Plug in table lamp dimmer needed

[elgenon]

I am a tourist staying at different hotels during extended stays in Thailand. About 6 months. Anyway I would like to have the ability to dim table lamps whether fluorescent or incandescent(less likely so less important). So the lamp would need to plug into it.

Any ideas how I could get one as a tourist who doesn't drive.

 

Or at least tell me if there is such a beast available and who has it. Is there any chance I can order from Amazon while in the States? What are the electricity numbers I need to know.

 

Thanks for your help.

[bojo]

Type in 'plug in dimmer switch' on Amazon in the US, there are many to choose from........

[macahoom]

Some possible problems:

 

If you buy the dimmer in the USA, the voltage is gonna be 120v - Thailand is 220v.

 

There's a good chance the bulbs in your hotel room will be LED - and won't be dimmable LEDs.

 

You mention dimming fluorescent bulbs: Dimmable fluorescent bulbs do exist, but there is almost zero chance of finding them in a hotel room.

[Crossy]

All the above ^^^.

 

Your best bet is likely to get one of the "smart" light bulbs which come with a remote control (or can Wi-Fi/Bluetooth to your phone). Just replace the regular bulb with the smart one.

 

Just don't forget to take it with you when you leave!

 

I've seen them in the big box DIY places, HomePro and the like.

 

EDIT This sort of thing https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Magic-RGB-LED-Light-Bulb-AC85-265V-Smart-Lighting-Lamp-Color-Change-Dimmable-With-IR-Remote/32880901893.html

 

[macahoom]

24 minutes ago, Crossy said:

All the above ^^^.

 

Your best bet is likely to get one of the "smart" light bulbs which come with a remote control (or can Wi-Fi/Bluetooth to your phone). Just replace the regular bulb with the smart one.

 

Just don't forget to take it with you when you leave!

 

I've seen them in the big box DIY places, HomePro and the like.

 

EDIT This sort of thing https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Magic-RGB-LED-Light-Bulb-AC85-265V-Smart-Lighting-Lamp-Color-Change-Dimmable-With-IR-Remote/32880901893.html

 

 

Yes, good idea from Crossy.

 

One more possible problem:

 

Table lamps have either E27 or E14 sockets. So either buy two different bulbs, or buy an E27 bulb and an E14 to E27 socket adaptor/converter.

[sometimewoodworker]

2 hours ago, elgenon said:

I am a tourist staying at different hotels during extended stays in Thailand. About 6 months. Anyway I would like to have the ability to dim table lamps whether fluorescent or incandescent(less likely so less important)

No dimmer works on fluorescent lights, so the other options are your best bet

[macahoom]

16 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

No dimmer works on fluorescent lights, so the other options are your best bet

There are dimmable fluorescent bulbs.

 

But they are expensive, and do not work quite as well as incandescent and LED dimmables.

Edited March 4, 2019 by macahoom

[elgenon]

Thanks TVers. Your excellent replies led to me a "not nearly as good" solution. I could just buy a lower watt light. As long as I don't break it in my suitcase. 5555

 

I will check out the "smart" bulb. Anyone know approximate price? No idea what the two settings would be like but the "Holiday" sounds to me like it would be brighter than the "Daily". If so, it would not really serve my purpose.

 

Since I already wrote this I will submit it and then look at the EDIT link.

 

[elgenon]

It looks like the 2 modes are the same brightness but the "Holiday" has colors.

[elgenon]

47 minutes ago, macahoom said:

There are dimmable fluorescent bulbs.

 

But they are expensive, and do not work quite as well as incandescent and LED dimmables.

I guess that's why the hotel got rid of the dimmers for the table lamps. IMHO  5555

[sometimewoodworker]

1 hour ago, macahoom said:

There are dimmable fluorescent bulbs.

 

But they are expensive, and do not work quite as well as incandescent and LED dimmables.

I stand corrected.

 

However it's unlikely that any hotel that doesn't have dimmers on the fluorescent fittings will have bought fluorescent lights that can be dimmed, so while technically wrong in practice I'm correct, no?

[macahoom]

18 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

I stand corrected.

 

However it's unlikely that any hotel that doesn't have dimmers on the fluorescent fittings will have bought fluorescent lights that can be dimmed, so while technically wrong in practice I'm correct, no?

 

That's what I already said in post #3.