can u fit a dimmer switch to ur yank light?

[grayshark]

You know the lights u have in ur living rooms with the turn right and left and the bulb gets bither and dimmer I wouldnt mind having one on my tank can u buy them anyway?

 

[daza]

No.

Dimmer switches work by limiting the current to a normal lamp. A floursecent tube needs a certain power to kick start it (via the starter/choke).

I believe that the light can be reduced with a special starter. I shall try and find some more info as to wether the special starters allow adjusting too.

 

[daza]

I just checked up (been a long time since I've looked at info on them). The beasties are called ballasts and they control the voltage and current to the tube. Not all tubes have/need them (not externally anyway).

There are dimmer versions available but I don't know where from (electrical sellers) or how much they are, but I doubt they are cheap and would require an electrican to wire them up.

Probably much better off adding two tubes and switching on/off independantly (still requiring an electrician of course - with water and electricity and all). I've read of others doing it that way.

 

[rvm]

For the 2 tube option, you won't need an electrician; just get 2 starters. Damn site cheaper than getting a spark in to do it for you!!!

 

[daza]

well that depends on how competent a DIY person grayshark and anybody else that sees this thread in the future is.

personally if I wanted such a system then I would do it myself, but I consider myself competent with electrical things.

when I say 'starter', I mean the choke, and when I say 'ballast' I mean a transformer effectively (digital or analogue available) - I don't mean a timer that anybody can just plug in.

An electrician might be needed to ensure the second tube was fitted properly and waterproof. it's just good advice to recommend it.

 

[Matty]

that's awesome

anyone know where I can get a starter in Canada?

 

[_]im]

Just as an easy alternative to all of this, I know on my light I have a piece of glass separating it from the water. You can buy tinted glass, usually at a larger hardware store, and replace the glass fitting on the light fixture. My glass component comes out easy, hopefully if you had one it does too, thats just another idea, might save some money if you have this setup.

 

[rvm]

I've never called a spark in to plug something in to the socket for me!!!!

Get 2 starters from your LFS, 2 tubes of varying intensity, put the tubes into the holders that come with the starters, plug them in, switch them on independently of each other!!!!

 

[daza]

well that was my point rvm. it isn't just a matter of plugging something in.

maybe I didn't explain the technical stuff properly because I seem to have confused you Matty too! sorry. I don't really want to debate this, but I suppose it is kind of on-topic if anybody wants to implement a dimming system.

Fluorescent lights work like this:

the ballast is one of these these

the starter is one of these these

clearly it is not just a matter of plugging the ballast in (starters are generally easy to screw in). it must be wired in. and if you want a dimmer ballast then the wiring is even more complicated.

my tank comes with the ballast integrated into the plastic hood and is therefore waterproof. the starter is integrated in there somewhere too.

to switch the ballast/starter/tube combination on, to produce light, a lot of people use a timer like these on their tanks. clearly plugging one of these in is no harder than plugging any other device in and no electrician is neccessary for that part.

I think you are confusing a timer for a starter. which is easy to do, since starter is by no means an inaccurate name for the timer (just not the correct technical name to use if you are searching for, or ordering the part).

Your idea is good Jim. It might even be possible to DIY a round tube with varying degrees of shading around its circumfrence, which fits over the fluorescent tube (might have to consider heat issues) and make it rotateable with a knob to form a mechanical dimming switch.

 

[K-Holed]

The easiest way I can see is to go to your lfs and by a lighting unit for around £10 and a couple of lighting clips.

screw the clips into your hood, clip in the bulb, attach he new lighting unit and away you go. 2 lights in one hood, all water proof and can be switched independently.

 

[daza]

definitely. I have to agree with you k-holed.

 

[rvm]

well that was my point rvm. it isn't just a matter of plugging something in.

maybe I didn't explain the technical stuff properly because I seem to have confused you Matty too! sorry. I don't really want to debate this, but I suppose it is kind of on-topic if anybody wants to implement a dimming system.

Fluorescent lights work like this:

the ballast is one of these these

the starter is one of these these

clearly it is not just a matter of plugging the ballast in (starters are generally easy to screw in). it must be wired in. and if you want a dimmer ballast then the wiring is even more complicated.

my tank comes with the ballast integrated into the plastic hood and is therefore waterproof. the starter is integrated in there somewhere too.

to switch the ballast/starter/tube combination on, to produce light, a lot of people use a timer like these on their tanks. clearly plugging one of these in is no harder than plugging any other device in and no electrician is neccessary for that part.

I think you are confusing a timer for a starter. which is easy to do, since starter is by no means an inaccurate name for the timer (just not the correct technical name to use if you are searching for, or ordering the part).

Your idea is good Jim. It might even be possible to DIY a round tube with varying degrees of shading around its circumfrence, which fits over the fluorescent tube (might have to consider heat issues) and make it rotateable with a knob to form a mechanical dimming switch.

You didn't confuse me, I am an electrician anyway. My point is that you can get the ballast and starter in one convenient unit like this!! From most LFS's and they simply require plugging in; No electrician needed!!
That's exactly how my tank is set up. One low intensity bulb, and one high. So I can get 3 different levels of light from my tubes!!!

 

[daza]

Agreed. That way is by far the easiest, would give fine results, and a professional would not be neccessary.

if anybody looks this up in the future and decides on going the complicated route and finding a dimmer ballast, etc, etc then post here...it would be interesting to hear about.

 

[rvm]

Yeah, I'd like to know about being able to do that too!! I had a quick look earlier but couldn't find too much out. I'll ask around some other electricians I know as well, and see if they have any experience of it!!