new dust collection accessory

[toolguy1000]

i got the following email from mbright, makers of the Ivac switch:


Dear Woodworker,

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to a family of unique products designed to automate the aspect of dust collection in your workshop.

The initial product from MBright Tools was the iVAC Switch Box, which was designed for On Site applications, where typically only 115Vac 15Amp services are available. This product has now sold over 10,000 units and has received great reviews with respect to performance and reliability. Visit www.ivacswitch.com to view the video and technical specifications.

In many situations potential customers evaluated the iVAC Switch box for use in their permanent workshop environment, where there was a wider range of power requirements. Unfortunately the iVAC Switch Box could not meet all of their needs. We have listened to these requests and will launch in January a truly unique system. iVAC Pro is the world’s first wireless, programmable dust collector control system.

The iVAC Pro enables the user to control a dust collector system from a series of power tools. The power ratings for the tools or the dust collector can be any mix of 115Vac to 240Vac and 15Amp or 20Amp.

An iVAC Pro System consists of a dust collector and up to eight power tools.

Up to four iVAC Pro Systems can operate independently in the same workshop.

There are many more features and these can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR6T52v51X0 on a review by Steve Maxwell.

The business mode of MBright Tools is to listen to your requests and then develop and manufacture products that meet your needs. Attached to this message is a copy of the iVAC News, where we will discuss upcoming products and topics of interest with respect to workshop dust collection. The iVAC News is our vehicle for asking for your input on future applications.

We would greatly appreciate it if you would pass on this information to other woodworkers so that they can also benefit from the improved safety and convenience of automated dust collection.

Cheers

Andy
__________________________________________________ ___

ANDY NEATHWAY

Vice President & C.O.O

The MBright Group Inc.
P.O. Box 557, 5570 Jill Street
Osgoode, Ontario, Canada K0A 2W0
Tel: 613.826.2200 xt 424
Toll Free: 888.273.5742 xt 424
Fax: 613.826.3300
Toll Free Fax: 866.255.6506

andy@MBrightGroup.com

www.iVacSwitch.com

“Doing It Right, With MBright”



on a personnal note, i currently use the ivac switch. i have been extremely pleased with its performance and look forward to trying this new product.

[woodturner]

The iVAC Pro enables the user to control a dust collector system from a series of power tools. The power ratings for the tools or the dust collector can be any mix of 115Vac to 240Vac and 15Amp or 20Amp.

Sounds like this unit will be too "light" to work on many shop dust collectors, if it only handles up to 20A. I'm also not clear on what is supposed to be better about this product in comparison to similar existing products.

[toolguy1000]

from my use of the ivac switch, an important advantage is never having to use a remote control unit or other manually activated device to activate a dust collector when using a dust generating power tool. with the ivac switch, the activation of the dust generating tool automatically activates the dust collector and keeps it running for 6 seconds after the dust generating tool is deactivated to clear the dust collection system of dust.

also, i checked the power requirements for the 3hp version of delta's new unisaw and they call for 12 awg wire, which means a 20A circuit. only their 5hp version calls for heavier wiring (10awg and a 30A circuit). with the ivac pro accomodating 20A 220v power, it seems to be more substantial than the older ivac switch and capable of handling most of the power requirements of hobbyists.

[JR]

... also, i checked the power requirements for the 3hp version of delta's new unisaw and they call for 12 awg wire, which means a 20A circuit. only their 5hp version calls for heavier wiring (10awg and a 30A circuit). ...

Woodturner's got it right. The important issue is the current draw of the DC, not the tools themselves. The system need only detect whether there is any current being drawn by a power tool to enable the DC and blast gate, whereas, because it is actually switching the DC on, it must be able to handle the full current of the DC.

As to what makes this system different, I don't remember there being wireless sytem meant for a shop environment. I looked pretty closely at X-10 a while back. It seemed to be all about 110V in-home applications. with very little available for higher-current applications.

JR