Michael Dunn
06-08-2013, 8:26 AM
From Robert Payne at McRabbet Woodworks, LLC
This is not yet a complete and thorough review of how well it works during its intended use. I'm putting clear coats on my latest project so I'm not generating ANY dust or chips right now. Next week I'll update with actual working conditions and a review.
Today, I will review the service and ease of installation.
The package arrive quickly and well packed. It came with detailed instructions and several photos as well as a block diagram to aide in installation. I received the package on Thursday afternoon and was not able to open it until late that same evening. I began installing the system the next morning while still waiting for stain to dry.
I came to a point in the installation where I needed to ask Robert a question. His phone number was printed on the instructions which I realized after I read the email he sent me which also included his number. The email was to say that he observed that the package had been delivered and that he was available for assistance along the way. Perfect timing!!! I HATE waiting!!!
So took some measurements and quickly cobbled together a wall mount for the garage door sensors. 10-15 minutes maybe. I chose a location to mount the sensor unit and mounted it. I realized I needed some 14/2NM( $9, I think...) wire and made a trip to Lowes. Per Roberts recommendation I wired the AC adapter to an outlet controlled by my shop lights so the circuit is not powered 24/7. I bought a 15' extension cord for this ($8).
So now the sensors are mounted and wired to each other and the main unit, and the main unit is mounted and powered, but turned off for the moment. Next was to wire the main unit to interrupt my Lone Ranger's power.
NOTE: I am using the 220V LR remote. The relay in the main unit is rated for 110V. This is fine as long as you follow the instructions and interrupt only ONE leg of the 220V circuit which is 110V unless references from the hot from the other phase.
This is where I needed to call Robert and clarify. I asked, "Do I interrupt the black wire before or after the Lone Ranger?" As in, do I interrupt the hot lead that feeds the LR unit? Or do I interrupt the hot lead from the LR that feeds the DC unit it's power. My thought was to interrupt the hot lead the feeds the LR remote unit with its power. Robert confirmed this to be true.
So I drilled a hole in my LR unit and wired it in series with the LR's circuit breaker which interrupts the hot lead of there is an overload. I used the included push on spade lugs to connect to the breaker and soldered the other two wires. One from the hot lead, the other from the 14/2NM wire I just bought.
When wired like this, the DC sensor unit will interrupt the power feeding the LR remote unit. This allows you to turn on your DC again once you've emptied your DC bin. I wired the other way the LR remote unit would remain powered and when the DC bin is cleared the dc unit would start up with the DC bin open and could make a big mess.
So I completed the install in about 90 minutes. Which included the trip to Lowes and removing my battery charging station which was foolishly located behind my clear flex hose.
Like I said earlier I've yet to actually overfill my DC bin as I'm applying finish to 9 table tops for a restarting now. However, I started my DC and blocked the garage sensors with a piece of wood and the DC sensor unit did exactly what it was supposed to.
Every time.
It took about 15 seconds compared to the listed 10-12 seconds. Perhaps I was counting too fast.
What would I do to improve the unit? Honestly, at this time I cannot even think of a single improvement suggestion to offer for the unit itself. Nor can I offer a suggestion to improve Roberts customer service. Both are exemplary.
I will offer a couple possible improvements to the instructions.
1. Color photos would increase clarity of what were looking at. Added cost, I surely understand. Perhaps not worth it as far as keeping a low bottom line. I totally understand.
2. Offer a full color digital PDF version of the instructions and have the user either print it themselves or read it from their computer, tablet, or smartphone.
$200 shipped for the DC overflow sensor unit
$9 14/2NM wire to connect DC overflow sensor to my LR remote
$8 for a 15' extension cord to have the DC overflow sensor turned on/off with my shop lights
$217 total on debit MasterCard (paid with Paypal actually)
Not having to waste more than 3 hours a day overfilling your DC bin and loading your $155 Wynn filter (twice in one day!!!) then hVe to clean it and thereby reduce its life on every job you have...
Priceless.
This is not yet a complete and thorough review of how well it works during its intended use. I'm putting clear coats on my latest project so I'm not generating ANY dust or chips right now. Next week I'll update with actual working conditions and a review.
Today, I will review the service and ease of installation.
The package arrive quickly and well packed. It came with detailed instructions and several photos as well as a block diagram to aide in installation. I received the package on Thursday afternoon and was not able to open it until late that same evening. I began installing the system the next morning while still waiting for stain to dry.
I came to a point in the installation where I needed to ask Robert a question. His phone number was printed on the instructions which I realized after I read the email he sent me which also included his number. The email was to say that he observed that the package had been delivered and that he was available for assistance along the way. Perfect timing!!! I HATE waiting!!!
So took some measurements and quickly cobbled together a wall mount for the garage door sensors. 10-15 minutes maybe. I chose a location to mount the sensor unit and mounted it. I realized I needed some 14/2NM( $9, I think...) wire and made a trip to Lowes. Per Roberts recommendation I wired the AC adapter to an outlet controlled by my shop lights so the circuit is not powered 24/7. I bought a 15' extension cord for this ($8).
So now the sensors are mounted and wired to each other and the main unit, and the main unit is mounted and powered, but turned off for the moment. Next was to wire the main unit to interrupt my Lone Ranger's power.
NOTE: I am using the 220V LR remote. The relay in the main unit is rated for 110V. This is fine as long as you follow the instructions and interrupt only ONE leg of the 220V circuit which is 110V unless references from the hot from the other phase.
This is where I needed to call Robert and clarify. I asked, "Do I interrupt the black wire before or after the Lone Ranger?" As in, do I interrupt the hot lead that feeds the LR unit? Or do I interrupt the hot lead from the LR that feeds the DC unit it's power. My thought was to interrupt the hot lead the feeds the LR remote unit with its power. Robert confirmed this to be true.
So I drilled a hole in my LR unit and wired it in series with the LR's circuit breaker which interrupts the hot lead of there is an overload. I used the included push on spade lugs to connect to the breaker and soldered the other two wires. One from the hot lead, the other from the 14/2NM wire I just bought.
When wired like this, the DC sensor unit will interrupt the power feeding the LR remote unit. This allows you to turn on your DC again once you've emptied your DC bin. I wired the other way the LR remote unit would remain powered and when the DC bin is cleared the dc unit would start up with the DC bin open and could make a big mess.
So I completed the install in about 90 minutes. Which included the trip to Lowes and removing my battery charging station which was foolishly located behind my clear flex hose.
Like I said earlier I've yet to actually overfill my DC bin as I'm applying finish to 9 table tops for a restarting now. However, I started my DC and blocked the garage sensors with a piece of wood and the DC sensor unit did exactly what it was supposed to.
Every time.
It took about 15 seconds compared to the listed 10-12 seconds. Perhaps I was counting too fast.
What would I do to improve the unit? Honestly, at this time I cannot even think of a single improvement suggestion to offer for the unit itself. Nor can I offer a suggestion to improve Roberts customer service. Both are exemplary.
I will offer a couple possible improvements to the instructions.
1. Color photos would increase clarity of what were looking at. Added cost, I surely understand. Perhaps not worth it as far as keeping a low bottom line. I totally understand.
2. Offer a full color digital PDF version of the instructions and have the user either print it themselves or read it from their computer, tablet, or smartphone.
$200 shipped for the DC overflow sensor unit
$9 14/2NM wire to connect DC overflow sensor to my LR remote
$8 for a 15' extension cord to have the DC overflow sensor turned on/off with my shop lights
$217 total on debit MasterCard (paid with Paypal actually)
Not having to waste more than 3 hours a day overfilling your DC bin and loading your $155 Wynn filter (twice in one day!!!) then hVe to clean it and thereby reduce its life on every job you have...
Priceless.