Problem with too much wattage.

[Nando Schuring]

Hi everyone,

Starting off; i'm new here, because I have a problem with a light sign I made. The sign has 15 25Watt lights, and burns very bright. I was looking to put a dimmer on there, but i cant seem to find a dimmer which can handle 375Watt. Also it burns way too bright on its own. So I was looking into resistors but i cant seem to figure out what kind of resistor I would need. Ideally it would be 1 resistor on the source cable, which really takes down the wattage a lot. More then half prefered.

It could be that im talking a bit of nonsense here, because i don't know much about the works of electricity. Feel free to correct me if im wrong with anything.

I hope anyone can help me solve this, so I can enjoy my light sign.

 

[SparkyChick]

What type of lamps are you using? That's important and without that little nugget of info it's going to be hard to suggest solutions.

Secondly... resistors... whilst it may work, it's a very inefficient way of achieving what you want that will only serve to generate heat. Depending on how much power you want to dissipate it could be quite a sizeable resistor.

 

[Nando Schuring]

Hi Sparkychick, thank you for the answer!
Sorry, i didnt include that: im using E14 bulbwire lights 25W. Theyre 230-240 Volts.

I was looking into getting 15W lights in the same style, but i cant find them for a reasonable price.

Do you have any other ideas for what might work?
Thank you a lot!

 

[SparkyChick]

If my understanding is correct, you have a 50Hz mains supply, like we do in the UK.

If they are normal incandescent lights (I think that's what you mean when you say 'bulbwire') then you can use a vPro dimmer from Varilight.

VARILIGHT V-Pro Dimmer Series for Dimmable LED Lighting - https://www.varilight.co.uk/dimmers/v-pro.php

They have quite a few options and certainly have models that will support up to 500W of normal incandescent lighting.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - for good old fashioned incandescent lamps up to 400W there are many dimmers available. Here's one from Yesss in Amsterdam .
YESSS Electrical - 0184-8577 - Lichttechnische toebehoren voor verlichtingsarmaturen - Robus - Overig - Overig - https://www.yesss.nl/nl/product/0184-8577/dimmer-switch-1-gang-2-way-%5B400w%5D/details.aspx

 

[telectrix]

you'll have a high stat up current for a few millisecs. fit a 1000watt dimmer. readily available.

 

[static zap]

Tin Hat firmly in place !
( Now follows risky suggestion )
========================
How unprofessional , dangerous to have them in pairs in series ?
Like a chain of 2 Xmas tree lights .
( then there is the practicality of a ma-mouth re wire)
(Must always change bulbs in pairs ! - easily identifiable/labelled)
They would last a lot longer !

 

[pirate]

Wear shades...

 

[MJPD29]

If they are normal incandescent lamps then a standard 500w dimmer is fine

 

[Nando Schuring]

Thanks for all the replies guys! All the dimmers you guys tell me about are for in the wall, but I will need a cable dimmer i think. Or can a wall dimmer also be installed just between a wire coming out of the socket?

 

[pirate]

Yes, you can get inline dimmers...most of the Ikea stuff works that way...
but they are not of the best quality...

 

[SparkyChick]

Varilight also sell just dimmer modules. You could put one in a small adaptable box and run the cable into it using suitable glands.

Something like these components:-

3 x 3 x 1½ Black Enamel Adaptable KO Box - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BX3315.html
20mm Nylon Compression Gland Black for Cable 4-7mm² - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/EK249B.html

The glands are available to suit different cable sizes.

Just make sure the box is properly earthed.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes, you can get inline dimmers...most of the Ikea stuff works that way...
but they are not of the best quality...

And I doubt they have one for 500VA.