View Full Version : how can i get my florecent lights to fade in and out
Captain Hook
06-16-2004, 3:09 PM
i don't think you can
edit: i'm pretty sure fluorescents can't be used with dimmers
sguthrie
06-16-2004, 3:14 PM
You can have an incandescent light fade on before the flourescent light comes on. The incandescent light can be off while the flourescent light is on. Then before the flourescent light turns off, have the incandescent one turn on and then fade off. Sounds like there's got to be some kind of auto switch that would fade on and then turn off and also turn on and fade off.
There's probably better or worse ways of going about this, but this is one idea.
Sam
blitzen25bm
06-16-2004, 3:35 PM
would something like a rheostat work? i think thats whats its called, they use it for reptile heaters and lights.
Murdock
06-16-2004, 4:15 PM
Actually They Do Or Did, When I Saw One Last They Were About 12x12x12 Inches And Weighed Close To 30 lbs. But Then Again That Was 15 Years Ago...
I Just Did A Quick Google Search & Quickly Found These
http://www.leviton.com/sections/prodinfo/controls/sheets/fluoslidedimmer.htm
http://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com/store/PPF/Category_ID/382/products.asp
But It Looks Like You Will Need A Fluorescent Dimming Ballast.
Not Sure How Much They Are But The Dimmers Are Not Cheap...
Hope This Helps...
cgrabe
06-16-2004, 4:33 PM
What you need to do is get two very large circular pieces of polarized glass, cut teeth in the edge of one, and get a good hand crank. When they're rotated so that their polarizations are at a 90 degree angle to each other, it should result in an opaque surface. As your rotate one towards alignment with the other, the surface will become more and more transparent.
What?
Oh, you wanted something realistic? Sorry, can't help you there.
High-quality fluorescent balllasts are more likely to be dimmable - Ice Caps for example - and the specifications will so state. There are also dimmable flourescent ballast in most lines, but they are quite expensive, as are their dimmers/controllers.
It all depnds on how badly you want it and if you are willing to pay.