Can you dim heat lamps?

[LoneCowboy]

Can you dim heat lamps? I have a 250W out in my brooding coop, and it's a low roof. I can't raise it anymore but it's too warm for the chicks now. Just wondering if I can dim is so I don't have to keep buying different wattages of bulbs.

 

[PurpleChicken]

You can dim it. One way is to use a true rheostat but this is expensive.

You can buy a simple dimmer at Home Depot and put it in an electrical
box.

I dim both my 250 and 60 watt bulbs.

Rheostat on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Variable-Speed-...ryZ71393QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

one of our sponsors had something that would help you. I saw it when i was checking out their site. its atemp control for heat lamps I think

 

[PurpleChicken]

shopthecoop had a thermostatically controlled plug. That's a very cool
device but not for this application. Lone needs to be able to vary the
intensity of light, something only a dimmer or moving the light can do.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Yeah, I saw that plug thing, but it only goes down to 70 deg. I'm wanting to get my birds to tolerate much lower temps without going from 80 to 50 in one night. That would be mean in my opinion.

 

[eggchel]

Is it one of those red heat lamp bulbs? They also come in 150 watt. You might want to switch to a lower wattage.


Chel

 

[meloncholy88]

Hello! Shop the coop does have a plug in outlet that kicks on when it is 35 degrees or lower. This is not good for little peeps but a good idea if you are trying to be efficient and safe.
The dimmer is a good idea, home depot would have that and cheaper too.

 

[silkiechicken]

I just use 100 W bulbs on a dimmer. Just use a regular incandecent and you'll be good to go.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Would the 100 watt heat a 6' x 8' x 4' high coop? I need them to get used to colder weather. How many lights?

 

[PurpleChicken]

Too many variables. Just use trial and error with a good thermometer.