Using the CT Midi as an extension cord

[mosez]

...works fine as long as you dont mind having the dc turn on with the tool. but if you want to, say, hook up your battery charger, how would you do it?
unfortunately, there is no possibility to use the modules for the bigger cts on the midi.

 

[ccarrolladams]

It seems to me any vac would be a very expensive extension cord. For the price of a Mini you should be able to buy a massive pile of top quality extension cable as well as several multi-outlet strips!

 

[mosez]

oh come on  [eek] point is: i already HAVE a midi and thus no money left for an extension cord  [crying] .
of course this is not a question of cost savings. i would like to use the midi for the sake of not having to run to extensions from the same outlet to the same spot. it just seems redundant to me and i was hoping that someone has a solution....

 

[Daniel_n]

I use this wonderful solution with my CTL22's. http://www.lundblomtechnologies.se/festoolupgrade/

 

[grobin]

Interesting link. Unfortunately doesn't appear to work on the mini or midi (Oh well another reason to consider an upgrade).  I looked a t the switch and there is no way on the mini to fix it so in manual the outlet is live.

 

[jonny round boy]

...works fine as long as you dont mind having the dc turn on with the tool. but if you want to, say, hook up your battery charger, how would you do it?
unfortunately, there is no possibility to use the modules for the bigger cts on the midi.

This is possible with the CTL26/36, with an additional power module fitted.

 

[tbellemare]

We don't get the Power Module in NA.

I suspect it's because the cable that is internal to the CT isn't big enough. Cable is sized based on current (measured here in Amps). The cable's ampacity is determined basically by cross sectional area and material (copper/aluminum/clad/etc.) with a small factor for stranding/solid (surface effect). If the European designed machines are fitted with cables of a certain ampacity and therefore cable size, they have to degrade the ampacity by approximately half when they are sold here because we have about half the voltage. V=IR, resistance is the constant.

Half the voltage means twice the current for the same power. An OF 2200 at 110 volts, draws 20 amps - full usage. At 220 volts, it draws 10 amps - full usage. In the U.S., the CT needs wire that can handle twice the current, roughly twice the cross-sectional area. I think that's why Festool can't provide a CT that will handle multiple tools safely on a 15-amp, 100-120VAC cord with it being split to run the CT also.

Tom

BTW: I doubt many people out there use any of their tools one at a time and draw more than about 15 amps very often - including the power required to run a Festool CT.

 

[jonny round boy]

We don't get the Power Module in NA.

I know, but the OP who asked the question is in Germany, where it is available.

 

[tbellemare]

'Sorry JRB:

A bit of tunnel vision on my part...

I was looking at G's reply only.

My apologies for any confusion...

There is confusion inherent in the issue, however.

Tom