Lighting Help Please - Rookie Here

[shish90]

Hi guys, 

First time poster, I'll get straight to the point. 

What I have: Single normal on/off switch and I use an energy saver light bulb which has a Bayonet (B22) fitting. Additionally, I also have one of those 'pull cord' switches in the room- this switch, however, will only work if the main switch is ON.

IT WONT LET ME POST LINKS SO INFO IS IN BRACKETS.

What I want: A dimmer switch with a dimmable light bulb. I have found a suitable dimmer switch (AMAZON- Varlight LED dimmer switch (£14.95)) and lightbulb (AMAZON - Phillips Master LED 12 watt (£26.64)). 

Questions/Help

1- Will the 'pull cord' switch get in the way of how the dimmer functions?
2a- The dimmer switch and bulb shown above are very pricey, are there cheaper alternatives?
2b- Cheaper ones I've found mention no minimum wattage for bulbs.
2c- If someone could link me to a suitable dimmer and bulb would be much appreciated.
3a- Are there any 2-way or 4-way splitters available for Bayonet bulb fittings? I've only come across splitters for screw type fittings (E27).
3b- If no, AND IF I still want to use multiple bulbs (to meet the minimum wattage requirement), is the only way to do this to buy a B22 to E27 converter?

Any other help is also hugely appreciated!

Thanks
Shish

 

 

[ProDave]

Firstly sort out the switching.  It should work so you can switch the light on or off from either place.

If you feel competent, then first turn the power off, then  unscrew both light switches and note down how many, and what coloured wired are connected to each switch and come and tell us.

 

[kerching]

I reckon he has got a " handymans two way "

switch wire is opened by the pull switch after the wall switch, so no strappers

ON at wall switch....On or Off at pull switch

OFF at Wall switch.....nowt at pull switch

...but what do I know....see wife for details

 

[Steve3948]

Varilight are trailing edge iircc which some LED lamps that can be dimmed require, others require leading edge, so you will need to confirm specification of required dimmer for type of lamp. Choosing the incorrect will cause flicker or erratic dimming.

 

[shish90]

Thanks all for replies. I should mention this bulb is for the ceiling light not a bedside lamp.

Firstly, Kerching is right about the pull switch being a handymans two way switch as it works just as described in the post above and I also have multiple ones like that in other rooms too.

Steve3948,

How exactly do I figure out if a dimmer is trailing edge or leading edge and similarly if a bulb is leading edge or trailing edge?? Most sites I've been on don't mention it nor do they give me the minimum power wattage required by the dimmer.

Just some additional info, some guy on amazon has used the dimmer I mentioned above with 2 of these bulbs (Amazon - AURAGLOW 8w LED - £11.99) and it has worked fine. The reason I haven't done that is because I only have a socket for 1 bulb (8w) and the dimmer needs a 10w minimum....which is why I was looking for a splitter but apparently they don't do those for B22 type fittings.

Thanks again!

 

[Doc Hudson]

Welcome to the forum, have you tried looking at some of the specialist LED suppliers for costs for lamps and dimmers? The forum has a few sponsors who do LED's. They are listed down the right hand side of the main page, http://talk.electricianforum.co.uk/

Doc H.

 

[Steve3948]

Thanks all for replies. I should mention this bulb is for the ceiling light not a bedside lamp.

Firstly, Kerching is right about the pull switch being a handymans two way switch as it works just as described in the post above and I also have multiple ones like that in other rooms too.

Steve3948,

How exactly do I figure out if a dimmer is trailing edge or leading edge and similarly if a bulb is leading edge or trailing edge?? Most sites I've been on don't mention it nor do they give me the minimum power wattage required by the dimmer.

Just some additional info, some guy on amazon has used the dimmer I mentioned above with 2 of these bulbs (Amazon - AURAGLOW 8w LED - £11.99) and it has worked fine. The reason I haven't done that is because I only have a socket for 1 bulb (8w) and the dimmer needs a 10w minimum....which is why I was looking for a splitter but apparently they don't do those for B22 type fittings.

Thanks again!

if its a well known lamp brand and can be dimmed it will normally say in the technical specification if leading or trailing edge should be used.

Most dimmer switches are leading edge, and if trailing edge it should say.

Others will say "works with most dimmers" then its a trial and error process.

Give them a call and ask which dimmer switch they recommend to work with their lamp, to be sure.