Cutting off the dust collector's 20A plug and replacing it with a 15A plug

[Cort]

Peter Halle - Moderator

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

ok

 

[lordinteriors]

wont this void the warranty ?

lee

 

[Dave Ronyak]

A nice plug installation tutorial with great photos, but why do this?  I wired my garage/shop with proper code-compliant 20A wiring and receptacles.  Most of my 50 year old house is wired the same way.  So the adapter supplied by Festool sits idle in the Hose Garage most of the time.  I agree with using plugs of the types you recommended when any need replacing or when making up a new power cord.

Dave R.

 

[VictorL]

I'm just wondering, what's wrong with current setup? You could use it with 20A and 15A sockets.
Plus your "tune-up" voids warranty, and lowering re-sale value.

Regards,
VictorL

 

[tbellemare]

Like Dave, I wired my shop with 20-amp receptacles with 12 AWG wiring and 20-amp breakers. I don't need the dongle.

If I go elsewhere and I don't have access to 20-amp receptacles, I need the dongle so I always bring it with me wherever I go.

If the device plugged into any outlet draws too much current, the circuit is supposed to be protected by the breaker or fuse. The plug is not the protection, any device can have a direct short to ground and draw virtually infinite current.

Tom

 

[Corwin]

I often wonder where Festool got the idea that the 20amp plug style was what we needed here in the US.  Maybe some have these type outlets, but until I purchased my first Festool extractor I was unaware of these plugs.  I'm in my mid 50's and have yet to see one of these outlets.  Maybe I just haven't lived long enough...  [eek]

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I often wonder where Festool got the idea that the 20amp plug style was what we needed here in the US.  Maybe some have these type outlets, but until I purchased my first Festool extractor I was unaware of these plugs.  I'm in my mid 50's and have yet to see one of these outlets.  Maybe I just haven't lived long enough...  [eek]

I see a lot of them for dedicated circuits, ie window air conditioner.

 

[danrush]

I own 4 CT's, 2 in the house/shop, 2 in the field.  All have been modified.  I won't describe how to do it, but I'll tell you why.
I don't know why the supplied cords are configured the way they are, and I don't really care.  They don't work for me. 

The first time on a job with my first CT, I lost the adapter plug.  Right then and there I performed a "field modification" to get me through the day. I also found that the good quality heavy black cord originally installed on the vac behaved like an angry python when I tried wrangling it back into it's cage at the end of the day.  Too much effort just to get home!

I have since shortened all of the vac's cords to about 12'" ( or direct wired in the case of the shop vac) to be used with extension cords that fit the requirements of the job conditions.  Yes, I can't plug directly into a wall outlet, but I'm glad to be without the adapters and unwieldy factory cords.

Dan

 

[mastercabman]

I use black electrical tape to secure the pig tail adapter with the cord.never had a problem.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I often wonder where Festool got the idea that the 20amp plug style was what we needed here in the US.  Maybe some have these type outlets, but until I purchased my first Festool extractor I was unaware of these plugs.  I'm in my mid 50's and have yet to see one of these outlets.  Maybe I just haven't lived long enough...  [eek]

I see a lot of them for dedicated circuits, ie window air conditioner.

And they have been code in in kitchen outlets for decades in USA.  My understanding is that Festool chose to equip their vacuum machines with wiring rated for 20A in USA because of the combined power requirements of the vacuum and e.g. a TS 55 or OF 1400 router which together can easily exceed 15A at 120 VAC.

Dave R.

 

[jeffinsgf]

The sad state of affairs is that most wall circuits are on a 20 amp breaker, but have 15 amp outlets.  The 15/20 combination outlet used to be fairly standard.  They're still pretty easy to come by, you just have to look a tiny bit wider than the tunnel vision that locks onto the familiar.

I rewired a couple of the outlets in my shop and keep the dongle handy for any trips out of the shop.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

That's kind of funny Dan!! 

I have not had my pig tail fall off.
I actually like the long cord on the CT, it usually means I don't have to get another extension cord out.
I use the CT as my extension cord.

I see why it frustrates some people and why it works for some.

In all honesty, the only reason I have not put a different plug on there is because I am too lazy and that looks like thick rubber.

 

[danrush]

In all honesty, the only reason I have not put a different plug on there is because I am too lazy and that looks like thick rubber.
[/quote]

Darcy, you have experience with cutting hoses with sanders, NO?  Apply the same technique.!!!!

 

[peter halle]

[popcorn] [popcorn] [popcorn] [thumbs up] [thumbs up]

 

[Inner10]

I don't know why the supplied cords are configured the way they are, and I don't really care.  They don't work for me. 

The Vacs were originally designed to be used from a kitchen counter-top, hence the 20A plug. [wink]

e.g. a TS 55 or OF 1400 router which together can easily exceed 15A at 120 VAC.

I'm willing to bet it was a UL/ULC thing.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

In all honesty, the only reason I have not put a different plug on there is because I am too lazy and that looks like thick rubber.

Darcy, you have experience with cutting hoses with sanders, NO?  Apply the same technique.!!!!
[/quote]

[doh] 

I would probably be more apt to cut it off with my 55 or a sawzall!! [big grin]

I would rather deal with the cord on my CT then my 100' extension cords.

 

[jamesclerie]

just twist one leg so its right

 

[Inner10]

I would probably be more apt to cut it off with my 55 or a sawzall!!

I did that a few times and the sparks were remarkable.  [oops]

I'm a fan of long cords, I worked with a commercial electrical crew and they fought over the Hilti because it had a 13' cord instead of the Bosch's 6'. [big grin]

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I won't mention how many sets of dykes I have ruined over the years.