Wiring for a three way dimmer

I looked through a ton of posts, and I can't find my answer so here it goes:

I am wiring my basement and I want to power 7 recessed lights by a three way switch. The first switch(#1) is at the top of the stairs, and is a regular three way switch. I wanted to put a three way dimmer switch(#2) at the bottom of the stairs (20 amp breaker powering a 600 watt dimmer). Here is how I WOULD LIKE to wire it if at all possible. I found some schematics online and it still didn't work.

In box #1 I have:

12-3 going to box #2

In Box #2 I have:

12-3 coming from Box #1
12-2 POWER coming from a junction box
12-2 going to the lights.

Can I somehow wire this to work?

This is the schematic I used, but the dimmer is not working. [URL=http://www.homewiringandmore.com/switchoutlet/3way/3waysame.html]

When I turn the light on from switch #1, the light turns on and off fine. When switch #1 is on, the dimmer switch turns the light off.

The problem is the dimmer itself does nothing when switch #1 is off.

 

Sure, you can make this work. Your cabling is correct. And the schematic you referenced is correct and the right one for this situation.

The symptoms you describe are consistent with three possible conditions: (1) You misidentified the "common" terminal on one of the 3-way switches, or (2) One of the two travelers between the two switches is disconnected. (3) One of the two switches is faulty (more likely the dimmer).

The first seems most likely to me. Double-check your work.

 

I think it is the dimmer. I am going to get a second three way toggle and try to see if that works right. If so then it has to be the dimmer.