MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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Looking at putting a dimmer switch on some LEDs. They are the dimmable type.
From a quick look on QVS they are selling "intelligent" dimmers for £38.
[url= http://www.qvsdirect.com/hamilton-hartland-ledstat-1g-2w-intelligent-led-dimmer-cfx-white ]Dimmer at QVS[/url]
Seems hell of a lot espically when the standard dimmers are £5.
Anyone had any problems using a normal dimmer with LEDs?
No, you need a 'falling edge' one afaik. Screwfix, £20. I didn't try my dimmer with LEDs but I buggered up a fair few dimmable CFLs.
Yes. I'm no expert, but popped some dimmable LEDs in our bathroom light, to work with the old dimmer.
They would randomly flicker, then be fine for a bit, then flicker again. You could adjust the dimmer switch to a non-flickering point, but they would often start flickering soon afterwards. I've just given up and fitted a regular On/Off switch.
YMMV
You need a trailing edge dimmer. Varilight do one (Screwfix as mentioned) but the quality of the dimming depends on the LEDs and despite being marketed as dimmable, some of them will still shimmer.
The Varilight dimmer can be set up (though an insanely complicated method of turning it off and on in various directions) to use one of several dimming curves, and the end point can be tweaked.
Oh I didn't know that Flaps.. one of mine has started to flicker at low power occasionally.
Yep, what Flaperon said.
Although, if I recall rightly getting the right finish (non brushed stainless I think) was only possible from LED hut, so also try there
I've just popped a couple of these in with some new LEDs. Seem OK no issues, simple to setup min brightness etc though I just replace the dimmer switch behind the faceplate...
https://www.ledhut.co.uk/varilight-v-pro-dimmer-module.html
My house had a load of dimmer switches which I left out of ignorance when I put in LEDs and CFLs. All worked OK really but I the CFLs didn't last as long as they should. The LEDs all seemed OK though. I have now replaced with normal switches.
AFAIK, you'll need a switch that allows you to reduce the resistance, which might be the type of dimmer switches mentioned above. I'm no electrician but just coincidentally had the very same conversation with an electrician a couple of hours ago.
Everyday is a school day 😀
.. I've got one of each in the kitchen at the mo, electrician put the 'proper' one in and it has 8 5W lamps connected. I put the 'normal' one in, has just three of the same lamps connected to each dimmer button. 'Proper' one flickers alot and doesn't go down to much of a low level. The 'normal one flickers less and dims more.
Anyone looking for a cheap leading edge three gang dimmer, I got he one from Clas Ohlson which is on offer for 6.99 plus postage. [url= http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/BG-Nexus-Dimmer-Switches/Pr182097000 ]Here[/url]