RV 12V LED Dimmer Shootout

Рет қаралды 38,393

Күн бұрын

Copyright RV-Project.Com
If you did not catch it in the video, here is the link to the project webpage: www.rv-project.com/gear/dimmer...
The information contained here, including test results, should be regarded as amateur information for entertainment purposes only.
The tests that were conducted may or may not be indicative of the performance of any dimmer as; (1) the sample rate was with a QTY of 1, (2) the tests were conducted in an amateur manner, and may or may not be able to be replicated with any degree of certainty, (3) there may be variables that could not be controlled, and which cannot be replicated, and (4) each test was conducted once, without averaging.
For example, the ammeter and voltmeters I used in these tests were simply common devices, and are not sophisiticated enough to accurately measure current and voltage under the pulse width conditions. Their indication is sure to vary depending on the PWM frequency, and the mis-shaping of the dimmer PWM output by a paricular LED fixture (driver).
As well, when testing dimmers on LED Switch-Mode driver fixtures, there were no consistant results, and they changed from test to test. For example, one time I was successful in dimming a Switch-Mode LED, but later, using the same setup, I could not dim that same fixture using that same dimmer.
Do not consider the test results to be a representative of any product... they are simply my ovservations in a point-of-time. I did these tests to urge you to conduct your own test to determine the suitablity of any dimmer in your application rather than relying on my test results.
You are solely responsible for any action you may take as the result of viewing the video or reading this article.
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Пікірлер: 45

@magambi123 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Your LED video series is fantastically good. Best info on the Internet, by far. You answered questions that I didn't even know I had.

@markanderson1519 Жыл бұрын

Great information. This certainly warrants a subscription. I appreciate all your hard work.

@alanyoung2663 6 жыл бұрын

Great video excellent information, everything I needed to know for my project. Was the first video I looked at, addressed all my questions and concerns. You save me a great deal of time weeding through other videos, thank you.

@RVProject 6 жыл бұрын

Be sure to visit my webpage at: www.rv-project.com/gear/dimmers.php which is a companion to the video, where you will find more information, including common wiring examples, background data, and so on.

@carolynbedard 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this awesome video that helps me make the best decision possible concerning an rv dimmer!!

@RVProject 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you found the video helpful.

@cantor0305 3 жыл бұрын

thanks for this massive job.

@RVProject 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it.

@ZenInnovations 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the detailed videos.

@RVProject 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

@jenniewilliamsmural 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!!!! I encourage you to wrap up in future - these I wouldn't use, these I'd use these I wouldn't with a simple photo and pros and cons with each photo. That's just a future suggestion, I'll now watch this again with pen and paper in hand. Warmest regards Jennie

@RVProject 4 жыл бұрын

For my projects and reviews, I typically publish a corresponding webpage that has additional information. For the dimmer shootout, the webpage is here: www.rv-project.com/gear/dimmers.php In the first page is a chart showing the advantages and disadvantages of each dimmer. I chose the various dimmers in the list because they are more or less all in use by RV'ers. So there is no one best or worst, and unfortunately you might have to watch the video and read the website a time or two to determine which one is best for you.

@luthershealy8144 6 жыл бұрын

Great Video(s). I just found your site while searching for info on 12V LED RV dimmers. Your two videos and the info on your site was exactly what I was looking for. Sure wish I had the knowledge and skills you do but you are a great teacher and I am learning. So after reading and watching all your dimmer information, I decided for my RV Camper Conversion build, to go with the non-switch Facon PUC LED lights and one of the ATC high side dimmers (not sure which one yet, probably the 15A rotary knob one). The ATC dimmers seem like a "no-brainer" purchase for a quality, well built, dimmer with thermal protection and on/off switch to ensure no ghost current is being puled. One question for you, if you do not mind: I have 12 LED lights I am wanting to install with a dimmer. I am thinking just to be on the electronic safe side of putting 6 lights on their own 15A circuit each with a dimmer, so two circuits, each with of 6 LED lights and one dimmer. Do you think creating two circuits for 12 LED lights with dimmers is generally reasonable or overkill ?

@RVProject 6 жыл бұрын

Depends on the LED lights. If they are the typical 4.5" puck lights for example (Facon) they are usually 4W, which means at 12V, they require about 0.3A each. So they should work fine on a single 15A circuit. However, as I stated in my video, you have to be mindful with heat output from the dimmers themselves. Of course there are other considerations for splitting the circuit, for example if the 12 LEDs are in two different rooms, you might want to run each room on their own dimmer.

@richardatkinson6031 6 жыл бұрын

wow, really like you videos. I am guessing you are from Michigan?. I discovered your Michigan state park adventures.Do you have a favorite list of Michigan parks?. my parents went camping when I was a small kid but can't wait to rediscover in our new toy hauler camper. Finally got to revisit sleeping bear dunes and stopped along lakeshore drive, just a beautiful warm and peaceful day on the lake shore. Although not for a camper we taken the tunnel of trees drive out of harbor Springs to Leggs in, another favorite spot.

@RVProject 6 жыл бұрын

It's hard to say which parks are better than others as they all have something unique to offer. Yes, I am from Michigan, and my goal is to eventually visit each park. I remember years of camping with my parents as well, and our first two years owning a RV we did the same - revisit all of the state parks my parents took us to.

@dawsonmobley 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for making this video, very informative. I am using a couple of the epl101 dimmers in my camper. One is connected to 8 led lights in the main area of the camper while the other is connected to just 2 of the same led lights in the bathroom. The one in the main area controlling 8 lights is working perfect, I have it wired with no ground so the red and white wires are twisted together and connected to the lights while the black wire is connected to the 12 volt positive wire that feeds the lights...it doesn't seem to heat up noticeably and there is no perceptible buzzing at any light level. The one in the bathroom is also working good until I get to full brightness, which (like the one in the main cabin) is about 3/4 of the full throw of the knob, if I turn the knob beyond that the lights suddenly dim a bit and start flickering silently. The one connected to 8 lights doesn't do that when you go past the full brightness position on the knob, it just stays full bright with no drama. Sound like a switch problem or could it be something to do with the number of lights it is controlling? (which is the only difference between the two)?

@RVProject 5 жыл бұрын

It's likely the potentiometer is the culprit. They are not as problematic these days as they once were, but they can get bad spots. Typically what happens is as they age, especially if not used in awhile, they can accumulate foreign matter on the disc the wiper goes across internally. Any gunk on the disc can interfere with the resistance as you rotate the knob. The same thing can happen in a radio volume control on a radio if you ever heard one crackle as you adjust the volume. It is a fairly rare occurrence these days as potentiometer manufacturers have improved their product, but it can still happen. One (most likely temporary) solution is to rapidly rotate the potentiometer from end to end a few times to clean off any particulate matter that may have accumulated on the disc.

@virtualsolomon 5 жыл бұрын

Little more technical than I can absorb but you clearly know what you are talking about. As bad as it may seem, I am trying to find a dimmer that is not "Butt Ugly" like nearly all of these are. Why cant they make something stylish ? Thank you for taking the time to make this !!

@RVProject 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing.

@pifle9471 10 ай бұрын

your website is no longer available... :(

@joebruno2675 Жыл бұрын

Could I use the Generic 30Amp to dim LED headlights? "OXILAM H4 9003 LED Headlight Bulbs, Mini Size 6000K White Hi/Lo Beam Plug and Play HB2 LED Headlamp Replacements for High Beam and Low Beam, Pack of 2" from Amazon. It says it has "Built-in intelligent IC driver"?

@pabbip9 4 жыл бұрын

I have the dimmer you showed at 12:00 . I’m super disappointed with the dimming on it. In my rig going from full power to fully dim looks like a 15 -20% change. Is there a way to make it so it dims more? Or do you have a recommendation for a different dimmer I can use. I want to dim my lights down to 5% to use a s a night light for when we are camping. Thanks for any and all guidance.

@RVProject 4 жыл бұрын

A lot depends on the type of LED fixtures you have. Some fixtures have switch-mode drivers, which don't play well with some dimmers.

@Manuel_Z_Kayaks 3 жыл бұрын

CAN ANY OF THESE BE USED FOR A TROLLING MOTOR? I bought a cheap pulse modulator with reverse and used it for an LED spot light to test it... It worked for about 2 HOURS. I actually tried it on my motor first and it worked perfect

@RVProject 3 жыл бұрын

No. A trolling motor requires a lot more current than any of these can supply. However, there are generic PWM motor controllers on the market - but you would have to verify their current handling capacity.

@timothy790110 5 жыл бұрын

I have bought 3 of the beige dimmers from ebay, rated at 8a. I use a 3 a fuse and all 3 have stopped working within min of blowing that fuse. I attached them to a 5m strip of leds.

@RVProject 5 жыл бұрын

There is only one reason a fuse blows, an overcurrent condition.

@Racer_x00 3 жыл бұрын

Hey man, I just took one of the fixtures in mine down, took the 194 type wiring out, wired in a section of strip light and it is so hot you can't touch it and has already burned a section out of the strip. I ordered a dimmer switch like the one in the large package. Is that a solution to my problem there? I don't have much experience with leds, lots of wiring and such but no leds

@RVProject 3 жыл бұрын

LED strips should not get that hot.

@josephhogue1828 5 жыл бұрын

has anyone figure out the bedroom wiring in a 297RSTS? The existing switch is two wires, my replacement dimmer has 3. ATC AH-SLD-5-HS01 I saw a post somewhere stating to tie two of the 3 wires together and instal, but I cannot recall where I had read this.

@RVProject 5 жыл бұрын

The associated webpage for this video: www.rv-project.com/gear/dimmers.php includes several typical wiring schematics. You will have to navigate a few pages into the article to get to the schematics. Note that these are somewhat generic connection schemes, and may or may not work with a specific dimmer.

@cntesty6247 5 жыл бұрын

Can someone help me please. I have 6 Led lights chain that I wish to connect together to 1 and dimmer them all at once. The back of each adapter says 23v 0.13A 3W. What dimmer do I look for to know what to buy.

@RVProject 3 жыл бұрын

You will have to figure out the total current demand of the LED lights. You can use either Amperes or Watts. Then multiply that amount by 2, and find a dimmer that exceeds that value. You can use either Amperes or Watts (assuming the voltage is the same for both LEDs and Dimmer). Just don't mix values unless you know enough about Ohms Law to convert one to the other. For example, if you have 6 LED lights operating at 12VDC, each that consumes 3Watts, then 3 x 6 = 18, then double it by 2 for a safety margin of error = 36W. Look for a 12-24VDC dimmer that will handle 36 Watts.

@mitcho8666 2 жыл бұрын

I have a question for anyone that knows dimmers or electrical stuff. I have tried two different 12v dimmers but when I wire them up the lights come straight on, as soon as I plug the connections in they come on to 100%, the on and off doesn't even work it's just straight on. Have I wired my lights in the ceiling wrong maybe?

@RVProject 2 жыл бұрын

I will be publishing a video soon for the common wiring methods of dimmers. A few things you need to know. First, there are high-side and low-side dimmers. Which one is appropriate depends on how your lighting is wired. Your description of the issue you are having suggests to me that you have mis-wired the dimmer, or using a low-side dimmer when you need a high-side dimmer. And some LED fixtures, especially the older types that have PWM (Pulse-Width-Modulated) drivers may not work with a specific dimmer. This is because dimmers also typically use PWM to function, and their can be some interaction between the two. If you have this type of LED, either replacing the LED or dimmer with a different model can sometimes fix the problem.

@shamanking5195 2 жыл бұрын

what LED would you recommend for a microscope ???

@RVProject 2 жыл бұрын

You should be able to find microscope-specific LEDs. The real issue I suppose is finding a suitable mount, and perhaps one with a dimmer.

@Lyheehee 4 жыл бұрын

what kind of light bulb do you use, sir?

@RVProject 3 жыл бұрын

LEDs

@MACYNET323 3 жыл бұрын

It's ''30 Ampere'' model decent dimmer for 5meters strip lights?

@RVProject 3 жыл бұрын

Way more than you need.

@ericschweitzer2597 4 жыл бұрын

The first dimmer that he introduces at the very beginning of the video. I've purchased three of those and two out of the three malfunctioned so I wouldn't recommend

@RVProject 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing

@mitcho8666 2 жыл бұрын

I bought one of these but the round touch pad, it doesn't work, well the lights come up to 100% but I can't fade them. Maybe mine is faulty