Suggestions on dimmers

S

Spottedmushroom

Member
Hi Everyone,

On a video shoot, I used what I call a dimmer (but the name might
be incorrect.) Basically, it was used more for theater then for film.
It had three inputs which can be separately controlled and a master.
I think I had about 2K going through it. I really like using it but no idea what the name of it was. (not sure if there a buzzing sound or not.) Any suggestions?

Thanks.
 
Re: Suggestions on dimmers

I have run lights for theater shows, but we just called it a "board".   :)    Ours had 9 different inputs that could be controlled on an X-axis and a Y-axis, plus the master and a blackout.  What kind of lights are you using with yours in video?  

And yes, we always had a slight buzzing from our light cannisters.
 
Re: Suggestions on dimmers

What you used was a dimmer board which allows you to control multiple circuits. There are a few small boards around like you mention. Normally they are controllers for dimmer circuits that handle the load. In TV studios we use 200 channel plus boards and control up to 700 fixtures with them. I don't know of any three channel boards but look around the internet under Dj lighting and you'll see small four channel dimmer packs and controllers.
 
Re: Suggestions on dimmers

Thanks Walter,

Yea, theses are the type I was looking for. Now I have "name" to be put to the equipment I was interest in. The one on the link seems to be right on the ball park, I'm going to dig a bit more into it now that I know what to look for. Thanks a bunch.
 
I have a electrician friend who is rigging me up a dimmer box, right now. Just bought 4 of those dimmers used for lighting in the home. Built a small wood box to install them in, and enclose the wiring. Will try to post a pic when it is finished.
 
Sounds like a fun project. Just keep in mind that while it might work, you're may need to find more than just the $14 home depot style dimmer. See all dimmers are not created equal. Dimmers don't actually reduce the voltage to a lamp. When you dim 120 volts, you still end up with 120 volts. What happens is they cut the sine wave that makes AC. In doing so they create what's called RF interference. That translates to a hum or buzzing sound in the filaments of some fixtures, especially many Tv fixtures. Industrial dimmers have larger suppressers of that noise than the cheap dimmer you buy for a wall switch. Of course some fixtures due to filament design don't buzz but when one does, you'll know it as audio suddenly doesn't sound good. Also when making this, make sure you ground it properly. Using a wooden box will not do that. All the dimmer casings need to have grounds run to them. And your inputs and outputs due too. Not doing so can easily mean serious injury or death, and if that person operating the board is not you and such a thing as electrocution happens, get ready for both a civil and possible criminal court case. My point is, make sure the person building this is knowledgeable of NEC codes and adheres to them in the construction. Or put it this way, even with the cheapest dimmers you are talking about at least $75 dollars to properly make one and one of ht DJ types I mentioned already made and using proper wiring and a better dimmer circuit isn't much more.
 
Hmm, well I think he knows what he is doing, not sure about the wood box though. A good point made about the cost, and buying one that I know is properly manufactured. Might go that route now.
 
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