12 volt dimmer switch needed

[fishhead]

Can anyone suggest where we might buy a 12 volt dimmer switch? We need to be able to dim a single headlight bulb.

[foxtrapper]

Do you need it adjustable, or just some set amount?

Adjustability will be a bit difficult because of the wattage going through the switch. A regular dashboard dimmer switch will work, but only for a few seconds before it overheats.

But if it's just a fixed amount, use a large resistor or another light bulb wired in series. That will drop the voltage across the bulb, dimming it.

[fishhead]

It has to be adjustable. We bought one at radio shack that last a full second but it was the smallest they had.

[farminghandyman]

use heater coils ( the kind on a heater fan in a car or truck to give it three or four speeds,)and switch or 6volt resister coils, you may need a heat sink on them as well, (6 volt resistor coils are used when you hook up a 12 volt system on a 6 volt car or truck, in an up grade and some of the accessory's are still 6 volt, a big rheostat may work as well (should be able to find one in a surplus electronics store,)

[Ray]

if your going to use the regular switch to turn it on then just pick up a 12v two way and wire one on each side, just toggle it one way for high and the other for low. if you need to turn it on with it too pick up a 12v on off with 2 way, there are any kind of switches you can think of, wire it, on, high, low. should be straight forward and simple. When I was mechanic 1/2 mile underground we stripped all wiring off the new diesel transportation vehicles and completely rewired them before they went into service so they could hold up under the harsh conditions underground, Brand new, just cut all wiring out and started from scratch. Seemed difficult the first time, but actually its quite easy, when you think about it. best wishes ray

[agmantoo]

Fishhead,
Hook the bulb to your welder if it is a variable output. Start off at the lowest setting and see what you get.

[fishhead]

I bought the biggest dimmer that Radio Shack had in stock. It overheated.

Now I've got a 6 volt flashlight. The boss is going to try to use the dimmer on it. I'm just an innocent bystander on this one.

[foxtrapper]

Wait, when I saw headlight I assumed automotive headlight. Are you perhaps talking about a lamp you strap to your own head? For those you can get parts from Nite-light and such. And being lower wattage, an automotive dimmer switch may work.

[idahodave]

What you want is a 12vdc PWM dimmer

Try:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...d=130370326805

[Old Vet]

Most any automobile store has a dimmer switch to dim either a one headlight or 4 head light. Don't know what you have in your area but Pep Boys, Auto Zone, Bumper to Bumper, and such will have a dimmer switch for a headlight. The Head light will have two circuit ruining to it for a single or 1 circuit to one of a four headlight. If you have one that plugs in to a single circuit (four lights per car) then you will not be able to use a dimmer switch. All the dimmer switch does is decide which circuit to use. If you are going to use it on a motorcycle they will have them also.

[fishhead]

It was an auto headlamp. Now the boss is going to use a 40 watt 110 volt bulb and dimmer.

[OJ Rallye]

Originally Posted by fishhead

Can anyone suggest where we might buy a 12 volt dimmer switch? We need to be able to dim a single headlight bulb.

That's the opposite of what my customers usually want!

I sent you a pm with my email addy.