120V Sys Power Box

[Gregor]

While having the guts exposed you could think about adding a residual current protective device.

 

[Farming_Sawyer]

Struck out with .de  but was able to order one from elsewhere...i think...
I'm hoping to add a pin and sleeve connector on the outside for the extension cord... With a short cord to connect to the CT26 as one option, and the longer cord for running direct to power source. 

 

[Cheese]

Thanks cheese I did go there last night and found the tab to convert the text to English and was able to get mine ordered

Don’t be surprised if it shows up within 4-5 days...mine did. It takes me longer to get items ordered from California than from Amazon.de.

 

[Cheese]

While having the guts exposed you could think about adding a residual current protective device.

Just curious, what's a residual current protective device and how does it work?

 

[Gregor]

While having the guts exposed you could think about adding a residual current protective device.

Just curious, what's a residual current protective device and how does it work?

Might have picked the UK nomenclature from the translator, it's ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in the US.
Seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residual-current_device for details, gist is it instantly disconnects the circuit in case power flowing into the supply dosn't come out of the return again (eg. when you're grounding it through your body).

TL;DR: makes line level electrical current basically harmless to humans, get some 5mA ones for your shop if you don't have them by now.

 

[Sparktrician]

While having the guts exposed you could think about adding a residual current protective device.

 

Might also want to install a whole-house surge protector, too, especially if you're working in rural areas or off a genny. 

 

[Cheese]

...it's ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in the US.
Seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residual-current_device for details, gist is it instantly disconnects the circuit in case power flowing into the supply dosn't come out of the return again (eg. when you're grounding it through your body).

That's a good idea, the only issue is available space inside the closed off receptacle area. Do they make a small GFCI module that could be integrated into the SYS PH?

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[six-point socket II]

Hi!

Personally I wouldn't bother trying to built one into the housing/sys.

I use the German equivalent of one of these:http://www.cooperindustries.com/con..._solutions/portable_gfci_cableassemblies.html
https://www.grainger.com/category/p...lectrical-supplies/electrical/ecatalog/N-191z

Fits perfectly into the SYS with the rest of the cable.

Kind regards,
Oliver

Edit: I knew I had talked about it on this thread before.  [eek] [big grin]

I'm curious what is the purpose of it? It's equivalent to a simple power strip, but 20 times bigger. Not to mention the cost. Why?

If it is done in a way that preserves a lot of the interior Systainer space, then additional extensions cords, adapters, battery charger and power related items could also be transported and stored in one unit that fits the stacking system. Maybe even a couple small lights.  If building a custom one the size could be whatever is needed to accommodate other things.

Not sure I would make good use of a power Sys but I do have a lighting kit in a Systainer. And maybe that could use a revamp to make it more multipurpose. One of the things I try to avoid is having a bunch of things like cord reels and odd ball shaped cases or things that are not in cases that make transport a hassle.

Seth

Seth makes a good point here.

I'd like to add the following:

The SYS-PH might seem "bulky" if compared to a power strip or simple cable reel - but if used with other Systainers, CTL-SYS, SYS-CART it makes for a very compact footprint and offers additional space.

For example (and without going into to much details, I try to keep it short): In Germany, if you do commercial work you are required to only use electric circuits that are deemed safe and in proper working condition.

This can be achieved in two ways:

1) The construction/ work site offers a power supply/distribution set up and tested by an electrician.
2) You use whatever power supply/distribution is available but you put your personal PRCD-S between supply and your tools/distribution. What it does especially, is that it won't stay on if there is anything wrong with the circuit you want to use. If the circuit checks out OK, it will provide additional safety like any RCCB/RCD.

So if you don't have a distribution with built in PRCD (which is then mostly as big/bulky as a systainer, maybe even more - and which abides by all rules/regulations) you will most definitely have at least one additional power strip with PRCD built in.

Since I take safety pretty seriously even though I don't do any commercial work, I have one of these and it fits perfectly into the SYS-PH together with the other power strip.

The SYS-PH is the first Systainer to go on my SYS-Cart - on top of it is my CTL-SYS.

This gives me options:

Plug CTL-SYS in SYS-PH and tool in CTL-SYS's socket

Plug CTL-SYS and tool in SYS-PH (Like pictured above, because I switched on and off manually)

Plug CTL-SYS and tool(s) in SYS-PH and one tool in CTL-SYS's socket.

In anyway, in essence you have only one cord running to your stack and everything packs up nicely and is easily moved - you can always just sling the cord around the stack an move within a minute from one place to the next.

I loved this when I had to put my stack on the patio's roof for example.

You might have no need for any of this, that's fine. But others might.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Cheese]

While looking around for a small GFCI module to place inside the outlet cavity within the SYS PH, I stumbled upon this option. The European plug has to be cut off the end of the SYS PH cord and replaced with a US version. If you replace it with a Hubbel or Arrow-Hart industrial plug, it'll run around $10-$15.

This is a Tower GFCI plug that replaces the original European plug for $33 through MSC.
http://www.towermfg.com/Cut Sheets/CUT SHEET 30434009.pdf
http://www.towermfg.com/Cut Sheets/CUT SHEET 30434010.pdf

However they're also available for purchase here:
https://www.amazon.com/Tower-Manufa...ocphy=9019537&hvtargid=pla-633907381197&psc=1

 

[six-point socket II]

Do you know if these will prevent the user from using a faulty outlet?

The German PRCD-S does that, won't stay on if the outlet/installation is iffy.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Gregor]

Do you know if these will prevent the user from using a faulty outlet?

The German PRCD-S does that, won't stay on if the outlet/installation is iffy.

Hefty price though (~170€), compared to a non-S one (~30€). Is it worth it?

 

[six-point socket II]

Do you know if these will prevent the user from using a faulty outlet?

The German PRCD-S does that, won't stay on if the outlet/installation is iffy.

Hefty price though (~170€), compared to a non-S one (~30€). Is it worth it?

To me, yes, absolutely.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[rst]

Thanks for the link Cheese, just bought one on Ebay...$1.00 cheaper than Amazon.

 

[Cheese]

Thanks for the link Cheese, just bought one on Ebay...$1.00 cheaper than Amazon.

Hey [member=25351]rst[/member]  just curious what you’re putting the GFCI on?

 

[rst]

My power box, when I built it I installed a hospital grade plug but like the idea of built in GFI.  Not sure why I built the box as I only use it in the shop, it would have been really useful in the 80s, 90s on sites where I might have had 3-4 tools plugged.  I don't even carry corded tools in my van excepting my vac sys.  Since I bought Milwaukee's rotary hammer, even my Milwaukee hammerdrill that carried me for the last 38 years has been retired.  Even the vac isn't used that often as I have the Milwaukee 18v.  The only other corded tool  I use regularly is my 80's Hilti TE-72 for busting up mortar filled steel jambs on replacement jobs.

 

[demographic]

Where did you order from and where did you find the replacement receptacles?  Tell us more!

The blue 110 volt sockets matched the mounting holes exactly. There is a small relief that the sockets fix in too and these blue socket also fit in that recessed space. Too bad the blue sockets were not black. The black sockets I ordered had a wider mounting hole pattern. The blue sockets were also twice the cost of the black ones.

You can find the blue sockets on Ebay and Amazon.

Once I had the sockets the conversion took only about 30 mintues to do. Very easy too do.

Huh? Blue 110 volt sockets?
Over her the 110 ones are yellow and the blue is only ever used for 240, the large red ones are three phase 415.

Using the blue ones for 110 would get us chucked off site sharpish.

 

[Bob D.]

Even just rotating it 90 degrees makes life easier.

Yes, and since some cords (mostly flat cords) have right angle plugs you'd want to be sure the door wasn't in the way, but off to the side maybe.

 

[ToolGuy42]

Has anyone tried adding a retractable cord built into their Sys Power Box? Attached an image of someone else'd mod that included a retractable cord. Looks like there could be space to make the cord retractable.

 

[gwendal]

I have been drooling over the SYS PowerHub for a while but could not justify the cost, so I came with a 3d printed solution to connect a specific power strip to the systainer front slots. I now have table level power from my CT26 tower!

 

[Cheese]

Has anyone tried adding a retractable cord built into their Sys Power Box? Attached an image of someone else'd mod that included a retractable cord. Looks like there could be space to make the cord retractable.

Just ran across this post [member=73549]ToolGuy42[/member] , I pulled this cord retractor out of an older Miele canister vac. It contains 24' of electrical cord and it's rated at 9.5 amps. I just haven't gotten around yet to installing it...probably this summer.

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