Dimmers.... Sliding or???

[leighv]

I have 3 sets of lights that I would like to control by a 3 way dimmer. Thing is - I would like a 3 way slider - so that I can make all the lights the same brightness (ideally with some kind of leveling somewhat like the old balance sliders or graphic sliders on old stereos). Any ideas?

Otherwise - any other ideas? Have seen the remote control/touch dimmers but how does the "touch" method work (i.e. how do you turn them up and down?)

Cheers.

 

[plugwash]

tlc do a range of copycat grid dimmers that have sliders

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...nu_Index/Grid_System/Grid_System_4/index.html

 

[leighv]

Thanks for that - but I'm a bit confused. Can you control all lights at the same time - but also one light at a time (i.e. one off - two on, etc, etc). Also - how can you make sure that all lights are the same brightness? Thanks.

 

[felix]

With three separate sliders you can set the brightness of all lights independently. To make them go up and down in sympathy you'll have to grab all three sliders at once or rig up some kind of mechanical linkage (preferably insulating) to keep them in line. Personally I wouldn't bother with this because:

a) You'll have to remove it when you want independent control.
b) There's no guarantee that the three lights will be equally bright anyway.
c) With a bit of practice, your fingers can do a better job than any mechanical gadgetry - and this is equally true of dimmer switches!

What you seem to be asking for is something akin to an audio mixer desk where you can select all sorts of options at will. Unfortunately, I know of no dimmer that uses real feedback of brightness in it's control loop. In fact dimmers in general don't have a control loop at all; they're what we call open loop. You turn the knob/push the slider and see what comes out at the other end.

Sliders are ideal for what you're trying to achieve but you shouldn't expect too much of them. Note point (c) above and in no time at all you'll be playing those dimmers like a concert pianist.

 

[leighv]

Many thanks to the two of you that replied...... Cheers.

 

[breezer]

. To make them go up and down in sympathy you'll have to grab all three sliders at once or rig up some kind of mechanical linkage (preferably insulating) to keep them in line.

a bit like the origonal star trek when they "beamed some one up" except they were not all in line, but all were moved at the same time

 

[felix]

Breezer, I couldn't have put it better. What we need is sliding dimmers that make a nice twanging noise when you move them! I also remember that the old Enterprise engine room was little more than a galley with some cupboards above an empty bench. In the new one they have a 'touch table' with all the controls on. but the warp drive is clearly visible and I wouldn't want to get too close to that. I regularly work with only a metre of concrete between me and 15MeV and that's quite enough!

 

[kendor]

leigv, there are dimmer modules that use "X10 technology" which will do exactly what you want and are reasonably priced approx £15 ea. they can be controlled in a variety of ways and linked together by program easily.

 

[leighv]

Thanks Kendor - I had a quick look - couldn't see anything that is like what I want. Can you post a URL? Thanks.