mbthegreat Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 The house light thread got me thinking (and the whole sitting on my arse all day thing, not being able to walk is not fun), at my AmDram place we run houselights through the desk on dimmer channel number 1. However our houselight load is minimal (500w ish) and it would be nice to free up the dimmer channel for use on shows. So my question is, is there anything available, preferably cheap, that is a single channel dimmer with some sort of fader attached to the top that we could use as a houselight dimmer. Must be relatively compact (space is very much at a premium) and doesn't need to provide more than 500w. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Cavill Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 If I recall correctly, ShowTec do something like this, possibly know as a follow spot dimmer. Seen them on eBay somewhere, so will have a look for a link. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Stage-Lighting-Showt...1QQcmdZViewItem EDIT: URL Added Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biskit Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 is there anything available, preferably cheap, that is a single channel dimmer with some sort of fader attached to the top that we could use as a houselight dimmer. Must be relatively compact (space is very much at a premium) and doesn't need to provide more than 500w. Try www.thomann.de. I have just ordered a couple of their item number 191163 which will do up to 10A... but I think they do a lower rated one. It has a fader on and also DMX in/out for remote control if you are running a DMX system. Just be aware that as Thomann are Germany based, most of the kit you buy from them will come with a Euro type plug and socket, so you will need to change these or make adaptors. I intend to cut off the moulded euro plug to make a short adaptor for the output to 15A socket. I'll then re-fit a standard UK 13A to the input cable. Hope this helps, Ben. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 terralec do a 1K single dimmer with fader on the front fits E wise on a rack box or similar. Also the usual range of d0m3stic flush dimmers does go to 1000w. http://www.terralec.co.uk/dimmers_and_swit...le/16013_p.html The usual problem with house lights is that they need more than a single dimmer to control them. If you can find an old but working NJD Wave dimmer unit it looked like the terralec one BUT was rated at 10amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1159 Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Alternatively Anytronics do a single channel dimmer with most obvious outlets available as options (15A, 16A etc). They are often used as followspot dimmers and I have also seen several marquee companies use them for doing marquee house lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbthegreat Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 Lots of useful suggestions there, thanks. The Showtec device seems to fit the bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Cavill Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Glad to be of service. Theyre cheap too...haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamtastic3 Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I'd definetely get the one from Thomman, I use one just for the control area Speaking of the Thomann one:http://www.thomann.de/gb/stairville_dds_11...anal_dimvrl.htm Could I use this in switch mode to control fluorescent fittings on the walls of a venue. The idea is to use the DMX and switch on and off the lights when needed. Is this possible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GridGirl Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 If you can find one in Britain, TheatreLight (a New Zealand company) make a SingleFade which is a single dimmer with a fader on the unit. Pretty much indestructible and an extremely good piece of kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 What you really want for house light dimming is, wait for it, a house light dimmer. Which dont have a fader, but buttons (full dim, off), and autofade. The really cools ones have DMX512 input as well, so you can use control desk channels for house lights if required. TheatreLight do a great product, the Moodset, but TL dont have distribution in Europe, so you miss out on some great products. Mode Electronics and Electrosonic both did these types of products, but the former seems to have become expensive and the latter differently focussed... Or perhaps a Futronix P50 would be all you need... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbthegreat Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 DMX? What's that then? We're running from an analogue sirius 24 and original Betapacks, and they're the most up to date kit in the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maeterlinck Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Could I use this in switch mode to control fluorescent fittings on the walls of a venue. The idea is to use the DMX and switch on and off the lights when needed. Is this possible?You could but you would be better off using a switch pack (relay instead of triac) as even snapped there will be a ramp up time on the dimmer. Unless they are dimmable florries in which case you'll be fine. There was a thread recently about switch packs. I now offically want one of those Futronix units - much nicer than the cheap rheostat I have currently... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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