Customer Reviews

PSI Woodworking Products LR220-3 220V Long Ranger Dust Collector Switch

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This product came and worked as expected with clear and simple instructions. Unfortunately, my 230 volt dust collector came with a motor controller push button unit that does not hold the last switch position with the power off (a safety feature). Consequently, it will turn off using this remote switch but will not restart without manually pushing the "on" button. You can test your unit by turning it on and pulling the electric plug, and putting the electric plug back in the outlet to see if it restarts when energized.

If you're old enough, you'll no doubt remember your first impressions of a remote control television being something like, "Anyone too lazy to get up and change their TV channels..." The same was true for garage door openers. Of course, who has a TV without a remote control now? Well, here we go again. This one, however can translate into increased efficiency (and even safety) in your shop.

First of all, the installation of the Long Ranger couldn't be simpler. If you can hook up an extension cord, you've got it made.

Secondly, in my case (and perhaps in yours), it allowed me to get my dust collector into a separate room... a closet-like room where the "filtered" air (which, as we all know, is full of dust) doesn't blow back into my shop. Therefore, my shop is a lot less dusty now. Even if this possibility doesn't exist for you, this product can still save you a lot of steps to the dust collector... stepping over hoses, cords, etc. can get old, and it's even dangerous.

Finally, the switch is easy to use and well designed. It clips right onto your belt or pocket and it's there when you need it. Mine has never failed to activate or deactivate the dust collector.

The range is admirable. I can activate it from 50 yards away, which is about 35 yards more than I'll ever need.

It's not much money to spend for something you WILL use a lot. I guarantee that if you try it, you'll never be without one. Get one... You'll never be sorry!

5 stars for a 5-star tool!

I utilize a multi-tool dust collector that sits in a covered area outside my shop to cut down on noise. At the time I installed it, I was contemplating a number of different options for how to turn it on and off without walking out to the collector each time (or leaving it on and wasting all that electricity). This remote control was the perfect answer!!

I utilize the 220 volt version, and it has performed exactly as advertised. It was very east to hook up, the remote control unit reacts instantly to start and stop the collector from anywhere in my shop. I have used it up to 30 feet away and through an insulated wall with absolutely no problems. The unit has also caused no interference problems.

My tools are generally grouped around two sides of my shop, and I recently added a second handpiece to the system. I made a couple of wall-mounted holders for the handpieces, and placed one near one group of tools and one near the other - now I don't even have to carry the handpiece around with me.

Nice to have something that is reasonably priced and performs as advertised. You'll wonder how you got along without it!!

Ordered it to go on the Grizzly G0548 2HP 220 V dust collector. Set up is easy and fast. I screwed it into the wall just above my 220 receptacle so my machine can be plugged in there or taken off the wall and used as a short extension cord.

PROS: Easy installation. Frequency already set for remote. 9 volt battery included but not alkaline. Remote works well from anywhere in the garage/shop. Remote fits nicely in apron. Lone Ranger 220 volt uses a NEMA 6-20 plug so I bought one for the Grizzly as I knew it would be arriving without a plug.

I kept it with me while I was setting up a new bandsaw and adjusting the fence for blade drift. When I got ready to do a cut I simply pushed the button and turned on the dust collector. I mention this trivial use because that is the advantage of the remote control. All of us would walk over and turn on the collector when we are preparing for some major cutting. The remote allows me to use the collector more because I would not walk across the shop to turn on a collector for a two minute cut. NOW I do. There will be less dust for me to clean up and breath. I think the device should be a necessary part of every larger dust collector.

I planned on getting one of these things before I had decided which collector I wanted.

Cons: Be nice if the cord was longer.

There is no reasonable argument here about being "lazy"; the argument here is in support of having a remote control that you will cause you to use the dust collector more.

Get it, it's a good idea.

I have purchased 2 of these units over the past half dozen years. When they work they are very convenient as you can carry the small remote in the pocket of your apron and it works from anywhere in the shop. Both lasted for a few years and failed for no apparant cause.
These units receive very infrequent use and are not overloaded in any way. They were both used on a Delta dust collector. I discussed the failure of the first one with PSI and was told since it lasted a few years it would be out of warranty and the unit was not repairable and no service information is available. I purchased a second unit and it worked very well right out of the box. Since I now had the old unit and a new unit I programmed the old remote on the new unit and it worked well. This showed that both remotes work. I then tried to program both remotes on the old power unit and neither worked. This showed the problem was in the power switch of the first unit. I have a whole house surge protector and have had no failures on any other electronic equipment so I don't believe that the input power is dirty and causing the failures. My experience is that this product is simply unreliable and I can not recommend it.

Simply works as advertised. I keep it clipped to my belt and now I don't have to walk all over the shop to turn the dust collector on and off. Simple installation, just like plugging in an extension cord. Range is never an issue in my small shop. The only possible negative is that it's too easy to press the start button accidently by leaning against an object, such as the workbench.

This thing is great. It saves so much time and frustration. (Have you ever been on the verge of making a cut and realized that you need to cross the shop and turn on the dust collector? It can be frustrating, especially if you are on a deadline.)

Super easy to install and works more reliably than my TV remote. Several remotes can be programed to work with one machine.

But there are a couple of things that can be improved. First, the buttons on the remote stand proud of the body. So, if you place the remote in your shop apron it is easy to accidently press the on/off buttons while working. I epoxied a washer around the button and it worked like a charm. Second, the remote always pops open if you drop this on the floor. The snaps should be redesigned to securely hold the case together (I can't see any reason you would want the case to open.)

I ordered this item based on extensive research into remote switches for 220v items. It seemed clear that while there may be other "options", this is the only one that is clearly rated to handle the load. It worth noting that I ordered this with the understanding that based on the picture, I might have to build a custom extension/adapter cord to make sure everything would plug in okay. This is because the unit that is pictured will only accept a 220v, 20amp NEMA plug. Since I was connecting a Dust Collector (like I suspect most people who buy this) which runs on 15amps, it has the appropriate 15amp male plug. I was happy to find that PSI has addressed this potential issue by putting a universal receptacle on their unit, which will allow one to use either type of plug.

And of course, most importantly, it is about as plug and play as you could get. Plpug everything in, put your DC on the "on" position, and remote switch away. No I always use my DC instead of only when I'm making repeated cuts or preparing stock, and I know the DC will be on for a while. And the remote works so well, I'm consdering moving the DC itself into the attic above myt garage and running a hose down through the ceiling to free up some floor space. With the remote switching, this is now a legitimate possibility!

A great product for the woodworker or anyone else who needs remote switching on a 220 product!

I purchased two of these switches over the years and both have failed after about 1.5 to 2 years of use. I called PSI after the first one failed and was told I got the useful life out of it, and that I'd have to purchase another one as they cannot repair them. I might add that the second unit has not seen alot of use since I purchased it in Aug. 2006.

There is not a lot that I can add about this switch that others haven't already mentioned. It works and it works very well. I was able to turn my 2hp Grizzly dust collector on from within my bedroom which is more than 65 feet away from my garage shop. It had no difficulty in transmitting a signal through multiple walls to turn it on. This is a device that Tim the Toolman would not need to do any tweeking on. It has power with power to spare!