clear pipe for sensor

[ScottN]

I have 24" between my garbage can and bottom of cyclone. I thought about putting a 12" clear 6" pipe coming out the top of my garbage can and then using flex pipe to the bottom of the cyclone. Would it be better to set it up this way for the sensors?

[Jim O'Dell]

I don't think it would help the sensors at all since they are light sending/receiving. And the clear is expensive!!! Jim.

[Danscyclone]

I have a section of the clear 6”on my bin and it works real well. You can see in the bin for a visual check and it’s easy to clean when I empty the bin. I used it because I thought the flex would get to dirty and send a false signal.
Jim, are you at the race? Been there many times but couldn't make this one.

[McRabbet]

Scott,

In my opinion, you do not need the clear tubing -- as pointed out it is very expensive. I've aligned lights and sensors through ClearVue-supplied flex above the bin and have seen clear plastic windows applied with silcone caulk on holes cut into galvanized bin sides for the beam to pass just below the lid. The Genie garage door sensors in my newest system have an encoded (pulsed digital) LED source that the sensor is tuned to recognize so spurious light does not effect the performance. 8-10 seconds of dust blockage (a full bin backing up to the beam) causes the circuit I use to trip.

Scott: Here is a link for thread on the NCWoodworker.net Forum for a window mounted (http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/showthread.php?t=27761&highlight=sensor) light source. Here is a picture showing garage door sensors on an Oneida cyclone looking through flex. http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/1601/medium/Mounted_Photocells_001_4-24-09.jpg

[ScottN]

I found a source on ebay that was selling 12" sections for $20. I didnt think of making the little widows...good idea.

[Jim O'Dell]

snip
Jim, are you at the race? Been there many times but couldn't make this one.

Nope. I won't even go north on I-35 on race weekends.:D I've been in the infield one time for a new car ride and drive tour, but that was during the week. Someone was running practice or testing or one of the schools and the speaker would have to stop everytime they started running as we couldn't hear him. :p Jim.

[ScottN]

I like what you did with the genie sensors. I would be interested in setting mine up like that. Do you have a wire diagram for your new setup? Also...could you install the genie sensors off and away from the top of the lid? Lets say 4" apart? do you think they would still work?

[McRabbet]

Scott,

You'll find a diagram for my Low Voltage Bin Sensor in this Post (http://www.clearvuecyclones.com/Bullentin/showpost.php?p=6545&postcount=7). The beauty of the Genie sensors is that they clearly indicate when they are aligned -- The LED light source side has a Red LED on top to tell that it is on (it is an Infrared source and you cannot see it by looking at the beam window), and the receiver unit has a Green LED that comes on when it is receiving the pulsed beam from the source and thus is aligned. Their separation is almost limitless -- they are designed for use across the opening of a garage door, including double car garages which may be close to 20'.

[ScottN]

I'll have to pick up some of genie sensors. I like the idea of mounting them off the dust bin lid.

[McRabbet]

Scott,

Please do not buy the Genie sensors because they won't work just by themselves or with my older design. They need a special circuit to both power and interpret the signal on the lines that connect them. They are not a simple "switch" as with the photocell-based system. They just detect the dust bin filling with a beam blockage -- all the "smarts are in the control circuit and relays in my system.

[ScottN]

Check your messages...:)

I sent you a message I decided just to buy your set up. I really have too many things going on right now.