Dimable LED GU10's won't turn off.

[AlexS]

Hi - Looking at instructions they don't say suitable for leds so it's pot luck, sorry. Varilight make ones suitable, as do others. But look at specs for confirmation. Here's one that should work (no Wilko Will Fix It warranty though ).
V-Pro IR Remote Control / Touch Dimmers- Chrome - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_Menu_Index/Wiring_Accessories~Dimmers_All/VL_eclique_Touch_Dimmers/VL_eclique_Touch_Dimmers_Chrome/index.html
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Great thanks!

I guess I need 350W rather than 100W so it can handle standard (non LED) GU10's as well?

Thanks

 

[MJPD29]

Varilight dimmers are very good with leds I tried a few and to no avail until them

 

[redbarnman]

Many LED's will only dim to 5% not right down to zero. You will most likely need a trailing edge dimmer not the leading edgetype used for halogens. The LED dimmer will also cope with the reduced power requirements - 10 LED's = 1 Halogen so no point in going for a high power dimmer, you want one optimised for low power LED's. It is also best to avoid buying cheap GU10 LED's. Anything under £5 or unbranded not worth bothering with. LED is a fundamentally different technology to halogens so you can't expect to just swap the bulbs if doing more than simple on-off switching.

 

[telectrix]

most dimmers have a min. load. there may also be an induced voltage issue, common with 2 way switching. a snubber sometimes works,

 

[AlexS]

Many LED's will only dim to 5% not right down to zero. You will most likely need a trailing edge dimmer not the leading edgetype used for halogens. The LED dimmer will also cope with the reduced power requirements - 10 LED's = 1 Halogen so no point in going for a high power dimmer, you want one optimised for low power LED's. It is also best to avoid buying cheap GU10 LED's. Anything under £5 or unbranded not worth bothering with. LED is a fundamentally different technology to halogens so you can't expect to just swap the bulbs if doing more than simple on-off switching.

Hi

As you can see in my original post opted for Philips LED's and what each room configuration is. So do I use a 350W dimmer as Wilko recommended or do I go lower. Thanks

 

[telectrix]

it's not the max. wattage that's the problem. it's the min. if you have a load of only 20watts and the dimmer min. is 50watts, that's why. also the dimmer usually needs to be trailing edge.

 

[redbarnman]

If you go for a V-Pro silent trailing edge intelligent LED dimmer it will cope with up to 300w which is much more than you need. They are also designed and made in the UK which to my mind is a big + point. A 1 gang dimmer will be around £25 +VAT. LED's are very difficult to dim right down to zero without flickering (although you see it as an LED lamp it may in reality be 25 or so LED chips all in the same housing and any slight variability across the 25 may cause individuals to flicker on and off at low levels) To get round this many dimmers have an adjustable minimum which you can tweak to give you low but stable illumination before pressing the switch to turn them off completely.

 

[AlexS]

Ok I think I'll go with (as suggested before):

1 Gang 350w 2 Way V-PRO Master Remote Touch Dimmer - Mirror Chrome - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLIJCI101.html

It says it can handle 0 - 100W of LED lighting, and says it can handle 350W so I assume that's for non LED GU10's.

I'll need to buy three of these I guess.

(Two rooms have two lighting points, each using 3 GU10's totalling 6, and 1 room with one point using 3 GU10's totalling 3)

Many thanks ..

 

[SparkyChick]

If the dimmer module does not have a connection to neutral (which I don't believe the Varilights do), because they require power to operate the touch electronics, it's highly likely the LEDs will continue to glow even when they are "off" due to the current flow through the dimmer.

I know because I've tried a V-Pro touch dimmer and had this exact issue.

Varilight (and others) also sell snubbers that are designed to stop this happening. Last time I looked they were about £25 I think. In the end I decided I'd simply ditch the touch idea and go for a normal rotary dimmer.

 

[paul291277]

Had same issue about a year ago and trying a snubber didn't work; was working with a guy much more experienced than me (electrically) and (think) he came up with some way of switching the neutral as well. Can't for the life of me remember how he did it but am working with him this weekend so will ask. Pretty sure it was only achievable because they had 2 dimmer modules/remotes though