Author Topic: Announcing: MAXSYS Wireless Remote for CT-vacs (Read 128170 times)

M.András · « **Reply #270 on:** January 15, 2017, 11:34 AM »

Quote from: Rick Christopherson on January 15, 2017, 08:43 AM

No, there would not be enough room for both in the module bay.

Not in the module bay, the socket barely fits in there,
behind the front plastic panel there must be some empty space inside

Rick Christopherson · « **Reply #271 on:** January 15, 2017, 03:51 PM »

No. The inside of the controller area is pretty tight. Those electrical connectors inside the accessory module bay are actually terminals right on the main control board.

M.András · « **Reply #272 on:** January 15, 2017, 03:53 PM »

Good to know, that explains the epoxy on the connector bases. Thank you for your help.

Gwerner · « **Reply #273 on:** February 08, 2017, 05:33 PM »

Quote from: Rick Christopherson on May 04, 2016, 05:40 AM

Just to give an update on the Dust Collector option that several people have requested. They are taking a little more time to assemble than I expected, but I am pleased with the final outcome. With the clear cover, you can easily tell these are not the el-cheapo DC remotes you'll find at Rockler or Woodcraft that can barely handle a small DC unit.

Just for reference, the power relay and heatsink are 3 inches tall. They are rated at 40 amps at either 120/240/480 volts. As soon as I finish filling the orders, I'll make one for my own 240V, 3hp Powermatic twin bag DC. I've always wanted a DC remote for my Powermatic for when I'm running the planer and wide belt sander. I'm even going to rig one up for the pneumatic solenoid on my compressor so I can control the valve from either the workshop or garage. That's going to be really handy, because the wide belt sander needs both compressed air for controls and dust collection, and these are each on opposite ends of my shop.

The default setup comes with both an inlet and outlet power cord in either 120 or 240 volt configuration. But as a few have already learned, we can rig this up to tie directly into some existing DC controls.

(Attachment Link)

@Rick Christopherson Rick, are these still available for purchase? I looked on your website and didn't see it. I'd be interested in one of these to run my 2HP Laguna cyclone (the included remote is terrible) along with 3 remotes.

Rick Christopherson · « **Reply #274 on:** February 08, 2017, 06:22 PM »

Yes. All of my websites are linked together, so no matter which one you happened to open, Maxsys should be visible.

The main Maxsys website is at http://www.rts-engineering.com/

Rick Christopherson · « **Reply #275 on:** February 08, 2017, 06:26 PM »

Quote from: Gwerner on February 08, 2017, 05:33 PM

I'd be interested in one of these to run my 2HP Laguna cyclone (the included remote is terrible) along with 3 remotes.

Oops, sorry, I missed this point. Yes, I believe I still have the parts to make at least one more. I'm not sure I'll continue it in the future, but I would if there was a group order or something.

Getting all of the electrical parts aren't a problem, but the cool plastic enclosures may not be easy to get in the future. That's why I'm not sure how long I'll make them.

Oh, and I just checked. It still has a shopping cart listing on the site.

Gwerner · « **Reply #276 on:** February 08, 2017, 07:42 PM »

Quote from: Rick Christopherson on February 08, 2017, 06:26 PM

Quote from: Gwerner on February 08, 2017, 05:33 PM
I'd be interested in one of these to run my 2HP Laguna cyclone (the included remote is terrible) along with 3 remotes.

Oops, sorry, I missed this point. Yes, I believe I still have the parts to make at least one more. I'm not sure I'll continue it in the future, but I would if there was a group order or something.

Getting all of the electrical parts aren't a problem, but the cool plastic enclosures may not be easy to get in the future. That's why I'm not sure how long I'll make them.

Oh, and I just checked. It still has a shopping cart listing on the site.

Ahh, now I see it. I'm going to double check my machine layout tonight to make sure 3 remotes will be enough before ordering. Thanks!

pettyconstruction · « **Reply #277 on:** February 08, 2017, 11:14 PM »

Got one myself,works great.
Now I need one of those 30' long hoses,so I can't hear the Ct vac.,though it is really silent to begin with.
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

wkearney99 · « **Reply #278 on:** March 30, 2017, 07:44 PM »

Just got mine and installed it in my CT36. Fantastic! No more bending down to switch from Auto.

Now, if it'd just tie into a blast gate actuator somehow... That'd let me keep one hose/cord on the sander or tracksaw and another free for cleanup.

Runhard · « **Reply #279 on:** March 30, 2017, 08:29 PM »

I bought 3 of them recently and they work great! The signal is pretty strong, if I am in my basement shop I can accidentally turn on the CT48 in my garage. If they worked on the Midi's I would have 4 MAXSYS's.

bryan1982 · « **Reply #280 on:** March 30, 2017, 09:10 PM »

I know i wish one was made the the midi and the ct sys vac

Cheers

Bryan

Bob D. · « **Reply #281 on:** March 30, 2017, 10:07 PM »

I read through the first 6 pages but didn't see anything about this, so I'll ask it here.

In your initial post Rick you mention about using the MAXSYS with your CT vac and the TSC55.

But I have seen nothing about how you remote works with the TSC55. SO I am guessing that
you mean that one can manually operate the CT by using the hand held remote.

What I was envisioning when I read that was something that sensed when you start using the
TSC55 and would send a start or stop signal to the vac, but that is not what you have I take it
because I could not find anything on your website about it.

So I'll ask, have you considered if it might be possible to sense when a cordless tool is in use
and operate the vac remotely? I'm thinking of a small device that would be mounted on the tool.

Possible or a pipedream?

Rick Christopherson · « **Reply #282 on:** March 31, 2017, 12:05 AM »

Quote from: wkearney99 on March 30, 2017, 07:44 PM

Just got mine and installed it in my CT36. Fantastic! No more bending down to switch from Auto.

Now, if it'd just tie into a blast gate actuator somehow... That'd let me keep one hose/cord on the sander or tracksaw and another free for cleanup.

Tell me what you have for an actuator, and maybe I could figure something out.

Rick Christopherson · « **Reply #283 on:** March 31, 2017, 12:08 AM »

Quote from: Bob D. on March 30, 2017, 10:07 PM

But I have seen nothing about how you remote works with the TSC55. SO I am guessing that
you mean that one can manually operate the CT by using the hand held remote.

There would be no way to make the saw activate a remote signal without altering the saw.

GarryMartin · « **Reply #284 on:** March 31, 2017, 03:51 AM »

Quote from: Rick Christopherson on March 31, 2017, 12:08 AM

There would be no way to make the saw activate a remote signal without altering the saw.

How about a "shim" that would attach to the battery, replicating the positioning fins and contacts, but containing the electronics, and sensing the current from the battery? Would that constitute alteration of the saw? Or would it be a third-party accessory?

Gregor · « **Reply #285 on:** March 31, 2017, 04:18 AM »

Quote from: Rick Christopherson on March 31, 2017, 12:08 AM

Quote from: Bob D. on March 30, 2017, 10:07 PM

But I have seen nothing about how you remote works with the TSC55. SO I am guessing that
you mean that one can manually operate the CT by using the hand held remote.

There would be no way to make the saw activate a remote signal without altering the saw.

There actually is, you have a PM with the details on how to pull this off.

wkearney99 · « **Reply #286 on:** March 31, 2017, 05:50 PM »

What RF frequency does the remote use? I'd like to see about triggering it from an automation system.

And is the controller board capable of being controlled from more than one remote? I know the remotes are capable of being paired with more than one controller board, but what about the opposite?

Rick Christopherson · « **Reply #287 on:** March 31, 2017, 06:45 PM »

Bill,
I replied to your email early this morning, but maybe you didn't get it yet. Yes, each Maxsys module can be paired with up to 10 different remotes. A 2-button remote can operate 2 different modules, and a 4-button remote can operate 4 different modules.

Bob D. · « **Reply #288 on:** March 31, 2017, 09:21 PM »

Quote from: Rick Christopherson on March 31, 2017, 12:08 AM

Quote from: Bob D. on March 30, 2017, 10:07 PM

But I have seen nothing about how you remote works with the TSC55. SO I am guessing that
you mean that one can manually operate the CT by using the hand held remote.

There would be no way to make the saw activate a remote signal without altering the saw.

I think there might be, you may not have at this time a way to pull this off but I believe it is possible.

And if such a device existed it would make it possible for a number of cordless tools to activate a vacuum when the tool starts using your MAXSYS module.

DeWalt and Milwaukee both make batteries with Bluetooth built in and they can monitor battery charge and temperature in real time so it should be possible to know when the tool is running and use that to turn a vacuum on or do any number of other actions.

Cheese · « **Reply #289 on:** March 31, 2017, 09:34 PM »

Quote from: Bob D. on March 31, 2017, 09:21 PM

DeWalt and Milwaukee both make batteries with Bluetooth built in and they can monitor battery charge and temperature in real time so it should be possible to know when the tool is running and use that to turn a vacuum on or do any number of other actions.

Is that also the case with the Festool battery platform?

Bob D. · « **Reply #290 on:** April 01, 2017, 08:10 AM »

Don't know. I've never seen mention of BT capability in Festool batteries or tools.

Bob D. · « **Reply #291 on:** April 30, 2017, 10:44 AM »

My MAXSys remote arrived the other day and I went to install it yesterday and on reading the instructions there was no mention of what to do with the common wire. I have a single conductor attached to the common terminal on the board but the other end is not terminated in the plug, it is stripped of insulation for about 4 mm but no lug is crimped on the end. It's just hanging in mid air. The instructions make no mention of this lead or what to do with it. Looking at the plug I don't see where a third wire should be connected.

Did anyone else encounter this condition and if so what did you do with this wire? I can' leave a bare ended wire floating around in there where it will come in contact with something that it shouldn't and risk damaging my CT-36 or the remote module.

Rick Christopherson · « **Reply #292 on:** April 30, 2017, 10:54 AM »

Quote from: Bob D. on April 30, 2017, 10:44 AM

My MAXSys remote arrived the other day and I went to install it yesterday and on reading the instructions there was no mention of what to do with the common wire. I have a single conductor attached to the common terminal on the board but the other end is not terminated in the plug, it is stripped of insulation for about 4 mm but no lug is crimped on the end. It's just hanging in mid air. The instructions make no mention of this lead or what to do with it. Looking at the plug I don't see where a third wire should be connected.

Did anyone else encounter this condition and if so what did you do with this wire? I can' leave a bare ended wire floating around in there where it will come in contact with something that it shouldn't and risk damaging my CT-36 or the remote module.

Sorry about this Bob. It looks like the wire pulled loose from the smaller connector. If you can PM me your address, I'll send you a new plug, if that's an OK solution for you. It should be the fastest for getting you up and running.

Bob D. · « **Reply #293 on:** April 30, 2017, 01:07 PM »

Thanks that is an acceptable fix for me.

PM sent.

Rick Christopherson · « **Reply #294 on:** April 30, 2017, 01:25 PM »

Thanks Bob. As I mentioned in my PM, I make those crimp connections myself, but I had just switched over to using the new blue colored wire because it is more flexible. The thicker insulation caused me to have to change my crimping procedure slightly. A new plug is on the way.

jwaite550 · « **Reply #295 on:** May 11, 2017, 02:46 PM »

Just a note to you Rick, I have been using the MAXSYX since receiving it from your first production and it has worked flawlessly and save me many steps! Thank you for the great product!

Bob D. · « **Reply #296 on:** June 20, 2017, 02:10 PM »

Just to follow up and close the loop on my minor issue everything has been working
fine since I made the repair as instructed by Rick.

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly and helping me resolve the problem Rick.