Is it possible to have the dust collector wired to auto start with the spindle on the Altmill? If so, are there instructions out there?
Hi Lyle,
Here’s a paragraph on iot relays and the like you might find interesting:
In addition to the sources listed on the page @Spamming_Eddie linked you can also get it directly from Digital Loggers here. I don’t know who has the best price but I got mine from the link I provided.
It works great and was easy to install and then you can setup gSender as described here. It’s a lifesaver for those with a router instead of a spindle, no more starting jobs with the router off!
In addition. If you have a shop vac like mine that senses when a power tool is pulling power when connected via the shop vac outlet. It may be possible to run the spindle via the vac and there will be no need for extra hardware.
This is all theoretic. It might not work, but if I had a spindle, I would try it anyway.
You can always look into other options if it doesn’t work.
If you’d rather not spend the money on the Digital Loggers IoT relay (disclosure: I have two, they’re great, but it was pricey) - you can accomplish the same thing very cheaply with a simple 24v solid state relay and some supplies, along with a little bit of wiring yourself, depending on your capabilities.
I set up my light bar using one of these: Inkbird Heat Sink SSR Solid State Relay for Temperature Controller Accessories 25A : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific and a simple grounded extension cord. You can easily use this to trigger anything.
You need to carefully remove the outer insulation from a portion of the cord and separate off a few inches of the hot wire (usually black), leaving the ground wire and neutral wire alone.
Cut the separated hot wire in the middle and remove a short bit of insulation from each end, wiring each split end into each side of the VAC side of the relay. Cover the terminals with electrical tape wrapping around the relay to prevent a short circuit.
On the other end of the relay (DC), you run some wire from each terminal of the relay (taking care to keep track of +/-) into the green terminal block, matching the +/- polarity sides on the board terminals.
I put mine into SWT1 on the SLB, and I trigger it sending M64 P0/M65 P0 (off) using gSender after setting it up in the firmware.
Depending on what you have lying around, it may only cost you the relay, which are usually very inexpensive.
Duplicate this for another electrical device and attach to SWT2, or to Flood for a 3rd device and trigger with M8/M9.
Of course, follow all electrical safety practices when doing this work, I have my relay inside a project box that is sealed shut to prevent any chance of a short circuit.
I use the iVAC system in my garage.
I made a custom transmitter to do so. If there’s enough interest I could start a thread on it.
It has an isolated 24V input that the SLB can trigger. It controls the same unit wirelessly (RF, not WiFi), and runs off 2 AA batteries that should last a few years.
iVAC makes their own transmitter, which I use on other tools. But they only recently came out with one that could be controlled using digital logic, but it only supports 5V.
Ain’t no kill like overkill!
Looks like the ITO relay is working ok but I need to find a way to bypass my remote for the dust collector. I still need to press start on the remote to get it started but it does shut off automatically after my job runs. I press M8 and I hear a click on the relay but it does not start because of the remote.
Hi Lyle,
What happens when you hold the start button pressed and switch the iot?
I guess there’s is an internal relais withing your vac that gets switched by the remote reciever. I don’t know how aquinted you are tinkering with electronics?
What brand is your vac?
Its a Rockler Dust Right 1250. I think the remote is not letting the M8 function start the collector. M9 works to shut the collector off after my job runs. I’m thinking I need to disable the remote switch on the vacuum in order for M8 to work properly.