Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Home Repair (alt.home.repair) For all homeowners and DIYers with many experienced tradesmen. Solve your toughest home fix-it problems. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
12V under cabinet halogens way too bright
I want to use these for accent lighting, not as task lights.
Unfortunately, a dimmer doesn't work with an electronic 'transformer', and a magnetic transformer costs more than the lamps. Could I simply use a lower voltage electronic transformer? If so, how low should I go to get, say, half as much light output? |
#2
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
12V under cabinet halogens way too bright
On Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:22:42 -0500, Mike Hartigan wrote:
I want to use these for accent lighting, not as task lights. Unfortunately, a dimmer doesn't work with an electronic 'transformer', and a magnetic transformer costs more than the lamps. Could I simply use a lower voltage electronic transformer? If so, how low should I go to get, say, half as much light output? WTF don't you install lower wattage bulbs? |
#3
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
12V under cabinet halogens way too bright
On Mar 20, 11:55*pm, AZ Nomad wrote:
On Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:22:42 -0500, Mike Hartigan wrote: I want to use these for accent lighting, not as task lights. * Unfortunately, a dimmer doesn't work with an electronic 'transformer', and a magnetic transformer costs more than the lamps. * Could I simply use a lower voltage electronic transformer? *If so, how low should I go to get, say, half as much light output? WTF don't you install lower wattage bulbs? Think I've seen those halogen bulbs from 15 to 50 watts. That's a ratio of 30% to 100%. problem is those halogen are very bright small point sources of light, not really designed for area or 'mood lighting'? |
#4
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
12V under cabinet halogens way too bright
AZ Nomad wrote:
On Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:22:42 -0500, Mike Hartigan wrote: I want to use these for accent lighting, not as task lights. Unfortunately, a dimmer doesn't work with an electronic 'transformer', and a magnetic transformer costs more than the lamps. Could I simply use a lower voltage electronic transformer? If so, how low should I go to get, say, half as much light output? WTF don't you install lower wattage bulbs? Lower wattage is good, however, there are dimmers that can work with the "electronic" transformers. I use one in a TV production truck where it is used to dim 4 20 watt, 12 volt hockey puck lights above the production console. During setup you need bright, but during production we dim them so it's easier to see the TV and computer monitors. |
#5
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
12V under cabinet halogens way too bright
On Mar 20, 9:22*pm, Mike Hartigan wrote:
I want to use these for accent lighting, not as task lights. * Unfortunately, a dimmer doesn't work with an electronic 'transformer', and a magnetic transformer costs more than the lamps. * Could I simply use a lower voltage electronic transformer? *If so, how low should I go to get, say, half as much light output? If you are locked in to the bulbs you have, could you use a combination series and parallel wiring? That should be an easy fix. Joe |
#6
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
12V under cabinet halogens way too bright
In article ,
Mike Hartigan wrote: I want to use these for accent lighting, not as task lights. Unfortunately, a dimmer doesn't work with an electronic 'transformer', and a magnetic transformer costs more than the lamps. Could I simply use a lower voltage electronic transformer? If so, how low should I go to get, say, half as much light output? FWIW, I have 120VAC under cabinet halogens with LOW-MED-HI-OFF touch switches. I just checked, and with line voltage at about 116, I'm getting 110 from the bulb supply on HI, 68 on MED, and 37 on LOW. Low is plenty for mood lighting at night with little other room lighting. So, you might shoot for 1/3 to 1/2 of what you have for starters, i.e. try 4 to 6 volts. My experimental data fits nicely with Joe's suggestion; try two or three bulbs in series to see whether that's what you're looking for. Or hook one bulb up to some flashlight batteries to experiment with different voltages. |
#7
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
12V under cabinet halogens way too bright
I painted mine, left a small amount unpainted facing the direction I wanted
brighter "Mike Hartigan" wrote in message ... I want to use these for accent lighting, not as task lights. Unfortunately, a dimmer doesn't work with an electronic 'transformer', and a magnetic transformer costs more than the lamps. Could I simply use a lower voltage electronic transformer? If so, how low should I go to get, say, half as much light output? |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Wiring Up Cabinet Halogens | Home Repair | |||
LV Halogens | UK diy | |||
Daylight Halogens | UK diy | |||
Mains halogens | UK diy | |||
GU10 Mains Halogens | UK diy |