Dimmer switch and wiring it up?

[severe_bomber]

Hi all

Having moved my Habistat dimming thermostat to my heatmat, I now need another means of controlling the heatbulb tempature.

People have mentioned using a rheostat (dimmer switch) as a cheap option for this.

Is this the same as your bog-standard dimmer switch from B&Q like you'd have on your light switch at home?

The heatbulb simply has a power lead attached with a mains plug on the end. Do I just wire the dimmer switch in somewhere along the mains wire?



Thanks

[jason79]

buy a lamp dimmer like this http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053
and plug it in to it

[dr del]

Hi,

Is this the same as your bog-standard dimmer switch from B&Q like you'd have on your light switch at home?

The heatbulb simply has a power lead attached with a mains plug on the end. Do I just wire the dimmer switch in somewhere along the mains wire?

Yes just the bog standard dimmer switch works fine.

You put the dimmer switch in the live wire (brown in most cables ) - remember to pick up the back box while you are there. I have nasty habit of forgetting to buy that or the chocolate block connectors if I am running out.

If you are good at stripping insulation you can install it without needing the connector block by not having to cut the neutral wire at all.

And a handy tip - write the "+" and "-" on the front of the box to make it easy to adjust if you are in a hurry. With a visible light source it isn't as important as you can see but you have no idea how much of a pain it is if you forget and it is connected to a heatmat or ceramic element.


dr del

[SlitherinSisters]

Like Jason said, get a lamp dimmer. They cost $10 and you don't have to rewire anything, you just plug the heat mat into the dimmer.

[severe_bomber]

Like Jason said, get a lamp dimmer. They cost $10 and you don't have to rewire anything, you just plug the heat mat into the dimmer.

Thanks people. However, having hooked up the heatmat to the t-stat instead, it doesn't appear to be working! The mat isn't coming on at all. I've reverted back to running the bulb through the t-stat and will try a mat-stat. Will have to go and get one tomorrow. Yet another thing I hadn't bargained for! New owners - BEWARE!

[severe_bomber]

buy a lamp dimmer like this http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053
and plug it in to it

Thanks people. However, having hooked up the heatmat to the t-stat instead, it doesn't appear to be working! The mat isn't coming on at all. I've reverted back to running the bulb through the t-stat and will try a mat-stat which I will have to go out (again!) and buy tomorrow.

Then, I will get a dimmer like the one you've suggested to control the bulb.

Yet another thing I hadn't bargained for! New owners - BEWARE!

[kjay]

did you have your tstat plugged in wall then the mat make sure you plug the mat to the tstat then the stat to the wall

[severe_bomber]

did you have your tstat plugged in wall then the mat make sure you plug the mat to the tstat then the stat to the wall

Thanks so much. Kjay - That worked a treat. Problem solved.

[kjay]

no problem it turns it on that way the way you were doing it wont, now gimme a rep point, lol glad i could help

[severe_bomber]

no problem it turns it on that way the way you were doing it wont, now gimme a rep point, lol glad i could help

Duly done.