Kapex KS 120 vs KSC 60
- Thread starter fvoelling
- Start date
Even though the majority of Kapex owners including myself use their Kapex with the CT that they also have worry-free, it's a legi question by CObill and others before them whether the Festool extractors can support the Festool machines including the Kapex.
Empirical data clearly show that Festool extractors and the Kapexes are fine couples, but Festool should explicitly spell out that'd be the case in their manuals or in the specifications. Festool should
address the doubt some may have because of the amperage labels and remove any confusion for the owners. It's unthinkable to me that you can use the Kapex 120 only with a non-Festool brand extractor.
Empirical data clearly show that Festool extractors and the Kapexes are fine couples, but Festool should explicitly spell out that'd be the case in their manuals or in the specifications. Festool should
address the doubt some may have because of the amperage labels and remove any confusion for the owners. It's unthinkable to me that you can use the Kapex 120 only with a non-Festool brand extractor.
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That's the thing; they did if you read the outlet on your CT.
It's like seeing a "Speed Limit 55 MPH" sign and then when you get pulled over you say they never told you not to drive 125.
Do other extractors have an AC plug that activates the extractor based upon power draw?
Cheese
Member
Here's an older Fein that I used with my Kapex until I replaced it with a CT MIDI I.
Attachments
Chainring
Member
The new~ish Harbor Freight Hercules dust collector has one.
The Fein outlet cover actually says maximum 2000W so at 1560W the KAPEX would be fine.
The spec for the CT26 says its power consumption is 350 - 1200 W, but there're no words about how much power it can support.
I'm using a Sears shop vac/dust deputy with an iVac auto switch for the Kapex. I'll take a look at the vac to see if it has anything about its outlet wattage.
I'm using a Sears shop vac/dust deputy with an iVac auto switch for the Kapex. I'll take a look at the vac to see if it has anything about its outlet wattage.
It's not the vac, it's the switched outlet.
If it's the iVAC SB-NA, you can see it's rated at 12A, which is a little lower than the KAPEX's 13A, but at least it's not 3.7A.
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Chainring
Member
Yes, however that wasn't part of your question.
"Do other extractors have an AC plug that activates the extractor based upon power draw?"
luvmytoolz
Member
I'm guessing to power the sockets on the extractors Festool are using a solid state relay with a control circuit for the auto start, in which case the load would effectively be determined by the cable resistance and the output of the GPO as it's in parallel with the extractor load itself?
There may also be a fuse inline but I'd doubt that. So depending on the cable rating and copper cross section, in theory I'd expect you could get a combined power usage equal to the max supplied by the GPO, or even higher in burst mode.
There may also be a fuse inline but I'd doubt that. So depending on the cable rating and copper cross section, in theory I'd expect you could get a combined power usage equal to the max supplied by the GPO, or even higher in burst mode.
tjbnwi
Member
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- May 12, 2008
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- 7,145
This all has to do with the power cord to the CT. People complained about the dongle on the older CT’s so Festool went to a NEMA 5-15P and a 14 gauge equivalent cord. By the time you do the math your down to the 3.7 amps.
You can see this Hilti has a 5-20P (comes with an 6-20R to 5-15P dongle) and 12 gauge equivalent cord the receptacle load is 11 amps. Same as the old Festool CT’s.
www.hilti.com
For the record I have no issues running the Kapex(s) or 2200 router(s) I own through the on CT receptacle. My guess (and it’s is only a guess) all of the internal circuitry on the older and newer CT’s is the same.
Tom
You can see this Hilti has a 5-20P (comes with an 6-20R to 5-15P dongle) and 12 gauge equivalent cord the receptacle load is 11 amps. Same as the old Festool CT’s.
VC 150-10 XE Dust extractor - Construction vacuums and dust extractors - Hilti USA
Powerful dust extractor with built-in power outlet for connection with power tools and jobsite clean ups (wet & dry), 8 gallon tank - OSHA compliant with 150 CFM
www.hilti.com
For the record I have no issues running the Kapex(s) or 2200 router(s) I own through the on CT receptacle. My guess (and it’s is only a guess) all of the internal circuitry on the older and newer CT’s is the same.
Tom
woodferret
Member
Could be a resettable thermal fuse. There's been enough 'mystery - my CT shutdown after running a few seconds'. Unless we hook everyone up to a Killawatt, I can only guess that some users are harder than others on the circuits and the heat build up is really only rated for the 3.5A continuous use - which is different than using a 1010, 2020, or kapex for short bursts or intermittently.
That's the thing - even short bursts are enough to develop substantial heat over the length of a cut.
Ultimately no one can stop anyone from using their saw this way, but if it does damage the wiring or chipset in the CT, Festool won't be fixing it under warranty.
luvmytoolz
Member
Since hardware replacement is generally the lowest cost part of performing warranty support, I would think this last bit unlikely.
Components/boards fail all the time for a multitude of reasons, and the effort to deduce if any number of components specifically failed due to the boards handling of mains input, a surge or spike, if there any part that was overloaded, etc, etc, would be pretty onerous and probably not worth their investigative time, unless it was a really obvious fault they could point to with certainty. Even then from many reports over the years I've seen in forums, users have had what I would consider obvious faults, repaired at no cost that fell outside the warranty.
Chainring
Member
I'd tend to agree with luvmytoolz in that I highly doubt Festool service is doing much, if any board level diags. Take part out, plug into test bench, part no workie, replace part. A blown cap would be obvious and I'm sure there's other very obvious signs of fried components. Diagnosing why they fried, probably not so much.
It's obvious by the replies that lots of people run more than the published load limits through the power port on a CT. I've done it with a DeWALT 7491, though it was cutting softer woods and thin sheet goods and that was, maybe, a handful of times. Regardless, I did end up thinking, "Self, that's probably not a great idea." I plugged both into the same socket on a 20A circuit and it never blew the breaker. Same with the OF 2200. Since my CT 48 is out of warranty, any larger load tools get the separated treatment.
It's obvious by the replies that lots of people run more than the published load limits through the power port on a CT. I've done it with a DeWALT 7491, though it was cutting softer woods and thin sheet goods and that was, maybe, a handful of times. Regardless, I did end up thinking, "Self, that's probably not a great idea." I plugged both into the same socket on a 20A circuit and it never blew the breaker. Same with the OF 2200. Since my CT 48 is out of warranty, any larger load tools get the separated treatment.
luvmytoolz
Member
Of note is that Festool actually sell a power module to add an extra auto-start power socket for the CT26/36/48's, and explicitly describe it as giving you the ability to run two tools off the CT simultaneously!
www.festool.com
This alone infers to me that within reason, the specified socket rating isn't as critical as thought.
Festool Electrical outlet module Modul-SD E/A CT 26/36/48 online
www.festool.com
This alone infers to me that within reason, the specified socket rating isn't as critical as thought.
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To be fair, if you fry the outlet because of too high a draw, it won't require board-level diagnosis, it will be obvious - melted wires, fried components.
Really, it's everyone's call; I'd never risk it, which, to bring this full circle, is why I bought a KSC 60 rather than a KS 120.
Really, it's everyone's call; I'd never risk it, which, to bring this full circle, is why I bought a KSC 60 rather than a KS 120.
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