated switching on startup of the machines I guess, and only £20.

Cheers, Paul

 

[Rob_H]

What a superb piece of kit - I'm buying one tomorrow morning! No more walking ten feet to the extractor for me for me!

 

[brianhabby]

Another remote control...!

Still looks like a fantastic idea for all sorts of applications

regards

Brian

 

[Mdotflorida]

The second one was used to switch the outside Christmas tree lights on and off

#-o #-o #-o #-o Why didn't I think of doing that with mine ? I've been crawling under the tree every day for 2 weeks now turning the lights on and off. Tree's been balder than Homer Simpson on a bad hair day for most of Christmas cause of it.

Jeff

 

[Noel]

I've been using the remote switches for a few years now and they're very handy. Same as the B & Q one pictured but branded Homelec. Before rushing off to B & Q I did see a 3 pack unit in Homebase for £13 or so over the holidays.

 

[Jake]

Be careful though, as not all of them will work for extractors, I half-interestedly picked up a pack in one of the DIY stores the other week, but they were rated 1kW max and stated not to be suitable for inductive loads (i.e. motors).

 

[spadge]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the info. Just got one from B&Q and it's great, well worth £20.

Cheers

 

[mrbingley]

Chisel,
How did you get round the NV switch on your dust extractor ?

Rushed out and bought one after reading this subject, never gave it a thought about the NV switch

At the moment it's only controlling my fan heater.

Cheers
Chris.

 

[paulm]

Hi Chris,

The extractor I am using doesn't have an nvr switch, just on/off ! It's a Record DX4000 I think.

Not sure what you can do if it's got an nvr, someone more electrically minded than me might have an idea hopefully.

Went out and bought an extra switchable socket today for the microclene and control that and the extractor now with the same remote, great fun !

Cheers, Paul.

 

[davy_owen_88]

Chisel,
How did you get round the NV switch on your dust extractor ?

Rushed out and bought one after reading this subject, never gave it a thought about the NV switch

At the moment it's only controlling my fan heater.

Cheers
Chris.

Its a simple task of taking the NVR switch out of the circuit. There should be a cable going into the NVR (the one with a plug at the end) and a set of cables coming out (going to the motor).

A problem you might encounter is that there isn't enough cable going from the switch to the motor to attach the plug. In this case you'll have to get a sufficiently sized connector block and some new flex to extend it.

Make sure the CSA of the flex is equal to or larger than the current cable.
Make sure the connector block is suitable for the current draw of your extractor (including possible start-up surges if you have an induction motor).
Make sure you maintain the earth connections at the plug and the connection.

Davy

 

[mrbingley]

Davy
Cheers for the info.

I went into the box atop the motor and replaced the NVR connections with some thick 3 core wire and at the other end a 13 amp plug.
Tried it without the remote first to test it and everything OK. Plugged it into the remote unit and Hey Presto it works.

Was a bit dubious about it working after reading about the 10amp limitation, but everything seems OK.

The dust/chip extractor is the "Perform CCBDE Extractor" with 1500watt power.

Now no more going into the far corner and stooping down to turn it on and off

Cheers
Chris.

 

[martlewis]

Went a step further and removed the nvr from my extractor, it's now mounter on the wall by the door about half way down the shop. Just a few steps from any machine and I can reach it

Or just turn it on when I enter and off when I leave !!!