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Old 03-08-2018, 04:34 PM   #1
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Dimmer for LED ceiling lights

Has anyone here put a dimmer switch on their LED ceiling lights? Ours are so very bright that it is impossible to read or watch tv with my glasses on. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Old 03-08-2018, 05:04 PM   #2
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Has anyone here put a dimmer switch on their LED ceiling lights? Ours are so very bright that it is impossible to read or watch tv with my glasses on. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Manual-Dimm...s/251985183083

You could install something like this, either next to the light or you could wire it so it controlled dim for an entire 12volt light circuit and put it near your 12 volt fuse panel, if you just want to dim all the lights a bit.
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Old 03-08-2018, 05:25 PM   #3
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thanks for the info, I will check it out. I am thinking about putting it up in the cabinet where the master switches are.
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Old 03-08-2018, 06:50 PM   #4
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I got these (a year ago, says Amazon) and have yet to install any. I have high hopes for this year.

FAVOLCANO (10 Pack) Mini LED Controller Dimmer with 11 Key RF Wireless Remote Control DC 5~24V 12A for Single Color 3528 5050 LED Strip Lights https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012YT9CHQ..._SVCOAb5R4MCFA
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Old 03-08-2018, 06:54 PM   #5
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I got these (a year ago, says Amazon) and have yet to install any. I have high hopes for this year.

FAVOLCANO (10 Pack) Mini LED Controller Dimmer with 11 Key RF Wireless Remote Control DC 5~24V 12A for Single Color 3528 5050 LED Strip Lights https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012YT9CHQ..._SVCOAb5R4MCFA
Thanks, I will look them over
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Old 03-09-2018, 02:53 PM   #6
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Careful, some led's are dimmable, some not.
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Old 03-09-2018, 03:03 PM   #7
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I've used these with success.
Make sure the dimmer module is PWM. (pulse width modulation)

Practical Mini RF Wireless Remote Switch Controller Dimmer for LED Strip Light

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Old 03-09-2018, 03:06 PM   #8
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Careful, some led's are dimmable, some not.
How do I tell if mine are able to dim or not?
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Old 03-09-2018, 03:20 PM   #9
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I got these (a year ago, says Amazon) and have yet to install any. I have high hopes for this year.

FAVOLCANO (10 Pack) Mini LED Controller Dimmer with 11 Key RF Wireless Remote Control DC 5~24V 12A for Single Color 3528 5050 LED Strip Lights https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012YT9CHQ..._SVCOAb5R4MCFA
I installed one and it works great. Just two wires to cut and it fits in the space where the wiring is hidden. Does not have to be exposed as it is RF, not infrared. My wife hates the flashing mode, however. But you have some 9 brightness levels on the led bulbs. BTW...I only bought one. Didn't need 10.
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Old 03-09-2018, 03:30 PM   #10
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I installed one and it works great. Just two wires to cut and it fits in the space where the wiring is hidden. Does not have to be exposed as it is RF, not infrared. My wife hates the flashing mode, however. But you have some 9 brightness levels on the led bulbs. BTW...I only bought one. Didn't need 10.
Cool. I just assumed they'd work. Pondered velcroing the remote by the light. I have a few I'd like to be able to dim....

I hope they don't all use the same frequency....
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Old 03-09-2018, 03:31 PM   #11
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Funny you should post this question now. Today I just ordered some wireless dimmers with wall switches. Most of my ceiling lights are not on a wall switch and just have a button on each one, so this will also give me wall switches + dimming. I ordered 2 kits plus one additional module and they can be paired to each other so I can control and dim 3 lights with a switch on each end of the camper.

This is what I ordered:
https://www.rvlighting.ca/en/eco-led...ith-lead-wires

and here is their video - the part about the dimmer is the 2nd half of the video:


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Old 03-09-2018, 04:26 PM   #12
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I guess this is where I show my age. What is Pulse width and what happens if I use a dimmer on lights that are not that? They just won't dim? Or am I looking at a fire? So confusing for an old man
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Old 03-09-2018, 05:06 PM   #13
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I guess this is where I show my age. What is Pulse width and what happens if I use a dimmer on lights that are not that? They just won't dim? Or am I looking at a fire? So confusing for an old man
An analog dimmer varies the forward current.

An old fashion incandescent bulb can just reduce voltage to dim it.

PWM dimmers create a series of on-off pulses on the high frequency wave.

Some LED's are dimmable with standard dimmers, if not, they just won't dim properly without PWM.

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Old 03-09-2018, 05:39 PM   #14
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An analog dimmer varies the forward current.

An old fashion incandescent bulb can just reduce voltage to dim it.

PWM dimmers create a series of on-off pulses on the high frequency wave.

Some LED's are dimmable with standard dimmers, if not, they just won't dim properly without PWM.

Ray
Thanks Ray, I appreciate the information.
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Old 03-09-2018, 06:03 PM   #15
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I guess this is where I show my age. What is Pulse width and what happens if I use a dimmer on lights that are not that? They just won't dim? Or am I looking at a fire? So confusing for an old man
Some dimmers lower the voltage and the lamp gets less voltage, hence less current, hence doesn't glow as bright. So much for incandescent bulbs.

LEDs are a different animal. Some are dimmable some are not. Inexpensive LED dimmers vary the length of time that the bulb sees 12 volts. If it is 100%, the LED glows normally, if it is 0% the LED is off, if is is 50%, 40%...10%, the LED gets commensurately less power and sometimes gets dimmer. However, some LEDs have on board regulator circuitry that fights the concept and as a result, bulb doesn't dim. In addition, often most inexpensive LED dimmers will work, but need to not only connect to the positive lead, but have to be wired directly to the negative lead as well. Virtually all light switches switch the positive lead while often the negative lead generally takes its own path to ground and then back to the battery negative post. These dimmers will not work unless connected to both the positive and negative leads of the light in question.

More than you wanted to know...my overhead LEDs are grotesquely bright, but I have yet to find a way to dim them.\

Finally, when you start pulsing a significant amount of DC current around the coach at high frequencies, you often generate radio frequency interference and many have reported problems with TV and radios with PWM dimmers even when they work.
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Old 03-09-2018, 06:44 PM   #16
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Some dimmers lower the voltage and the lamp gets less voltage, hence less current, hence doesn't glow as bright. So much for incandescent bulbs.

LEDs are a different animal. Some are dimmable some are not. Inexpensive LED dimmers vary the length of time that the bulb sees 12 volts. If it is 100%, the LED glows normally, if it is 0% the LED is off, if is is 50%, 40%...10%, the LED gets commensurately less power and sometimes gets dimmer. However, some LEDs have on board regulator circuitry that fights the concept and as a result, bulb doesn't dim. In addition, often most inexpensive LED dimmers will work, but need to not only connect to the positive lead, but have to be wired directly to the negative lead as well. Virtually all light switches switch the positive lead while often the negative lead generally takes its own path to ground and then back to the battery negative post. These dimmers will not work unless connected to both the positive and negative leads of the light in question.

More than you wanted to know...my overhead LEDs are grotesquely bright, but I have yet to find a way to dim them.\

Finally, when you start pulsing a significant amount of DC current around the coach at high frequencies, you often generate radio frequency interference and many have reported problems with TV and radios with PWM dimmers even when they work.
Thanks, I understand this finally. I get your meaning about how bright they are, mine will actually hurt my eyes and the way they are wired is all of them on one switch. I guess I will just get some black pain lol
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Old 03-09-2018, 07:10 PM   #17
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My husband put this in our trailer last year and we love them. It is so nice to be able to dim the lights to a desirable level. We are able to dim them a nightlight level is great.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Perfit-LED-D...5U5gr8&vxp=mtr
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Old 03-09-2018, 07:36 PM   #18
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My husband put this in our trailer last year and we love them. It is so nice to be able to dim the lights to a desirable level. We are able to dim them a nightlight level is great.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Perfit-LED-D...5U5gr8&vxp=mtr
Thanks, do you have LED ceiling lights from the factory?
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Old 03-09-2018, 08:33 PM   #19
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I think most of the 12v DC LED’s in an RV are dimable with PWM, but you may have to connect to the positive and ground wires. Some of the 120v AC bulbs are not dimable.
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Old 03-10-2018, 07:09 AM   #20
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https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F122943500989

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