Dimmer switch wiring

[Lou R]

Happy New Year, I need a little help, I’m replacing the original dimmer switch on my console which has 3 wires, (red, black and blue) with a new dimmer switch that only comes with two wires (red and white). Is there a way to wire a two wire switch to three wires? Or do I need a different switch?

 

[JayhawkCurtis]

Happy New Year, I need a little help, I’m replacing the original dimmer switch on my console which has 3 wires, (red, black and blue) with a new dimmer switch that only comes with two wires (red and white). Is there a way to wire a two wire switch to three wires? Or do I need a different switch?

Is the original dimmer a 3-way switch? 2 switches to control the same light? Come to think of it, I dont think i have ever seen a 3 way dimmer

 

[Bill Curtis]

Is the original dimmer a 3-way switch? 2 switches to control the same light? Come to think of it, I dont think i have ever seen a 3 way dimmer

Yes they do, just checked. Pretty sure you can't use 2 of them on the same circuit load or it'll act crazy.

 

[hughespat57]

If this is for the back lit labels your panel likely has electroluminecent strips.
They run on AC and the dimmer module contains a small DC/AC inverter.

https://fpmarine.com/strip-light-for-backlit-dash-instrument-panels/
https://fpmarine.com/inverter-for-strip-light-for-backlit-dash-instrument-panels-el-tape/


Note the output voltage can be up to 110VAC, if the original still works at all check the output voltage with a meter.

 

[Lou R]

Is the original dimmer a 3-way switch? 2 switches to control the same light? Come to think of it, I dont think i have ever seen a 3 way dimmer

Not a 3 way, the original has red,black and blue wire(load?) I’ll send you a pic of the old one, the new one with two wires and a third option with the three wires but expensive.

 

[hughespat57]

Hard to read this is from 1996 330 wiring diagram.
The dimmer (green) is separate from the inverter (blue)
The three wires means it is an electronic dimmer, PWM type (but at least it does not need the built in inverter)
red wires from running lights, black ground and blue to inverter and gauges.
So any good three wire PWM marine dimmer will work.

https://www.amazon.com/Leisure-Lect...XHQ6/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=marine+dimmer+switch

Is the dimmer frozen? or burned out completely?
I ask because if the gauges light up but not the back lights it could be the inverter is bad.
If nothing lights up the dimmer more likely.

 

[Lou R]

Hard to read this is from 1996 330 wiring diagram.
The dimmer (green) is separate from the inverter (blue)
The three wires means it is an electronic dimmer, PWM type (but at least it does not need the built in inverter)
red wires from running lights, black ground and blue to inverter and gauges.
So any good three wire PWM marine dimmer will work.

https://www.amazon.com/Leisure-Lect...XHQ6/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=marine+dimmer+switch

Is the dimmer frozen? or burned out completely?
I ask because if the gauges light up but not the back lights it could be the inverter is bad.
If nothing lights up the dimmer more likely.

View attachment 138268

unfortunately I broke the knob off the old switch, now it’s useless. Thank you for the recommendation for the Amazon switch, I think that’s going to work fine and a good price. Thanks for the help.

 

[John Bell]

Could someone advise as to where the fuse might be for the console dimmer switch. I have a 1998 37' Sundancer. I replaced the control with a like for like dimmer from FP Marine with the three wires which were color coded the same as the old switch. When I turned on the dimmer it sounded like a fuse popped/blew

 

[James Lee]

I’m currently having the same issue on my 290 AJ. Lights on guages work, lights in dash switches work indicating that are on “green” light when switch is on.

no lights at all coming from dimmer which should light up the dashboard lettering etc?

“Can’t wait” did that switch from Amazon work. Can I some how bypass the dimmer switch and just get full on power to the led light strip. I don’t care dim them. I just want them on. Thanks

 

[Lou R]

The dimmer switch from Amazon did not work, I need three wires and that one came with two. this sounds silly but I made sure the nav lights switch is on, then the dimmer worked.

 

[Lou R]

I’m currently having the same issue on my 290 AJ. Lights on guages work, lights in dash switches work indicating that are on “green” light when switch is on.

no lights at all coming from dimmer which should light up the dashboard lettering etc?

“Can’t wait” did that switch from Amazon work. Can I some how bypass the dimmer switch and just get full on power to the led light strip. I don’t care dim them. I just want them on. Thanks

No I ended up going with the one from FP, expensive.

 

[James Lee]

So if anyone else is having this issue with the dimmer switch. I replaced my switch with the one that hughespat57 posted above. It has the 3 connections black, red, and, blue. Easy to connect however this did not fix the issue. After cutting some zip ties to loose. I traced the led backlighting to the inverter. I’m assuming I hope that this is the problem. Here is the replacement I ordered. Kinda pricy. But hopefully this is the issue. Will keep you posted
http://www.techliteinverters.com/home-page/ifw-3310-3/

 

[strictversed]

Happy New Year, I need a little help, I’m replacing the original dimmer switch on my console which has 3 wires, (red, black and blue) with a new dimmer switch that only comes with two wires (red and white). Is there a way to wire a two wire switch to three wires? Or do I need a different switch?

Hey there! So you've got a three-wire dimmer switch, and you wanna swap it with this new two-wire dimmer switch, right? Well, here's the deal: the three wires in your old switch are probably for a three-way setup, where you can control the same light from two different switches in different places.

Now, that new dimmer switch you got is likely meant for a single-pole setup, where you just have one switch controlling the light. So, trying to hook up a two-wire switch to those three wires won't work the way you want it to. It might even be unsafe.

To get this sorted out, you'll need to find a three-way dimmer switch that matches the wire configuration of your old one (three wires). Check the product specs or ask someone at the hardware store to help you find the right switch. Don't hesitate to call in an electrician.

 

[James Lee]

This switch has 3 wires red, blue, black. Easy to wire up. The wires are not for use with 2 switches or parallel. Red is 12volt power, black is ground, blue is out to led light.

Leisure Lectronics 12 Volt PWM... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M63XHQ6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

but as I mentioned in earlier post I think it is the inverter that is bad on mine. But now I also have a new switch !