Announcing: MAXSYS Wireless Remote for CT-vacs

[bkharman]

Hey [member=191]Rick Christopherson[/member] , any updates or tests on getting this into a CT SYS?  I picked one up recently and having the ability to turn it on/off from atop a ladder is something I am very keen on.  If it isnt in the cards, I can pick up a outlet remote if need be.

Cheers.  Bryan.

Hey Rick!

Any thoughts or details on this?

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rick Christopherson]

No. I previously said that the CT Sys does not support the capability.

 

[Flatsawn]

Well Mark, this might be super easy. My questions are trivial, and just to make sure I have everything.

Where does the orange extension cord go? Is that power? (I assume it is.)

Answer: yes it goes to a 110 outlet to power the shaker

In the top light switch box, I think you have everything you need right there already. Does the black wire from the orange (assumed power cord) connect to the orange wire that enters the bottom of the upper switch box?


I was so obsessed with the orange I covered the black with my note. Sorry, I'll fix it tomorrow.
[color=blue]Answer: I'll look closer and take a pic and get back to you tomorrow[/color]

Here's how you hook it up.

• The lower orange wire going to the dust collector switch connects to the Maxsys "L".
• The upper orange wire leaving the switch and going into the box to the right, connects to Maxsys "NO/OUT"
• The white wire that passes through the box, needs to be cut/tapped with a wire nut and connected to Maxsys "N".

That's it. The only thing you need to worry about is whether all that metal might be blocking the radio signal. So if necessary, extend those 3 wires and put Maxsys out in the open.

The Maxsys module I send you will be slightly special. I requested a design change from the manufacturer to protect Festool vacs, but discovered one that didn't get modified. That's the one you need (it only uses 3 wires). So I'll try to mark this one so you don't accidentally install it into a vac.

Rick,
Just to let you know, I received the remote today. It will be a long time before I can hook it up to the system. I think it's going to be perfect.

Thanks again for putting these things together and making them available.

Sincerely,
Mark

 

[rmwarren]

Updated remote installation on the long hose/cord:

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

Removed the clip and sliding cover, then used a piece of 50MM 2-1 heat shrink with the oval cutout.

[member=191]Rick Christopherson[/member] - how do I go about ordering a second remote?

Thanks,

RMW

 

[Rick Christopherson]

[member=191]Rick Christopherson[/member] - how do I go about ordering a second remote?

Just order it. You'll have to program it yourself though, but that takes just a few seconds. Press the program button on the Maxsys module, the LED will come on, press the A-button on the new remote, the LED will turn off. That's it. Just be very careful, because you need to have Maxsys powered when doing this, and there is 120 volts present on the back side of the circuit board. So don't touch anything.

I did something similar to hold my remote to the vac hose, although not quite as elegant as yours. I put a zip-tie through the lanyard. This keeps the remote from sliding down the hose. Then I took an old dress sock and cut it into a sleeve to protect the remote. Then I wrapped the sock with athletic tape to secure it to the hose.

 

[rmwarren]

Ordered, thanks. I thought I recalled my prior order was done via email, that you did not have ordering set up online. Probably faulty memory.

Your installation is similar to my first one, only changed it because I realized I had the 50MM heat shrink laying around for some forgotten reason.

Thanks,

RMW

[member=191]Rick Christopherson[/member] - how do I go about ordering a second remote?

Just order it. You'll have to program it yourself though, but that takes just a few seconds. Press the program button on the Maxsys module, the LED will come on, press the A-button on the new remote, the LED will turn off. That's it. Just be very careful, because you need to have Maxsys powered when doing this, and there is 120 volts present on the back side of the circuit board. So don't touch anything.

I did something similar to hold my remote to the vac hose, although not quite as elegant as yours. I put a zip-tie through the lanyard. This keeps the remote from sliding down the hose. Then I took an old dress sock and cut it into a sleeve to protect the remote. Then I wrapped the sock with athletic tape to secure it to the hose.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

No, but you were one of the first people to pre-order yours, plus I think we had a lot of discussions in this thread around that time too.

 

[Cheese]

Talking about installing the remote control on the sleeved hose...FWIW...this is mine. Fabricated a small retaining eye with 2 short legs from .040 stainless welding rod and gave it a 90° twist. Then just added a narrow tie wrap. This makes it easy to replace the battery when needed. [smile]

 

[M.András]

Hi
Is it possible to install this little circuit board under the front of a ctm 36 ac hd model? While keeping a second always on socket in the module bay? or there isnt enough space inside? Mine is still under warranty so i dont really want to open up the unit just to check it

 

[Rick Christopherson]

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

 

[M.András]

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]

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]

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

 

[Gwerner]

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.

[attachimg=1]

[member=191]Rick Christopherson[/member] 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]

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]

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]

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]

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

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[wkearney99]

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]

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.  [cool]