Description
This LED Dimmer is a 12V, 8A brightness control for single colour strip lighting, priced at $21.99. It handles up to 96 watts, has a two pin adjustable output, and measures 9 x 6 x 3cm at 62 grams.
Single colour strip has the opposite problem to RGB - you do not need colours, you just need it not to be at full blast. Under-cabinet lighting, a caravan interior, a boat cabin or a workshop bench all want to be dimmable, and a plain switch gives you only on or off. This is the small in-line part that fixes that.
Specifications
| Operating voltage |
DC 12V |
| Maximum load current |
8A |
| Maximum load power |
96W |
| Output |
2 pin adjustable voltage |
| Working temperature |
-20C to 60C |
| Material |
Plastic |
| Size |
9 x 6 x 3cm |
| Weight |
62g |
| Compatible strip |
Single colour 3528 and 5050 |
What's in the Box
| 12V 8A dimmer |
1 |
| LED strip |
Not included |
| Power supply |
Not included |
Why an In-Line Dimmer Beats a Wall Dimmer Here
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Made for 12V DC - a household wall dimmer is for mains and will not work on strip
-
96W capacity - covers a long run of single colour strip
-
Small and light - 9 x 6 x 3cm and 62g, so it mounts almost anywhere
-
Wide temperature range - suits a vehicle, a boat cabin or an unheated workshop
-
Simple wiring - sits in line between the power supply and the strip
Can You Dim LED Strip Without Flicker?
Yes, with the right kind of dimmer, and this is where most people go wrong. A standard household wall dimmer is designed for mains-voltage incandescent or dimmable-LED bulbs, and putting one on the mains side of a 12V LED transformer usually produces flicker, buzzing or nothing at all. A low-voltage dimmer like this one sits on the 12V side, between the power supply and the strip, and controls the strip directly. That is the correct place for it and it is why it works smoothly.
What Does 8A Mean in Metres of Strip?
8A at 12V is 96 watts. Common single colour 5050 strip draws roughly 14W per metre, so that is around 6 to 7 metres. The lower-power 3528 strip draws about 5W per metre, so you could run considerably more. Always work it out from the wattage per metre printed on your strip's reel or spec sheet rather than guessing, and leave headroom - running any controller at its absolute limit shortens its life.
Does a Dimmer Save Power?
With LEDs, yes, and meaningfully. A PWM dimmer works by switching the LEDs on and off very rapidly, and the proportion of time they are on is what sets the brightness - so at half brightness the strip really is drawing roughly half the power. This is different from old resistive dimmers on incandescent bulbs, which burned off the difference as heat and saved almost nothing. Dimming an LED run genuinely reduces consumption and heat, which is why it also extends the strip's life.
Buyers are fitting under-cabinet kitchen lighting, caravan and boat interiors, truck cabins, workshop benches and display cabinets.
See Tools & Hardware, Automotive, or Home & Garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it work with RGB strip?
No. This is for single colour strip. RGB needs an RGB controller.
Is a power supply included?
No.
Can I wire it into mains?
No, absolutely not. It is a low voltage DC device that goes on the 12V side.
How much strip can it handle?
Up to 96W - roughly 6-7m of 5050 or considerably more of 3528.
Will it work at 24V?
It is specified for 12V. Do not run it at 24V.
Does it flicker at low brightness?
A PWM dimmer can show slight flicker at the very bottom of its range on camera, though not usually to the eye.
Can it go in a vehicle?
Yes, that is a common use. It is rated -20C to 60C.
Fast Australian Shipping
Dispatched from Australia to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and Darwin, with regional and remote addresses handled through the standard Australia Post network.
Measurements are approximate. Screen colours vary between devices. LOW VOLTAGE DC ONLY - never connect this device to mains voltage. Electrical work on fixed wiring must be carried out by a licensed electrician.
