lights and dimmers

[doenoe]

hello people,

just alittle question here: is it possible to put your spots for a baskin light on a dimmer? So i wont have to buy lights with different wattages. If the basking spot is too warm, just dim the light. Or is there a downside on dimming the lights? Any reply is appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
greetz Daan

[stormyva]

Yes you can and it is very easy!
Go to your local hardware store and buy a dimmer switch and a "work box. Cut the cord for your clamp lamp or light fixture in the cage and wire the dimmer switch in.
There is a pretty detailed "how-to" in the enclosures section of this forum.

[Kyle Barker]

You, can. Im my experience i just change the hieght of the basking spot. But yes you can.

kyle

[Big Mike]

That's what the dimmer's are made for...it works great. :)

[doenoe]

yeah, i thought so, but you never know with herps :). Anyway thanks for the input
Greetz Daan

[Big Mike]

By the way...

The thread "how to wire a dimmer" on this site is great. It really is very easy.

[doenoe]

i know how to wire all kinds of electric stuff, but thnx for the help :)

[boa]

thank-you i needed to know this

[Lisa]

Just make sure you don't use floresent lights. they can not be dimmed.

[Lasher]

I have a switch dimmer on at the moment controlling a total of 4 heat lamps. Works great!

[gfisher2002]

I think everyone covered the dimmer thing. I had a pet store guy tell me that dimming a PowerSun basking lamp increases the risk of burning it out.(because they weren't made to be lit with limited voltage)
Sounds possible to me but I don't know if I believe it. My Red foot's light is on an automatic dimmer(neatest thing I've ever bought) and I've never had one burn out prematurely.
Has anyone else ever heard this?

[Edwin]

I have heard of this too, but never had a chance to test it myself, as I dont use PowerSun for my herps.

[Alicewave]

Can someone post the link to the how-to wire a dimmer? I'd particularly like to know how to wire several lamps to one dimmer and how to wire the plus that goes in the wall.

[Edwin]

Alicewave,

You can buy those "snap-on" dimmers at any Home Depot or Walmart. Just cut the wire, attach the dimmer rejoining both ends and you are done!

[Edwin]

Here's the link:

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8858

Hope this helps.