12v LED light switch and dimmer

[lrrowe]

Has anyone had good luck with a dimmer switch with on/off switch for 12v lights. I could not find any previous posts in this forum and searching the web did not turn up any viable options that were not in the $80 range. I know I can get remote switches for LED strips but not wall types.

My main uses would be for a few overhead lights and some exterior entry level and spot lights.
Thanks.

Edit:
I have found this model.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Single-Pole-LED ... 1e8302786f

[tony.latham]

Has anyone had good luck with a dimmer switch with on/off switch for 12v lights. I could not find any previous posts in this forum and searching the web did not turn up any viable options that were not in the $80 range. I know I can get remote switches for LED strips but not wall types.

My main uses would be for a few overhead lights and some exterior entry level and spot lights.
Thanks.

Edit:
I have found this model.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Single-Pole-LED ... 1e8302786f

Nope.

But if you look on Amazon, and search using the words; "12v led wireless" you'll get a bunch of hits.

T

[lrrowe]

I did that as part of my original searches. I am not looking for wireless remotes for this concept. I wish for something like what you would use in your home for dimming/switching on/off your overhead lights, etc. Maybe there really are not a lot of choices other then what I posted above. Maybe i need to be looking at using a dimmer separate from the wall switch.

[PaulC]

Rheostat - HowStuffWorks
science.howstuffworks.com/rheostat-info.htm
Rheostat, a device used to regulate an electric current by increasing or decreasing the resistance of the circuit. Some common uses of the rheostat are to dim ...

I think you are looking for one of these.

Cheers
Paul

[Breytie]

I did that as part of my original searches. I am not looking for wireless remotes for this concept. I wish for something like what you would use in your home for dimming/switching on/off your overhead lights, etc. Maybe there really are not a lot of choices other then what I posted above. Maybe i need to be looking at using a dimmer separate from the wall switch.

A rheostat will work as a dimmer, but they tend to be big, hot and expensive and are tricky to size correctly. And white LEDs tend to color-shift when the current through them changes drastically. I do believe a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) 12V dimmer is what you need. These are smaller, cheaper and run cooler. They are often used as motor (fan?) speed controllers too. they work by tuning the load on and off very quickly. The longer the "on" time the more power to the load. The one you found on eBay is a PWM dimmer. Searching eBay with "12V PWM" kicked out almost 2300 hits, some for under a dollar (that looked a bit fishy) but under $10 very definately!

Happy hunting!

[lrrowe]

Thanks Paul and breytie,
Maybe I just need to change the location and design of my 12v switches. Instead of planning them for a wall installation, instead go more for a box or in cabinet build. Then I can use low cost on/off swithces for main power and above them, add the PWM's.

Actually that seems a lot simplier, lower cost and might make for a cleaner installation. Beside, what bothered me for the wall installation was that I have only 1 1/2" of depth in the walls and that would be tight for the switches and would use up insulation space.

I will now narrow my searches using these ideas.

[felixx]

I just ordered one of these:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=825059429

Prices in NZ$

[dales133]

There some nice surface mount lights on ebay au that are slimline but you don't need to recess them into your walls

[lrrowe]

I just ordered one of these:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=825059429

Prices in NZ$

I saw these felixx and they are my list of options.

[lrrowe]

There some nice surface mount lights on ebay au that are slimline but you don't need to recess them into your walls

I saw these too and i was going with surface ones. MtnDon and others have posted some nice choices. The switches were the only thing I was thinking of mounting in the walls.

[teddy]

I've bought a couple of these, combined with simple automotive switches.

The housing is quite large, but the internal circuit is not, and the variable resistor is on a seperate board, so its easy to place the knob somewhere close and lenghten the wires to te circuit to be placed somewhere remote.

[Wobbly Wheels]

I've bought a couple of these...

Cool - I was looking at getting two of them. Do you think they can honestly handle the 8A rating or is that just a bit o' the old eBay BS ?

[lrrowe]

I've bought a couple of these, combined with simple automotive switches.

The housing is quite large, but the internal circuit is not, and the variable resistor is on a seperate board, so its easy to place the knob somewhere close and lenghten the wires to te circuit to be placed somewhere remote.

I did see these, but did not like the size and mounting issues (to me at least). Are you suggesting you can remove the knob and board from the box and use them in one's own drsign? If so, do you have any photos of them in your project?

[teddy]

Do you think they can honestly handle the 8A rating or is that just a bit o' the old eBay BS ?

Its chinese stuff, my rule of thumb is to halve the ratings. That said, the circuit board doesnt look too bad, it might do 8 amps, but 8 amps of LEDs is quite a lot.

I did see these, but did not like the size and mounting issues (to me at least). Are you suggesting you can remove the knob and board from the box and use them in one's own drsign? If so, do you have any photos of them in your project?

I havent used them yet, just unpacked one to see if it works, and it does. The knob is just held on with a small nut, so easy to place almost anywhere, and the external connector is a seperate piece aswel, so you could do without it, and just solder the wires on. If you need acurate measurements or something, please do tell.

[lrrowe]

teddy,
This is perfect. Thank you for the photos. Yes it looks very easy to work with.