Quote:
Originally Posted by SoCaAl
I'm just finishing the insulation and drywall in my garage in preparation for install my new Clearvue Cyclone. Before I hang the last sheet of drywall, I'd like to make sure to get all the wiring done.
My plan is to have a control box for the cyclone that is set up as follows: - Hand/Off/Auto switch with key to turn the unit on and off
- Circuit sensor to sense current instead of a remote control or micro switches at each blast gate
I have a CV 1800 that's just crying to be installed and get to work. The cyclone is on it's own circuit, 220v with a 30amp breaker. I have found a wealth of infomation on this and some other sites, but since I'm not an electrican I haven't been able to piece it all together. The wiring will be done by a licensed electrican, but at $65.00 an hour I don't want to pay him to be a parts runner.
What components do I need to make the above plan work?
Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Al |
Personally, I would advise against using current sensors and/or gate switches to turn your cyclone on and off. If you are like most woodworkers I know, including myself, I tend to turn my tablesaw on and off frequently, and my jointer and planer at least after each board or set of boards is run. The 5 HP motor on your cyclone will overheat easily if it is turned on and off every few minutes because it needs to spin up that heavy steel impeller each time. I use a decent quality remote control unit (e.g., the Shop Fox unit shown
here for under $50) that allows me to supply 120 Volts to the H230B Contactor relay that most ClearVue owners use. I let my cyclone run until I know I am finished for at least 10-15 minutes that allows the motor to cool down.
I go one step further and have a low voltage bin sensor connected to the remote controlled 120 V power in the Cyclone control circuit that will shut the cyclone down when the bin fills to protect from bin overflow and clogging the expensive filters downstream of the blower.
In old threads here, I posted a bin sensor design that many CV owners have used, but since many parts for it are no longer available, I now build and sell an electronic model that uses Genie Garage Door Safety sensors mounted each side of the flex above the bin to detect blockage. The unit is equipped with either a bright strobe lamp or a combined Audio/Visual unit to alert the user when the flex is blocked and an internal relay will shut the power off to the Cyclone control box. They operate on a small 12 Volt DC power supply.
Here are a few pictures (from Left: Audio/Visual Alarm with Bin Sensor Control Unit and a pair of sensors; The Visual Strobe model; Contents of an Audio/Visual system ready to ship; pair of sensors pointing through flex on a ClearVue bin lid), and a PDF file with basic design -- if you or others are interested, feel free to contact me by PM or email. There are four ClearVue Owners that have them installed in the past six months and they all report very positive results.