If you read my last post you might recall how I decided to purchase an X10 “Powerflash Interface” to test out as a controller for my dust collector. My skepticism about how the unit worked turned out to be well-founded. The Powerflash device sends an X10 “on” signal when 6-18VDC is applied to the contacts—but once the voltage is removed, the unit immediately sends an “off” signal. What I was looking for was a way to use a single momentary switch to toggle the collector on and off…so that won’t do. In fact, the plan was to mount multiple doorbell-style pushbuttons around the shop and have it wired so that I didn’t have to turn the unit off at the same station where I turned it on. Since the Powerflash unit didn’t support this, I set out to basically build my own.
I’m not an electrical engineer and couldn’t design a circuit to do what I wanted, but I had no trouble finding a few options online. As a kid I used to quite literally spend hours loitering at my local Radio Shack store and would frequently spend what money I had on their “Engineer’s Notebooks” and specialty ICs to tinker with. So while I don’t fully understand the specifics of the circuits, it wasn’t much trouble reading the schematics or assembling the circuit. Of the three circuits I found online, my local Radio Shack store only stocked all of the required parts for one of them. This was, naturally, the most complicated one. It is succinctly if not aptly named Alternating ON-OFF Switch, #2.
A big box of parts…
After a couple after-work evenings, the “DustBunny 3000” was born…
Hooked up to the “Powerflash” for testing…
Labeled and plugged into the volt meter showing ~4.74vdc on the output
And here’s the video demonstration of the system in action:
(originally posted at http://tenonandspline.com/blog/archives/73)
-- Patrick, Chicago, IL www.TenonAndSpline.com
12 comments so far
GaryK
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8486 posts in 474 days
posted 224 days ago
Pretty slick! Great idea.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
cajunpen
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5348 posts in 552 days
posted 224 days ago
That is slick – but am I missing something here? Wouldn’t a simple remote control switch for your DC have accomplished the same thing? Or, were you just intent on tinkering and coming up with a different solution? Either way – it sounds like you got what you wanted, and that is a good thing.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
motthunter
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1224 posts in 285 days
posted 224 days ago
interesting adaptation
-- making sawdust....
Scott Bryan
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9104 posts in 308 days
posted 224 days ago
Very innovative idea, Patrick.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Patrick Jaromin
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232 posts in 319 days
posted 224 days ago
Thanks, all!
bill- I do actually also have an X10 keychain remote and that works as well. However, I’m not crazy about carrying it around in my pocket and if I set it down it will get lost. Also, with this remote, there are distinct “ON” and “OFF” buttons that you can’t readily distinguish by touch…so I have to actually look at the remote. The doorbell type buttons will be discretely installed in the underside of countertops and other convenient but relatively hidden spots. Plus, this cost me only ~$30 (mostly due to the $13 bag-o-resistors as the ones I needed weren’t sold individually) and I can hook up as many switches as I want.
-- Patrick, Chicago, IL www.TenonAndSpline.com
MsDebbieP
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11929 posts in 647 days
posted 224 days ago
well look at that! Ingenious…
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
trifern
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4065 posts in 253 days
posted 224 days ago
All those wires makes me break into a sweat. Electrical and plumbing drive me crazy. I admire you for being able to do all this yourself.
-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.
John Nixon
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135 posts in 549 days
posted 223 days ago
I thought your video quality was excellent! Your match on action camera switches were right on. I appreciate the effort all that takes…so…kudos to you for caring enough to setup and take the effort to do that.
The idea is very cool as well :-)
-- John Nixon - Buffalo, NY - www.EagleLakeWoodworking.com
teenagewoodworker
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2033 posts in 254 days
posted 223 days ago
very cool idea. that must make turning your dust collection on and off a breeze.
Patrick Jaromin
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232 posts in 319 days
posted 223 days ago
Thanks Debbie and trifern.
Thanks, John…I was surprised it worked at all since I’m using Windows Movie Maker which doesn’t really have the features you’d want for mixing from multiple sources. I managed to get pretty lucky with a few of ‘em though. Thanks!
-- Patrick, Chicago, IL www.TenonAndSpline.com
Mario
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714 posts in 538 days
posted 222 days ago
very cool,
Thanks for the post.
-- Hope Never fails
Woodshopfreak
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331 posts in 228 days
posted 218 days ago
Cool idea. I like that you cold have one switch at every tool so you can just flip it on and off. Good thinking
-- Tyler, Illinois