[Help] A home electrics question - any experts there?

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Lincoln Imp

Well-known member

Feb 2, 2009

5,964

• Nov 13, 2017

• #1

I have four spotlights running from a single switch, which I would like to be a dimmer. Unfortunately, only two of the lights are dimmable -the other two are new fittings and I stupidly didn't check when buying them. Here's the question: is it sufficient to buy dimmable LED bulbs for the fittings in question or do I have to buy new spotlights as well?

 

Woodchip

It's all about the bikes

Aug 28, 2004

14,460

Shaky Town, NZ

• Nov 13, 2017

• #2

Are they low voltage spots? If so is possible the controller isn't dimmable.

 

Birdie Boy

Well-known member

Jun 17, 2011

4,108

• Nov 13, 2017

• #3

Pretty sure you only have to swap the bulbs for dimmable ones, if they are 240v. There is another caveat that I came across, swapping the switch for a normal dimmer switch had side effects if the bulbs are led. You have to get an led dimmable switch so that the lights don't flash occasionally. Strange how b&q sell dimmable led lights but not the switches, at least when I installed them a year or so ago.

Sent from my SM-A320FL using Tapatalk

 

Tom Hark Preston Park

Will Post For Cash

Jul 6, 2003

70,150

• Nov 13, 2017

• #4

Have you tried turning them off and on again?

 

Mackenzie

Old Brightonian

Nov 7, 2003

33,535

East Wales

• Nov 13, 2017

• #5

Try squinting, same effect without the effort.

 

Triggaaar

Well-known member

Oct 24, 2005

50,167

Goldstone

• Nov 13, 2017

• #6

Lincoln Imp said:

I have four spotlights running from a single switch, which I would like to be a dimmer. Unfortunately, only two of the lights are dimmable -the other two are new fittings and I stupidly didn't check when buying them. Here's the question: is it sufficient to buy dimmable LED bulbs for the fittings in question or do I have to buy new spotlights as well?

Click to expand...

It depends.

What is the wattage of the two dimmable lights you have, and what will be the wattage of the new ones?
And what is the range of wattage of your dimmer switch?
Old dimmer switches have ranges up to a max of (for example) 250W, 400W, but they don't work on a low wattage bulb. They can work when several bulbs are used together though (because you add the wattages together).

So you might need a new dimmer switch, or new module for it. Or you might not.

 

L

Lincoln Imp

Well-known member

Feb 2, 2009

5,964

• Nov 13, 2017

• Thread starter
• #7

Thanks everybody. You have taught me things I didn't know. I have now discovered that the non-dim bulbs can't be removed from the not-cheap fitting. This would have depressed me if I haven't also just discovered that you can click and collect two perfectly nice, small and discreet spotlights, complete with dimmable bulbs, from Screwfix for under £8.

 

happypig

Staring at the rude boys

May 23, 2009

7,959

Eastbourne

• Nov 13, 2017

• #8

Tom Hark said:

Have you tried turning them down and up again?

Click to expand...

corrected for dimmers