Edison dimmer packs that don't suck

[curtis73]

I have 4 Leviton DMX 4-channel edison dimmer packs (DMX4-MD5 if I recall correctly) that suck. The LED displays are failing and they aren't operating correctly so I can't see what address they are half the time. First, I can't use them with LEDs unless I put an additional load on that channel. Otherwise, dimmable LEDs glow even at zero, and non-dimmable LEDs flicker. As soon as I put a dummy load on the channel (light bulb or something) they will operate OK. Some of the channels refuse to respond to DMX and randomly turn on when they want to.

Is there anything inside that I can repair? Are there Edison dimmer packs that don't suck? I use them frequently for practicals and depending on how the house is configured (black box with modular seating) I use them to control drop sockets for house lights.

 

[curtis73]

Not mine, but like this:

 

[theatricalmatt]

Leprecon ULD-360's, which are rock-solid workhorses.

 

[Gage]

First, I can't use them with LEDs unless I put an additional load on that channel. Otherwise, dimmable LEDs glow even at zero, and non-dimmable LEDs flicker. As soon as I put a dummy load on the channel (light bulb or something) they will operate OK.

This is just a characteristic of most triac based dimmers paired with the majority of LED bulbs. every pack I know of does this, to the extent that they usually have something along the lines of "tungsten loads only" plastered all over the case.

All of your other problems sound like failing packs, or problems with DMX. As for better quality packs overall (won't fix the LED thing) look at something like the Leviton NSI DDS 6000, or Leprechaun ULD series.

ADJ does make some slick inline ghost loads specifically for the led ghosting issue. I don't remember the model off the top of my head, but they are easy to find and get ahold of. It's basically just a resistor that sits across the dimmed AC line.

 

[seanandkate]

ADJ does make some slick inline ghost loads specifically for the led ghosting issue

Need a couple of these for my kit. Less unwieldy than mirror ball motors...

LED DUMMY

"Lights out"" is supposed to mean just that ""Lights out"". Well, as anyone who’s ever worked with LED fixtures & dimmer packs knows, they can have an afterglow that keeps emitting small amounts of light even after the dimmer has been turned off. Finally, “Off” can really mean ""Off"" thanks...

www.adj.com

 

[curtis73]

Leprecon ULD-360's, which are rock-solid workhorses.

Good to know. I'll have to write a grant for some of those. One of those dimmer packs breaks my budget for the production... by a factor of 3. The joys of non-profit community theater

 

[curtis73]

All of your other problems sound like failing packs, or problems with DMX.

It's possible, however I would think it is a problem with the DMX in the dimmers. I've never had any other fixture have issues with DMX, but my edison dimmers are a mess.

For reference, the grid is full of colorsource pars, phoenix RGBW, some old colorados, and two rogue spots, so the only incandescents I have are house lights, practicals, and other random things that need to be DMX controlled with the dimmer boxes. The whole grid is controlled by an older ION console.

 

[curtis73]

Need a couple of these for my kit. Less unwieldy than mirror ball motors...

LED DUMMY

"Lights out"" is supposed to mean just that ""Lights out"". Well, as anyone who’s ever worked with LED fixtures & dimmer packs knows, they can have an afterglow that keeps emitting small amounts of light even after the dimmer has been turned off. Finally, “Off” can really mean ""Off"" thanks...

www.adj.com

I can snag some of those. For now I have a 40w bulb on that channel stuffed in a metal paint can for tech week purposes

 

[curtis73]

All of your other problems sound like failing packs

How much life should I expect from one? These are only a couple years old. Power is clean as far as I can tell.

 

[Gage]

How much life should I expect from one?

They are very hit/miss. I don't think I've gotten more than a few years out of one. Usually it's the triacs that fail l, which can be replaced if you are good with a soldering iron. But control failures often happen as well, and they are often tricky to sort out.

 

[RonHebbard]

I can snag some of those. For now I have a 40w bulb on that channel stuffed in a metal paint can for tech week purposes

@curtis73 You may find a 10 Watt lamp is more than sufficient. I used to successfully use 6 Watt lamps on Strand CD80's.
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard

 

[microstar]

There are also "shoebox" packs from Dove Systems and Lightronics (5 year warranty I think) that are pretty robust. I've bought and sold several of both on eBay without issue and if there is, they both have excellent tech support.

 

[almorton]

Random effects could be cabling issues or termination problems.

 

[Gage]

There are also "shoebox" packs from Dove Systems and Lightronics (5 year warranty I think).

Completely forgot about the dove systems packs. A little pricey, but definitely one of the best small dimmer packs I've used.

 

[microstar]

Completely forgot about the dove systems packs. A little pricey, but definitely one of the best small dimmer packs I've used.

Some Dove Systems DMX packs on eBay now, starting at around $110 in new condition! But yes, expensive new.

 

[cbrandt]

I'll third (fourth...fifth?) the ULDs as your best choice. If you need a single channel, or a smaller budget, I've gotten good use out of the Elation Unibar. They're no ULD for durability or anything else, but they can be quite effective for a single channel of dimming.

 

[gafftapegreenia]

Take a look into the used market for a ULD. Since they're an industry workhorse, there are typically used packs to be had.

 

[Jay Ashworth]

How much life should I expect from one? These are only a couple years old. Power is clean as far as I can tell.

One of my blackboxes has a pair of 4 channel older Leprecons, and they gotta be 20 years old if not 30...

Depends on a lot of stuff...