I'm working with a set of solid brass low-voltage lighting fixtures that each take replaceable bulbs, and I've installed dimmable bulbs in all of them. Currently, I'm controlling the zones with basic 12v transformers and smart outlets, but I'm looking for a way to dim the lights across some or all zones depending on the occasion—like dimming for late-night gatherings or for entertaining guests. Can I just swap out my smart outlets for smart lamp dimmers, or do I need to change my transformer or go for an entirely different setup? My transformers are indoors, so they're not exposed to the elements. By the way, the bulb specs mention compatibility with most magnetic and electronic LED transformers, as well as MLV and ELV dimmers, but I haven't found much info on my transformer. I'm open to replacing it if needed!
1 Answer
The easiest solution, if you’re looking for manual dimming without app controls, is to use a dimmer switch like the BrillianceLED model at each zone you want to control. It works well for setups like outdoor LED strip lights and path lighting. Just a heads up though, don't skimp on quality—those cheap ten-dollar dimmers won't hold up; trust me, I learned that the hard way!
That sounds like a great option for manual control when entertaining, but I'm curious if it'll handle nightly dimming automatically too. Wouldn’t I still want to keep my existing setup while adding that in? If it goes between the transformer and fixtures, it might retain the auto on/off feature, plus give me some dimmer control.