How to make a cheap dimmer

joker_8 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:40 PM

I came across this lin when I was in need of a stat/dimmer. THIS IS NOT MY DESIGN AND I AM NOT TAKING CREDIT!!!! Just thought Id share in hopes of helping out.
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/sho...8&page=1&pp=10

bcfos1 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:56 PM

Not a bad idea at all.

joker_8 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 08:21 PM

Ive build 4 of these and they work great. Once you have em dialed, just check ever once in a while ( to adjust for room temps) but for the most part once you get it dialed, you should gte a good range.

snakebitten69 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006, 04:59 AM

i use 5 fo these! lol

Sponger05 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-22-2006, 05:03 AM

what do you mean by get it dialed?

I made one of them today- got all the stuff at the hardware store for cheap and it took 15 minutes once I got the tools together and instructions. RECCOMENDED TO ANYONE- dont be afraid thinking its a pain, its NOT.

jkitchens1980 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-22-2006, 05:14 AM

I made mine tonight for $8.50..... great post!!!

Sponger05 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-22-2006, 05:16 AM

If only more people looked in this forum....

Heidi · #8 (**permalink**) 02-22-2006, 01:07 PM

Ah, hah. I think I've got it. I've looked at instructions before and just thought, WHAT????? That looks really easy. I'm gonna be making me some of those. Already have one of the dimmers but have been afraid to try anything with it.

joker_8 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-22-2006, 02:26 PM

Dialed= once you et it built and in service it may take a few hits and misses to get your temps. You have room temps to consider. So you hook it up and then give it some time to get hot, check it and adjust as needed. After a few tries, youll get it to a point where you dotn have to really adjust much, I havwe my set right now so it gets up to around 87-88 range and naturally drops to around 81-83 at night. I check it whenever I walk by to to be sure but for the post part its consistant. And is it should ever break on ya.... head to WALLY WORLD and bulid anotuehr got like 7-10 bucks.

iLLwiLL · #10 (**permalink**) 02-22-2006, 02:48 PM

i've got those hooked up to a boa duplex i built last year. they work great, but a t-stat is really the way to go. i should have made up a how-to when i wired 5 seperate pieces of heat tape to a herpstat.

~Will.

joker_8 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-22-2006, 07:25 PM

How much did the t-stat setup cost you? The post mainly discusses a CHEAP method for those of us not ready to dish out the dough. LOL Ok so maybe Im a cheapskate... I do agree tho, a stat would prolly be better,but often cost much more then said dimmer. If you get your setup instructions I know I would be more then happy to see it.

brownsfan222 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-03-2006, 02:53 AM

thats awesome i needed some cheap rheostats for my new cages thanks

CruiserMaiden · #13 (**permalink**) 03-07-2006, 03:48 PM

This IS awesome, I made one last weekend it was super easy. I did, however, cut my finger in EXACTLY the same way as told in the instructions. I didnt put the electrical tape on mine though...

muzixman · #14 (**permalink**) 03-07-2006, 06:03 PM

Just another tip: bumping your dimmer really sucks so I cap mine off with a cap from a aerosol can and poxy, however you will have to remove the screws if you ever have to readjusts it.

brownsfan222 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-07-2006, 11:28 PM

i made one too, for the cages i will be building soon. i will probably make a few more for my friends that like reptiles

joker_8 · #16 (**permalink**) 04-25-2006, 08:26 PM

Just a side note for those who find themselves in a pinch. I had a cheap-o Zoo-Med dimmer that stopped working long ago, well I just made it into an extenstion cord. So maybe there is a use for broken equipment eh? NOTE: This is a short term fix since found myself in need of extra heat since its been so cold here lately andhad to stick a lamp in front of my boa cage and since you really shouldnt run differant types of heating units off of one dimmer, I improvised.

jonjpl · #17 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 01:19 PM

good info

muzixman · #18 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iLLwiLL

i've got those hooked up to a boa duplex i built last year. they work great, but a t-stat is really the way to go.
~Will.

I really prefer both, this is how I do my set ups using flexwatt: I set reostat at 90 and thermastat at 88 (warm side) that way if the thermostat fails (which has happened even though its rare) your flexwatt wont over heat the enclosure.

sweet allyson · #19 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzixman

I really prefer both, this is how I do my set ups using flexwatt: I set reostat at 90 and thermastat at 88 (warm side) that way if the thermostat fails (which has happened even though its rare) your flexwatt wont over heat the enclosure.

That looks really easy but, what is a reostat? Do you have any pictures of how to hook up the flex watt and everything together? Sorry to be so dumb, but I have never seen the flex watt stuff used. So, I never as much info as possible, with easy detailed pictures. Cause I'll be doing this all by myself.

RioBravoReptiles · #20 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 02:42 PM

Perhaps this has been noted elsewhere in this thread (or the original).. that project needs a little application of safety-sense!
.
The plastic box for in-wall use needs to be replaced with a surface-type box that is designed to be exposed to direct use and equipped with the proper cord-restraints to prevent stress on the cord from loosening and causing a a bad shock or a fire. And a three-wire grounded cord is a must, with the ground on the dimmer properly connected.
.
That under ten-dollar set-up is a ticket to view and maybe participate in a three-alarm fire or an ambulance ride. That's exactly the kind of thing that the fire marshall or the accident investigators find in burned-down homes or places where someone (a child usually) has been electrocuted.
.
But hey! he saved $10.00!
.
That's my opinion on that.
.
Gus.

Advertisement