I would like to fit dimmable LED lights in my new bathroom
Most solutions seem to involve a dimmer switch that chops a high-voltage AC supply, and a driver per light (often integrated into the bulb) that detects this effect and simulates it by flickering or current-limiting the LEDs. I can see this makes sense for retro-fitting into an old circuit, but seems overly complicated when starting from scratch
I'd prefer to have a single 100W transformer; a 12V DC dimmer switch that strobes the output or limits the current; and simple LED spots
- Does this approach make sense? Does anyone sell this kind of DC dimmer switch?
- Would I still need "dimmable" LED bulbs? Or would this approach confuse their drivers? Would I be better off with non-dimmable 12V MR16 bulbs?
- Would the current-limited approach result in some bulbs being bright and others dim (assuming they're wired in series and manufacturing differences cause some to have higher resistance than others)? If using the PWM approach, would the fact that the flickering in now syncronized make it more noticable?
Many thanks for any help!
Best Answer
It makes sense - look for "low voltage LED Lighting" to see what's available, or slide on over to Electronics to build your own.
Dimmable LED bulbs are those with drivers built-in that are "dimmable" - if just running controlled current to LEDs, they are all "Dimmable" (lower current, lower light) so, no, you don't want an LED described as "Dimmable" (nor one described as 12V, probably - a "bare" LED with no other parts attached is best when you are going to feed it controlled current.) If you purchase a "12V dimmer" pre-made, follow the dimmer-maker's suggestions on types of LEDs to attach to it.
LEDs are current devices, so controlling the current will give highly consistent light output (controlling the voltage, less so)