Looking into Dimmers

David Delaney · February 25th, 2006, 05:32 PM

I want to buy a 600W dimmer for the Britech lights from Rostronics. Now, is there something special I should look for? Do all dimmers do the same thing? Will this keep the light temperature?

Ken Hendricks · February 25th, 2006, 11:27 PM

Here's a little secret that will give you a 1500 watt dimmer for not much money and no labor:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43060

I have three of these and they work great. As with all dimmers, the color temperature will decrease, but not too much until you are at 50% or so.
__________________
Ken Hendricks
www.network23dv.com

Bill Ball · February 26th, 2006, 03:37 PM

Ken
Does that router controller allow you to continously dim or just it have 3 settings? Also does make an audible hum? (I know some cheap dimmers do this).

Chris Barcellos · February 26th, 2006, 03:45 PM

FYI: It is continuous.

Ken Hendricks · February 26th, 2006, 03:54 PM

Hi Bill,

Chris is correct, there is continuous adjustment over the entire range.

Sometimes the filament in the lamp will vibrate a little (at certain settings), but this happens even with professional dimmers. As far as RF buzz picking up on the audio, I haven't had a problem.

__________________
Ken Hendricks
www.network23dv.com

Kris Belchevski · February 26th, 2006, 04:18 PM

Hey Ken,

That is so cheap for a 1500 watt dimmer. Where is it made? How is the construction quality? Have you tested it extensively? Finally, have you had any problems whatsoever with it?

Regards,

Kris.

Mike Teutsch · February 26th, 2006, 04:20 PM

Just so you know, my national flyer from Harbor Freight has them listed right now as on sale for $12.99. That is just about half price, but the sale ends tomorrow.

Also, if they are sold out, ask for a rain check! If you want to call to reserve some or get a rain check call yhour local store, and their part number is 43060, at least that is the one pictured in the ad. They also have the number 43584 listed also, same type part, but maybe different color or something.

Mike

Bill Ball · February 26th, 2006, 04:34 PM

Mike
There doesnt happen to be coupon associated with that ad in the flyer is there? I dont see anything on the website and just called the phone order number and they are also giving the 24.99 price over the phone.

Mike Teutsch · February 26th, 2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Ball

Mike
There doesnt happen to be coupon associated with that ad in the flyer is there? I dont see anything on the website and just called the phone order number and they are also giving the 24.99 price over the phone.

I buy things there all of the time, and even though it is in their flyer, you do not need their coupon. Just go to the store and they have tons of flyers for you to take as you go through the store.

If you call the web site or a national number, I pretty sure they will not give you the sale price.

mike

Ken Hendricks · February 26th, 2006, 04:43 PM

Hey Kris,

They are made in Taiwan. The construction quality is good. I wouldn't run over them with the grip truck, but they aren't flimsy at all. Have had mine for almost a year with absolutely no problems whatsoever. I use these dimmers for my 1k Arri as well as the 650's, 300's, and 150's. They are also very handy if you have a practical in the shot and you need to knock it down a little.

I haven't done "extensive testing" as far as measuring color temperatures at different settings, but I do use them all the time. I wouldn't go anywhere without them. At $24.99 they are a really good investment. At $12.99 they are a steal!

__________________
Ken Hendricks
www.network23dv.com

Mike Teutsch · February 26th, 2006, 04:48 PM

I buy many many items at Harbor Freight, and the quality is pretty amazing for the prices. I have a rain check in right now for a 1' x 30' belt sander for $29.00.

I am going there tomorrow, so I will check on the dimmers.

Mike

Chris Barcellos · February 26th, 2006, 05:23 PM

I bought four of these from Harbor Freight. One of them stopped working when I connected it to a 500 Watt work light. Just a flicker, then bye bye.

I agree with Mike that there is a lot of interesting equipment available at Harbor Freight that will be usable for applications in video work.

Mike Teutsch · February 28th, 2006, 10:33 AM

I went to my local Harbor Freight yesterday and they were out of them. I did get a rain check---for 6!

If and when they come, in maybe I can send some to others!

Mike

Dennis Khaye · February 28th, 2006, 12:31 PM

Hey Chris, how's their customer service?

How's your hand by the way? Sorry to hear about it bud. Heal fast.

Boyd Ostroff · February 28th, 2006, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Teutsch

I have a rain check in right now for a 1' x 30' belt sander for $29.00.

I don't have any experience with their motor speed control, but I've bought a few shop tools from Harbor Freight and can say without question they were cheap junk which was designed to look like professional tools. Specifically I remember a bench mounted belt/disk sander that failed very quickly and a vise made out of cheap cast metal that snapped right off when I tried to bend something in it.

Now this was about 6 years ago, so maybe their standards have improved. I'm glad you're happy with your purchases, these products may be the exception to the rule. But I've run several professional carpentry shops for building scenery over a period of many years and spent tens of thousands of dollars on tools. I stick to the well known brands and avoid places like this. Caveat Emptor....

February 25th, 2006, 05:32 PM	#1
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Looking into Dimmers - a question or two I want to buy a 600W dimmer for the Britech lights from Rostronics. Now, is there something special I should look for? Do all dimmers do the same thing? Will this keep the light temperature?

February 26th, 2006, 03:45 PM	#4
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	FYI: It is continuous. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

February 26th, 2006, 04:20 PM	#7
Mike Teutsch Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida Posts: 2,614	On Sale---On Sale! Just so you know, my national flyer from Harbor Freight has them listed right now as on sale for $12.99. That is just about half price, but the sale ends tomorrow. Also, if they are sold out, ask for a rain check! If you want to call to reserve some or get a rain check call yhour local store, and their part number is 43060, at least that is the one pictured in the ad. They also have the number 43584 listed also, same type part, but maybe different color or something. Mike __________________ Chapter one, line one. The BH.

February 26th, 2006, 04:48 PM	#11
Mike Teutsch Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida Posts: 2,614	I buy many many items at Harbor Freight, and the quality is pretty amazing for the prices. I have a rain check in right now for a 1' x 30' belt sander for $29.00. I am going there tomorrow, so I will check on the dimmers. Mike __________________ Chapter one, line one. The BH.

February 26th, 2006, 05:23 PM	#12
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	I bought 4 I bought four of these from Harbor Freight. One of them stopped working when I connected it to a 500 Watt work light. Just a flicker, then bye bye. I agree with Mike that there is a lot of interesting equipment available at Harbor Freight that will be usable for applications in video work. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

February 25th, 2006, 11:27 PM	#2
Ken Hendricks New Boot Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 7	Here's a little secret that will give you a 1500 watt dimmer for not much money and no labor: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43060 I have three of these and they work great. As with all dimmers, the color temperature will decrease, but not too much until you are at 50% or so. __________________ Ken Hendricks www.network23dv.com

February 26th, 2006, 03:37 PM	#3
Bill Ball Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 216	Ken Does that router controller allow you to continously dim or just it have 3 settings? Also does make an audible hum? (I know some cheap dimmers do this).

February 26th, 2006, 03:54 PM	#5
Ken Hendricks New Boot Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 7	Hi Bill, Chris is correct, there is continuous adjustment over the entire range. Sometimes the filament in the lamp will vibrate a little (at certain settings), but this happens even with professional dimmers. As far as RF buzz picking up on the audio, I haven't had a problem. __________________ Ken Hendricks www.network23dv.com

February 26th, 2006, 04:18 PM	#6
Kris Belchevski New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Posts: 11	Hey Ken, That is so cheap for a 1500 watt dimmer. Where is it made? How is the construction quality? Have you tested it extensively? Finally, have you had any problems whatsoever with it? Regards, Kris.

February 26th, 2006, 04:34 PM	#8
Bill Ball Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 216	Mike There doesnt happen to be coupon associated with that ad in the flyer is there? I dont see anything on the website and just called the phone order number and they are also giving the 24.99 price over the phone.

February 26th, 2006, 04:43 PM	#10
Ken Hendricks New Boot Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 7	Hey Kris, They are made in Taiwan. The construction quality is good. I wouldn't run over them with the grip truck, but they aren't flimsy at all. Have had mine for almost a year with absolutely no problems whatsoever. I use these dimmers for my 1k Arri as well as the 650's, 300's, and 150's. They are also very handy if you have a practical in the shot and you need to knock it down a little. I haven't done "extensive testing" as far as measuring color temperatures at different settings, but I do use them all the time. I wouldn't go anywhere without them. At $24.99 they are a really good investment. At $12.99 they are a steal! __________________ Ken Hendricks www.network23dv.com

February 28th, 2006, 10:33 AM	#13
Mike Teutsch Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida Posts: 2,614	I went to my local Harbor Freight yesterday and they were out of them. I did get a rain check---for 6! If and when they come, in maybe I can send some to others! Mike __________________ Chapter one, line one. The BH. Last edited by Mike Teutsch; February 28th, 2006 at 12:33 PM.

February 28th, 2006, 12:31 PM	#14
Dennis Khaye Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 255	Hey Chris, how's their customer service? How's your hand by the way? Sorry to hear about it bud. Heal fast.