I have 2 specialised lights in my house that each have 20 x 20W 12V halogen bulbs in them (400W total each). They are driven off a torodial transformer mounting in the ceiling rose. I'm having difficulty finding an appropriate dimmer switch as at the moment, all I can do is turn them on and off - and hey, guess what, their way too bright! Turn both on, and 800W of light output blinds all my guests. Does anybody know of dimmer switches that can control inductive loads like this at this power rating? All the dimmer switches I've come across dont work with toroidal transformers (and at these power ratings, a very high surge current is present on start up). Thanks.
2007-02-03 02:20:25 · 7 answers · asked by Charlie Brigante 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
A Lutron Rania dimmer will handle electronic and magnetic (inductive ) loads up to 500 watts. If you have difficulty obtaining them, e-mail me.
ADDED! just re-read question, if these are both on the same circuit you will need a Rania 'Power Booster' Max 1200 watts. NGRX-ELVI-CE-WH-CGP1858
If it's too costly, you could change the lamps to 10 watt. and then use a single 500 watt Rania dimmer
http://www.lutron.com/Products/productDetail.aspx?fid=rania&cid=1
2007-02-03 03:28:23 · answer #1 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There's a few solutions....
You could use a variac to feed the toroidals, but it won't be cheap, and I suspect you will want it automated, i.e. motorized with a remote control. A variation on this is a multi-tapped transformer, again feeding the toroidal transformers, or you could have one made to suit your output. (About 15 quid.)
You could put a dimmer circuit after the toroids (nedes to be high current though), run the lamps off a controlled DC supply, or pulse width modulated DC supply.
A cheaper solution might be to put in lower power bulbs or make a mode where they are in series or parallel.
2007-02-03 05:42:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definitely needs a rheostat. Try placing it on the 120v side of the transformer to dim the output voltage, in turn, dimming the lights. Otherwise you could remove half the bulbs!
2007-02-03 02:49:20 · answer #3 · answered by Ibeeware 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I got some from B&Q, as well as other places. Trouble with all dimmers n low voltage lighting you get a certain amount of buzzing from the lights and switches
2007-02-05 05:51:41 · answer #4 · answered by Glenn M 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're into the realms of theatre dimmers of the rheostat flavour there. Explore theatre lighting suppliers.
2007-02-03 02:31:08 · answer #5 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
try HOME DEPOT or LOWES
2007-02-06 22:20:12 · answer #6 · answered by Donna B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try b and q
2007-02-03 02:46:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋