12V Recessed light hums with 3-way dimmer switch (5 wires)


  #1  
Old 05-15-06, 10:41 AM
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12V Recessed light hums with 3-way dimmer switch (5 wires)

Hi all,

Recently I installed 3 Halogen tracking light in bedrooms, then tried to replace reg switch with dimmer switches.

12V Halogen tracking light, 3 bulbs each.
Progress Lighting 3-way dimmer switch.

With regular switch and 3-way switch, it works fine, no hums at all, but as soon as I installed the dimmer switch, it hums and I find out, if I installed 50 W bulb instead of regular 20W, the hums goes louder.... So this is problem one, how do I get rid of hums..

Problem two, in masterroom, I will need 2 3-way switch to control light. But I don't know how to connect the dimmer switch, because my dimmer looks quite different with others, it has 5 wires total... I managed to make it work for single pole, but not 3-way one..

The power comes from one 3-way switch, then tracking light, then to the end, another 3-way switch... I don't know how to connect those wire, the instruction confuse me.. I attach the instructions. please give me some comments.

Thanks a million.


[img=http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/287/2custom5fv.th.png]

[img=http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/5347/1custom2jv.th.png]
 
  #2  
Old 05-15-06, 12:27 PM
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low voltage light fixtures like what you have utilize 1 of 2 types of transformers, either electronic or magnetic. Which type do you have? The dimmer you bought is rated for magnetic transformers only. It is very possible that the noise you are hearing is due to the transformer being electronic and therfore not compatible with that light fixture
 
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Old 05-15-06, 01:51 PM
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Yes, mine is magnetic transformer, that will explain the hums..

People said if you install a debuzzing device, the hums will be gone...


Any comment for dimmer's 5 wires and how to make 3-way to work?

Thanks.
 
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Old 05-16-06, 06:40 AM
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Just called manufacture, tell them about hums.

They do sell dimming coil, but pricey..

http://www.eurofase.com/productdetai...TNUM=1009,1073

So I wonder if I use 4.4 mh inductor, will it work the same as dimming coil?

Or dimming coil equal inductor?

Thanks.
 
  #5  
Old 05-23-06, 06:55 AM
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Still try for my 5 wires dimmer switch...

Since the instruction doesn't mention any about single pole for normal light. So I tried to figure it out.

That is what I did, power comes from switch to control ceiling light. cap white wires together(wire to light and wire from power source), then I connected black wire from power to black in dimmer, then connected both of white and yellow wires from dimmer switch to another black wire to light..

This way it works..

Now same question, how to work this dimmer as 3-way?
 
 

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