John B wrote:

Impressive commentary! Thank you for clarifying the triac methodology.
That was quite the observation for a 6 year old. I trust that was quite a
while ago...!!g So that speaks well of your memory, too. Seems you were
a "natural."
I have an attractive light fixture, which has been dark for years. The
fancy bulbs required for it burned out within days of
installation...ridiculous. Got tired of feeding cash into this fruitless
effort. There are four bulb sockets. The fixture is controlled by two
3-way switches; it's at the base of stairs.


Hi, I told you already, take a look at thermistor or diode "bulb savers"
they'll give you a soft start or the effect of reduced voltage you need.
They are available to suit both standard and candelabra base sizes

Here's some:

http://www.acehardware.com/sm-lemra-...i-1379643.html

and:

http://www.scottenterprises.com/cgi-...oduct_Code=220

For the little money they cost it's worth giving them a try before
bothering to start rewiring stuff, isn't it?

Or, you could try the solution which I described as working for me in
our bathroom. use a conventional multi location toggle switch control
system and add a lamp dimmer just ahead of the bulbs, located out of
easy reach, and set it to "90%" or so.

You are correct about there being no easy way to just use two off the
shelf slide dimmers to accomplish a soft start from either of two
locations without adding a LOT of complicated electronics.

HTH,

Jeff


--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"As long as there are final exams, there will be prayer in public
schools"