rallyrus Posted March 21, 2012 Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 Thought I'd post this incase its of interest to anyone. I use a lightforce striker for lamping which I've had for a good few years now, using it for the lurchers but more recently after getting my fac using it for the rifle also. I find it can be a bit too bright for a lot of situations with the rifle so set about buying a dimmer for it. :o how much!!! from what I could find there around £40 deben/lightforce/cluson etc I thought about selling my lamp and buying a variable as it would probably work out cheaper if I found a second hand one. Anyway whilst searching about I come across this dimmer on ebay, so bought one to have a look at, only $4 so about £2 While I was in work last night I had a spare 5mins and set about fitting it to the lamp, a few cut wires and a bit of soldering later, one variable lamp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted March 21, 2012 Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 Thought I'd post this incase its of interest to anyone. I use a lightforce striker for lamping which I've had for a good few years now, using it for the lurchers but more recently after getting my fac using it for the rifle also. I find it can be a bit too bright for a lot of situations with the rifle so set about buying a dimmer for it. :o how much!!! from what I could find there around £40 deben/lightforce/cluson etc I thought about selling my lamp and buying a variable as it would probably work out cheaper if I found a second hand one. Anyway whilst searching about I come across this dimmer on ebay, so bought one to have a look at, only $4 so about £2 While I was in work last night I had a spare 5mins and set about fitting it to the lamp, a few cut wires and a bit of soldering later, one variable lamp Very neat.... can you send me the ebay item number please... TEH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted March 21, 2012 Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 Nice job fella, and a damned sight cheaper than the Deben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyrus Posted March 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 Very neat.... can you send me the ebay item number please... TEH Here you go 260955635273 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyrus Posted March 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 the pcb is a perfect fit into the lightforce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeedoodlepigeon Posted March 21, 2012 Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 Well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SA Shooter Posted March 21, 2012 Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 the pcb is a perfect fit into the lightforce Very impressive! I've got 4 of them on the way from Hong Kong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyrus Posted March 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 Not sure what the life span will be like at that price but definately worth a go, going out tonight with the gun to give mine a go. If anyone wants any more info/help installing one then just let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 That item retains the same input and output voltage and current - which suggests it simply absorbs some of the energy by converting it to heat. In short your lamps will become variable power hand warmers and lamps. The Deben 'dimmer' is actually a power pulser type of device which shortens or lengthens the period of the power being delivered to the lamp according to demand. It therefore uses less energy when it is dimmed so your battery will last longer. The pulses are quicker than the human eye can detect. Long term forum members might recall a fairly lengthy thread on here about it - which included an explanatory post from Deben. For anyone into electickery here is a photo that was part of that thread - which I believe was lost in a server crash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 That item retains the same input and output voltage and current - which suggests it simply absorbs some of the energy by converting it to heat. In short your lamps will become variable power hand warmers and lamps. The Deben 'dimmer' is actually a power pulser type of device which shortens or lengthens the period of the power being delivered to the lamp according to demand. It therefore uses less energy when it is dimmed so your battery will last longer. The pulses are quicker than the human eye can detect. Long term forum members might recall a fairly lengthy thread on here about it - which included an explanatory post from Deben. For anyone into electickery here is a photo that was part of that thread - which I believe was lost in a server crash Totally agree! The price difference would suggest it may be worth a try just the same, a longer term report on heat, battery life, etc would be useful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyrus Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 Give me a week or two to get out a few times and I'll let you know how it performs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgguinness Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 Nice addition that mate, hope it works well. Keep us informed. Kind regards Jonathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegasus bridge Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 this might be a really stupid question to anyone 'in the know' - and for that i will apologise in advance - but ; would this work as a speed controller for a magnet ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratts Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 I was going to ask the same question mate I hope so To the OP a step by step for us elctrickery numpties on which wire to solder where would be nice if you had the time but nice idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyrus Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 That item retains the same input and output voltage and current - which suggests it simply absorbs some of the energy by converting it to heat. In short your lamps will become variable power hand warmers and lamps. The Deben 'dimmer' is actually a power pulser type of device which shortens or lengthens the period of the power being delivered to the lamp according to demand. It therefore uses less energy when it is dimmed so your battery will last longer. The pulses are quicker than the human eye can detect. Long term forum members might recall a fairly lengthy thread on here about it - which included an explanatory post from Deben. For anyone into electickery here is a photo that was part of that thread - which I believe was lost in a server crash Have just been measuring the current drawn with it fitted, when the dimmer is reduced down the current draw is also reduced, so when dimmed down the lamp will use less juice from the battery so will last longer than just a lamp on full power all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyrus Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 this might be a really stupid question to anyone 'in the know' - and for that i will apologise in advance - but ; would this work as a speed controller for a magnet ? Depends on the size of the motor used for the magnet I think as long as it doesn't overload the unit it will work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codling99 Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 my father in law a bit of electronics whizz,he made a similar thing for my lamp,which goes on cable from lamp,but weight of it caused it to come loose all time,main problem is they do get very hot,so he mounted it on an heat sink so wouldnt fit inside lamp,give up now and stick to lamp and filter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HW682 Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 (edited) The ebay listing mentions constant current and voltage output, which suggests that it might not be a PWM (pulse width modulated) output - which is the "good" type. However, the limited view of the end of the pcb inserted into the lamp shows a capacitor, an IC and maybe a diode or similar(?) so unless it is deliberately intended to decieve then it would appear to be more than a simple variable resistor or similar - which would just dump excess energy as heat. A whirly motor is most likley to be less than 8A - so PROVIDED IT WORKS OK ON LAMPS, then it should work just as well on a motor. Go in with both eyes open, but at that price there isn't much to lose. HTH HW682 Edited March 22, 2012 by HW682 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyrus Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 I'm not to hot on electronics myself, day to day work is on 415v upto 11kv not the little stuff! here is a better pic of the pcb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mangled99 Posted March 23, 2012 Report Share Posted March 23, 2012 Great idea I reckon this should go in DIY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Posted March 23, 2012 Report Share Posted March 23, 2012 Just ordered one do you have to cut the lamp up at all ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted March 23, 2012 Report Share Posted March 23, 2012 I can confirm that these dimmer switches work perfectly with all lamps. I have used one for the past 15 months and have had no problems with overheating etc. I did not take mine apart, but merely glued the dimmer onto my 12V 12 amp battery, and used it from there. Excellent value for money in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyrus Posted March 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2012 Just ordered one do you have to cut the lamp up at all ? No mate, just drill the rivit out that holds the bulb holder in place, an obviously drill a hole for the dial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyrus Posted March 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2012 I can confirm that these dimmer switches work perfectly with all lamps. I have used one for the past 15 months and have had no problems with overheating etc. I did not take mine apart, but merely glued the dimmer onto my 12V 12 amp battery, and used it from there. Excellent value for money in my opinion. Good stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegasus bridge Posted March 23, 2012 Report Share Posted March 23, 2012 (edited) i'm going to buy a couple -to use as speed controllers; i will report back once i have had the chance to use them edit - check out this item 260937566811 - would this work as a remote control unit for a flapper/magnet? as well as a speed controller? it says its rated to 8a!! edit again - even cheaper 290625236453 Edited March 23, 2012 by pegasus bridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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