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Thread: An inexpensive dust bucket saw dust level sensor new cheaper parts

  1. #16
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
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    Cache Valley, Utah
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Space View Post
    I like high tech and all that, but for the chip collector that precedes my dust collector, I simply put a lexan window in the door so I can see how full the trash can is, and this works brilliantly for me.

    Simple, low tech, no batteries to replace, no electronic failures expected...

    Bill
    I have a Plexiglas window in my chip barrel and can keep a pretty good eye on the level. However, today I thought I could plane just a few more boards and ended up filling up my filter cartridges. It was a huge mess to clean up. I ordered two of the bin level sensors this evening.

  2. #17
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    Jul 2017
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    Abilene, TX
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    109
    Update to 9 volt battery as a power supply, as I thought the 9 volt battery does work, but not very long, I had the battery attached to the my dust sensor and the battery lasted two weeks, longer than I expected. John was correct The 9 volt was not a good choice but I had it and it was good for testing the concept of the $4.10 sensor. I will be using a wall wart for the power supply.

  3. #18
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    Oct 2007
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    Cache Valley, Utah
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    Anyone have a suggestion for an audible alarm? I got some cheap alarm buzzers from Amazon but I don't think they'll be loud enough. They'd be OK for an alarm clock or normal ambient conditions, but with a D/C and thickness planer running and wearing ear pro, I don't think so.

  4. #19
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    Feb 2008
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    E TN, near Knoxville
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Cav View Post
    Anyone have a suggestion for an audible alarm? I got some cheap alarm buzzers from Amazon but I don't think they'll be loud enough. They'd be OK for an alarm clock or normal ambient conditions, but with a D/C and thickness planer running and wearing ear pro, I don't think so.
    The sensor/alarm device I bought from ClearVue uses an off-the-shelf fire alarm module. This has a bright strobe light and an audible alarm, powered by a low DC voltage. I'd have to take mine apart to see the exact brand and model number but a quick search shows a variety available, for example: https://www.systemsensor.com/en-us/P...n-Strobes.aspx

    Theirs came mounted on a red box but I removed it and wired it into the bin sensor and wireless remote circuitry I stuffed into a larger grey box from Home Depot. This thing will get your attention.

    electrical_shop_s.jpg

    JKJ

  5. #20
    Lane, you are awesome for posting this! I was just looking at a DIY and saw the price of the sensor Oneida uses- crazy. I came across the sensor you used and figured someone must have tried it, thanks Google and thank you for posting. I just ordered my sensor for ~$3, shipped. I may not have it for a while, depending on shipping from China, but that $3 includes shipping.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/183505099268

    Cheers!

  6. #21
    Has anyone had trouble with false alarms? If I am moving a lot of dust my sensor will alarm. As the volume decreases the ararm stops. Maybe I need to develop a shield inside the bin to limit the dust movement across the sensor. Any ideas would be helpful.

  7. #22
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
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    Toronto Ontario
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    Quote Originally Posted by Matthew Curtis View Post
    Has anyone had trouble with false alarms? If I am moving a lot of dust my sensor will alarm. As the volume decreases the ararm stops. Maybe I need to develop a shield inside the bin to limit the dust movement across the sensor. Any ideas would be helpful.
    Hi Matthew, I had that issue, it seems a short swirl of debris would go past the sensor, triggering it.

    I built revision 2 with a time delay of 10 seconds.

    Here's the information on what I built.

    Timer Diagram.jpgSensor.pdf

  8. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by Rod Sheridan View Post
    Hi Matthew, I had that issue, it seems a short swirl of debris would go past the sensor, triggering it.

    I built revision 2 with a time delay of 10 seconds.

    Here's the information on what I built.

    Timer Diagram.jpgSensor.pdf
    Rod. Where did you get the delay equipment?

  9. #24
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    Oct 2005
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    Helensburgh, Australia
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    The cost of electronics these days is astoundingly cheap. We are developing a new gadget and getting the PCB made in China @ $2.86 each for ten units.
    Chris

    Everything I like is either illegal, immoral or fattening

  10. #25
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    Nov 2007
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    NW Indiana
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    I found the delay circuit on eBay for $4.95. I used Google image search to find it.

  11. #26
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    Oct 2007
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    Cache Valley, Utah
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    I built a home made system based on this thread last spring; it worked for about six months and has been dead for the last three months or so. I think the sensor failed. I may buy a new sensor and give it another try later but for now I just watch the window in the barrel.

  12. #27
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Don't Mess With My Texas!
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    128

    Lightbulb

    Lane, not trying to hijack your thread, but I have these switches laying around that I used in my "red-neck" outdoor pool ( ) to warn me of the water level changing.

    Liquid Water Level Sensor Horizontal Float Switch

    These have a simple reed switch in the stationary part and a magnet in the moving arm. I'm going to try them in my dust bucket, but I'm going to stack them vertically like I did in my pool. They will be wired in the #1 position or normally closed (see image) to keep the sawdust from clogging up the switch motion. The lower one will give a "yellow light" warning, and the upper one "red light" could actually control the power to the DC vacuum (with the right controller which I've already found for my pool .) A crafty person could glue a paddle or vane to the moving arm if needed for extending the reach.

    Anyway, thanks for the idea that reminded me of my junk box!

    DustCollectorFloatSwitch_eBay.png
    Paul
    These words are my opinion, WYLION. Any resemblance to truth or fiction is accidental at best.
    "Truth lies dormant in our future history." ― Paul Lawrence LXXI


  13. #28
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    Nov 2007
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    NW Indiana
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    I have all the parts ordered including the delay circuit. I am amazed at the cheap price and free shipping on the electronic devices from China. They are on a slow boat but will eventually get here.

  14. #29
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    Nov 2007
    Location
    NW Indiana
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    Who has built the sensor using the delay board and what settings did you use? Rod Sheridan helped me with what he did but I still can not get it to work.

    I am very inexperienced with electronics and struggling with this. I may just find a relay board and use it without the delay part. If the light comes on occasionally, that is fine. Now, I just need to find the right relay board.

  15. #30
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    Dec 2006
    Location
    Toronto Ontario
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    11,248
    Hi Larry, what problem are you experiencing?

    I used a 10 second delay on mine............Rod.

    Here's the drawing for mine. I've included a drawing for the PNP and the NPN sensor.
    Attached Images Attached Images

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