FINCHforum

I am looking for a timer and dimer switch in one unit.

This programmable switch would be used in the bird room to extend the daylight and be able to dim itself to dusk. Keeping a low light available over night to prevent night frights. In the morning it should turn itself off only to repeat the cycle again the following day.

Does anyone know where I can get such a device?

Chris

Timer yes, but with a dimmer NO.
I turn my night lights on 5 min before the white lights turn off.

There is a system called X-10 that has a timer and dimmer function, BUT. And this is a big BUT, it will dim down, but not up. When it dims up, it comes on at FULL bightness, then you have to take it down to 20% and work up from there. Rather dumb design. And it only works with incandescent bulbs.

With flourescent lights, there are very few flourecent lights that will work with a dimmer. Because of that you are almost forced to an ON/OFF situation.

hi
this has everything you will need

www.bestofbreeds.net/sunriseaviculture/products.htm

ken

Another solution would be to use a string of mini-lights on its own timer to get a similar effect. See http://efinch.com/cage.htm.

That us what I am doing but was hoping to get away from using so many lamps on the bird room if I could control the main light.

kenny wrote:hi
this has everything you will need

http://www.bestofbreeds.net/sunriseavic ... oducts.htm

ken

Thanks for the informative link Kenny.

hi deborah
no problems ! thats what we are hear for
.
ken

I wonder if they ship to Canada. Also the plugs will have to be changed for north American use. Don't know if it will be ok with 110v plugs

I have a double socket in the birdroom in which are plugged two cheap timers.One timer switches the main lights on and off... the other switches red bulbs on and off and are timed to operate between the timing of the white lights so at no time is there complete darkness.
I have watched the birds, and when the white lights go off to be replaced by red light...they pause for a few seconds and then fly to their roost with no problems,and no dimmer required.In the morning the sudden appearance of white light is of no consequence.
I use low energy bulbs which cost very little to run.
Our fittings and bulbs are different to yours...but below are links to products in Canada that are similar to ours.

If I lived there these would be my choice.

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/plug-in ... ack/920633

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/23-watt ... ack/917965

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/13w-min ... red/901624

Thanks for the info.
I always wondered about red light and wheather they work the same as a dim clear bulb. When I did use the red bulb it seem so bright still that I felt I had to dim it for the birds because I could see everything clearly.

Any thoughts on this?

I use LED Christmas tree lights. They are somewhat bright, but a lot dimmer than white light, so it works OK. They need to be bright enough that the birds can find their way back to a perch at night, if they get spooked off the perch.

And this is just the time to get them.
And I need a spare set myself.

BTW you can see better in the dim light than the birds.

hi
when my dimmer went down i always used a red pygmy bulb,they are quite small and dim and shine just enough light to let the birds find thier perches if startled,we had guy fawkes night on the 5th of november and when i had my birds these lights came in very helpful when everyone was letting of fireworks from 6 pm till 1 in the morning i always had my radio on low aswell..thats something i dont have to worry about now

ken
www.thelightbulb.co.uk/Pygmy


this may help this is a uk company but i am sure they would sell them in the usa,i went for the really dark red because they gave off just enough light and they are very low wattage