dimmer at DVinfo.net

Fawaz Al-Kandari · August 4th, 2003, 02:37 PM

Hi

I have a Lowel kit 55
Rifa-lite, Pro-light, Omni-light, Tota-light
Can I put a dimmer for each one or it will Damage the light ?

Thank You
Fawaz

K. Forman · August 4th, 2003, 03:12 PM

I made my own dimmer, and it didn't seem to do any harm to my Lowell kit. It did change the color temp though.

Alex Knappenberger · August 4th, 2003, 03:15 PM

Yeah, that's the only thing about dimmers, when you dim the lights down the color temp gets even more yellowish, yikes...

Fawaz Al-Kandari · August 4th, 2003, 05:32 PM

If this is only problem ....I will adjust the color by Gels :)

Thanks for Reply

Fawaz

Mike Rehmus · August 5th, 2003, 10:46 AM

Actually, depending on how far you dim them down, you can damage the bulbs. The reason is the halogen cycle requires a high temperature so that the metal that 'boils' off the filament gets deposited back on the filament.

You can see the effects of running a halogen bulb at lower than rated power by looking at the the bulb in one of those household lumiere lamps. The ones with the bowl on top of a 5 foot pole with a dimmer? If the lamp is run with a low output, you will see a mirror surface on the inside of the lamp tube.

I think that plating acts as a filter to cut the light output. I'm fairly certain that no amount of operation at full output will 'de-plate' the metal from the surface of the tube

Interestingly enough, this plating action does not happen to bulbs that are used in the NRG VariLight Pro lamp. It does dim down but not by just turning down the voltage.

Richard Veil · August 6th, 2003, 12:47 AM

make sure the dimmer can handle the voltage. Also dimming the light will create a change in color temp so white balance after you dim. some dimmers can create sound problems so you have to be aware of that too.
you can build a dimmer for about $65. Get a 1000 watt wall dimmer and put it in a junction box. Get an exstention cord and cut in in half and use it to connect the dimmer in line.
Lowel makes a fancy dimmer for around $300 you can make it do all kinds of things.
Strength and honor

r

August 4th, 2003, 02:37 PM	#1
Fawaz Al-Kandari New Boot Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Kuwait Posts: 16	dimmer Hi I have a Lowel kit 55 Rifa-lite, Pro-light, Omni-light, Tota-light Can I put a dimmer for each one or it will Damage the light ? Thank You Fawaz __________________ Another Break in the Wall !!

August 4th, 2003, 05:32 PM	#4
Fawaz Al-Kandari New Boot Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Kuwait Posts: 16	If this is only problem ....I will adjust the color by Gels :) Thanks for Reply Fawaz __________________ Another Break in the Wall !!

August 5th, 2003, 10:46 AM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Actually, depending on how far you dim them down, you can damage the bulbs. The reason is the halogen cycle requires a high temperature so that the metal that 'boils' off the filament gets deposited back on the filament. You can see the effects of running a halogen bulb at lower than rated power by looking at the the bulb in one of those household lumiere lamps. The ones with the bowl on top of a 5 foot pole with a dimmer? If the lamp is run with a low output, you will see a mirror surface on the inside of the lamp tube. I think that plating acts as a filter to cut the light output. I'm fairly certain that no amount of operation at full output will 'de-plate' the metal from the surface of the tube Interestingly enough, this plating action does not happen to bulbs that are used in the NRG VariLight Pro lamp. It does dim down but not by just turning down the voltage. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

August 6th, 2003, 12:47 AM	#6
Richard Veil Chimera Lighting Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Santa Cruz CA Posts: 293	Yes you can use inline dimmers but.... make sure the dimmer can handle the voltage. Also dimming the light will create a change in color temp so white balance after you dim. some dimmers can create sound problems so you have to be aware of that too. you can build a dimmer for about $65. Get a 1000 watt wall dimmer and put it in a junction box. Get an exstention cord and cut in in half and use it to connect the dimmer in line. Lowel makes a fancy dimmer for around $300 you can make it do all kinds of things. Strength and honor r __________________ Strength and Honor RLV

August 4th, 2003, 03:12 PM	#2
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I made my own dimmer, and it didn't seem to do any harm to my Lowell kit. It did change the color temp though.

August 4th, 2003, 03:15 PM	#3
Alex Knappenberger High School Student Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio, USA Posts: 609	Yeah, that's the only thing about dimmers, when you dim the lights down the color temp gets even more yellowish, yikes...