Dimmer for LED ceiling lights

[old40ford]

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.

[lugoismad]

Originally Posted by old40ford

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.

[old40ford]

thanks for the info, I will check it out. I am thinking about putting it up in the cabinet where the master switches are.

[aeblank]

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

[old40ford]

Originally Posted by aeblank

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

[Grouch]

Careful, some led's are dimmable, some not.

[5picker]

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

[old40ford]

Originally Posted by Grouch

Careful, some led's are dimmable, some not.

How do I tell if mine are able to dim or not?

[dahagen]

Originally Posted by aeblank

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.

[aeblank]

Originally Posted by dahagen

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....

[RandK-M]

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:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45X56HRNQOo

Ray

[old40ford]

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

[RandK-M]

Originally Posted by old40ford

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.

Ray

[old40ford]

Originally Posted by RandK-M

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.

[ScottBrownstein]

Originally Posted by old40ford

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.

[old40ford]

Originally Posted by ScottBrownstein

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

[lstall00]

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

[old40ford]

Originally Posted by lstall00

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?

[andymil]

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.

[Naviator]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F122943500989

My Aviator comes equipped with these.