How do I fit a dimmer to a led ?

I've got a dimming switch from another light i could use.

Is it possible to use that on a light with stepped dimming, like 25%/50%/75% and 100%, could that be set to 100% and the power controlled by the dimmer from a spare light?

Is it as simple as splicing the dimmer switch into the +/red?
If not how would i go about it?

Star Dog said:

I've got a dimming pot/dial i could use.
Is it possible to use that on a light with stepped dimming, like 25%/50%/75% and 100%, could that be set to 100% and the power controlled by the dimmer from another light?

Is it as simple as splicing the dimmer switch into the +/red?
If not how would i go about it?

Click to expand...

Not that simple. The driver needs to be capable of dimming.

Star Dog said:

I've got a dimming switch from another light i could use.

Is it possible to use that on a light with stepped dimming, like 25%/50%/75% and 100%, could that be set to 100% and the power controlled by the dimmer from a spare light?

Is it as simple as splicing the dimmer switch into the +/red?
If not how would i go about it?

Click to expand...

I hope you find a solution, I'm in the exact same boat. Being able to control the power from 0-100 would be a huge help.

I'm not an expert, but some of the drivers have a screw that can be manually adjusted. I turned one of my lights down by doing so.

lusidghost said:

I'm not an expert, but some of the drivers have a screw that can be manually adjusted. I turned one of my lights down by doing so.

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I'll try to have a look but expect it'll be different to a regular driver.

I think if I looked at the selector there'll be different voltage wires from a transformer or a selection of resistors, actually if it's resistors then it's workable?

That aside I'll check for the screw that would be workable and the least amount of hassle, cheers bud!

FirstCavApache64 said:

I hope you find a solution, I'm in the exact same boat. Being able to control the power from 0-100 would be a huge help.

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Absolutely 100% agree, i only need 650w atm 750w will ruin my efforts and it'll cost me £ to boot.

There are a bunch of LED driver circuit designs online, "variable voltage LED driver circuit" or "variable brightness LED driver circuit", without the quotes, seems to work pretty good at Google images.

lusidghost said:

I'm not an expert, but some of the drivers have a screw that can be manually adjusted. I turned one of my lights down by doing so.

Click to expand...

If you list your driver we can figure out if the dimmer will work. A lot of drivers have a feedback circuit that work with a 100K potentoimeter dimmer.
It would be helpful if you had a meter to get an ohm reading on your dimmer as well.
Dimmers work on a separate low power circuit, a dimmer switch put into any of the main power lines will melt to goo in seconds.

7CardBud said:

If you list your driver we can figure out if the dimmer will work. A lot of drivers have a feedback circuit that work with a 100K potentoimeter dimmer.
It would be helpful if you had a meter to get an ohm reading on your dimmer as well.

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When I 1st got the light i checked over the driver for details but I couldn't find even basic voltage/wattage information.

But I'll look harder next time for a model number etc and take a picture of the set up.

I only know enough to be dangerous, without Riu I'd have tried splicing in a appropriate resistor to the feed lol, I've done it with other applications but only a few watts in the circuit.
I do have a multi tester handy.

I know your version is a little different than the one I have but this is the label on the Cultiuanna 660 model. Not sure if it helps you or not.

Star Dog said:

Is it possible to use that on a light with stepped dimming, like 25%/50%/75% and 100%, could that be set to 100% and the power controlled by the dimmer from a spare light?

Is it as simple as splicing the dimmer switch into the +/red?
If not how would i go about it?

Click to expand...

It should be possible to replace the stepped dimming with variable dimming. Your other switch/control may or may not be compatible because drivers use three different types of dimming control, 0-10 volts, PWM and resistance. Some drivers like Meanwell's with external dimming can use any of the three. BTW, 0-10v dimmers or potentiometers (resistance) are cheap.

What light do you have? Can you see the model number of the driver?

Before you all start fucking with your drivers - some of those drivers are technically adjustable. If you are not using something to check the wattage pull I would strongly advise to not touch it. You could easily twist it too much and now you’re running 160Watts on a 100w driver.

FirstCavApache64 said:

I know your version is a little different than the one I have but this is the label on the Cultiuanna 660 model. Not sure if it helps you or not.View attachment 5213450

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It has an RJ14 jack for external control and says 0-10v dimming. Is it not addressed in the manual?


A cheap 0-10v dimmer control.

1212ham said:

It has an RJ14 jack for external control and says 0-10v dimming. Is it not addressed in the manual?

LED Grow Light Controller | Universal LED Grow Light Controller | Grow

LED Grow Light Controller Description Managing your grow room lighting has never been simpler! Our LED grow light controller gives you total control of your grow room. This product uses industry standard RJ14 cables to connect a 2-channel system, which allows you to control two different grow...

cultiuana.com

A cheap 0-10v dimmer control.

Cased Potentiometer with Knob

.

rapidled.com

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Hey buddy, thanks for the info, there's no details on the driver at all?

It does have a Rj14 socket, would it possible for a potentiometer to be wired into that Rj circuit?

I've got a handful of these?

Star Dog said:

Hey buddy, thanks for the info, there's no details on the driver at all?

It does have a Rj14 socket, would it possible for a potentiometer to be wired into that Rj circuit?

I've got a handful of these?

Cased Potentiometer with Knob

.

rapidled.com

Click to expand...

That Rapid led dimmer is 0-10v so it should work. They list it under 0-10v accessories but incorrectly call it a potentiometer.

The thing is, I don't know which two wires are used on the Rj14 jacks. Try using your meter to look for a DC voltage on the Rj14. I'll post to see if anyone knows the dimmer pinout on Rj14s.

1212ham said:

That Rapid led dimmer is 0-10v so it should work. They list it under 0-10v accessories but incorrectly call it a potentiometer.

The thing is, I don't know which two wires are used on the Rj14 jacks. Try using your meter to look for a DC voltage on the Rj14. I'll post to see if anyone knows the dimmer pinout on Rj14s.

Click to expand...

Thanks buddy that's very helpful of you i appreciate that.

I've been looking at the controller in link you posted, all considered it's probably my best/easiest and safest option.

I wasn't even aware that type of controller takes of temperature, humidity and it has a few handy features.

I tried to have a look yesterday but short of taking down the unit i can't do anything.

Thanks again.

Star Dog said:

Thanks buddy that's very helpful of you i appreciate that.

I've been looking at the controller in link you posted, all considered it's probably my best/easiest and safest option.

I wasn't even aware that type of controller takes of temperature, humidity and it has a few handy features.

I tried to have a look yesterday but short of taking down the unit i can't do anything.

Thanks again.

Click to expand...

You could plug in a cable and work with the other end, outside the tent. You might shop around a bit, lots of LED controllers out there. The one I linked is sold under many names, almost certainly a rebranded Chinese product.

@1212ham thanks a lot for all your help buddy it's much appreciated.

I've got a controller on its way...
However the rj14 port/cable has got me curious, looking at the circuit i can't see why the dimmer couldn't be wired to the end of the rj cable?

The heavy cables are from the dimmer, they get bridged between so many switches it looks complicated but basically the dimmer wires are used on that circuit board to create a common + - power, there's 4 pins 2 of each are soldered to the + (blk+yell) and - (red+green)
I've tried looking for a circuit diagram but no luck, I'm guessing it's black and red but idk what the yellow and green are for, i read something about 4 wires used for some sort of dimming.

The Input from dimmer to the circuit board.
Powering the whole circuit board, you can see 2 pins to + and two pins to - a circuit diagram would clarify what's what.

Star Dog said:

Hey buddy, thanks for the info, there's no details on the driver at all?

It does have a Rj14 socket, would it possible for a potentiometer to be wired into that Rj circuit?

I've got a handful of these?

Cased Potentiometer with Knob

.

rapidled.com

Click to expand...

Easiest way would be to check the lights voltage and amp draw during operation, and buy a dimmable driver.