"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:


"m Ransley" wrote in message
...
The only way I can think to really know is use a clamp on amp meter or
Kill-A -Watt since all bulbs are a bit different and need a minimum
starting voltage. A 100 watt bulb dimmed to 60 watts should put out less
light than a 60 watt will. A Kill-A -Watt meter is good to have around

There was also a thread recently about dimming halogen lights. they burn
out faster IIRC

You do remember correctly. Running at full on, or more specifically
full temp, keeps the tungsten from depositing on the glass, and cycles
back to the filament.

In most cases, running for a while at full blast will re-activate the
halogen cycle in the bulb, and undo some of the damage done by dimming.

This high temp is also why it is important not to touch a halogen bulb,
since the oil from the fingerprint will cause the glass to bubble.