How to permanently dim lights but retain only on / off switching

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askman

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I'm looking to dim my kitchen downlights wholesale (integrated LEDs), but keep the control on / off, i.e. not have a dimmer switch on the wall. Is there a product out there which will do this? I've had a look but I might be searching for the wrong terminology.

I've checked and the downlights are dimmable.

The solution in my head is to fit a conventional dimmer switch on a patress box along the live feed to the on / off light switch and stow it out of sight in the ceiling, i.e. twin & earth takes live into dimmer switch, live (brown) into C and out of L1 on the dimmer (switched live / blue not touched in dimmer), then into conventional switch where it is wired normally.

This seems a bit of a bodge so I'm not keen on doing it, so wanted to know if there was a more professional solution...
 
How about a dimmer switch, in line with the light switch (vertically), and 12 inches down from the ceiling.

THere will be times when you want to brighten things
 
Did you know that some dimmer switches are also an on/off switch (push button) that can be used without altering the brightness setting?
 
EFLImpudence said:
Did you know that some dimmer switches are also an on/off switch (push button) that can be used without altering the brightness setting?
Click to expand...
I did yes but the switch I have in is three gang but only single gang size faceplate a la shorturl.at/cdgY7. I can't open it up to a two gang backbox due to space restrictions and can't get a three gang dimmer on a single gang plate.
 
AndyPRK said:
How about a dimmer switch, in line with the light switch (vertically), and 12 inches down from the ceiling.

THere will be times when you want to brighten things
Click to expand...
Well it would do the job, but it would look naff I fear. I'll have dedicated task lighting for the worktops, it's just the overall ambient lighting that is going to be too bright so can't see needing to change the brightness often if ever. I only want to lop off a few lumen to have it at say 80% of current.
 
smaller wattage bulbs? may be not with integrated leds, (must read posts properly.................)
 
How much space in your back box behind the face plate?
Enough space to put a dimmer module (without knob and unbolt it from the face plate) inside the box?
SFK
 
AndyPRK said:
How about a dimmer switch, in line with the light switch (vertically), and 12 inches down from the ceiling.

THere will be times when you want to brighten things
Click to expand...


What he said, but maybe hidden in a cupboard or somewhere less obvious than on the wall. The choice of location will depend on where you can most easily break into the wiring.
 
askman said:
I'm looking to dim my kitchen downlights wholesale (integrated LEDs), but keep the control on / off, i.e. not have a dimmer switch on the wall. Is there a product out there which will do this?
Click to expand...
One point which does not seem to have been mentioned ....

... are you sure that the lights you have can be dimmed and, more importantly, dimmed satisfactorily? The whole subject for dimming LEDs is somewhat of a nightmare/minefield, and sometimes requires that (even when satisfactory dimming is possible) the dimmer is 'matched' to the particular LED light (i.e. 'designed to work with it').

Kind Regards, John
 
askman said:
I did yes but the switch I have in is three gang but only single gang size faceplate a la shorturl.at/cdgY7. I can't open it up to a two gang backbox due to space restrictions and can't get a three gang dimmer on a single gang plate.
Click to expand...

fit a 2 gang back box vertically ? Would look ok with round dimmers.

I thought your issue maybe that you didnt want to knock the dimmer setting everytime you switched them on or off
 
ericmark said:
There was a dimmer sold by B&Q that fitted in a ceiling rose, not seen them for some time, so may be will not work with LED lights?
Click to expand...
Unlike the OP's unusual requirement, I would have thought that virtually everyone who wants a dimmer wants to be able to adjust the dimming - how does one achieve that if it's in a ceiling rose?

Kind Regards, John
 
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