Options for full dust bin indicators?

[Perry Holbrook]

I'm finally installing a clear vue cyclone that I bought last year. Need to come up with an indicator for a filled dust bin. Since the cyclone is outside, it needs to be able to create an electrical alarm of some sort. Due to time limits, I would rather just buy something, rather than build something.

Thanks, Perry

[Doug Shepard]

I've got a similar problem with my CV in a closet. Cant see it so the Lo-Tech options dont work. I ended up getting a DBLM 110V from Dwyer ($125 and they also have a 220V version)
http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Products/Product.cfm?Group_ID=205&sPageName=Ordering
I got a pretty good deal on one off eBay for less.

You can us the 110V version by having it powered by the same 110V that switches the coil for the 220 for the DC. That's how I wired mine and hooked it to a 12V strobe using a 110-12V transformer.

There's a few pics on the drum on my CV gallery page
http://www.gallery2.clearvuecyclones.com/v/Cv1400/Dougs-Mini-CV1400/?g2_page=3

[Chris Padilla]

Doug,

I don't know if it is appropriate to say in this forum but that level detector is kinda CUTE! ;) haha

I can see mine and I have some clear 6" flex connecting the bottom of the cyclone to the bin. When it ain't so clear, time to empty! ;)

[Matt Meiser]

I've got an industrial one off Ebay too. PSI makes one that, to me, looks kind of cheaply made. I think Oneida might have one now too. There are also DIY plans for ones that use a photoeye on the 'net.

[glenn bradley]

Here's the PSI but, no experience:

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/BINSENSOR2.html

[Bruce Wrenn]

Over at NC Woodworker, Alan in Little Washington made a dust level detector. Uses a 7 watt bulb, and a sensor for an outdoor lamp. Costs less than $25 to build.

[Bob Wingard]

I used a tuning-fork style of "Bindicator" .. .. .. overkill, for sure, but it was given to me.

[Randal Stevenson]

Have any of the cyclone manufacturers started offering this stuff yet?

[Doug Shepard]

Have any of the cyclone manufacturers started offering this stuff yet?

http://store.oneida-air.com/levelmetersensor.aspx
Looks eerily similar to the Dwyer unit.

[Wayne Cannon]

The Oneida photo looks like the Dwyer, but the price is quite a bit higher from Oneida.

[Todd Crow]

I used Alan in Little Washington's plans and made my dust bin full sensor. I have it hooked up to a blinking light. I am going to installing a horn to the light to alert me as well.

http://www.crowsnest.us/images/DCP_0895.jpg


http://www.crowsnest.us/woodshop/tools/cyclone.htm#Dust%20Sensor

It works great.

Todd

[Sonny Edmonds]

I just take the time to look in my drum.
Usually when I do, I need to empty it. :mad: :D

I was happily planing away on some ceder one day making cedar for the back wall in a closet.
Just having a grand old time! Then cuttings began coming out of the planer. Odd, I thought.
45 minutes and 100 gallons of fragrant ceder chips later I finally had my system unplugged again. :eek:
Usually I just wiggle the drum, and lift the lid if it feels heavy.
I have more time than money. ;)

[Trenton Hovland]

Doug,

I am also considering a similar setup using the Dwyer DBLM.

Has it worked well for you? Any false alarms or times it failed to alarm when it should have?

[John K Jordan]

Perry,

I bought the McRabbet (sp?) from ClearVue for my 5 hp cyclone. It will sound a very loud audible alarm AND flash a bright strobe and shut off the DC (by cutting power to the contactor) so the filters don't fill up. It uses a simple optical sensor made for a garage door which "looks" through the short piece of flex from the top of the bin lid to the bottom of the cyclone.

The control circuit seems well-designed and the board is well made; the alarm module is off-the-shelf from a fire alarm, I think. Perhaps a little picky on my part but what I didn't like for my closet configuration was the untidy wiring typically used to connect the alarm and the remote that ClearVue sells (or used to see, I haven't looked lately). I was also concerned that the signal to the remote receiver might be diminished if mounted in the closet so I wanted it in the main shop. Finally, I took the opportunity to use switches better to my liking.

I redesigned the suggested installation to put both the remote receiver and alarm control in the same package. I mounted it in my main shop with wiring into the closet. This is what I ended up with, inside:

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And installed:

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To compare, I found these photos of a typical installation. (If this is someone's who is reading this, no offense - you followed the instructions to the letter! I just didn't like the instructions. :) )

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I didn't modify the PC card or the basic logic, just the wiring to the alarm module to simplify things and whatever it took to put everything in one box. (Plastic box from Home Depot.)

All this is outside the closet in the main shop where I can see it. The switch with a pilot light enables/disables the whole thing. I wired a similar switch inside the closet in series to disable the DC from there too. I didn't want any surprises while emptying the bin!

Inside the closet are the ClearVue electrical box with the contactor, cut off switches, and some subpanel breaker boxes for 110v power and 220v for both the cyclone and the big air compressor:

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JKJ

[andy bessette]

JJ--neatly done.

[Marc Jeske]

A much simpler option - Dwyer Marc

http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Product/Level/LevelSwitches/Paddle/SeriesDBLM

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?255976-Dwyer-dust-bin-level-monitor

[Ben Rivel]

Or your can build your own version of the Oneida Dust Sentry Bin Level Sensor: LINK (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?242096-Building-Your-Own-And-Improving-Upon-The-Oneida-Dust-Sentry-Bin-Level-Sensor)