Using scroller power supplies on dimmed or relayed circuits

[jakob223]

Anyone got advice for how bad an idea it is to put a scroller power supply (specifically, wybron forerunner 16 head supply) on a dimmed or relay circuit?

It would be convenient to not have to plug them in every night, but it might not be worth it if it's likely to shorten the lifetime of the power supply sufficiently.

 

[Les]

I wouldn't put it on a dimmable circuit, but a relay would be fine assuming it's an air-gap on/off relay.

 

[Amiers]

A bad one. Search PSU on dimmers. You will see a plethora of information.

 

[soundofsparks]

There is substantial difference between a relay and a dimmer. Electronics are fine on relays, not fine on dimmers, not fine on dimmers in a "relay" mode. If you have a sensor rack, you can replace a D20 with an R20 and you'd be good to go.

 

[SteveB]

My rule of thumb is if it has "brain", I.E. some form of electronics that have computer chips, use a dedicated power circuit, relay, constant breaker outlet, etc...

 

[BillConnerFASTC]

I will suggest that most references to dimmer here seem to assume an electronic dimmer. Much less peril with auto-transformer and resistance dimmers. I think we established previously thyratrons and salt water also ok. Just to be thorough. The OPs dimmers are probably electronic and should not feed power supplies, LEDs etc.

 

[TJCornish]

salt water also ok.

Well, that's an interesting idea for an upgrade - convert to salt water for a true sine-wave output at any dim level.

 

[RonHebbard]

Well, that's an interesting idea for an upgrade - convert to salt water for a true sine-wave output at any dim level.

@janelle Do you offer a 24 channel DMX to salt water protocol conversion card and with what output terminations?
I wonder if Phoenix offers intermateable salt water brine output connectors and I wonder how you terminate unused outputs?
@JonD @porkchop @TJCornish @Amiers
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.

 

[Amiers]

@RonHebbard Im sure you could use some sort of squid connector to complete the connection.

 

[RonHebbard]

@RonHebbard Im sure you could use some sort of squid connector to complete the connection.

@Amiers Would that be an Imperial or metric squid or one of the new dual standard Neutrik Squid-cons? Perhaps something from their 'True-One' series??
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard

 

[TJCornish]

@Amiers Would that be an Imperial or metric squid or one of the new dual standard Neutrik Squid-cons? Perhaps something from their 'True-One' series??
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard

If it were me I would go straight to a Cthulhu.

 

[BillConnerFASTC]

Well, that's an interesting idea for an upgrade - convert to salt water for a true sine-wave output at any dim level.

You could probably use the same concepts as motorized auto-transformers - which I sometimes miss for smooth quite dimming. Really nice to keep a bunch of R40 houselights quiet, smooth, step-less, and that beautiful red shift ending.

I only mentioned thyratrons and salt water because if I hadn't someone here (go ahead - guess who) would have made a point of the omisson.

 

[SteveB]

Well, that's an interesting idea for an upgrade - convert to salt water for a true sine-wave output at any dim level.

I think the children here are going to get confused. We do NOT want circuits providing power to devices using electronic power supplies to have less then the rated supply voltage.

So DON’T dim the circuit !, SCR, Triac, Auto Transformer, Salt Water, whatever.

 

[TJCornish]

I think the children here are going to get confused. We do NOT want circuits providing power to devices using electronic power supplies to have less then the rated supply voltage.

So DON’T dim the circuit !, SCR, Triac, Auto Transformer, Salt Water, whatever.

I think anyone considering salt water dimmers is already dim enough, no matter what they plug in, but who knows - maybe salt water dimmers will have a revival like vinyl records.

(But your point is taken. OP - if you're still here, the answer is NO!!!! No electronic anything on any kind of dimming mechanism!!!!)

 

[Aaron Clarke]

Poor @jakob223, probably had no idea his first post would open up the rabbit hole!

 

[BillConnerFASTC]

It wouldn't bother me at all to put a power supply on an auto transformer parked at full. Not at all the same as a SSR or similar electronic dimmer.

 

[SteveB]

Only way to park an AT dimmer is to tie off the handle to the grid or something.

 

[RonHebbard]

Only way to park an AT dimmer is to tie off the handle to the grid or something.

@BillConnerFASTC and @SteveB I've seen Variac's "parked" with self adhesive rubber bumpers on either side of the knob's pointer while being used to compensate for sagging voltage at the end of a long run. Variac's do have their purposes. They also make great paper weights and smooth quiet dimmers for S4 on a stick FOH cove follow spots. Been there, done that in 'A Chorus Line' at least twice.
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.

 

[Ron Foley]

salt water dimmers were DC not AC
no sine wave.

 

[TJCornish]

I doubt they would care if you put A/C through them.