Hi everyone! I wanted to share my experience with setting up the Shelly Dimmer 2 to control an LED strip. It’s been a fun project, and I thought I’d walk through my setup and some tips I’ve picked up along the way.
Setup and Configuration
I decided to use the Shelly Dimmer 2 for its dimming capabilities and ease of integration with my existing smart home setup. I wanted to control an LED strip in my living room, which is powered by a 220V AC supply. The LED strip has a built-in rectifier, which converts the AC to DC for the LEDs.
Key Considerations
One thing I was unsure about was where to connect the Shelly Dimmer 2—before or after the rectifier. After some research and testing, I found that connecting the dimmer before the rectifier was the right choice. This ensures proper dimming without any flickering or instability in the LED strip.
Wiring and Safety
I used standard wiring for the Shelly Dimmer 2, making sure to follow all safety guidelines. It’s important to note that while the dimmer itself doesn’t require special wiring, the placement relative to the rectifier is crucial for optimal performance.
Tips for Others
- Test Connections: Always test your connections with a multimeter before powering everything up. This helps catch any wiring errors early.
- Dimming Compatibility: Not all LED strips are created equal. I recommend checking if your LED strip is compatible with dimmers before making any connections.
- Firmware Updates: Keep your Shelly Dimmer 2 firmware up to date. I’ve noticed improved performance and compatibility with firmware updates.
Challenges and Solutions
Initially, I encountered some flickering issues, which I traced back to the placement of the dimmer. Moving it before the rectifier solved the problem. It was a bit of trial and error, but it paid off in the end.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Shelly Dimmer 2 has been a great addition to my smart home setup. It’s reliable, easy to configure, and integrates seamlessly with my existing devices. If you’re considering using it for an LED strip, I highly recommend giving it a try!
Feel free to ask any questions or share your own experiences with Shelly Dimmer 2 setups. Happy tinkering! 