4 way lights with dimmer

I have 6 cans in my foyer and hallway controlled by 3 standard switches. I recently upgraded the cans to make them dimmable (they were cfl before). I have a few questions:

1) Can I add 1 dimmer to this setup to dim the lights? I would always keep them at the same level and don't want the cost/effort of replacing 3 switches.

2) If so, how do I determine which switch to replace?

3) I usually use electronic Lutron dimmers, and I take it I would need to use a cheap mechanical dimmer if only replacing 1 switch. True?

I have done a lot of electrical work, but little with 3 or 4 way switches.

Here is what I see in the boxes:

Box 1: Orange, Orange and Black to switch. I see a yellow wire spliced in the box.

Box 2: Orange, yellow and Orange to switch.

Box 3: 4 Orange wires to switch. I see a yellow wire spliced in the box.

I take it the yellow is the carrier and so I need to put the dimmer in Box 2, but aren't sure.

 

You should have two three way switches and a 4 way switch (4 screws). Your dimmer should be compatible to a three way switch. Replace one of the three way switches with the dimmer. Remember the lighting will always come on at the brightness you set the dimmer at, no matter which switch you turn on, until you move the dimmer.

 

Just to add to Larry's reply..... make sure you buy a dimmer that works with standard switches. Some dimmers require a "companion" dimmer(s) to operate the circuit correctly... you don't want that type.

 

You are right. The Lutron dimmer I had, which says it is 3 way, only has 2 screws and requires companion switches.

I bought a simpler Lutron 3 way dimmer with 3 screws and it was an easy swap out.

Thanks