DIY rheostat

[Keitone]

I bought a dimmer switch for my geckos as I had to put my thermostat on the eggs.

I followed the directions but it doesn't seem to be working. I hooked it up to a lamp to test it. The wiring is pretty simple, tried it on multiple cords, I don't really see what I could be doing wrong. The pilot light on the switch comes on but not the lamp.

One of each black on the switch to one of each black on the cord, white stays connected and all green together.

 

[robin]

i dont know all the technical stuff but if someone does not answer your question i will get my husband to answer it when he gets home. he wires all of rheos, thermostats and such.

by the way what kind of cord did you use? russ uses extension cord. the orange heavy duty construction kind.

 

[Keitone]

i dont know all the technical stuff but if someone does not answer your question i will get my husband to answer it when he gets home. he wires all of rheos, thermostats and such.

by the way what kind of cord did you use? russ uses extension cord. the orange heavy duty construction kind.

Thanks Robin.

The first was a three prong outlet strip. The other was a two prong extension cord.

 

[robin]

he will be home around 4:30 central time. so look for a post then

 

[sammer021486]

This should help you out, it looks to be pretty good, never read it though, just browsed it, images are accurate though.

wiring heat tape with a dimmer switch

 

[Keitone]

This should help you out, it looks to be pretty good, never read it though, just browsed it, images are accurate though.

wiring heat tape with a dimmer switch

I'm glad you posted this. It made me realize that my dimmer is a push on type..... All I had to do was push it. I had it wired correctly all along just not turned on.... DOH!

 

[robin]

make sure to push it up VERY slowly
and use a temp gun to check your temps

 

[Shadraak]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32dQmQn9sOk
[YT]32dQmQn9sOk[/YT]
This is a video I made a while back as a diy on making a rheostat.

 

[Keith N]

If you ever have another electrical question feel free to pm or email me. I own an electrical company and have carried a license for 14 years now.

 

[Keitone]

If you ever have another electrical question feel free to pm or email me. I own an electrical company and have carried a liscense for 14 years now.

Thanks everyone. I love this forum! It is the most polite, helpful, and respectful forum I have ever seen.


-Keith

 

[sammer021486]

I'm glad you posted this. It made me realize that my dimmer is a push on type..... All I had to do was push it. I had it wired correctly all along just not turned on.... DOH!

Haha, I use to have the "push to turn on" dial dimmers all through my house, so when I go to other people's places I always push their dimmers first if it is the dial type before I try turning it.

 

[Keith N]

Thanks everyone. I love this forum! It is the most polite, helpful, and respectful forum I have ever seen.


-Keith

No problem that goes for anyone that has a question on any electrical questions or problems.

 

[volkert13b]

will this work for the heat pads as well? and can this is a perm. solution or a temp?