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Old 06-21-2018, 04:46 PM   #1
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12v ceiling light wiring - dimmer

I wasn't sure whether to post this in here or the Modification area, but here goes.


TT is in my sig. Really want to add a dimmer to the inside lights. I discovered late that I need access to the negative wire to isolate it from the battery for the PWM devices I have. Is there any info on where the negative ends up and if there are any other devices attached that I'd have to worry about? Are these pucks with the button even capable of PWM dimming?



I'm assuming the factory has a "standard" wiring layout they "follow."


Thanks.
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Old 06-21-2018, 07:38 PM   #2
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I got a dimmer switch for 12 volt a few years back. The existing switch just swap for the Summer and or should work. No extra work needed. That's what I did. I believe I bought from Dell. Hope this helps.
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Old 06-21-2018, 07:54 PM   #3
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Google Lutron dimmers. They have awesome tech support and the best dimmers on the market. Know the wattage of the lamps and total wattage of the circuits before you call.


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Old 06-21-2018, 10:06 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by A32Deuce View Post
I got a dimmer switch for 12 volt a few years back. The existing switch just swap for the Summer and or should work. No extra work needed. That's what I did. I believe I bought from Dell. Hope this helps.

Del City? Found them I think. $80ea. is too rich for my needs. Thanks though as that proves a 3-wire solution exists. I really see no need to require an isolated ground in the first place unless it's to mitigate interference with other devices. Heck, I may just build my own from an arduino & some mosfets I have in a parts bin. Will take longer, but get the job done for all 3 switches fairly cheap.
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Old 06-21-2018, 10:08 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Papa Roo View Post
Google Lutron dimmers. They have awesome tech support and the best dimmers on the market. Know the wattage of the lamps and total wattage of the circuits before you call.


Charlie

Thanks, but maybe I wasn't clear? This is a 12v DC dimmer project. Lutron looks to be AC only.
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Old 06-22-2018, 06:33 AM   #6
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Thanks, but maybe I wasn't clear? This is a 12v DC dimmer project. Lutron looks to be AC only.
RVupgrades has 12 volt dimmers but they still are not cheap. Only other place to try is Ebay.
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Old 06-22-2018, 06:39 AM   #7
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Google 12volt dimmer switch
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Old 06-22-2018, 07:56 AM   #8
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Thanks, but maybe I wasn't clear? This is a 12v DC dimmer project. Lutron looks to be AC only.

Yes sir you were very clear. I missed it.


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Old 06-22-2018, 02:16 PM   #9
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Yes a 3 wire 12v dimmer is available and is called a high side dimmer as opposed to a low side dimmer that is 4 wire with isolated negative. I installed one last month in camper controlling 8 LED puck ceiling lights and works great. Bought a AH-SLD-5-HS01 for $29.98 from Pdxrvwholesale.com. Just have to replace present switch and insert in positive 12v switch line and connect third wire to a 12v common nearby without having to isolate.
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Old 06-22-2018, 06:15 PM   #10
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Saw those, but they won't fit my panel unfortunately. Now that I know what will (maybe) work I found this... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M63XHQ6..._H-xlBbCWTJ445


I pulled the cap off one of the lights and it's an array of emitters with a transistor and what appears to be an SMD resistor. Does anyone know if that type plays well with PWM dimmers? Thanks again.
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Old 06-22-2018, 10:03 PM   #11
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Learned a lot from YouTube video on LED dimmers done by RVProject. Search for title - “All about 12v LED Dimmers”. He also has another very informative and technical video titled “RV 12V LED Dimmer Shootout” where he discusses types of dimmers and pros and cons.
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Old 06-23-2018, 07:54 AM   #12
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Dimmer

Go to eBay.

A couple of bucks from the land of almost free, China.
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