Make your old CT MIDI w/o bluetooth a bit easier to use with wireless on/off?

[jonathandmarshall]

Just bought a TSC 55 saw, and realized there is no easy on mechanism for my older CT Midi dust collector.  Festool doesn't offer a BT upgrade kit for this model.  I figured that the midi could be tricked to power on if it saw some power draw from the accessory port, and since I had Wireless RF dongle https://www.amazon.com/DEWENWILS-El...ireless+RF+power+outlet&qid=1597259143&sr=8-3 dongle, I gave it a try.  No dice, apparently not enough draw for the vacuum to turn on.  I plugged a night light into the dongle to see if that amount of draw was enough to kick on the vacuum, no dice.  I plugged in a Dewalt battery charger, and found that this was plenty of draw to get the vacuum to turn on. 

So the question is this: what is a simple, cheap, and small device that could plug into the CT midi's power port and draw enough power to kick on the vacuum? 

 

[Roachmill]

Another way to do it is to have the midi plugged in to a remote controlled socket and set the midi to manual. Then, when you need to switch it on or off, use the remote.

 

[tywalt]

I came here to ask this exact same question. I have a vacuum remote but would prefer not to have to fiddle with plugging it in every time i want to use the TSC55. Tried to do some digging but cant find if there is a way to retrofit the external bluetooth adapter for the CT26 (and bigger) to the old Midi either.

 

[RKA]

You can connect a large fan or incandescent lamp to the outlet on the vac to trigger it.  Anything with a 3A draw should do.

 

[jonathandmarshall]

Another way to do it is to have the midi plugged in to a remote controlled socket and set the midi to manual. Then, when you need to switch it on or off, use the remote.

This is definitely the best alternative I've seen.  Kicking myself because I didn't think about it before posting.  THX  [big grin]

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

That sounds great. I have Leviton switches on Apple HomeKit, so if they have a remote-controlled outlet (I’m sure they do), either a plug-in or in-wall, that would do the trick. Control with Siri.