How To Make A Simple Switch To Automatically Turn On Shop Vac

Today I’m going to be showing you how I built a shop vac auto switch. When I do woodworking in my garage I connect a shop vac to my tools to help suck up all the saw dust created when I make cuts. This requires me to remember to turn on the shop vac switch anytime I want to make a cut. There is a device called an auto switch to help solve this problem, and I plan to make one from scratch using an arduino microcontroller, a current sensor, and a relay module.

If you're a maker and want to learn how to use Fusion 360 I would highly recommend checking out this online course made by Bob Clagett and the I Like To Make Stuff team.

FAQ:
How do you power the Arduino?
I'm sorry for the confusion. My original plan was to use a 5V power supply module connected to mains, but it didn't arrive in time to include in this video. So in the meantime I used a phone charger with USB cable to power the Arduino.

parts

1x 14 AWG Extension Cord

1x 3D Printed Enclosure

Heat Shrink Tubing

If you want to support byte sized you can donate here:

Or use my Amazon affiliate link when purchasing items on Amazon!

Thanks for watching this video. I started byte sized to share the cool projects that I'm working on and to inspire people like you to make something that you're passionate about. If that's something you're in to, be sure to subscribe and YouTube will start recommending more videos like this one.

[seanmccutcheon]

Great video Zach! Really appreciate this. Took me a few minutes to realize I needed 5v DC but I made a minor tweak to the arduino mount and ran my USB cable to the box and worked great. Keep em coming!

[dclowd]

Did this project and wired it directly between two circuits (outlets and central vac) in my garage, with a wall switch for the vacuum as well, and a switch on the box to allow me to set between auto and manual activation.

My initial plan was to have the electrical box sit in the attic near the wiring junction boxes, but I tripped myself up and neglected to run any of the wall outlet wiring up there! So, very nastily, I have it wired into the sub panel. I would never do this on anyone’s house but my own, but it worked and the wiring diagram was superb.

[russellsharp]

Excellent project. Thanks for sharing. I had a relay which could easily be changed from its default of closed to open. Your code worked first time with no modification. Thank you 👍👍👍

[AtomsLab]

Awesome project, really well done. I like the enclosure you built. it's a really clean design.

[DanGarrettBlueGrass]

Very good design! I think a second or two of delay on startup would also be useful to allow the table saw to come up to speed. It would spread out the startup current from the two devices.

[tonyolimpo]

Well I did and it works great. I just changed some perimeters to suit my needs... love it . Thank you

[michelevitarelli]

Great video and project. Thanks for sharing.

[GigDave]

I have been looking to build this project. Thank a span Zack.

[jeremiahwilliamson]

Great video, I plan to build one of these in the future.

[patseevers]

Even after 5 years (if you can believe that!) Still one of the best projects for a shop out there! Thanks

[wicked_garry]

Thats most fine, neat and gracefull decision for this item what i saw before
Perfect!!!

[findingsimon]

Hey I'm really digging these videos, thanks for putting them up. I'm just planning out the automation on my boat and I'll be posting some videos coming up soon. I'll be sure to include a link to your videos and let em know who taught me.

[mikahl]

Enjoyed the viseo, sweet use of various tech. Alternatively a DPDT coupled with some female AC outlets could offer a similar solution minus the auto-delayed shutoff

[woodywood]

awesome DIY?
looking for that for a while...
thanks for your time

[m.acikgoz]

Thanks for sharing this project. I surprised when I saw your video here since the same kind of device was in my mind for a long time. Finally, last week I made two of this for vacuums. I have used Arduino pro mini (5V), an additional switch for manual operation of vacuum and 9V power source for the circuits and the result is perfect.

[jgruberr]

In my case, I would likely delay the start up of my dust collector, which will not start up on a 15 amp circuit. The beauty of your design is this is anticipated, and can easily be made in the code. I did like the delay in the shut down. Really helpful!

[danielesilvaggi]

You sir are awesome I was going to spend 80.00 CAD on one from Leevally did some searching for DIY and found this. I am going to make this because I can. I liked and subscribe thank you.

[PosiCat]

I didn't see any power for the Arduino, but otherwise this is a great project. The beauty is you could plug a power-strip in where the tool goes and any tool that turned on would also turn the fan on assuming the strip can handle the load.

[Iowa]

What also works is to take the female end of a broken extension cord & splice it in to the table saw switch. Then plug the vac in to the table saw.

You need to check the switch to ensure switching capacity, that's usually stamped on the switch. If it's too small, simple switches are cheap, but mine's big enough.

The best part is the lack of parts, so when those electronics stop working, this is a simple way to make the auto-vac work again.

[jeoffer]

Hi, good video thanks for sharing.
As I don't have access to a 3d printer and I am not inclined to play with AC power, another option would be to use a "green energy powerboard". In Australia, I found a local supplier selling a "Powerboard Sp Green Energy Saving 6 Way" that has one master socket, four slave sockets and one normal power socket. It is fully automatic and does not need any pre-setting, programming or additional manual remote controls.