[R-390] OT? Dimmer buzz, solution?

[Jim Miller]

You may only need to get a better quality dimmer, the ones in local stores 
(for $10.00 or so) will probably not have superior RFO filtering built 
in....The Lutron Nova series ($25 price range) has excellent filtering built 
in.  I use them here.

From:
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/touchlamp.html

"The Lutron NOVA series uses toroidal chokes that provide a significant 
level of RFI suppression.
I bought a Lutron model N-600, which will handle up to 600 watts of 
incandescent lighting. Temporarily installed in my radio shack, a generic 
light dimmer produced an S9+ reading at 230 kHz (an arbitrary noisy 
frequency). The N-600 produced a reading of S3, a difference of about 40 dB. 
Admittedly, this is not zero, but installing the N-600 some distance away 
provided a reduction in RFI that is very gratifying. Indeed, I new hear new 
noise sources, heretofore undetectable through the dimmer din.

You're not likely to find these dimmers at your local discount store, and 
they are not inexpensive. Check for the availability of these dimmers at a 
lighting fixture store and expect to pay about $25 apiece for them. "



I had to order mine from an internet supplier.  Be sure to specify the 
"thin" or low profile model.  You are not likely to find them in local 
stores with good filtering.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roy Morgan" <roy.morgan at nist.gov>
To: <JMILLER1706 at cfl.rr.com>; "Dave or Debbie Metz" <dmetz at ntelos.net>
Cc: <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2005 12:37 PM
Subject: Re: [R-390] OT? Dimmer buzz, solution?


> At 11:32 AM 7/1/2005, JMILLER1706 at cfl.rr.com wrote:
>>Also check out this:
>>http://www.ethanwiner.com/dimmers.html
>
> which page includes the following:
>
> "lthough many low-cost power outlet strips sold at hardware and computer 
> stores claim to include RFI filtering, in truth none of them contain 
> filters that are really effective. You need to purchase a genuine 
> industrial-grade RFI filter from an electronics parts supplier. Both 
> Mouser (mentioned above) and DigiKey (800-344-4539; on the Internet 
> <http://www.digikey.com>http://www.digikey.com) sell the kind of filter 
> I'm talking about here. I have used filters made by Corcom (sold by 
> DigiKey) and Cornell-Dubilier with great success, and they range in price 
> from $25 to $65 each, depending on their capacity in Amperes. Don't waste 
> your time with cheaper units; buy only Series R two-stage L-C 
> (inductor-capacitor) filters. "
>
> Roy
>
>
>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: Dave or Debbie Metz <dmetz at ntelos.net>
>>Date: Friday, July 1, 2005 10:21 am
>>Subject: [R-390] OT?  Dimmer buzz, solution?
>>
>> > While this is probably not within the parameters of heavy iron, I
>> > do have a
>> > question for the collective wisdom of this esteemed group. I have
>> > been
>> > haunted for years by lamp dimmer buzz radiated as RF that gets
>> > picked up
>> > with my basement hobby an the AM that the R-390 wants to hear.
>> > Recently,
>> > I purchased a Lutron Lamp Debuzzer Coil  LDC-10-TCP in another
>> > attempt to
>> > eliminate this radiated hash. Low and behold the $110 investment
>> > worked
>> > fantastically!  Now what I want to know is how to build such an
>> > animal for
>> > a lot less than $110!   All there is to this is a box about the
>> > size of a
>> > smaller ballast transformer with two wires. It goes in series
>> > between the
>> > dimmer and the light load. They have very specific amperage
>> > ratings ,
>> > 400-600 watts, 600-1200 watt, and 1200-1920 watts depending upon
>> > the needed
>> > load range.  It sure is great to now have the XYL upstairs
>> > watching TV with
>> > a dimmed light and I can listen to the DX BC band on the 390!
>> > There has to
>> > be a cheaper solution for the rest of my dimmed light circuits.
>> > 73's
>> > dave
>> >
>> >
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> - Roy Morgan, K1LKY since 1959 - Keep 'em Glowing!
> 7130 Panorama Drive, Derwood MD 20855
> Home: 301-330-8828 Cell 301-928-7794
> Work: Voice: 301-975-3254,  Fax: 301-948-6213
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