Dust Extractor Remote Control
Posted: 08 Aug 2017, 21:51
I have an Axminster ADE2200 dust extractor (really a chip extractor) with a 1.5kW motor. It has a starter with NVR so if the power is interrupted and then restored, the motor will not start unexpectedly.
Having moved it some distance from where I normally work, it is less conveniently to hand than it was, so I have looked into fitting a remote control of the sort that can be bought on eBay or Amazon for a few quid.
The R/C socket that I bought claims a max load of 2.9kW so should be OK for the job as long as the startup current doesn't kill it after a few uses.
As a trial, I inserted the R/C socket between the contactor and the motor so that the undervolt/hold-on coil is unaffected, and other protection devices also remain operative. As I switch off all sockets not in actual use, when I start work I first need to switch on the wall socket, then press the Start button on the starter to pull the contactor in. It remains held in by the hold-on coil and the DX starts and stops on command using the R/C.
This all works well, but there is a moderate buzzing from the contactor/coil assembly which is probably present when the DX is running, but can't be heard, so I wasn't aware of it. I know that such a buzz is quite common, but operating in this fashion means that the coil will be energised for much longer periods than previously, when it was only energised while actually running the DX.
Average "On" hours in this mode will probably be a max of 4 hours in any given day, and an average of only about 1 hour/day over the year.
My question is this: Given that the electrics are relatively cheap Chaiwanese components, am I likely to materially reduce the life of the coil or the contacts by doing this?
All comments and advice welcome
Duncan
Having moved it some distance from where I normally work, it is less conveniently to hand than it was, so I have looked into fitting a remote control of the sort that can be bought on eBay or Amazon for a few quid.
The R/C socket that I bought claims a max load of 2.9kW so should be OK for the job as long as the startup current doesn't kill it after a few uses.
As a trial, I inserted the R/C socket between the contactor and the motor so that the undervolt/hold-on coil is unaffected, and other protection devices also remain operative. As I switch off all sockets not in actual use, when I start work I first need to switch on the wall socket, then press the Start button on the starter to pull the contactor in. It remains held in by the hold-on coil and the DX starts and stops on command using the R/C.
This all works well, but there is a moderate buzzing from the contactor/coil assembly which is probably present when the DX is running, but can't be heard, so I wasn't aware of it. I know that such a buzz is quite common, but operating in this fashion means that the coil will be energised for much longer periods than previously, when it was only energised while actually running the DX.
Average "On" hours in this mode will probably be a max of 4 hours in any given day, and an average of only about 1 hour/day over the year.
My question is this: Given that the electrics are relatively cheap Chaiwanese components, am I likely to materially reduce the life of the coil or the contacts by doing this?
All comments and advice welcome
Duncan