Dimming the lights?

Psychobunny

Psychobunny

Avid Member
I hate the way all the lights go out when on a normal timer.
Not exactly 'natural'!!

Is there a on/off timer that dims up and down?
 
Great question. I would like to know this as well.

I thought about working with two timers to shut the lights off in stages, but a dimming power on/ power off option would be sweet.
 
There are options like that but if I'm not mistaken they can be pricey. My alternative was to have the two sets of cages on two timers, so one wall turns off first and then the other a little afterwards, so it gets 50% darker and then completely dark.
 
I looked in to several dimming options, but they are pricey and you would have to buy new, dimmable lights. What I do is have the basking lights go on 30 mins before and off 30 mins after the UV lights. It creates a nice step up and down to lighting.
 
I know exo terra makes one that will dim the fluorescent bulbs. I've seen them in the stores, but can't say I remember how much, only that they were outside of my meager budget at the time :eek:. See here: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/light_cycle_unit.php

I have thought about just doing the multiple timer thing as that would be better than nothing and a lot cheaper! And if you're like me and have 3 separarate fluorescent bulbs (2 grow lights, 1 uvb) plus the basking lamp, you could have 4 timers going and do a fairly good job of slowing dimming the lights for about $20 bucks to buy all the timers :p
 
This is funny, My son was just talking about this a few day's ago, he said he would love to figure out how to make a dimmer timer actually called it a sunrise sunset dimmer timer and then he was telling me he would market it and make us rich! So as soon as my inventor figures out how to make one and we market it, we will let you all know lol look for Randall's Sunrise Sunset Dimmer timer (Named after Randall our Veiled Chameleon of course) :D
 
The herpstat pro thermostat that I use for my incubators has settings for dawn and dusk effect for terrarium lights.

http://spyderrobotics.com/products/herpstat_pro.html

It is pretty pricy but if you need a controller for an incubator anyway, you can hook it up to one or two terrariums and control 2 or 3 incubators at the same time. Only 2 outputs are available for the dawn and dusk effect.

It also does cooling, night drop effect which is useful for chameleon eggs, and audible alarms - one big reason I use the controller. It does a great job as well, keeps my incubators constant within 1/10 of a degree.
 
Hmmm.. I just always turn a lamp on for an hour (30mins before lights out, 30mins after) so if he's not quite ready he's got a bit of light to get himself cosy for the night!
Wonder why I've never even thought about dimming?! Would be great if there was a cheaper option :(
 
Ladybones said:
This is funny, My son was just talking about this a few day's ago, he said he would love to figure out how to make a dimmer timer actually called it a sunrise sunset dimmer timer and then he was telling me he would market it and make us rich! So as soon as my inventor figures out how to make one and we market it, we will let you all know lol look for Randall's Sunrise Sunset Dimmer timer (Named after Randall our Veiled Chameleon of course) :D
Click to expand...

Your son is smart :)
Tell him to get on the stick and do some inventing so we can all buy one
from him :D
As long as it doesnt look like a kids science project (wires hanging out, duct tape, etc.) I will pay.... oh.... 50$$ !!??
 
fluxlizard said:
The herpstat pro thermostat that I use for my incubators has settings for dawn and dusk effect for terrarium lights.

http://spyderrobotics.com/products/herpstat_pro.html

It is pretty pricy but if you need a controller for an incubator anyway, you can hook it up to one or two terrariums and control 2 or 3 incubators at the same time. Only 2 outputs are available for the dawn and dusk effect.

It also does cooling, night drop effect which is useful for chameleon eggs, and audible alarms - one big reason I use the controller. It does a great job as well, keeps my incubators constant within 1/10 of a degree.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I have heard nothing but good things about Spyderrobotics herp controllers, excellent quality, worth the $$, etc.

Thing is, I dont even know if my Arcadia fixture is dimmable!!?? :eek:

Like someone already said, I would have to buy all new lights :(

Oh well, nice idea, I guess I'll just wait for Ladybones son to invent one ;) :rolleyes:
 
I use 3 timers,first the uv lights come on, 45 minutes later the halogen come on. In the evening the halogen go out, 45 minutes later the uv go out and finally a lamp goes out 30 minutes later. It gives them time to get to there night sleeping spot and seems more natural
 
I just wanted to point out that I use timers for my lights- they all go off at the same time each day. I think the regular routine helps- the chameleons seem to know when that time comes around even without a simulated dusk. They find their way to their sleeping places a few minutes before lights go out even without the dimming effect...
 
I have my lights turn off a little bit after the sun goes down and I have my sets of cages turn off at different times. The room gets darker because of the sun, then the lights turn off at different times until the room is dark. I happened to do it on accident, but the chameleons don't seem to care either way. They go to sleep when the sun goes down and by the time the lights turn off they are out anyways. I could probably keep the lights on all night and they wouldn't wake up until the sun came up again!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BryanP
Afordable PID dimming thermostat
Replies
10
Views
988
GrannyK
GrannyK
naterowley
Probe Thermostat Heat Lamp
2
Replies
23
Views
1K
regal81455
R
Ghostbirb
Mistking help and an unfortunate issue
Replies
6
Views
404
Ghostbirb
Ghostbirb
amf45005
Extra lighting for the cage
Replies
6
Views
603
yungzerk
yungzerk
Andrew1283
Herbie’s Sky Walk
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
Beman
Beman
Back
Top Bottom