CT remote control ?

[NuggyBuggy]

This is something I really wish they built .  The vacuum turning on automatically with a tool is great, but there are lots of times when I wish I could just pull the hose out of the tool and suck up dust that escaped anyways.  It's a pain to have to walk around to wherever I have my CT (usually on the other side of the MFT) to turn it to manual.  At times like this I wish I had a remote that would automatically turn on the vac regardless of whether it is on auto or manual.

I've read about guys using remote control christmas lights to trigger a Fein vac, but it seems like that wouldn't work because the light would sit in the power outlet.

Has anybody figured out a way to do this ? Maybe a splitter with a remote controlled light on it ?

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

just leave the tool on and pull the hose?

 

[mikeneron]

What I did was put a 3 way power splitter plugged into the vac.  This way I can have my TS55 and miter saw plugged in at the same time and all I have to swap is the vacuum hose.  I have a smaller heater plugged into the 3rd outlet, which happens to have a remote control.  So if I want to run the vac manually I just power on the heater with the remote control and power it off when I am done with the vac.  I tried this with an old VCR, but I guess it didn't have enough power to trigger the vac.  If you figure something out that is a little more elegant than the heater, let me know    It sure beats walking back and forth to the vac.

 

[hanshamm]

I've been wondering the same thing.  Or at least a light that can connect to the end of the power cord to trick it into turning on.

I put a CT mini in my rafters...

 

[hanshamm]

crafty Canadians always need their heaters on hand  

 

[Kevin Stricker]

How bout a "Clapper"?

 

[upscale]

If you figure something out that is a little more elegant than the heater, let me know    It sure beats walking back and forth to the vac.

A light extension always seemed like the logical choice to me. A 60 watt bulb is sufficient to prompt the vacuum to turn on and it often assists with providing additional illumination on the work surface at hand.

And as hanshamm mentioned that crafty Canadians always need their heaters on hand, then a higher wattage bulb (for me anyway) is often enough to keep one's hands warm in the immediate area.

 

[hanshamm]

60 watt didn't work for me the vacuum cycled on and off.  Luckily I had some 75 watt black lights that worked and gave the shop that ambiance it was needing.

yes a space heater makes a ton of sense!  lived in Ontario for 20 years...brutal winters and just as hot summers!

 

[NuggyBuggy]

just leave the tool on and pull the hose?

Nah, I wouldn't feel safe keeping my TS75 running with one hand while I'm stretching and reaching to vacuum up dust with the other. [scared]

 

[NuggyBuggy]

How bout a "Clapper"?

A Clapper would be just about perfect, but they are apparently extremely prone to false triggers.  I'll have to experiment with different sized light bulbs on a splitter this weekend.  It's getting too hot to need a space heater.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

I have a wireless remote that I picked up at a big box, either in extension cord area or lighting. It is made by Westek. About $15 USD. I use it for something else but I think it would be just about perfect for the CT. Receiver plugs into an out let and it has a small remote with a key chain swivel. The receiver is roughly the size and shape of a transforner block, but very light weight. You would nee to use a wide splitter on the CT probably one of the three in a row types. But it should work well with any type of light plugged into it as a CT trigger. The remote (signal) works through my house wall across 50' of space and through a concrete block wall on the other end.

I will try it out and add pics.

Seth

 

[tiralie]

Has anybody figured out a way to do this ? Maybe a splitter with a remote controlled light on it ?

IVac has a remote control for their system.

http://www.ivacswitch.com/default.action?itemid=36

Some of those household units aren't rated for very much wattage.
I would check those will work for you purposes if you go that route.
Tim

 

[semenza]

OK, tried it out.

This remote is rated at 240w so you can't run a heater on it , but it is fine for most lights.

How come you would want to have a heater triggering the vac?  Seems like you would want the heater either on or off for a long period of time, not tied to running the vac.  ???

Anyway......

The CT (33) triggered with as little as 40w, but it did not trigger with 23w.

 

[mikeneron]

How come you would want to have a heater triggering the vac?  Seems like you would want the heater either on or off for a long period of time, not tied to running the vac.  ???

Heater was the only thing I had with a remote that would trigger the vac...wasn't interested in the actual heat...just a way to turn the vac on and off with a remote.  Lights, VCRs didn't have enough juice to trigger the vac.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

Thanks for checking Seth.  So what you would be doing is plugging in some sort of splitter into the CT port, then plug your remote receiver (to which you have a light plugged in) and tool(s) into the splitter, right ? 

I have a tiny space and it is a major pain to have to squeeze around my MFT to get to my vac to switch it to manual and back again, so if this works - I will be happy as a bug in a rug.

Thanks - terry

 

[mikeneron]

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/electrical/electrical-cords-cord-management/husky/12-3-2-in-cord-stw-3outlet-t-block-red-black-93332.html

I have this extension cord except mine is 25 feet long.  Allows you to have 3 things plugged into it at once.  So for myself, I had the TS55, miter saw, and small remote controlled heater.  When I was done using either of the power tools, I could just hit the button on the remote to activate the vac whenever needed.

 

[semenza]

Thanks for checking Seth.  So what you would be doing is plugging in some sort of splitter into the CT port, then plug your remote receiver (to which you have a light plugged in) and tool(s) into the splitter, right ? 

I have a tiny space and it is a major pain to have to squeeze around my MFT to get to my vac to switch it to manual and back again, so if this works - I will be happy as a bug in a rug.

Thanks - terry

Correct.

 

[semenza]

How come you would want to have a heater triggering the vac?  Seems like you would want the heater either on or off for a long period of time, not tied to running the vac.  ???

Heater was the only thing I had with a remote that would trigger the vac...wasn't interested in the actual heat...just a way to turn the vac on and off with a remote.  Lights, VCRs didn't have enough juice to trigger the vac.

Aaah, got it.