I have a Craftsman Current Tap... handiest little device. It turns on my
vac, as I start my sander.
Now I was wondering if somebody in this NG knew of a tri-ac switch like
that which would work the same, but the supply power to the accessory
could come from a different source.
As it is now, the total is 15 amps... and that isn't sufficient for what
I am trying to do. I could use the Craftsman Current Tap to throw a
relay which would launch a much bigger event, but I don't want to have
to design/build the thing. I am therefore hoping that there is a
ready-made unit like that.

I would appreciate any and all nudges in the right direction.

Thanks

0¿0

Rob

Think of the triac as a relay.
Instead of a coil, the gate is triggered to make it conduct.

If you can feed the triac from a separate circuit, on the same side of the
240 entrance, then you'll accomplish your goal. Find the side of the triac
that is fed from the cord, lift it, and feed it from another breaker. You
have to be on the same side of the 240 to maintain the proper phase
relationship between power and gate.

The neutrals should be connected together in the Sears box.

This should feed the tool through the original cord and the second load
through the new cord.

Mail me offlist if you don't understand this.
Remember, you could make sparks or blow a breaker if you don't do this
right.
Wilson

"Robatoy" wrote in message
...
I have a Craftsman Current Tap... handiest little device. It turns on my
vac, as I start my sander.
Now I was wondering if somebody in this NG knew of a tri-ac switch like
that which would work the same, but the supply power to the accessory
could come from a different source.
As it is now, the total is 15 amps... and that isn't sufficient for what
I am trying to do. I could use the Craftsman Current Tap to throw a
relay which would launch a much bigger event, but I don't want to have
to design/build the thing. I am therefore hoping that there is a
ready-made unit like that.

I would appreciate any and all nudges in the right direction.

Thanks

0¿0

Rob

Think of the triac as a relay.
Instead of a coil, the gate is triggered to make it conduct.

If you can feed the triac from a separate circuit, on the same side of the
240 entrance, then you'll accomplish your goal. Find the side of the triac
that is fed from the cord, lift it, and feed it from another breaker. You
have to be on the same side of the 240 to maintain the proper phase
relationship between power and gate.

The neutrals should be connected together in the Sears box.

This should feed the tool through the original cord and the second load
through the new cord.

Mail me offlist if you don't understand this.
Remember, you could make sparks or blow a breaker if you don't do this
right.

A relay in a box is really the right answer.
Wilson

"Robatoy" wrote in message
...
I have a Craftsman Current Tap... handiest little device. It turns on my
vac, as I start my sander.
Now I was wondering if somebody in this NG knew of a tri-ac switch like
that which would work the same, but the supply power to the accessory
could come from a different source.
As it is now, the total is 15 amps... and that isn't sufficient for what
I am trying to do. I could use the Craftsman Current Tap to throw a
relay which would launch a much bigger event, but I don't want to have
to design/build the thing. I am therefore hoping that there is a
ready-made unit like that.

I would appreciate any and all nudges in the right direction.

Thanks

0¿0

Rob

In article . net,
"Wilson Lamb" wrote:

[snip]
A relay in a box is really the right answer.
Wilson

First of all, thank you for nudging me onto the right path. Very much
appreciated and understood.

The whole idea of a Tri-ac scares me a little. I would like a simple
sander to fire up a 5 hp dust collector. ( I don't have one of those
yet, but why build twice?) Besides, a relay offers me a lot of
options....and they are all over surplus stores.

*tip-of-the-hat*

Rob