Added a dimmer switch

BanjoBob · 10-01-2019, 10:59 AM

Added this dimmer to the awning light strip. When I'm sitting out at night, it's just too bright. Orange light under the steps is on the same switch and I put it on the dimmer as well. Don't have any progress pics but it's very easy. Just moved the wires from one switch to the dimmer and mounted to the wall. Switch used (I think it's overpriced but wanted it): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

mrSethTaylor · 10-05-2019, 09:57 AM

I bought that same dimmer, haven't put it in yet, did you just put it inline with the wires for the outdoor light?

Anyone used it for the interior lights, I really would like to dim those???

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanjoBob

Added this dimmer to the awning light strip. When I'm sitting out at night, it's just too bright. Orange light under the steps is on the same switch and I put it on the dimmer as well. Don't have any progress pics but it's very easy. Just moved the wires from one switch to the dimmer and mounted to the wall. Switch used (I think it's overpriced but wanted it): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

DonaandDon · 10-05-2019, 01:29 PM

These are mine to install for cargo areas. The DW needs to pick the color of LED strips. I have one on the awning now. Easy Peasy to install.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012YT93S4...v_ov_lig_dp_it

BanjoBob · 10-07-2019, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrSethTaylor

I bought that same dimmer, haven't put it in yet, did you just put it inline with the wires for the outdoor light?

Anyone used it for the interior lights, I really would like to dim those???

Sorry, don't get online during the weekends much. Yes, I just wired it in place of the switch inside. I have a blank switch now, but I'll find something to do with it. I put it on the indoor lights just to see and I loved it but the wife didn't think she needed the indoor ones to dim. I'll still probably put one on them.

Used it this weekend and it was fantastic to be able to dim those bright lights outside. I could sit with just a smidge of light, just what I wanted.

mrSethTaylor · 10-16-2019, 09:32 AM

Quick warning about these switches, there are two lengths available. I originally ordered the short ones and it looked like an exact fit, once trying to install them though I can't get the threads to bite, at least not enough to tighten - its too exact. I'm ordering the long shaft thats .2 longer (same price, company, everything). I will post an update and pics once I they arrive and I install them.

BanjoBob · 10-16-2019, 10:42 AM

I noticed that when I ordered them, I almost ordered the short one and it would not have worked, I still had to put pressure on the long one to get it to bite. I should have mentioned that.

mrSethTaylor · 10-17-2019, 09:41 AM

Finished the project last night, the long stems worked perfect. As an addition, seems the newer pwm switches i ordered didn't have the same trouble with flickering on high, they must have changed something. The new ones work flawlessly.

BanjoBob · 10-17-2019, 02:11 PM

Nice!! I haven't seen any flickering on mine.

Jose&Kristen · 10-25-2019, 08:33 AM

This is awesome, and I would like to do this. But is there any trick to get to the wiring in the first place? Do you just remove the switch plate?
And you said you now have a “blank switch”. Do you mean that the original toggle switches no longer do anything?

01tundra · 10-25-2019, 08:58 AM

I just installed one of the long shaft dimmers for a small LED light I added under our steps.

Since I ran all of the wiring for the light I was able to use the 3-wire install and have no flickering at all.

mrSethTaylor · 10-25-2019, 10:04 AM

Yes, I just pulled the switch out, had blade connectors so I never even cut the wires, just added blade connectors to my dimmers and put it all back together. On mine the awning and interior light were connected to single switch with 2 switches, power was common to both so I ran from the output of the original switch to the input of the dimmer and output of the dimmer to the original output from the switch (I placed my dimmers in series with the original switch). Since the dimmers have an off position I could have bypassed them but I thought that wouldn't hold family acceptance factor so I left the originals working as they always did.

BanjoBob · 10-30-2019, 11:56 AM

01tundra, is that a custom panel?

TaftCoach · 12-11-2019, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrSethTaylor

Yes, I just pulled the switch out, had blade connectors so I never even cut the wires, just added blade connectors to my dimmers and put it all back together. On mine the awning and interior light were connected to single switch with 2 switches, power was common to both so I ran from the output of the original switch to the input of the dimmer and output of the dimmer to the original output from the switch (I placed my dimmers in series with the original switch). Since the dimmers have an off position I could have bypassed them but I thought that wouldn't hold family acceptance factor so I left the originals working as they always did.

I would like to leave the yellow step light on when we are away. I am planning on leaving the yellow light on the switch and just move the LED wires to the dimmer. Anything that would make that a challenge?

mrSethTaylor · 12-11-2019, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

I would like to leave the yellow step light on when we are away. I am planning on leaving the yellow light on the switch and just move the LED wires to the dimmer. Anything that would make that a challenge?

I'm not sure how the step light is wired in, you might have to re run the wires

01tundra · 12-17-2019, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanjoBob

01tundra, is that a custom panel?

No, it's factory Rockwood.

RAurand · 06-20-2020, 02:45 PM

I installed this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When I turn on the switch inside the trailer on the panel, The awning LED's and the step light go on. I can control the LED brightness with the remote while I am sitting outside. If I hit the off button on the remote, The awning LED's go off while the step light stays lit.

Easy to install. Just make sure the wires to the pin end (male end) are the wires connecting to the LED's. The Female end wires go to the power wires !
Reason I wrote in and out is so, once I cut the pins off and took the insulation off the wires, I knew which end was which.

I had to cut off the pins and solder the wires. Then use shrink tubing and liquid electrical tape.

TaftCoach · 06-20-2020, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAurand

I installed this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When I turn on the switch inside the trailer on the panel, The awning LED's and the step light go on. I can control the LED brightness with the remote while I am sitting outside. If I hit the off button on the remote, The awning LED's go off while the step light stays lit.

Easy to install. Just make sure the wires to the pin end (male end) are the wires connecting to the LED's. The Female end wires go to the power wires !
Reason I wrote in and out is so, once I cut the pins off and took the insulation off the wires, I knew which end was which.

I had to cut off the pins and solder the wires. Then use shrink tubing and liquid electrical tape.

Mine arrives Tuesday. Thank you!

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