Cheap Dust Collector Remote

[Nate Secrist]

Hi,

I just bought a used Harbor Freight 2-HP DC off Craigslist for $75.
Want to hookup a 110v remote to the DC - the remotes I see on Rockler and Woodcraft are $90-100 - more than I paid for the DC....

Anyone have good luck with a cheaper solution?
Let me know what you got!

Thanks

[Nick Decker]

I've been using these for a couple years on both my shop vac and 1 hp dust collector.

https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Wire...t+switch&psc=1

Whether they'll work on your 2 hp unit, I don't know. Might be too many amps.

[Brian Nguyen]

I have a HF dust collector and have been using this remote since December.

https://www.amazon.com/Woods-32555WD...control+outlet

It works great, has 100 ft range and 13 amps. The initial draw of the HF DC is high but i think it lowers to around 13 amps or so.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Before I installed sensor in panel box, I used a ten dollar Christmas tree remote on my DC.

[Randy Viellenave]

Remote control "on the cheap" - might be able to shop around and do a bit better on the prices, this was just the quick search at Amazon.

Cheap RF remote control switch -
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01G8B9P...&tag=hyprod-20

Cheap 12v power supply –
https://smile.amazon.com/GALYGG-110V...%2Bsupply&th=1

Cheap 12v power control relay –
https://www.amazon.com/Baomain-JQX-6...il+power+relay

$36.67 with prime

[John K Jordan]

I use one similar to what Brian mentioned. Mine came with the ClearVue cyclone electrical kit and switches 110v which controls a contactor (relay) which in turn controls the power to the 5hp DC motor. This is the best and I think the easiest way to control a large electrical motor.

I found the same model remote that ClearVue sells and bought some extras just to get extra keyfob remote transmitters. This was a lot cheaper than buying extras from ClearVue. I hang one at each major tool.

JKJ

[Matt Day]

I think if I had a remote I’d spend more time trying to find it than it would take to walk the 6 steps to my DC. And I normally need to change a blast gate anyway, so no remote for me.

[Dave Sweeney]

I've also been using the Woods remote that Brian mentioned on my HF Dust Collector. They do wear out eventually however I'm only on my second one and I've had the DC for around 14 years.

[Nick Decker]

The one I linked to (eTek City) will wear out, too. I've replaced one in the two years or so I've had them, but I just think of them as consumables. The thing I like about them is that you can have up to three of them controlling different machines within about a hundred feet. I use two, like I said, for my shop vac and DC. It appears Woods may also make a similar unit for about the same price, so I may try them next time. Probably all from the same Asian factory.

Like JKJ said, just keep one remote by each machine and you don't have to go looking for them. I'm small scale, no blast gates to deal with. Maybe when I grow up.

[Nick Decker]

Nate, your earlier thread is still alive in the Workshops section. They like dust collection topics over there instead of here.

[Simon MacGowen]

Not sure if this kind of setup would work for you.

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/pag...=1,42401,72660

Probably not if you run the dc as a central source of suction.

Simon

[Carlos Alvarez]

I think if I had a remote I’d spend more time trying to find it than it would take to walk the 6 steps to my DC. And I normally need to change a blast gate anyway, so no remote for me.

It all depends on your shop layout. I have one remote hanging in the very center of the shop at head height and another on the TS which faces out of the shop and you use it while standing outside. The bandsaw is close to that facing out of the shop. This is ideal as far as being about a step or two away from each tool. They also have belt clips, but I rarely use that.

[Randy Heinemann]

I used a remote unit made by PSI Woodworking for years and it worked great with my old 110V cyclone. I would look around for other options than Rockler. There might be other websites which sell the same type of unit. Anyway mine worked a very long time. My new dust collector has it's own remote so I don't have the other unit anymore.

[glenn bradley]

Wow, Rockler's price on those sure has gone up. Although I have been running mine since about 2003 so I guess if you figure dollars per year it is still fair. I won't say that I bought mine on sale back then for about $30 ;-) I have picked up remote switched outlet boxes designed for outdoor Christmas lights for a few bucks in the clearances right after the holidays. I use one to operate a 1HP induction air filter but, I do not know that I would want to run anything over the 15amp rating. It has performed well for many years and is sort of like this. Just confirm the ratings as I have a couple of 10 amp ones as well. Here's a 15 amp one from Lowes but I think it still falls short of your requirement.

[Bob Bouis]

Remote control "on the cheap" - might be able to shop around and do a bit better on the prices, this was just the quick search at Amazon.

Cheap RF remote control switch -
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01G8B9P...&tag=hyprod-20

Cheap 12v power supply –
https://smile.amazon.com/GALYGG-110V...%2Bsupply&th=1

Cheap 12v power control relay –
https://www.amazon.com/Baomain-JQX-6...il+power+relay

$36.67 with prime

You can get a relay (contactor) that's switched by 120v and use it with one of any cheap 120v remote set. That way you can get a relay with the rating you need for any motor. The contactors are like $10, too. You'd be nuts, IMO, to buy a prebuilt one for something like $250.

I actually looked at one of those 220v remote kits that claimed to be rated for 3hp. The contactor inside was rated for 2hp.