Shopsmith Forums

I'm new to my upgraded PowerPro which was just added to my 1979 Mark5.

Question is, since the power switch just turns on the computer not the motor, will it cause any problems if I forget to turn off the main power switch?:o

siul8r wrote:I'm new to my upgraded PowerPro which was just added to my 1979 Mark5.

Question is, since the power switch just turns on the computer not the motor, will it cause any problems if I forget to turn off the main power switch?:o

Depends upon whether you experience a 'power surge' or lightening strikes near by while 'turned on' but idle.

Turning the switch off disconnects the innards from the power company(mains across the pond).

I would definitely do so when leaving the shop for extended periods.


FWIW the switch feeds(activates) the power supply which in turn causes the computer to boot.

Been there, done that, did not have a problem. However I try to unplug the
PP and my small Delta electronic lathe when I leave the shop.
Bill V

wa2crk wrote:Been there, done that, did not have a problem. However I try to unplug the
PP and my small Delta electronic lathe when I leave the shop.
Bill V

Better yet!

siul8r wrote:...Question is, since the power switch just turns on the computer not the motor, will it cause any problems if I forget to turn off the main power switch?:o

I have left my PowerPro power switch turned on (not on purpose) over night, with no problems. This is not a good thing to do because of potential happenings to the power grid, caused by lightning or other.

My first PowerPro omitted radio interference to AM bands. Therefore I could check if the machine was left on by turning on the car's radio. My re-built PowerPro offers absolutely NO radio interference.

Power Switch Failure:
More importantly - on my old Sheave type headstock, I had two power switch failures. Just too much use- switching on and off I suppose - (nearly every day per year for 10+ years - 360 days X 10 = 3600 switches minimum) So, I like to avoid all the switching I can. Like the old saying: "Once a day is enough!"

charlese wrote: Power Switch Failure:
More importantly - on my old Sheave type headstock, I had two power switch failures. Just too much use- switching on and off I suppose - (nearly every day per year for 10+ years - 360 days X 10 = 3600 switches minimum) So, I like to avoid all the switching I can. Like the old saying: "Once a day is enough!"

That reminded me of a story my father used to tell about a local furniture factory... Supposedly it was one of those places where they had rows of machines or benches as work stations. He always said that if they decided to fire someone or just let them go (depression era) they would not tell the person... The shop foreman just came around and shut your light off for that station before quitting time. It was understood that if your light got turned off you no longer had a job...
A failing switch might really scare you.

My grandfather worked in several furniture factories here at one time (he ran a finishing department under contract and hired his own men). Shelbyville IN was a "major" furniture producer until the great depression hit. A bunch of huge factories many in 3 story brick buildings, some complexes of several such buildings.
What a great woodshop one of them would have made. almost all of them had really nice solid maple floors.
Here is a partial list of furniture factories that operated here. There were many smaller production shops not listed here.
http://www.shelbycountyindiana.org/historical_articles/history_furniture_industry.htm

I've only forgotten to turn it OFF once so far. No harm no fowl.

Charlese:

The way I heard the old saying is "Once a king always a king, once a 'knight' is enough":D .

siul8r wrote:I've only forgotten to turn it OFF once so far. No harm no fowl.

Charlese:

The way I heard the old saying is "Once a king always a king, once a 'knight' is enough":D .

Unless you are that knight. It takes a while to 'get it'.

And what do chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese and pheasants have to do with this?;)

Charlese


"My first PowerPro omitted radio interference to AM bands. Therefore I could check if the machine was left on by turning on the car's radio. My re-built PowerPro offers absolutely NO radio interference."

When did your PP rebuild take place?

Can you say what caused the rebuild to be necessary?

Your report is the first positive experience on the RFI topic and would be worthwhile to understand.

artlinux wrote:Charlese


"My first PowerPro omitted radio interference to AM bands. Therefore I could check if the machine was left on by turning on the car's radio. My re-built PowerPro offers absolutely NO radio interference."

When did your PP rebuild take place?

Can you say what caused the rebuild to be necessary?

Your report is the first positive experience on the RFI topic and would be worthwhile to understand.

Forrest