This may be a stupid question. Can you run Bitrunner and a VFD spindle/controller? Shapeoko 4.
No. That would be redundant. A VFD has on/off and adds speed control.
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Maybe another stupid question.
I use Bitrunner tied in to a switching device that turns on/off router and dust collector with the gcode call for router on/off.
How would I accomplish this with a VFD?
It is supposed to work to have a current-sensing device to turn the vacuum on/off.
Such devices should also be used with a BitRunner to turn the vacuum on/off if the vacuum doesn’t have a delay.
So, leave the Bitrunner hooked up to controller, auto switch and collector just like it is, just no router plugged into it?
The switch is progamable for delays, plugs into 110 receptacle, and has female connections for collector and router on front of it.
My specific setup is:
- Carbide Compact Router plugged into BitRunner
- BitRunner connected to vacuum
- vacuum set to auto and plugged into wall
What your specific setup would be would depend on the nature of the current sensing device you have — please check the manual for it.
The big thing is, do not use a pigtail or multiple outlet setup which will cause both the vacuum and the trim router to be switched on simultaneously — that current draw can be too much for the circuit.
My understanding of a typical setup is:
- Carbide Compact Router plugged into BitRunner
- vacuum connected to current sensing device
- current sensing device attached to the router power cord
- current sensing device plugged into the wall, ideally on a 3rd circuit (computer/machine on one, spindle on a second)
but please check the manual for the device you have.
I have the C3D router plugged into the Bitrunner.
On the power line between the Bitrunner and router I have this:
Which communicates with this:
Which trips a relay that fires off my 220v vac system. IVac has a 220v switch but I had the relay online already.
I assume if you switched to the VFD that sensor would work just as well on the power line to it.
The Ivac switch has an option for delayed start and stop if you don’t want it coming on at the same time as the router/spindle.
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This what I use for collector and router. Sensing switch power from wall, Bitrunner power source into “rool” plug, collector into the other plug.
1 second delay after router on before collector comes on, collector goes off 7 seconds after router goes off. I like the way it works.
I just wanted to know how to automate collector on/off with VFD.
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I turn my VFD on with the BitRunner. I used the Bitrunner output to turn on a 240 volt relay which bridges two connections on the VFD to turn it on and off.
Ah, I think I get it. I plan on using a 110 VAC VFD. So I can use Bitrunner to supply power to VFD only when gcode calls for spindle? Plug in Bitrunner output into sensing switch “tool” location, and connect sensing switch router output to VFD. Sounds simple, now.
Thank you all for your help.
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