220 volt indicator lights

Terryl

Terryl

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OK kids, I need to get some 220 volt indicator lights for some machinery I use all the time.

The first one is the main shop vacuum system, it is so quiet you can't tell it's on or not when the saws are running, the second one is the main air compressor, I have a habit of leaving it on when I go up to the house, then late at night I hear it start up. (some tools have a very small leakage)

I need some type of indicator lights to tell that they are on, I would like it to be a flashing one, but if it's on when the machines are on I need to be able to see it during the day and if possible can they be wall mounted.

I have looked for these over here and have found some at a machinery supply company, but I don't want to pay $200 each, so I'm thinking that you all use 220 VAC all the time (don't you?) and you should have access to these types of lights.

Anyone have an idea?
 
Do you have a link to the US source so we can see exactly what you're after?
 
Terryl said:
OK kids, I need to get some 220 volt indicator lights for some machinery I use all the time.

The first one is the main shop vacuum system, it is so quiet you can't tell it's on or not when the saws are running, the second one is the main air compressor, I have a habit of leaving it on when I go up to the house, then late at night I hear it start up. (some tools have a very small leakage)
Click to expand...
I have the same problem with my compressors in the garage (including being woken up at night :) ). I have the compressors the other side of a wall and permanently switched on, and I have a main switch (it's actually a light switch) on the side of the wall where I normally am and a relay http://www.amazon.fr/ABB-2071036-ES...qid=1443683434&sr=8-3&keywords=abb+contacteur (said switch not able to cope with the current or with piloting motors directly). I have an ordinary light bulb next to the switch powered by cables coming directly from the output of the relay. So: switch on -> compressors and bulb on.
 
As PaulR said, it would be useful to see what sort of thing you have in mind. Industrial controls companies make this sort of thing. SquareD for example - google squared indicator lights. If you need something larger, how about bulkhead light fittings?
 
You need a smart switch so that you can turn it off wherever you are in the house. (US version of course)

 
The simplest solution (non flashing ) would be a neon light in series with a 1 or 2 megohm resistor directly in parallel with the switched supply ..
neon.webp

Neons being cheap ...and often come with the resistor integrated in the package..
Increase the value 1 megohms upwards for higher voltages ..

Something like this :-
12MM PANEL NEON INDICATOR RED GREEN 240V LIGHT CATERING SPARES PART UNIVERSAL
 
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hairybadger said:
I have the same problem with my compressors in the garage (including being woken up at night :) ). I have the compressors the other side of a wall and permanently switched on, and I have a main switch (it's actually a light switch) on the side of the wall where I normally am and a relay http://www.amazon.fr/ABB-2071036-ES...qid=1443683434&sr=8-3&keywords=abb+contacteur (said switch not able to cope with the current or with piloting motors directly). I have an ordinary light bulb next to the switch powered by cables coming directly from the output of the relay. So: switch on -> compressors and bulb on.
Click to expand...
I can't drill through the wall where the compressor is located, it is 12 inches thick, and I don't have the tools to do so anymore.

I want to be able to connect to the switch that turns it on and off but it is a 220 volt 30 amp switch, and there is no neutral wire in the conduit going back to the compressor to use a 110 single phase light, the switch has dual switch sides and rated at 220/440 volt 30 amps, so there are 5 wires in the conduit already, 4 each at 10 gauge for the power and one at 12 gauge for a safety ground.

So that 1/2 inch conduit is very full, no way to run a neutral, and you can't use the safety ground as a neutral.

As to the vacuum system, the vacuum has a remote control setup, it is an IR switching relay, this way it can be turned on and off at each saw setup, at the plainer, jointer and 36 inch belt sander.

The problem with this setup is that the main vacuum is outside the building, you can't hear it running when the saw(s) or other tools requiring the vacuum are running, if you are on the other side of the shop you can't see it indicator lights that shows it's on or off, thus I need a bigger brighter indicator light to show the status.

The problems I'm having is trying to find a standard wall mounted Edison base light fixture rated out to 220 volts (or bigger) without going over $100 US.

Also 220 volt Edison base light bulbs are in very short supply around here.

So I asked here, knowing that some of you guys have 220 volt main electrical service and might have access to something along what I'm looking for.
 
Vipersan said:
The simplest solution (non flashing ) would be a neon light in series with a 1 or 2 megohm resistor directly in parallel with the switched supply ..
View attachment 85272

Neons being cheap ...and often come with the resistor integrated in the package..
Increase the value 1 megohms upwards for higher voltages ..

Something like this :-
12MM PANEL NEON INDICATOR RED GREEN 240V LIGHT CATERING SPARES PART UNIVERSAL
Click to expand...
Good idea but it can't be seen across the shop, the controller for the vacuum system has indicator neon's already, but are very difficult to see.

I need something bigger and brighter.
 
That may work out for the vacuum system, do they come with a yellow lens?

I like the Xmas lights idea, I could string them along the vacuum pipes and it would tell if the system was on or not, I would need about 230 feet of lights.
 
I can contact the supplier and see....

Maybe they have a US supplier?
 
timo_w2s said:
I assume they'll be happy running off 60Hz rather than the 50Hz they'll be expecting?
Click to expand...

There's no mention of 50/60Hz in the specifications, plus such things are usually DC based internally so there's probably a small mains to DC supply in there so it'll be universal frequency... :)
 
I crossed referenced the Klaxon brand to something available over here for $35 US , 220 VAC at 60 HZ, it will do the job I need it for.

One flashy one for the Vacuum and one steady on all the time for the compressor.

Thanks to all who helped.
 
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