- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Dimmer switch problem(s)
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:14 am
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:14 am
I'd figure I would get a better response here than I would on the OT. I have dimmer switches on all my lights in my house. The old owner I stalled them all so I'm not totally familiar with troubleshooting or I stalking them.
All of my switches have a little green light on the dimmer if self. The little light is currently not working as well as the actual ceiling light. I have not checked to see if the actually ceiling light is out yet ( have to bring a ladder in the house), just haven't gotten around to it. Do those dimmer switch lights go out when the light bulb is out or do you think my switch is out??
TIA
All of my switches have a little green light on the dimmer if self. The little light is currently not working as well as the actual ceiling light. I have not checked to see if the actually ceiling light is out yet ( have to bring a ladder in the house), just haven't gotten around to it. Do those dimmer switch lights go out when the light bulb is out or do you think my switch is out??
TIA
5
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:16 am to b-rab2
English, MF'er! Do you speak it!?
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:17 am to b-rab2
Dunno if the switches go out, try replacing the bulb first.
If that doesn't work, replace the switch. new "fancy" ones are a few bucks and it only takes 5 minutes to do.
If that doesn't work, replace the switch. new "fancy" ones are a few bucks and it only takes 5 minutes to do.
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:18 am to b-rab2
mine just have the little vertical, sliding tit on the side of the switch. 
sorry..
sorry..
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:23 am to Ole Geauxt
Yeah, there are a few different kinds Geauxt
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:27 am to eng08
was telling op, I'd like to help him, but I have a different kind.
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:35 am to b-rab2
quote:
Do those dimmer switch lights go out when the light bulb is out or do you think my switch is out??
Dimmer switches don't really go out that often if you are using regular lightbulbs. Some of the dimmers don't do well trying to dim fluorescents. Try a light bulb you know works is easiest unless the ladder is a pain in the arse. Next thing you can do is just pull the dimmer out and see if you have current from brass to silver screws with a very simple tester.
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:37 am to Ole Geauxt
Those switches do go out over time. Check the bulbs first.
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:37 am to Tridentds
I'll give that a try. So dimmers are a pretty simple switch? That's good to know that they're cheap too in case it is the actual switch. Thanks for helping out again.
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:38 am to b-rab2
quote:
So dimmers are a pretty simple switch? That's good to know that they're cheap too in case it is the actual switch.
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:42 am to b-rab2
quote:
So dimmers are a pretty simple switch?
Yes, three wires. Black should be your hot wire, white is neutral and green is your ground.
Make sure you power down that switch before changing it. Get you a test meter. Cheap ones are under $10. Having a house, you need to have one.
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:43 am to fishfighter
mine are programmable and have the light on the side, are yours the same one? The light stays on if the bulb burns out. They are pretty expensive switches from what I remember.
Posted on 12/22/13 at 10:49 am to b-rab2
Yes, pretty simple. At most there will only be a "hot", "neutral" and probably a "ground". Hot and Neutral are doing the work.
Pretty simple as there should be a black wire coming into the dimmer on one screw and a white one going out on the other screw. The dimmer controls the amount of voltage it lets through per you dialing it or sliding something up and down.
They are very simple. Like the person said above it could be a bad dimmer. This happens if you get a lot of power surges that overloads its circuit board. They also just get old and eventually go out. Probably the bulb though and that's what I would check first if possible.
Pretty simple as there should be a black wire coming into the dimmer on one screw and a white one going out on the other screw. The dimmer controls the amount of voltage it lets through per you dialing it or sliding something up and down.
They are very simple. Like the person said above it could be a bad dimmer. This happens if you get a lot of power surges that overloads its circuit board. They also just get old and eventually go out. Probably the bulb though and that's what I would check first if possible.
Posted on 12/22/13 at 11:03 am to b-rab2
quote:
The little light is currently not working as well as the actual ceiling light.
Is anything else not working, check the panel to make sure nothing is tripped. If you have the type of dimmer I think you do, they can cost 40-50$ each. Can you cycle the light from more than one switch normally? You will more than likely have at least 4 wires on the switch, green/bare copper, white(neutral), black(hot) and maybe red or yellow being the load wire.
Posted on 12/22/13 at 11:13 am to QuietTiger
Yep, regular switches I buy are like $0.49 if I'm feeling fancy I go up to the $5-$10 dimmer ones.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News