LOR Dimming Experiment

[Guest guest]

Today I was messing around with some lights and an LOR controller. I was wondering how much energy I could save by dimming down the display and whether it was worth it or if there would be any negative issues....

So I conducted some dimming experiments and thought I'd make a posting of the information in case anyone else was interested...

Test: 8 strings of Target 100 ct. mini lights on a mini tree. Line voltage = 117 volts, Full brightness current when "on" = 2.5 amps, "Shimmer" current = 1.4 amps

"Dim" Experiment using LOR Hardware utility:
100% = 2.5 amps = 117 volts
90% = 2.4 amps = 110 volts
80% = 2.3 amps = 102 volts
70% = 2.1 amps = 91 volts
60% = 1.9 amps = 79 volts
50% = 1.7 amps = 65 volts
40% = 1.5 amps = 51 volts
30% = 1.2 amps = 36 volts
20% = 1.0 amps = 24 volts
10% = 0.8 amps = 11 volts

Conclusion: A little different than what I expected. At 50% voltage, current = 68% of full scale. I probably wouldn't want to go much below 70 or 80% or the lights get too dim, so that only ends up saving about 0.2-0.4 amps on a total load of 2.5 amps (about 10-15 % current savings).

Are these results what others have experienced?

Thanks, Randy

[Guest guest]

That's interesting...are those 100 ct. strands? I haven't had experience with Target lights

Luke

[Guest guest]

Yes, they are 100 ct. light strings....

Randy