Not sure exactly how to title this one, but hopefully I can explain.
My workshop has a dust collection system, and to allow remote foot control of the dust system blower I have 5 SPST foot switches in parallel across the switch contacts for the blower.
My problem is, one switch on and off is fine...but if another switch gets turned on for any reason, there is no way to tell which ones are on or off...you can spend some time trying to figure out which switch or switches are open or closed.
So, I am trying to come up with a way to indicate which switches are closed. The first, and probably more expensive way is to get foot switches with DPST contacts, and just use the second set as part of a set of indicator lights. Very simple...just an extra pair of wires from each switch, a set of indicator lights, and some power. But..right now..I haven't been able to find a DPST version of the switch (though, I'm still looking..)..
But..I was thinking of doing it by either sensing current flow thru branches of the switch lines, or something of that nature. There might need to be a little logic there to figure out which switches are on by the current flow, or lack of, but it was a thought. Not sure though, the best way to sense current and use that as a yes or no kind of signal. Having the switches in parallel makes this kind of tricky. There is 120V across the switch until one is turned on, and they you have about 5 amps flowing in that branch. Of course, as more are turned on, you have current flow in each particular "branch"...(I'll be glad to attach a drawing if I've managed to totally confuse everyone...)..
Anyway..this is my first visit here, and it looks like there are a lot of good idea people...so I'm all ears for some good ideas.
My workshop has a dust collection system, and to allow remote foot control of the dust system blower I have 5 SPST foot switches in parallel across the switch contacts for the blower.
My problem is, one switch on and off is fine...but if another switch gets turned on for any reason, there is no way to tell which ones are on or off...you can spend some time trying to figure out which switch or switches are open or closed.
So, I am trying to come up with a way to indicate which switches are closed. The first, and probably more expensive way is to get foot switches with DPST contacts, and just use the second set as part of a set of indicator lights. Very simple...just an extra pair of wires from each switch, a set of indicator lights, and some power. But..right now..I haven't been able to find a DPST version of the switch (though, I'm still looking..)..
But..I was thinking of doing it by either sensing current flow thru branches of the switch lines, or something of that nature. There might need to be a little logic there to figure out which switches are on by the current flow, or lack of, but it was a thought. Not sure though, the best way to sense current and use that as a yes or no kind of signal. Having the switches in parallel makes this kind of tricky. There is 120V across the switch until one is turned on, and they you have about 5 amps flowing in that branch. Of course, as more are turned on, you have current flow in each particular "branch"...(I'll be glad to attach a drawing if I've managed to totally confuse everyone...)..
Anyway..this is my first visit here, and it looks like there are a lot of good idea people...so I'm all ears for some good ideas.