Dimmer switches for 12v low amp spots

[Dylan T]

Hi all - I am currently converting a campervan and have a range of 12v lights, all between 2 and 4 watts each. I had planned to use 2 x 3 gang 2 way dimmers to control these, with an example below. I wanted something you'd typically have in a home with physical knobs, but as is shown in the example below they are for mains voltage and generally a minimum of around 5 watts.

So I'm hoping for some input as to a way around this if any, or if this will somehow still work.

More detailed info:

Will be running from 12v battery, 1 gang is a series of 3 12v spots, while the other 2 gangs are 12v led under cabinet strips.

Thanks

 

[flameport]

12V DC dimmers exist, such as https://cpc.farnell.com/tiger-power-supplies/tgr-dial-dim/led-driver-dimmer-switch-12vdc/dp/PW04905
however choice will be extremely limited.

If you want a decent selection of proper lights and switches, fit a 12-230V inverter and wire the van as 230V AC.
Then you won't be restricted to buying the 'caravan' plastic tat, or things such as those 12V televisions which are dramatically more expensive.

 

[Dylan T]

12V DC dimmers exist, such as https://cpc.farnell.com/tiger-power-supplies/tgr-dial-dim/led-driver-dimmer-switch-12vdc/dp/PW04905
however choice will be extremely limited.

If you want a decent selection of proper lights and switches, fit a 12-230V inverter and wire the van as 230V AC.
Then you won't be restricted to buying the 'caravan' plastic tat, or things such as those 12V televisions which are dramatically more expensive.

Thanks - I have an inverter already, but following other guides, it seems desirable to stick to 12v to limit draw. I've also already run the wires so I'm guessing my gauge won't be enough; will do some digging.

 

[flameport]

stick to 12v to limit draw.

What is that supposed to mean?

A 5 watt lamp is 5 watts.
Doesn't matter whether it's 12V, 230V or any other voltage.

 

[foxhole]

Why dim bulbs ?

 

[Dylan T]

What is that supposed to mean?

A 5 watt lamp is 5 watts.
Doesn't matter whether it's 12V, 230V or any other voltage.

It was my understanding that would affect current, which in turn would effect required cable size. I only have 1.5mm cable.

 

[Dylan T]

Why dim bulbs ?

In a small space it created versatility.

 

[Taylortwocities]

It was my understanding that would affect current, which in turn would effect required cable size. I only have 1.5mm cable.

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[EFLImpudence]

It was my understanding that would affect current, which in turn would effect required cable size. I only have 1.5mm cable.

It does, but in the opposite way you appear to think.

24W at 240V is 0.1A
24W at 12 V is 2A - 20 times as much.

 

[ericmark]

You need to select special extra low voltage lamps able to dim, which is not going to be easy with a variable voltage supply. Typically a motor caravan, boat or other using a 12 volt battery has a nominal 12 volt supply which is actually anywhere between 11.5 volt and 14.8 volt depending on if the battery is on charge or not, so they do not use the 12 volt lamps used in a house.

People like these specialise in bulbs for narrow boats and caravans able to run on 10 to 30 volt, so any dimming unit simply will not work, the whole idea is to use very efficient bulbs, so a 2 watt bulb will typically give 232 to 269 lumens, but a bulb for a house is likely at 2 watt only giving out 150 lumens.

For LED strips you can get controllers but 3 x STATIC brightness buttons (25% 50% 100%) not anything in-between it seems.

 

[foxhole]

In a small space it created versatility.

Don’t see how .

 

[oldbutnotdead]

These low wattage lamps-are they tungsten filament? On a DC setup you'll be much much better off running with LED. Household dimmers (certainly the cheapos you have linked to) require an AC supply- if running from a battery you will have to synthesise that AC (via an inverter or similar) which costs you energy so best avoided.
What effect are you trying to achieve- is this for lighting a room or just some decorative thing?