As promised, this is my review of the iVac Automated Vacuum Switch
I was in the market for a new dust collection system and in the end decided that what I really needed was an upgrade to my shop vac. As I researched shop vacuums I found that the feature I wanted the most was Auto-on/Auto-off. This feature automatically turns the vacuum on when you start your tool and turns it off when you stop your tool. With the tools dust port connected to the shop vac you now have a pretty nifty dust collector. The problem I ran into is that this feature is only available on top end (read VERY expensive) vacuums.
Enter the iVac switch.
With this switch connected to my decidedly low-end shop vac I have the performance of a top end machine for a fraction of the cost. Couple that with my Shop-Vac 8017562 Workshop Sawdust Collection System
The switch connects to your shop vac on one outlet and your tool on the other. When you turn on your tool the iVac senses the current draw and turns on the vacuum. When you turn off the tool, the iVac keeps the vacuum running for a few seconds to clear out the hose and then shuts it off. Its hard to appreciate how cool this is until you’ve experienced it.
One of the best features of this switch is its ability to run off of two separate circuits. This effectively doubles the current capacity of the switch as your tool and your vacuum are not drawing from the same line. As far as I know this is the only such switch that offers this particular feature.
The switch itself is housed in a plastic case that seems pretty durable to me. It has three settings; on, off, and auto. In the on postion the shop vac runs regardless of tool operation which is handy for standard cleanup jobs when no tool is being used.
I’ve tested the switch with every tool I own from my table saw to my dremmel tool all on the same circuit as my ceiling mounted air filter and it has performed as advertised in all cases.
This is one of the handiest additions I’ve made to my shop in a long time and I can’t recommend it enough.
