Dimmer switch to heated towel rail

jma

I am building an airing cupboard. Since we have instant hot water I have no cylinder to make use of. A mate suggested I use a heated towel rail and control the temperature of the towel rail via a dimmer switch, to save money and stop overheating in confined space.
I have the following:
1 heated towel rail rated: 65Watts
1 dimmer switch rated: Max load: 500Watts(incandescant), 400Watts (dichroic), Min load: 75Watts, Rated 500VA
Again my mate suggestes the load of 65MW being less than min load of 75Watts should be no problem and will be 100% safe, is this true?
Not that I don't trust my mate but a second opinion is always re-assuring.
Replies appreciated.

jj4091

jma wrote:

Again my mate suggestes the load of 65MW being less than min load of 75Watts should be no problem and w

Presuming thats a typo( watts not megawatts), or your cupboard is going to get rather warm

, but why the dimmer unit? I would not have thought it was needed on heater that small.

bernardgreen · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:44 am Post Subject:

Use a towel rail with a built in thermostat and set it to the lowest temperature.

Taylortwocities · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:44 am Post Subject:

Or a timer........

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RF Lighting · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:18 pm Post Subject:

If you fit a dimmer switch, the towel rail will still get just as hot, the only difference is it will take longer to do so.

Go with the thermostat or timer ideas, or you could do both. I have both on the towel rail in my bathroom.

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Spark123 · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:05 pm Post Subject:

I'd go with thermostat, don't know what regs apply to you down there in New Zealand.

Taylortwocities · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:19 pm Post Subject:

There's electricity in New Zealand? Surely not

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securespark · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:26 pm Post Subject:

Don't you just rub two sheep together to keep warm?

About the "dimmer", don't use a standard one. Dimplex make a special one just for their towel rails which turns down the heat - the surface temperature gets surprisingly high & where they are unshielded and installed in premises used by the infirm or disabled, it is necessary to be able to limit the surface temperature to prevent burns.

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Spark123 · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:34 pm Post Subject:

We have some dimplex oil filled radiators, what is the point in a radiator with a safety switch to stop it getting hot? Totally useless!

jma

Will start with a simple switch to see how much warmth the towel rail creates in the confined space. Then as suggested will decide between a thermostat or a timer. Almost all replies appreciated, I might live in NZ but I'm British, why do you think I came to you guys for advice!
Thanks