Is it possible to have a single dimmer wall switch that will dim both incandescent (120V) and low voltage (12V) lights ? I know there are dimmer switches for each separately, but is there one switch that can control both ? I’m remodeling my bathroom and want some of the lights to be 4 inch recessed cans with PAR 20 120V bulbs and other lighting to be low voltage halogens for lighting a vanity, but don’t want two separate switches.
thanks
Replies
Yes. Get a dimmer that is rated for magnetic loads (transformers) and for the total wattage (at 120 volts). Then connect both the 120 volt lamps and the transformer for the 12 volt lamps to the dimmer.
Might want to experiment and see if they both dim at the same rate.
I've used ordinary dimmers to control the line voltage running to the power supply feeding low-voltage lights, and nothing has blown up. I'll bet that some effect is happening someplace -- like the dimmer can no longer handle its full rated load -- but that shouldn't be a problem in your case.
I know that this is an old post, but it was one of only a few results that came up in my search for "LV Recessed Lts" so I am adding this to help others.
Beware of using regular dimmers for your Low Voltage fixtures!!! We used the wrong type of dimmers for Halo LV fixtures and screwed up bigtime. We built a soffit with about a dozen LV fixtures for a producer's executive suite. The electrician ordered the wrong dimmers (for 120V) and after a while, all of the individual transformers on each fixture burned out. We ended up shoreing up the soffit with 2x4 and sent our smallest guy through the soffit to replace each transformer. He was not an electrician, but he did a nice job. We laugh about it now, but it wasn't so funny for the electrician who had to buy and pay for the replacement of all of the transformers.
FYI - I'm installing some LV Halo fixtures in my kitchen now and have looked at them carefully with the idea of having to replace the transformers. It looks like it could be done with a lot of difficulty using one hand (and a small hand at that) and no eyes. The remodeling housings would be a lot easier, but there is the pain of having to do things out of sequence if you are doing new construction.
P.S. Halo LV fixtures were $55, the trim was $25 and the bulb is about $7. Commercial Elect has a remodeling kit for $29 - includes fixture, trim and bulb! Go figure!