Remote Indicator for Vacuum System

Dusty Friends,

My dust collector motor and bag are remote from my shop. This is nice for noise and ease of cleaning as well as freeing up “needed” space. The problem: I forget that I’ve turned it on and it runs for hours. Going back downstairs after my lovely bride asks “did you leave that thing on again?” is getting old.

The motor is 220V and has a magnetic start switch. That is activated by one of those remote systems you can get at Woodcraft. I tried hooking up a light to the motor side of the remote switch but the light glows even when the vacuum is off. According to my electrician friends this is due to the magnetic start switch and there is no way to do what I want. I love a challenge but am stumped so far.

I’m looking for a sound or vibration sensor that I could attach to the vacuum to send a signal to a ??? which would power up the light mounted in the shop.

Any ideas as to how to have the light come on when the vacuum is activated?

Thanks!