Dodgy Dimmer?

[dk1uk]

Hi, need some advice on what I think is a faulty lightswitch/wiring.

In our dining room, there is a 3 gang dimmer switch on the wall. Each switch controls the following:

1. A few downlights. This works fine.

2. Another 2 downlights PLUS lighting built into some wall-mounted shelving. The lights coming on and going off is unpredictable. Sometimes they come on and sometimes they won’t go off.

3. 3 x ceiling regular bayonet type lights. As we’ve only recently moved in I hadn’t got around using these yet but yesterday I tried a bulb and it seems to work fine.

I’m not an electrician but I suspect that the lighting in the shelving doesn’t like being connected to a dimmer switch. It doesn’t dim and it flashes when being turned on an off.

Is there any reason why I couldn’t just replace the dimmer switch with a normal off/on switch?

Many thanks

 

[sparkwright]

I would say the shelf lighting doesn't like the dimmer either.

You can remove the dimmer module, and fit a 'dummy dimmer', which is a simple on/off push switch - which looks like a dimmer but isn't.

 

[dk1uk]

Amazing thank you. I have a Deta switch and the back of the module reads “Deta LED Dimmer Switch”.

I just googled for a Deta dummy and they don’t seem to exist though there are other brands. However, they seem to come in different colours and the connections to the module holder look different.

Any idea what would be best for a Deta dummy?

Many thanks

 

[dk1uk]

I guess the question is - are dimmer modules all the same size and will they fit the same slots? For example is this what I need? https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLGH0W.html

 

[EFLImpudence]

No, that's no good.

First of all have a look at your existing switch.
If the dimmers are separate switches (I think they will be) then take out the faulty one and buy one that looks the same but is just a switch - either a push on/off or rotary on/off.

 

[dk1uk]

Yes they are all independent - 3 separate modules. They all look like this one in the pic.

So you mean that I should try to find one made by Deta UK?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Not necessarily. pull off the knob.

Buy one that will fit in the space. A lot of them are kept in place by a nut under the knob.

Like this.

Have you tried the lights on one of the other dimmers to see if they work? I.e. dimmer faulty.

 

[dk1uk]

Trouble is the white plastic behind the knob is designed to show through the cut out in the faceplate - see pic.

Yes I have tried the lights on another module and had the same results. I’m sure it’s that the shelf lights don’t want to be on a dimmer.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Ah. Sorry. That makes it difficult.

Only ordinary switches by Deta seem to be available.

Might not be too bad if in the middle of three.

 

[EFLImpudence]

How handy are you?

Could you unclip the front and make something with a 'dummy'?

 

[dk1uk]

Yeah, otherwise I guess I could replace the whole thing with a 3 gang on/off switch right? Even if the downlights are LED dimmers, is it OK to just make them on/off or is it more complicated than that?

I don’t even like dimmers anyway!

 

[dk1uk]

I’m pretty handy, in fact I tried to unclip the module earlier but it wouldn’t completely come apart, but I could take another look tomorrow...

 

[flameport]

Yeah, otherwise I guess I could replace the whole thing with a 3 gang on/off switch right?

Yes, although you will need a 3 gang switch on a double plate. Such things exist but are not common.

Or just get some Deta switches to replace the existing dimmer modules, https://www.johncribb.co.uk/deta-g3501-10a-1w-grid-switch.html

Dimmable LEDs will work fine on a normal switch.

 

[dk1uk]

Thank you, if poss I would love those in brushed chrome just to match other switches in the house, I’ll take a look. Thanks!!

 

[Taylortwocities]

Sounds like the better plan would be to change the shelving lights. Is that an option?