[SML] Dummy loads for LED light bulb strings

[Greg Bierly]

Experiment how much extra wattage you need to get the dimmers to work properly.  I was able to use a 35w lamp with a row of LED rope light on our houselight dimmers.  I never tried anything smaller.  You might be able to find one “matching” incandescent lamp to match the LEDs in the sign.  If not, maybe 15-35 watt lamp hidden behind the lit sign would not need to be enclosed and build up much heat.  

Greg Bierly

> On Apr 22, 2025, at 1:34 AM, Joe via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
> 
> I am helping with a production, where we made an old-fashioned illuminated sign, where there are bare bulbs inserted inside the letters. I.e. a "bulb letter" sign.  I chose to use screw-in LED light bulb strings, because I knew they wouldn't get hot, and I could just cut the letters out from foam board.  However, I forgot that many (most?) DMX dimmer packs tend to let a little electricity through. This results in the inability to turn the LED lights off entirely, and sometimes, in them flickering.
> 
> Aside from purchasing more modern dimmer packs, that know to cut the power totally off when dimmed down to zero,  I recall that one solution was to plug in a dummy load.  I experimented with a curling iron, and it worked well. Though, actually it was hard to find one, even in a thrift store, that didn't have a digital temperature setting.  Those default to off if just plugged them in to power it up.  Analog stuff is disappearing.
> 
> I vaguely recall the idea of using a 100 watt bulb in a Par Can, with a black foil "gel" to block the light. But, I am hesitant to have hot items backstage anymore, especially for a small scale performance that will be touring to a few non-traditional performing spaces. Any other suggestions?
> 
> -Joe
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