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Porch lights on dimmer? Mark 06-15-2007
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Posted by Mark on June 15, 2007, 10:27 pm
I have two coach lights on my porch that I'd like to put on a dimmer to
reduce their brightness. It's a small porch and even with 40w bulbs it is
pretty bright. Problem is we generally turn the lights on at dusk and off
at dawn and I was wondering what the life expectancy and risks might be of
using a dimmer. I know dimmers generate some heat.

I'd need to use a 3 way dimmer. The lights are controlled in the family
room and the laundry room, both switch locations are ganged, 3 in the family
room and 2 in the laundry.

Anyone ever do this?

Thanks for you input!

Mark



Posted by RBM on June 15, 2007, 10:31 pm
No risk at all. Install a three way dimmer at either location, or if you
really don't need the light, use smaller wattage lamps

>I have two coach lights on my porch that I'd like to put on a dimmer to
>reduce their brightness. It's a small porch and even with 40w bulbs it is
>pretty bright. Problem is we generally turn the lights on at dusk and off
>at dawn and I was wondering what the life expectancy and risks might be of
>using a dimmer. I know dimmers generate some heat.
>
> I'd need to use a 3 way dimmer. The lights are controlled in the family
> room and the laundry room, both switch locations are ganged, 3 in the
> family room and 2 in the laundry.
>
> Anyone ever do this?
>
> Thanks for you input!
>
> Mark
>



Posted by Mark on June 15, 2007, 10:53 pm
Thanks!

I tried 20w, but the bulbs were expensive, a little small in the fixture,
and didn't last very long. It would also be nice to have the option to turn
them up when we'd like the extra light.


> No risk at all. Install a three way dimmer at either location, or if you
> really don't need the light, use smaller wattage lamps
>
>>I have two coach lights on my porch that I'd like to put on a dimmer to
>>reduce their brightness. It's a small porch and even with 40w bulbs it is
>>pretty bright. Problem is we generally turn the lights on at dusk and off
>>at dawn and I was wondering what the life expectancy and risks might be of
>>using a dimmer. I know dimmers generate some heat.
>>
>> I'd need to use a 3 way dimmer. The lights are controlled in the family
>> room and the laundry room, both switch locations are ganged, 3 in the
>> family room and 2 in the laundry.
>>
>> Anyone ever do this?
>>
>> Thanks for you input!
>>
>> Mark
>>
>
>



Posted by Don Klipstein on June 16, 2007, 1:13 am
>Thanks!
>
>I tried 20w, but the bulbs were expensive, a little small in the fixture,
>and didn't last very long. It would also be nice to have the option to turn
>them up when we'd like the extra light.

How about 25 watt "T10" ("refrigerator/showcase") ones?

At full power, a "Big 3" name brand one of those produces close to 230
lumens with life expectancy of 500 or 1,000 hours, brighter than a 25 watt
A19 designed to last 2500 hours though dimmer thjan a 40 watt one.

At 10 watts, a 25 watt 120V tubular produces about 25-30 lumens of
light, brighter than a 4-watt but a bit dimmer than a 7-watt incandescent
120V nightlight bulb. A 40 watt A19 to produce that amount of light
requires about 15-16 watts.

- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com)

Posted by hallerb@aol.com on June 16, 2007, 8:26 am
if you going to use a regular incandescent put the dimmer AFTER the 3
way switches in the line feeding the lamp.

this way you dont have to disturb the 3 way switches they are easy to
muck up:( and persumably you wouldnt be changing the lamp britness
often so the dimmer can go in a easy place to install.

lamp life will skyrocket.

although energy wise your probably better off with CF



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