WWA Info Exchange

For Woodworkers By Woodworkers
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:11 pm

All times are UTC - 5 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Dust collector alarm
PostPosted: Sat Sep 24, 2016 6:45 pm 
Offline
Veteran

Joined: Thu Apr 15, 1999 12:01 am
Posts: 1359
Location: Albuquerque NM
I've been playing around with the Arduino world of electronics bits and pieces and decided an alarm to alert me to a full dust collector would be a worthwhile little project. The alarm uses an ultrasonic range sensor to detect the level of the sawdust in the bag. A piezo buzzer beeps when the level is within about 12" of the sensor, sounds continuously when the level is within 6". Total cost was about $5.

Here's the completed unit mounted on the dust collector in a bracket a friend 3D printed. (He works at a 3d printer company and free printing is an official fringe benefit).

Image

Here's what the guts look like spread out -

Image

And here they are jammed in the box:

Image

and the sensor inside the dust collector:

Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Dust collector alarm
PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2016 10:13 am 
Offline
Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2006 10:44 am
Posts: 3951
Location: Skagit Co WA
Nifty little device. And the price seems quite reasonable.

_________________
Nullum Gratuitum Prandium

Cheers - Dennis


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Dust collector alarm
PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2016 2:06 pm 
Offline
Veteran

Joined: Sat May 13, 2000 12:01 am
Posts: 382
Location: Silver City NM USA July
DR< could you give us the location for that gadget? Just what I need

_________________
Uncle Fixit


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Dust collector alarm
PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2016 10:15 pm 
Offline
Veteran

Joined: Thu Apr 15, 1999 12:01 am
Posts: 1359
Location: Albuquerque NM
Frank Robie wrote:
DR< could you give us the location for that gadget? Just what I need


I made it myself. That doesn't help much when it comes to buying one.
I'm pretty sure there are commercial units from the usual sources.
A simple DIY solution is to just take a micro-switch and some sort of spring-loaded pressure plate that will close the switch when the bag gets full (heavy). The switch could be connected to a buzzer or light. Doesn't take even the relatively modest electronics and programming skills it took to build the widget I made.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Dust collector alarm
PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2016 10:22 pm 
Offline
Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:01 am
Posts: 4950
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Hey drstrip,

I have a similar unit on my Oneida cyclone collection drum. It cost way more than $5 though. :-?
The one plus side is that it turns on a flashing blue light instead of an audible alarm. That way, I can tell when it's full, even when I'm running a noisy machine.

Cheers,
Tom

_________________
"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 31 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group