Rainlights/Pinspots on 100% Dimmers

[soundlight]

OK...I already know that rainlights/pinspots are not dimmable (because they use a transformer and are an inductive load), but I was wondering if I could control them through a dimmable circuit run at 100 percent (change it to a switched profile on the console). My high school does not have money to purchase relay/switch packs, but they do have money to purchase a few cheap rainlights for dance concert downlight effects. And I will probably be designing the show this spring, and I really want to make it look good. I just want to ask before I blow all of the fuses in the cheap 4-pack dimmers. (The dimmers have plenty of power for the lights, and have performed well in the past with our small number of standard PAR 56's.)

[DarSax]

Heh, you've opened up quite a can of worms.

Really, you probably shouldn't, because of the occasional unreliability of dimmers and the potential to hit a slider and cause the fixture to be dimmed.

But in reality, it's probably fine if you're careful.

[Andrewr]

For simple stuff you should get away with it. But remember that the supply is still being processed by the dimmers even when they are at 100%.

As a long term solution its likely to reduce the lifespan of anything electronic attached to it.

More importantly, it being an Inductive load doesn't really make a difference (except with floresents, but unless you have trick dimmers its irrelivant)
You may find that the dimmers dont 'see' it as enough load to actually work. (quite common on cheaper and/or older dimmers) so you may need to put a lantern on the same circuit as a 'dummy' load.

What kind of tranny' is it? If its magnetic you can dim it! And as for it being an issue with pinspots (or any non-electronic transformer lamp) it should be fine.
You can dim most electronic transformers too, they just tend to flicker. (or just not turn on)
I currently have all the low level lighting in the auditorium running from 12v electronic transformers, supplied by strand SLD dimmers running at about 30%
Below that they flicker like mad

[Van]

Originally Posted by soundlight

OK...I already know that rainlights/pinspots are not dimmable (because they use a transformer and are an inductive load), but I was wondering if I could control them through a dimmable circuit run at 100 percent (change it to a switched profile on the console). My high school does not have money to purchase relay/switch packs, but they do have money to purchase a few cheap rainlights for dance concert downlight effects. And I will probably be designing the show this spring, and I really want to make it look good. I just want to ask before I blow all of the fuses in the cheap 4-pack dimmers. (The dimmers have plenty of power for the lights, and have performed well in the past with our small number of standard PAR 56's.)

Under most conditions your do not want to dim inductive loads period. there was recently a discussion on another thread here about someone wanting to run MLs offof a dim in non-dim mode. In that case, where the power coming into the fixture is being used for both an inductive load and being split off to run the electronics it simply should not be done. it might work for a while but it will screw up the electronincs in the ML sooner or later. Your case however is different. the power supply transformer in a rain light in a simple frame type inductive coils and thus does not depend on haveing the entire sine wave of the electrical signal to work with. Beyond that it is only driving an incandescent filament not electronincs. So short answer < too late > yes you'd be fine doing this, you could probable even get away with dimming them a little < but I wouldn't push it> There also a couple of rain light/pinspots available that run a different lamp that is straight 120v. I don't remember the type but I used to have some in the wharehouse I managed. Perhaps give Ship a yell and see if he knows the type I'm speaking about. Hope that helps. Good luck.

[DarSax]

Yeah, sorry just to clarify/go off of what Van said, I would NEVER recommend doing that with moving lights or anything remotely expensive. Pin spots are dirt cheap, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. (We have a couple of police beacons, we run them off of full dimmers every so often, they're not exactly complex pieces of machinery)

[soundlight]

I would make dimmer profile that has a direct jump from 0 to 100 percent, so that the load is basically switched at the 50% fader position from 0% to 100% immediately.

Also, we're getting rainlights because A) the designer (me) is specifying them for some of the designs and B) it's under $200 for 24 of them with lamps included. We're also getting the color caps for them. And a full set of spare bulbs.

[Pie4Weebl]

can someone explain to me what rain lites are, I thought they were like par 38s or something dimmable...

[Van]

Originally Posted by soundlight

I would make dimmer profile that has a direct jump from 0 to 100 percent, so that the load is basically switched at the 50% fader position from 0% to 100% immediately.

Also, we're getting rainlights because A) the designer (me) is specifying them for some of the designs and B) it's under $200 for 24 of them with lamps included. We're also getting the color caps for them. And a full set of spare bulbs.

Sounds good. and the price sounds great. I love rain lights as an effect.I once used about 24 of them as a down light surround around a bandstand for a music show. I had them arranged in 3 semi circles of concentric diameter . looked really cool, could chase them from inside to out and vice versa.


Pie4Weeblcan someone explain to me what rain lites are, I thought they were like par 38s or something dimmable...

You are correct Rain lights / pinspots are basically a par 38 narrow I know there are two versions of them one runs a 120 v lamp and the other a 24 or 12 I can't remember which. the lower voltage unit has a transformer inside the light housing attached to the back of the fixture. other than that the two units look identical

heres a low voltage model:
Model RLY/RLC Rain Light
The Rain Light is a low voltage "Bullet Beam" spotlight used for accenting individual display items or creating a falling "rain" effect when used on a sequencing controller.
Utilizing a very narrow beam, long life low voltage lamp, the rain light is ideal for theatrical special effects. The RLY is designed for portable applications where it can be clamped in place and temporarily connected. The RLC is designed for permanent installation where the luminaire is hard wired and recessed in a ceiling.
Features:

• Sheet steel construction
• Dimmable first quality transformer
• Color frame included
• Ridges strap iron yoke on RLY
• 6' cord with U-ground cord cap on RLY
• Key slots for junction box installation on RLC

Accessories (included):

• RLY CF color frame

Accessories (optional):

• RLY PC pipe clamp

Maybe they just don't make the 120v version anymore, I'm old you know.

[TechiGoz]

You should be able to acomplish that. I have used both pinspots and birdies on dimmers before, both with transformers. I dimmed them too (whether it was a GOOD thing or not, I dont know :P) but I just had to put on a dummy load (i just used an old QI in the dimmer room) and that worked nicely. Gave a nice effect too.

Note: It did flicker without the dummy load, so depending on how many you run per circuit you may need one.

Good Luck

[soundlight]

Well, I'm probably going to run at least five per circuit, giving 180watts per circuit. This is on 600W 4-pack dimmers, so I assume that I should be fine...yes?