DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Special Interest Areas > Techniques for Independent Production

Techniques for Independent Production
The challenges of creating Digital Cinema and other narrative forms.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old June 26th, 2015, 08:25 AM   #1
New Boot
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Moore, OK
Posts: 13
DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches

I am looking to build a 1000w DIY dimmer for incandescent lights. Where would I find the power connectors, metal box and dimmer switch itself?
I've searched online and I could get the same for $20 or so, but want to see if I could build one cheaper.
Peter Friedlander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 26th, 2015, 11:52 AM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 918
Re: DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches

Your prayers have been answered. And for only $19.99 Router Speed Control

Handles 1500W (15A). I have three of these, and can confirm that they work with tungsten lights. Expect a change in color temp and some possible RF noise bleed.
Oren Arieli is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 27th, 2015, 01:36 AM   #3
Trustee
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,082
Re: DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches

Dimmer switches at Home Depot are 600W. If you need bigger than that, use the router control, linked above. Harbor Freight regularly publishes coupons in the paper and in mailers. Keep an eye out, they almost always have one for some % off any item.
Mike Watson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 27th, 2015, 10:06 AM   #4
New Boot
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Moore, OK
Posts: 13
Re: DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches

That you guys a lot! This helps
Peter Friedlander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 27th, 2015, 10:32 AM   #5
Mustang. Legend.
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 36
Re: DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches

Quote:
Originally Posted by Oren Arieli View Post
Your prayers have been answered. And for only $19.99 Router Speed Control

Handles 1500W (15A). I have three of these, and can confirm that they work with tungsten lights. Expect a change in color temp and some possible RF noise bleed.
Agree 100%. Been using those for many years, as have most of my colleagues shooting for 60 Minutes, 20/20, Nightline, Good Morning America, Today Show, Oprah, PBS, Nat Geo... by FAR the best bang for the buck.

Router Speed Control
Jody Eldred is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 27th, 2015, 10:33 AM   #6
Mustang. Legend.
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 36
Re: DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches

Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Friedlander View Post
I am looking to build a 1000w DIY dimmer for incandescent lights. Where would I find the power connectors, metal box and dimmer switch itself?
I've searched online and I could get the same for $20 or so, but want to see if I could build one cheaper.
Without question: Router Speed Control

Many pros on respected news magazine and docs use them (I have several.)
60 Minutes, 20/20, PBS Frontline, Good Mornng America, Oprah, etc...
Jody Eldred is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 3rd, 2015, 11:26 PM   #7
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Juneau, AK
Posts: 814
Re: DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches

I've been using those for years, just remember to re white balance anytime
you adjust the dimmer.
Gabe Strong is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 10th, 2015, 12:16 PM   #8
Trustee
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,828
Re: DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches

Glad I found this. I have been through all kinds of dimmers. Most more costly than this. Do they have a three pin socket for ground pin or just a two pin receptacle?


Steve
__________________
www.CorporateShow.com
Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up!
Steven Digges is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 10th, 2015, 01:40 PM   #9
Major Player
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 918
Re: DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches

Three-pin is standard on these dimmers.
Oren Arieli is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 10th, 2015, 02:15 PM   #10
Trustee
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,828
Re: DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches

Awesome, about ten years ago I bought two dimmers from Coolux. I think I paid about $50.00 apiece. When they arrived they were just cheap consumer plastic junk. And I was shocked to see that dimmers from a lighting company did not even have a ground pin receptacle, I had to lift them. A month later I saw the exact same dimmer in Target for $15.00. I paid $35.00 for a Coolux sticker! They were not even safe to use. Live and learn! I never bought from them again.

Steve
__________________
www.CorporateShow.com
Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up!
Steven Digges is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 11th, 2015, 01:57 AM   #11
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lowestoft - UK
Posts: 4,012
Re: DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches

Nowadays building kit is just not economic. I needed eight powercon distribution units, in, loop out, breaker, and two outlets. I can buy them from my Chinese supplier, but wanted something smaller and lighter. Using the cheapest components I could source, making them, even ignoring my time, cost 50% more than importing one from China. I did make them up, but if lightness and size had not been important, I'd have bought them made up without question. Dimmers are the same. Casing and connectors are a big proportion of the cost. At that price, buying the router dimmers makes sense, even though they are not filtered very well and can annoy your sound kit when running around half brightness.
Paul R Johnson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 11th, 2015, 02:49 PM   #12
Trustee
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,828
Re: DIY Cheep Dimmer Switches

Paul,

Like you, I do a lot of large scale production work. Except yours is theater and mine is corporate AV shows. In regards to dimmers here is a link to a very common one we use in ballrooms. Its cost and weight makes it unrealistic for my personal video lighting kit. But they ARE nice units. We use them on Lecos and par cans.

https://www.magicgadgets.com/product/prodimmer/

I did not jump into your conversation about electrical wiring in the audio forum because you are way over my head on those technicalities. For ballroom power I always order a 60 amp power drop box from the house. That means they literally drop a three phase box. The box has three separate 20 amp circuits. All audio goes on the "A" circuit all video on "B" circuit and everything else on "C". That is for our technicians area in the FOH so everyone gets clean power. Then I order additional drops rear of house to provide all the additional power our stage lighting requires.

Steve
__________________
www.CorporateShow.com
Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up!
Steven Digges is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Special Interest Areas > Techniques for Independent Production

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:32 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network