Issues with Varilight remote control dimmer

[bigmick777]

Hi,

I have the following varilight switches installed.

One master (downstairs), 2 gang which controls the lounge and upstairs lights.

Downstairs there is also a slave - the lights are 5 x 50watt (mains).

Landing there is also a slave - the lights are 5 x 20watt (12V).

I installed them a while ago and have the following issues:

1) since day 1, i have always been able to dim the landing lights from either the master / slave, however, if i leave the lights on then after a period of time the lights will automatically switch off and you are unable to switch them back on - after a little while they start to work again - I initially thought a transformer issue but thought I would ask.

2) This is a new issues that has occurred. Now if I switch on the downstairs lights after about 30 seconds they automatically go to half dim. Switch off / on and they work again for the 30 seconds before going half dim again. I have emailed varilight but not got any response.

3) I can get the lights to learn from a spare TV remote button, however, sitting on the sofa the IR signal doesnt work particularly well! I aim (at about the same height and approx 45 degree angle, 12 feet away) but it wont pick up. If I move to directly opposite the switch then it works a treat.

Apologies for overwhelming you all with issues but they have been bugging me for some time and I would love to get the lights / dimming to work properly.

Any help / advice will be extremely appreciated!

Mick.

[stevelup]

Hi

Both symptoms 1 and 2 are the symptoms you would get if the dimmers are overloaded or connected to an incompatible transformer. In particular, the second symptom is what those dimmers do if they get too warm.

So my theory is that you might need to change the upstairs transformer for a Varilight one...

Is the dual master dimmer the 250W or the 400W version? If it's the 250W version, then you might need to upgrade it.

Alternatively, how often do you run at full brightness? If it's rare, you could swap the lamps for 35W ones.

With regard to the flakey remote, I'd recommend trying a different remote - some work much better than others...

Steve

[bigmick777]

Hi Steve, thanks for your prompt response.

I will swap the transformer for a 105w varilight transformer and see how the landing lights go.

I cant remember which master dimmer I went for. When I get chance I will check. They used to work fine on max brightness without issue.

I have tried several of my convential remotes but have the issue. Do you know if the varilight remotes are better / stronger?

Mick.

[stevelup]

The only advantage I can see from the Varilight remote is that it works after a power cut (the dimmers default to responding to button 1 on the remote).

With regard to your other problem only just surfacing - if it is temperature related, the higher ambient temperatures we've had over the last week or so could be pushing it over the limit.

Are they the metal ones or the plastic ones just out of interest?

[bigmick777]

The switches are the metal ones.

I tried again this morning. The switch was cold to the touch. On with the lounge lights at max brightness and after 10 seconds they go to half brightness. The switch did not heat up at all in this time.

[stevelup]

Is it the 250W version or the 400W one though?

5 x 50W mains voltage halogens is too much for the 250W one.

Steve

[bigmick777]

Originally Posted by stevelup

Is it the 250W version or the 400W one though?

5 x 50W mains voltage halogens is too much for the 250W one.

Steve

Hi, I replaced all 5 x 50w bulbs downstairs with 5 x 35w. Switch on and they stay on for a few seconds then go off completely.

Mick.