Pot to dim 120v light strip

[ChrisKLAS]

Hi all,

I'm using a 120 volt 30 inch incandescent light strip from Lowes to provide under-glare lighting in my 737 cockpit. I'd like to wire it up to a potentiometer on the MIP lower panel to dim it. I have a pretty good grasp of most computer-related projects, but for the life of me I can't figure out this electrical stuff and I don't know which pot I would need for this application (or whether it's even possible).

I've looked into the standard 120v dimmer switches you'd mount in your wall, but those are too big for the MIP.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[N242AM]

I have two for my sim that I found at Lowes. I use them on rope lighting for the overhead and MIP. It's a "lamp" dimmer, not a wall light dimmer. I'll see if I can find a part number or link to Lowes.

[N242AM]

Here is a link to a similar looking product. Scroll down until you see DIB300.

Mine are 120 volt @ 200 watts, panel mount, with an Off position when turned full counter-clockwise.

I don't see a manufacturer but the part number is FD-18. Not sure if I found them in the electrical section or lamp repair section.

http://www.grandbrass.com/catalog.cfm?category=Dimmers&subcategory=All

[ChrisKLAS]

Thank you, N242AM!

[Mike.Powell]

Definitely go with the dimmer. A potentiometer alone is not suitable or safe for dimming your light string.

[N242AM]

You're welcome Chris.

[mondo50m]

I believe that waht ou are attempting to do is not that easy with a flourescent bulb. If you dim below a certain voltage, the bulb will go out....most commercial dimmers are for incandescent lighting and will not work with flourescent bulbs. Personally, I have not seen a dimmer for flourescent fixtures, they may exist, but I have not seen them. I could be wrong, so check it out first.


Milt

[mondo50m]

I apologize, you are using incandescent lighting....my bad


Milt