What (X-10) module would I need to control a halogen (300W) torchiere lamp with it's own dimmer. I am content to just leave the built in dimmer at 100% and have the X-10 module do the dimming, etc. The Torchiere is plugged into a standard 110V outlet. Will a 2 way lamp module work, or would I need an appliance module, or would I (as some have suggested) have to bypass the dimmer in the lamp??

BTW I'm going to be controlling this using my Pronto . . .

Thanks!!
John Hurlbut

John,

The rule of thumb is that you shouldn't use a dimming X-10 module or switch
on a lamp or light that also has a built in dimmer. Therefore, you would
need to use an appliance module. An appliance module is non-dimming,
therefore to dim the lamp you would have to use the dim control on the lamp.
Your Pronto would simply turn the lamp on/off. I recommend that you use the
improved appliance module with Automatic Gain Control.

Another option is to bypass the dimmer on the lamp as you mentioned. If you
do this then you would be able to dim the lamp with your Pronto. In this
situation I recommend the 2-way lamp module.

Some people with lamps like yours adjust the dimming on the lamp to 100% and
then use a lamp module to remotely dim the lamp. This is not the correct
way to do this and it can cause some problems despite the fact that the lamp
can be dimmed remotely when you do this. The lamp can buzz loudly and the
bulb life will be shortened. I don't recommend that you use a lamp module
unless you bypass the lamp dimmer.

RCI Automation
[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]

Robert:

When you say "bypass the dimmer, I assume that you mean simply wiring it out of electrical loop? If it's that easy, I've got a halogen lamp gathering dust in my closet that's going to be awfully happy to hear this. So after bypassing the dimmer, the lamp goes to full brightness when on, and a regular lamp module can serve as the dimmer?

Thanks!
Dale

darnitol:

Yep. But I recommend the lamp module with AGC, soft start, and resume dim memory. If you use the standard lamp module, that 300 watt bulb is going to first come on a full brightness even if you want to dim it to say 25%. If you use the newer lamp module, it will go on to its last dimmed level when it receives an X-10 ON code, and it will do it over a 2 second period rather than instantly. We offer this improved lamp module.

Robert
RCI Automation

Robert,

Thanks for your reccomendation, It also helped me. When I hooked up the IR543 and Lamp Module with the my halogen torchiere lamp, it was very jumpy, with erratic dim and bright and made loud buzzing sounds. I removed the dimmer circut that was built into the lamp and I now have silent, smooth dim and bright via the x-10 modules.

Thanks Again,
Mr. Wizard

Mr. Wizard,

How did you remove the dimming circuit? I'd love to do this with the Torchiere's I have, but I'm not entirely sure how to go about it.

I'd appreciate an e-mail response if you're willing to assist.

Thanks!

Rob

Since Rob asked, I figured others might want to know. Here is the procedure for removing the dimmer circuit.

WARNING, WARNING, WARNING!!!!

Read the instructions carefully, Electricity can kill you. If you do not feel comfortable working with electrical equipment or electricity, DO NOT do this. You can take the lamp to any electrician who will remove the circut for you for just a few dollars.

You will need the following items:

Wire cutters/stripers
Small flat blade screwdriver
Adjustable wrench or pliers
Two wire nuts or some electrical tape.

Step1: UNPLUG THE LAMP!!!! (I know it's silly to mention, but I don't want to get you electrocuted)

Step 2: Use a small flat blade screwdriver to pry off the knob for the lamp switch. Insert it between the knob and the lamp and twist.

Step 3: There is a small nut around the switch holding it to the lamp, remove it (And the washer behind it) with the wrench or pliers.

Step 4: The pole should be in three sections that you had to screw together when you bought it, unscrew the topmost section, the switch should be near the bottom of this section.

Step 5: Push the switch inside the pole and then pull the switch down and out. It should be wrapped in cardboard paper. (If you haven't already, you may want to lay the lamp down on it's side. It's easier to work on that way.)

Step 6: There are two wires coming from the bottom of the lamp to the dimmer circuit and two wires coming from the dimmer circuit to the top part of the lamp, cut the wires on each side of the dimmer switch. You should now have two parts and 4 wires.

Step 7: Strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from each of the 4 wires.

Step 8: Twist together the bare wire of one wire from the bottom of the lamp and one from the top and wrap them well in electrical tape or use a wire nut. Repeat for the remaining two wires. (I strongly recommend that you use 2 wire nuts, The blue ones are usually the right size. However electrical tape will work fine, just make sure the wires are wrapped well and no bare wire is exposed.)

Step 9: Push the wire back inside the pole of the lamp and screw the lamp back together.

That's it, you can now plug your lamp into a Lamp Module and control it remotely using X-10 stuff.

If you want to be fancy, you can splice in a toggle switch on one side of the wires.

Good Luck,
Mr. Wizard