Dimmer burned out

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Terry

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Sweet, my dimmer in my dining room started smoking today. Turned off the breaker and pulled the bad boy. Now I need to go shopping for a new dimmer. I'm glad I was around to notice the sparks.
 

Speedy Petey

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Sounds like you need a heavy duty unit with heat sinks on it.

WHY?? Do you know the load that it was controlling?

Lots of things "burn up" for no other reason than they simply decided to burn up.


My advice is get a dimmer well within the range of the load. Meaning, if you are controlling 400 watts and there are no there dimmers in the box then a 600W dimmer is FINE. If you are controlling 550 watts then bumping up to a 1000W dimmer would be best.
If you are controlling 200 watts then ANY dimmer will be fine.
 

Ballvalve

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Speedy Petey

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http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/LUTRON-Wall-Switch-4YPE4?Pid=search

Here is a $135 dimmer on closeout for 30 bucks, 1000 watt.
That is a NOT a dimmer.




And another neat looking one from the Island of St. Kitts [!] I thought they only made Pinya Colada's there.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/LUTRON-Athena-Rotary-Dimmer-3X755?Pid=search

Its only $39 bucks and has cooling fins.
Lutron Athena???
Hey, the early 80's called. They want their dimmers back. HAHAHAHA



Those crap 6$ dimmers probably burn a lot of houses down.
WHO buys $6 dimmers? Not me. Lutron does not make a $6 dimmer.


What is your point in all this? Quality dimmers are available everywhere, even big box stores.

You want the best? Get a Lutron Nova T series.
I just had to get two 2000 watt versions of these for a very good customer of mine. Each one needs it's own 2-gang box. Around $200 each.
 

Terry

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So I picked up a Lutron Dimmable CFL/LED Halogen/ Incandescent dimmer. This way I'm covered if I have to switch light bulbs.
It has a flat surface with rocker, better then the round button that pushed in and out that my daughter used to operate with her fist.
Hopefully this one is kid proof, even though she's like 36 now.

This thing will handle 600 watts, though I'm just running 200 watts now.
http://www.lutron.com/Products/Stan...Switches/DivaDimmerSwitch/Pages/Overview.aspx
 

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hj

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With 7 leds on the left, a "button" on the right, and a center touch plate, I think the Grainger switch would qualify as a dimmer. The interesting thing is that it costs $30.00, but for $39.95 you can get an extended warranty.
 

Ballvalve

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Try this one, with another remote to lose. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/LUTRON-Dimmer-4YPD6?Pid=search

MADE IN USA- imagine those days!

I like the St. Kitts dimmers look.


WHO buys $6 dimmers? Not me. Lutron does not make a $6 dimmer

Hey Speedy Pete, slow down: Your Lutron buds went to CHINA. $6 bucks and change.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/LUTRON-Rotary-Dimmer-4X603?Pid=search

And here is a needed accessory for those Chinese Lutrons - goes right next to it:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/BUCKEYE-Fire-Extinguisher-3GRW5?Pid=search
 
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Speedy Petey

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With 7 leds on the left, a "button" on the right, and a center touch plate, I think the Grainger switch would qualify as a dimmer.
You may be right, but everything I found online about that one points to the fact tha it is some kind of RF remote switch. I found nothing that states it is a dimmer.
 

Speedy Petey

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Hey Speedy Pete, slow down: Your Lutron buds went to CHINA. $6 bucks and change.
I remember those being over $10. I have not bought one in many years though. I had no idea they went to china and the price was so low now. :mad:
What was wrong with them being $15 and made in USA Mr. Lutron?????
 

Agu

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So I picked up a Lutron Dimmable CFL/LED Halogen/ Incandescent dimmer. This way I'm covered if I have to switch light bulbs.
It has a flat surface with rocker, better then the round button that pushed in and out that my daughter used to operate with her fist.
Hopefully this one is kid proof, even though she's like 36 now.

This thing will handle 600 watts, though I'm just running 200 watts now.
http://www.lutron.com/Products/Stan...Switches/DivaDimmerSwitch/Pages/Overview.aspx

Installed one similar to that for my brother in their future babies room when his wife was pregnant. My brother didn't understand why he needed a preset dimmer. Once the baby was born he understood completely .
 

hj

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quote; What was wrong with them being $15 and made in USA Mr. Lutron?????

Mr. Lutron says that if you have a problem with the price, he CAN charge $15.00, but they will still be made in China.
 

David_Griffin

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Sweet, my dimmer in my dining room started smoking today. Turned off the breaker and pulled the bad boy. Now I need to go shopping for a new dimmer. I'm glad I was around to notice the sparks.

Could you please open it and take some pictures what was insidet, haw was it designed?
 
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