Damn Dim Dimmers. WTH?
 

I recently replaced a couple dimmer switches with some dimmer switches with motion sensors . . . and now they don't go to full brightness. ...not even close. ...maybe 80% of full. I've tried two different brands; both are dim. Jumpering the circuit really shows what's being lost in the switch.

Maybe it's just me, but at $40 each, shouldn't they be a bit better than that?

Suggestions?

What are trying to dim down, low voltage lights?

120 Volt lights. The new dimmers are rated @ 600 watts, and the load is ~ 400 watts

some of the down lights are 120 to 12 Volt transformers. The thing is, the previous (simple/Old) dimmer switches worked fine. (full brightness)

You need a low voltage dimmer. check if your lights are mag. or elec. transformer and buy the dimmer(s) accordingly. Stay sway from those cheap (low voltage) dimmers at home depot. Buy them from an electrical supply house. Most people carry Lutron. They are good switches.

Check your bulbs. How old are they? Ushio or GE make a great MR16 bulb. The cheap Chinese stuff at your home centers does not have color consistency. They go dim after some time, no matter what switch you have. They run about 7-9 bucks a piece.

I just re-read your post. Are both the 120V and the 12V lights mixed and are control by one switch?

I'd guess that since motion is in Montana, they're not sensing him and thus not getting turned on.

:eek:

Not full -up- anyway...

seriously tho', I suspect that the newer dimmers are trying to be More "green" and cutting/ limiting power to the lights. (?)