Turning on dust collector from shopbot software

[toddmaci]

Can anyone lead me to documentation on how to hook my dust collector to the shopbot software. I would like to be able to turn on the dust collector when I start a file and shut it off when it is complete. Do I need anything additional to do this?

Thanks,

Todd

[thewoodcrafter]

You need a relay board that is wired to the controller board outputs.
Then a command in your file to turn it on and off.
ShopBot sells them.

[toddmaci]

Roger,
Any idea what they cost. I could not find it in the shopbot site.

Todd

[Gary Campbell]

Todd...
I was not able to find it on the SB site either. They have a plug and play 5 channel version, and sorry, I am not sure of the price.

Ed Lang gives more info here: http://www.shopbottools.com/getting_started.htm#Relay Board

One more note. IF your dust collector has a load higher than the rated capacity of the SB relay board, you will need to add a higher capacity relay or contactor. A double (or triple) pole contactor would be reccommended for 240V or 3 phase collector. I have some sources for these, if you need them. Email me for links.
Gary

[knight_toolworks]

make life easy and buy a dc remote. cheap and easy to do. they cost 50.00 or a bit less depending on what one you get.

[myxpykalix]

Here is how to do it the cheap easy way. For example my control box will turn the router on when i start a file (2006 prt alpha) if yours does this then why not put a dual outlet on the end of your powersupply to the router so when the power turns on to the router it turns the dust collector on.
Now someone smarter then me might come along and tell you why this isn't a good idea and this was just a thought and not a tried and true method.

[adrianm]

The relay board was $169 when I bought mine a couple of weeks ago.

[ken_rychlik]

Here is the poor mans version.

It cuts off the router, vac hold down and dust collector (remote) when the file is finished. It won't turn them on though. I put a command to jog to a -1.2 and then back to 0 in my file post processor to add this to every file.


7999

[bill]

Todd,
Got my relay board a couple weeks ago also. It was $18?.?? with shipping. With many ways to skin a cat, I think the relay board is the best way to go. I had been starting/stopping my dust collector and vacuum via other electrical/software methods until now.

[magic]

I have a light switch next to my computer (that's wired to the collector).
One hand hits the spacebar and the other, turns on the DC.

This way I don't have to turn the DC on, if I don't want to.

[toddmaci]

Thanks all for the input. I think magic's method is the most cost effective.

[curtiss]

These are pretty easy to use...


8000

[wberminio]

Curtis

What is this?

[GlenP]

I have my dust collector and also shop radio connected to a remote device. The remote is a small pendant that looks like a car keyfob. I keep it clipped to my shopcoat. If the phone rings I can turn the radio off and when shopbot is done I can turn dust collector off anywhere in the shop...in fact it works from my house as well. Costs less $100. It is 220 volt for the dust collector.

[gc3]

Curtis...post a link for that...THX




Gene Crain
www.plantasymaderas.com (http://www.plantasymaderas.com)

[curtiss]

sorry, no link for these...

I made it with a thumb drive a bit of black tape...

it does not function....



sort of a theory item...

[toddmaci]

Curtis,
I got a good laugh at your sense of humor.

Todd

[tmerrill]

Curtis, good April 1st post, either early or late depending on your outlook on life.

It's not so farfetched however. If you do a google search for "usb 110v relay" or similar, you will find some commercial products snd many plans for homebrews. I've never looked at them close enough to see how the SB control software would communicate with it. Possibly with a post processor mod?

There may be 220v models, but with a 110v model you could use that to operate a 220v relay.

Tim

[wberminio]

Thanks Curtis- I need a good laugh!

[curtiss]

I thought the Shopbot Robo-man tool changer was real for a few days...

[bcondon]

For shopvac or dust collection (I use a 3HP 240V dust collector)
I use products from www.smarthome.com (http://www.smarthome.com)

I use timers for handling my outdoor lights to come on near sundown and turn off
at 11:00P automatically. They are inexpensive and been very effective.

My shop areas are 1) behind my garage in a 16x24 foot room and in the basement of the
addition of the house (18 x 50). I have dust collection piped into both areas.

I have an "appliance 240V" switch on the dust collector and two
mini consoles (which handles 4 switches/devices) in each area to turn the
"appliance 240V" switch. I also have a wireless unit which plugs into the wall plug
and pocket fob to tell the wireless unit to "turn on device 4".

How it works is that everything is plugged into your house electric wiring via plugs. When you
hit the switch at the console, it sends out a signal cross your electric wires to "turn on
device 2 on house system #1). A house system is a selector switch so your workshop can be house system 1
and your living area can be house system #2 (up to 12 I think)

I have not played with it but there are contactors (which can come off the Shopbot relay board) that
when you close one of the relays, the contactor senses the relay is closed and with send
the message "turn on device #2" and when the contact is broken will send "turn off device #2"


I will report in as I play more.

Mini Console:
http://www.smarthome.com/4030A/X10-Mini-Controller-X10-X-10-Remote-Control-Keypad-MC10A/p.aspx


Appliance device:
http://www.smarthome.com/2021/X10-Heavy-Duty-220V-Appliance-Module-HD245-or-PAM04/p.aspx


Fob and Wireless Device:
http://www.smarthome.com/4003/X10-16-Device-Base-Unit-with-Keychain-Remote-for-2-Devices-RC6500/p.aspx



Christmas tree lights:!
http://www.smarthome.com/2002/3-Pin-Grounded-X10-Appliance-Module-AM466-or-PAM02/p.aspx

[bcondon]

Relay sends message on closure of Shopbot relay contacts:

http://www.smarthome.com/4060/X10-Powerflash-Interface/p.aspx