Help! dimmable halogens!!

First I must admit to being a novice. So excuse my stupidity.

I'm planning on putting 7 halogen lights in to my bedroom on a dimmer switch. I've bought the lights I wanted from Wickes but it doesn't say anywhere on the box that they are dimmable. Can I still fix them to a dimmer switch? and would a 500w one do?
hannah

[sbowler]

What type of bulb are they? if they are GU10s then there OK. I have 6 of these in the bathroom on a dimmer and there fine. As long as the total wattage of each bulb doesnt exceed the rated power of the dimmer switch you will be fine.

[SimP]

Can I suggest a quick telephone call to a helpful local electrical supplier such as Mr. Resistor (you can find them in London via google). I got all my lights from there and they're very nice.

[sbowler]

You need a transformer if your using 12v halogens, if you buy the 240v bulbs you just need your dimmer switch. GU10s are 240v.

Thanks guys, think I'll give someone a call.

H

[Johnny Thunder]

Be careful with power ratings on dimmers.
Unless the dimmer specifically states for use with halogen, then reduce the
useable power by 20%.
If you are using 7x50w lamps, then you will be overloading dimmers not suitable
for halogen use.(rated at 500w)

OK. I've put 6 20w Halogen lights into the cieling on a series cicuit with a 150w transformer. The switch is a 60-400w dimmer switch. I've just tried to turn it on and it's not working. What's gone wrong?

[Johnny Thunder]

Without being there, I would say you have wired it wrong.
Could be lots of things though.

[Johnny Thunder]

I am assuming you had a centre light that was working.

[Johnny Thunder]

Hannah, did you originally have a centre light?
If so, how many cables were connected into it?
What colours were the cores? (red and black, or brown and blue)

YAY! just went back and checked all my wiring and I think a connection was loose. I now have working dimmable lights. Woohoo!

[Johnny Thunder]

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.

[Johnny Thunder]

Can I go and wash the pots now.........

[Nick_UK]

Originally Posted by hannahgibson

First I must admit to being a novice. So excuse my stupidity.

I'm planning on putting 7 halogen lights in to my bedroom on a dimmer switch. I've bought the lights I wanted from Wickes but it doesn't say anywhere on the box that they are dimmable. Can I still fix them to a dimmer switch? and would a 500w one do?
hannah

Theoretically, since halogens are only filament lamps, they should be easily dimmable, but there is a snag. Halogen lamps are designed to run very hot, and this (coupled with some clever metallurgy) enables a very bright filament which does not blacken the glass of the lamp. If you dim a halogen lamp, it will not run so hot, and may not last as long.