Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone...

I just wired my new rack with 11" and 3" flexwatt. I have a plug-in rheostat for the 11", but need to keep the 3" on a seperate dimmer. So...I thought I'd go get one of those wall dimmers that I've seen many people use. Problem is that the instructions are for "end-of-line" installation and I need this to be an "in-line" installation....right? I think that I can handle wiring the flexwatt to the dimmer, but then how do I make a cord from the dimmer to the wall plug??

If it helps.....there are three wires from the back of the dimmer....a green one and a black one at the top....(hot and neutral?) and a black one on the bottom....(ground?)

I did a search for this specific topic and couldn't find any help....yet I'm positive this has been discussed before, so I apologize for being an idiot. Thanks so much for helping out!

Jeremy

Very easy to do. But the standard disclaimer...Follow the following instructions at your own risk. I assume no liability for you following these intructions. You should seek the help of a qualified electrician in your area.

Now that that is out of the way.

Both of the black wires on the dimmer are for the "hot legs" of the power cord and flex watt. The green wire is for ground, if your power cord comes with it.

1. Attach one wire from the flex watt to one of the black wires on the dimmer.

2. Attach the BLACK wire from the power cord to the OTHER black wire on the dimmer.

3. Take the remaining wire from the flex watt and wire nut it together with the WHITE wire from the power cord. These two wires DO NOT attach to the dimmer.

4. If your power cord has a ground, (green wire), you may attach it to the green wire on the dimmer. If not, donot worry about the green wire on the dimmer.

Of course, install it all in an approved electrical box and you should be all set.

...I bought an extension cord and cut off the female end to use for my plug. Both of the wires are the same color....I THINK it doesn't matter which one I wire to the dimmer right? The only difference I can see is that one tine of the plug is a little thicker than the other...ya know? Would that be an indicator of hot vs. ground?

I don't know why...but I'm thinking I can just connect either wire from the flexwatt to the dimmer...then take either wire from the plug and wire that to the other black wire on the dimmer....then take the remaining wire from the flexwatt and wire that to the remaining wire from the plug, and that should complete the circuit...

Is that right? I got confused b/c my plug doesn't have a black wire...

Thanks for the quick response!

If one of the spades on the plug is thicker/wider, that means it is a polarized plug. The thicker spade is for the neutral, or white wire. It will only fit into a polarized wall socket one way. Usually on the cheap extension cords that are all one color, the wire coming from the neutral side will be grooved. Just follow the wire from the bigger spade and that will be your neutral/white wire. You need to make sure which wires are which or go get a different cord that has black and white wires.

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