Kapex doesn't have full power when attached to CT

[Electric Trim]

Anyone notice that your Kapex blade speed/motor power is down when you're attached to the Dust Extractors?  I usually try to plug my CT 36 directly in to an outlet, but sometimes I have to run it up to 50 ft.  I always use 10 or 12 gauge power cords but I can definitely tell when I'm not directly plugged in and I can also tell a bigger difference if I run my Kapex without a CT (just for trial purposes, obviously I can't sit there and breath dust all day!)

Is this going to burn up the motor on my Kapex?  That's the real question I have.

 

[paul_david_thomas]

I have found, err, issues with FESTOOL tools coming through the VAC's, however this has always been due to faulty power cables PRIOR to the Vac. Little knicks, notches ect.

 

[Theshipstore]

This may be helpful to you as to voltage drop along extension cords.
I have had problems with my Midi and TS 55 and found it was really a somewhat extension cord issue

www.christmas-onthe-hill.com/extension-cord-chart.pdf

Sal

 

[paul_david_thomas]

sal,

i was going to say that too

 

[ccarrolladams]

In North America it is possible to connect a 120v Kapex to a 120v CT, which is supplied with a NEMA 120v 20a plug since this combination should be used with a dedicated 20a 120v circuit. The North America versions of the CT do ship with a adapter cable (sometimes called a "dongel") with a NEMA 120v 15a grounded male plug and NEMA 120v 20a female grounded receptacle. 

However, it is not recommended trying to power the combination of Kapex and any CT from a 120v 15 a circuit even when nothing else is powered by that circuit.

In theory and often in practice 50' 12 gauge extension cables are enough power a 20a load, there will be a voltage drop. It is considered far better practice to use 10 gauge extension cables for prolonged use at 50' or longer. Of course these should have proper NEMA 120v 20a connectors on each end and a dedicated 20a circuit should be used.

My own practice is to not power any of my Kapex through a CT, even in my shop where all 120v 20a receptacles are home run to a circuit breaker within 100' using 10 gauge wire. Personally I see no reason to shut off the dust extractor when I finish a cut. Since the NA Kapex are supplied with a NEMA 120v 15a male plug, I connect those to a dedicated 120v 15a NEMA receptacle connected to its breaker home run within 100' with 12 gauge wire. Although in this case the CT does not require a full 20a, I still connect it to a dedicated receptacle as described above.

The two permanently located Kapex in my shop use accelerators for dust extraction. The idea is to provide the same high velocity suction as a Festool CT, yet using the collection capacity of our plant DC system. Those Kapex are powered by dedicated 15a receptacles. Within our shop the two mobile Kapex have dedicated CT22. Those sets are powered by separate circuits.

The Kapex we take on site goes with a new CT36 with the HEPA signs. All of our extension cords longer than 25' are at least 12 gauge. Some of those have grounded 120v 15a NEMA connectors. Others have 120v 20a NEMA connectors. We own no power extension cables smaller than 14 gauge. On sites we do use the Festool supplied dongels when needed.

 

[mastercabman]

Anyone notice that your Kapex blade speed/motor power is down when you're attached to the Dust Extractors?  I usually try to plug my CT 36 directly in to an outlet, but sometimes I have to run it up to 50 ft.  I always use 10 or 12 gauge power cords but I can definitely tell when I'm not directly plugged in and I can also tell a bigger difference if I run my Kapex without a CT (just for trial purposes, obviously I can't sit there and breath dust all day!)

Is this going to burn up the motor on my Kapex?  That's the real question I have.

I do not get what you discribe.Pluged directly to an outlet or using extension cords.no problems.  with or without vac.

 

[Kev]

Its a good investment to have a few extra heavy duty leads in different lengths. Never good to use a 50 when you only need a 20, etc.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Is this going to burn up the motor on my Kapex?  That's the real question I have.

Kapex (and all Festool motors) are universal motors. Voltage drop will cause the motor to run at lower speed and reduced power, but it does not damage the motor, as opposed to how this can damage induction motors (like your tablesaw).

However, voltage drop should not normally be noticeable on something like Kapex, so you should check the quality of the connections leading to the saw. Running a Kapex from a CT-vac does require a dedicated circuit. Also avoid using power strips and other extensions in the circuit. The greatest source of voltage drop is the plug, so minimize the number of plugs (extensions) in the circuit.

 

[Mr Jones]

It's also important to uncoil the long cords as the rating drops when they are on the reel.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

It's also important to uncoil the long cords as the rating drops when they are on the reel.

This is correct, however, it applies only toward heat dissipation in the cord, not toward voltage drop, as was the primary topic of this discussion.

I mention this only because there is a running myth that a coiled cord will result in inductive effects on the current/voltage that isn't true.

 

[ccarrolladams]

As a matter of fact, the on-site welding industry and motion picture location work commonly store feeder cable on reels. If the run is short enough some of the feeder is still coiled on the reel in use. The trick is to not use a full load on the cable. At 80% or less heat is no an issue.

 

[johnbro]

Could be you're not getting a full 120v at your house, particularly if you're at the end of a long run by the power company. Voltage in the US can vary widely from house to house, with some getting too much and some getting too little. Some people have build regulation systems to try to fix this problem but it's a long climb up hill to get the power companies to invest in them.