[SOLVED] Affordable ZigBee dimmer with trailing edge?

[Sjonnie2017]

Hi All,

I have been looking for an affordable ZigBee dimmer for my ceiling lights for the last couple of days. I would love the dimmer to be able to be build in into the ceiling and be able to drive 2 or more 230V LED bulbs that I currently have in my ceiling lights.

I currently use a Smartwares SH5-TBD-02A which operates at 433 MHz but it is not as reliable as I would wish it to be. As far as I can tell this dimmer uses "trailing edge" to drive and dim the light bulbs.

The controllers I have found so far are about € 40,- which is not what I had hoped to spend on it. So if anyone has experience with a more affordable dimmer I would appreciate a link and read your experience with it.

TIA!

Greetz,

Sjonnie

[Thorgal789]

Hello, I have some problem to translate "trailing edge" in my language, do you mean "without neutral" ?

[jake]

Hello, I have some problem to translate "trailing edge" in my language, do you mean "without neutral" ?

well, please check this post: https://willem.aandewiel.nl/index.php/2 ... -part-2/2/

[Sjonnie2017]

Willem's site explains the difference between leading and trailing but also stated you need a PWM dimmer. I am fairly certain that the current dimmer is not PWM but I don't mind to be corrected at this point.

Greetz,
Sjonnie

[Thorgal789]

You cannot dim LED lights by either trailing- or leading-edge cut-off! But (dimmable) LED lights can be dimmed with Pulse Wide Modulation (PWM). PWM switches the power to the LED light on and off at a (relatively) high frequency.

So if I have understand in 2020, we can consider all hardwares use PWM, else impossible for them working with LED, and now LED are the standard ?

But in this situation, why are you searching trailing edge technologie ?

[Sjonnie2017]

Before we trail off (pun intended) to discuss the PWM issue let me try to explain how the situation is right now:

I have a Smartwares SH5-TBD-02A dimmer that is almost certain not PWM but trailing edge as explained here (in Dutch I am afraid): https://www.ecobright.nl/led-dimmer/). The dimmer works great and the bulbs do not flicker or hum when dimmed. So logic dictates (as Spock would say) that a trailing edge dimmer should do just fine. But the dimmers the site has to offer are a bit expensive so that's why I am looking for a more affordable alternative.

PS. Note that Willem says himself he is no electrical engineer so he might just be a little right and a little wrong

Greetz,

Sjonnie

[jake]

I indeed have a 10 year old (expensive) dimmer from Jung. Used to dim halogen bulbs. I recently changed the bulbs for dimmable LEDs (the ones with a clear bulb and 2 wires of LED). To my surprise they dim just fine with the existing dimmer.
At the time I bought the dimmer I'm pretty sure they didn't design them for working with LEDs

[Sjonnie2017]

Hi Jake,

Do you think you can find out if the dimmer from Jung is leading or trailing edge? It would help in confirming my conclusion and make sure that trailing is the way to go

TIA

Greetz,

Sjonnie

[jake]

Hi Jake,

Do you think you can find out if the dimmer from Jung is leading or trailing edge? It would help in confirming my conclusion and make sure that trailing is the way to go

TIA

Greetz,

Sjonnie

I checked out the dimmer box and manual. It is a Jung 225 TDE. On a couple Dutch websites it is specifed as 'faseafsnijding', which sounds to me like 'trailing edge', instead of 'faseaansnijding'.

[Sjonnie2017]

Hi Jake,

Tx! And you're right "faseafsnijding" is indeed trailing edge.

Now let's hope someone on this forum has experience with an affordable ZigBee dimmer with trailing edge

Greetz,

Sjonnie

[Sjonnie2017]

I thought I'd take a gamble and ordered a pair of these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000015886428.html

With some extra discount on ordering more than one dimmer the cost for one dimmer is slightly over € 20,-.

Will let you know if these dimmers work when I get them.

Greetz,

Sjonnie

[waltervl]

I am in the same situation. I bought these and waiting for them to arrive. Not sure what type of dimming principle they use...

Paulmann 50044 SmartHome ZigBee Cephei Dimm Controller max. 400W 230V AC Weiß/Grau Kunststoff Schaltgerät 500.44, Plastik, 16.3 x 6 x 5.3 cm https://www.amazon.de/dp/B072QRY6WZ/ref ... hEbJDZ2FQS

[Sjonnie2017]

Small update and a little bit of a surprise

I inadvertently bought a pair of leading edge dimmers for my dimable LED lights. I was unable to cancel the order so I thought I'd take a chance and try these dimmers in my setup. To my surprise the dimmers work perfectly. I can dim the lights to a little under 10% and there is no humming or flickering from the light bulbs.

I ordered these dimmers (€ 15,- each):

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000261055890.html

I use them with these light bulbs (€ 2,- each):

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33007963917.html

Worth a try

If I get the trailing edge dimmers I will also test these and report back.

Greetz,

Sjonnie

[Sjonnie2017]

Since these dimmers come from a variety of suppliers, each adding their own product name and number to it, it might be useful to have some pictures of the inside of the leading edge dimmers:





HTH

Greetz,

Sjonnie

[Sjonnie2017]

Yesterday I received the trailing edge dimmers. I installed them today and I can tell for sure that they are working wonderfully with the LED bulbs and the ConBee II stick. The dimmer allows to dim the LED bulbs to less than 10% although I must say I'd rather turn them off at this level

The dimmers are a tad more expensive than the leading edge dimmers two posts up. They cost a "hefty" € 20,- including shipping. Bargain compared to dimmers available in the Netherlands.

These are the dimmers I bought:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000015886428.html (currently at € 22,-)

Also these dimmers are sold by multiple sellers, each adding their own product name and number. So again a picture of the device:


I used the same LED bulbs as two posts above.

HTH

Greetz,

Sjonnie

[Thorgal789]

Lol, thx for informations and tests ^^.
I think all user are shy to try unknown chinese devices.

[Sjonnie2017]

I like living on the leading/trailing edge