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#1 11/03/2009 8:52 pm
- Ryan81986
- Out Of The Brooder
- From: Just outside of Boston, Ma
- Registered: 10/09/2009
- Posts: 57
Can a heat lamp be used with a dimmer?
Pretty much what the title says, since the heat needs to be somewhat controled in a brooder can you wire up a heat lamp to a dimmer switch to allow it to not give off as much heat?
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#2 11/03/2009 9:01 pm
- Chook-A-Holic
- Golden Feather Member
- From: Central, N.C.
- Registered: 10/05/2009
- Posts: 1038
- View My BYC Page
Re: Can a heat lamp be used with a dimmer?
Yes, thats the way I do mine. Just make sure the dimmer is rated for the wattage of the heat lamp.
Last edited by Chook-A-Holic (11/03/2009 9:02 pm)
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#3 11/03/2009 10:45 pm
- wordgirl
- Overrun With Chickens
- Registered: 04/14/2009
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Re: Can a heat lamp be used with a dimmer?
Yes! And be careful in installing it. We ruined the first one we bought.... 
The first of nine kids in the bestest family in the world!
2 Buff Orpingtons, 3 Australorps, 1 Gold Link, 1 dog, 1 puppy 
, 3 barncatsMatthew 11:29 ~ Take My [Jesus'] yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
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#4 11/05/2009 9:19 am
- kartking22
- Chillin' With My Peeps
- From: Wisconsin
- Registered: 01/12/2008
- Posts: 205
- Website
Re: Can a heat lamp be used with a dimmer?
I usually just hang my heat lamp with a small rope and raise or lower it to get the correct heat. The dimmer switch is a good idea to cut down on electricity usage too. I normally use an old floor model brooder along with the heat lamp. The floor model brooders only turn on when it needs heat. This saves on the electric bill as well.
Hard work has never killed anyone but I refuse to take that chance. Two cats and a bunch of birds.
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#5 11/05/2009 9:34 am
- A.T. Hagan
- Don't Panic
- From: North/Central Florida
- Registered: 08/13/2007
- Posts: 1693
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Re: Can a heat lamp be used with a dimmer?
I like the dimmer switch idea. It would save the trouble of swapping bulbs out in our variable Florida winters. One day it can be 85 in the day, two nights later it might be twenty degrees.
.....Alan.
Chance favors the prepared mind.
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#6 11/06/2009 9:11 am
- mjdtexan
- Chicken Obsessed
- From: Houston(ish)
- Registered: 09/30/2008
- Posts: 1968
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Re: Can a heat lamp be used with a dimmer?
Thats how I control the heat in my brooder. I also have a white light wired into mine so that when I need to see real well I can flip that one on or off.
The dimmer works very well. Just make sure you get one that is rated at or above the heat lamp you are going to use.
Click here to see my brooder--------------> BROODER
Last edited by mjdtexan (11/06/2009 9:13 am)
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