[SML] Dummy loads for LED light bulb strings

[David Fox]

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Your typical SCR or Triac-based dimmer is going to leak somewhere between 12-24 volts. So the dummy load is there to add resistance to the line, which will, in turn prevent ghosting. I learned this blowing up grain of wheat lights in star drops. 

Additionally, these types of dimmers depend on a certain level of resistance to close their gate at zero cross, so dimming low wattage loads can be "problematic" in about fifty kerjillion ways. ZI learned this supporting sites replacing grain wheat lights with LED in their star drops. 

My solution has always been the same. Add about 100W incandescent light bulbs to the circuit. This seems to be enough to tame the technology.
It can be a single light or a collection of incandescent light bulbs that add to 100 wats. The number of times I put 4 25w blue running lights on the upstage side of a drop or piece of scenery. Yeah.. lost count.

Music stand lights work great too. And most theatres have plenty of both.

IMHO, something like a curling iron scares me. That gets too hot at full and is not really designed to be dimmed. So, what does a curling iron do if left on at 40% of its anticipated power? Dunno. But I do know I don't want to find out in the middle of a show. Especially if it is 30 feet in the air.

If you really want to avoid incandescent, you can get load resistors to add in line. I have used and recommended these for permanent installations. But again, IMHO, they aren't worth the cost for a production.

Hope this helps

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David
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