Is there such a thing?

[Debs753979]

As a 12v dimmer switch? You know just like the household ones? I can't seem to find one anywhere.

 

Our daughter likes a light on at night. When we don't have access to electric we can't plug in her nightlight, so we have to leave on her bedroom light. This consist of 3 small LED's which are far to bright.

 

Any helpful pointers would be - as usual - gratefully appreciated.

 

Debs

[donna miller]

You could always run the nightlight off an inverter, I dont think led's can be used with a dimmer, but will wait to be corrected. I know the halogens we replaced with led couldn't be dimmed.

[Paul-]

You could try one of those cheap stick on led lights, if it’s too bright put something over it, a cloth etc or use a black marker pen to lower the light level

 

Maybe a red LED light that is used on a push bike would be better.

 

We put some card over our battery charge/status light as this is too bright

 

 

 

Paul

[Derek Uzzell]

CAK market a dimmer switch said to be suitable for 12V halogen lights or fans (about £30) but, like donna, I'm wary that it would work with LED lighting. You could try asking CAK (www.caktanks.com).

 

Otherwise you might consider making some sort of temporary 'shade' for your daughter's bedroom light that could be easily added/removed and would reduce the light's glare. As LEDs run pretty cool there should be minimal safety-risk.

 

 

[colin]

Couple of options that you might wish to investigate

First is dimmable LEDs, will they fit or do you add a fitting for them?

http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/household-bulbs-dimmable-only-c-92_96.html

Next might be lower power LEDs, same again will they fit or even a better option too add fitting just as night light leaving original bright.

http://www.ultraleds.co.uk/recess-downlighter-angled-complete-unit-warm-white-p-1708.html

Althought it says 'very bright' its only 70 lumens, is that duller? or give them a ring they will have better idea than me.

By the way I know very little about LEDs so if anyone wants to jump in and say good or bad idea feel free.

[Derek Uzzell]

Colin,

 

The ultraleds website is a mine of information and it seems, from the links you've provided that only a couple of 12V variants of the 50mm diameter MR16 'spotlight-bulb' are suitable for dimming. This design of bulb appears to be relatively rare for domestic use, let alone in motorhomes (though, in fact, My Hobby's reading-lights employ them).

 

A light output of 70 lumens is quite bright. When I swapped my Hobby's MR16 10W halogen bulbs for LED equivalents, I believe the output of the latter was stated as around 50-60 lumens. As the amount of light produced by the LED replacement bulbs is similar to that of the halogen originals and is sufficient to read a book easily with the light-source some 4 feet away, a 70 lumens light-unit is likely to be overly bright for a night-light.

[BGD]

I think (although I'm happy to be proved wrong) that the issue here is that 12volt LED lights draw such a small wattage that dimmer switches won't work with them.

[Derek Uzzell]

A GOOGLE-search reveals that dimmer-controls for LED lighting are easily obtained. However, there seems to be a requirement to ensure that the particular LED bulbs involved and the particular dimmers employed will happily work together, otherwise the LEDs may be damaged.

 

That's the big question here - Will Deb's daughter's bedroom LED light function properly with a dimmer-control or not? If the manufacturer of the light-unit can be established, then it would be wise to ask them. Otherwise, one of the suppliers of LED dimmer-controls may be able to offer advice.

 

GOOGLE-ing using "led lighting dimmers" produces a good response including the following to delight the forum techies:

 

http://www.reuk.co.uk/LED-Dimmer-Circuit.htm