Dimmer switch and wiring it up?

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?

:confused:

Thanks

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

Hi,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by severe_bomber

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?

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Yes just the bog standard dimmer switch works fine. :gj:

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. :rolleyes:

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. :taz:


dr del

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.

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Originally Posted by Isis

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.

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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! :O

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jason79

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

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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! :O

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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

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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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

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Duly done. :)