110v dimmer circuit

[gadget-evilusions]

I was just reading the post from Jon, http://www.efx-tek.com/php/smf/index.php?topic=873.0 , that used a small circuit controlled by the prop-1 to dim and brighten 12 to a headlight. Would it be possible to do a similar effect with a triac wired and controlled similarly for a 110vac circuit?

I use a small audio to light modulator kit to build thunder lightning boxes, and i belive it works similarly, by using voltage from the speaker inputs thru an optocoupler to control the level of the 110v thru an 8amp triac. That's what made me think it was possible.

[JonnyMac]

No, it's not possible.  The reason?  AC dimming requires a process called phase-angle modulation which means that the triac (AC device that will switch AC) it activated relative to the zero-cross point of the voltage; the closer to the zero-point, the brighter the bulb.  I explain this in gory technical terms in this Nuts & Volts column:

http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/cols/nv/vol8/col/nv146.pdf

Sorry, Brian, I wish I had a better response for you.

[gadget-evilusions]

Not a problem. I was just looking at your other post and it got me wondering. I don't know the in's and out's of electronics as much as I would like.

Thanks.