Got a good laugh today

[Terry D]

I was replacing dimmers on a job today and came across this. Lamp and Lantern was a lighting showroom that was around back in the day, nothing funny about that. What made me laugh was the last line. I took it to the homeowner and told him that the warranty was expired and he might want to renew it. BTW the dimmer was still working fine.

 

[Kevin Essiambre]

I hope the owner splurged and bought the extended warranty... lol

Sent from my new phone. Autocorrect may have changed stuff.

 

[Bert_]

Can you tell if my warranty is still good on this switch?

 

[couch67]

Can you tell if my warranty is still good on this switch?

Man that brings back memories. My grandparents place had those switches and probably have not seen one for 40+ years.

 

[tab2]

Man that brings back memories. My grandparents place had those switches and probably have not seen one for 40+ years.

I have a few! Well to be honest, they are replicas and one of them is a three way.

 

[Innovate1]

If it is still working chances are it will keep working for many more years.

 

[The Cobbler]

My grandparents house had those push button switches. heavy clunk when you pressed them. I have one of them.

 

[Shiftless]

The house Where I grew up in San Francisco was built in 1921. I remember several rooms had those push button switches like Bert posted. My parents sold it in the ‘70s and those switches were still there. Yes, they were plenty loud. The switch plates were solid brass.

 

[ard]

I was replacing dimmers on a job today and came across this. Lamp and Lantern was a lighting showroom that was around back in the day, nothing funny about that. What made me laugh was the last line. I took it to the homeowner and told him that the warranty was expired and he might want to renew it. BTW the dimmer was still working fine.

Yeah, a 50 year old dimmer

Im sure all the Lutron and Zwave device we are installing today will be working 50 years from now.

Just like the X10 **** that died in 5 or so years

 

[JRC3]

Yeah, a 50 year old dimmer

Im sure all the Lutron and Zwave device we are installing today will be working 50 years from now.

Just like the X10 **** that died in 5 or so years

We are talking about one dimmer, probably in a backroom used a few times a year. Not saying the other stuff will last longer or as long, but lets keep it in perspective. I remember most of those older dimmers not lasting very long.

 

[Terry D]

We are talking about one dimmer, probably in a backroom used a few times a year. Not saying the other stuff will last longer or as long, but lets keep it in perspective. I remember most of those older dimmers not lasting very long.

Actually, this was in a dining room with a Chandelier. It had (12) 60 watt incandescents. So the dimmer was overloaded. I also replaced the lamps with 5 watt LEDs

 

[BigGarage]

Can you tell if my warranty is still good on this switch?

I bought 4 of those several months ago to use in the remodel of my kitchen. I have 2 3-ways and 2 regular.

House Of Antique Hardware has them.

Dennis

 

[exranger06]

I love those push-button switches; they are so cool looking. I'd love to install them in my house, but they'd look really goofy and out of place in a contemporary house like mine.

 

[Bert_]

Actually, this was in a dining room with a Chandelier. It had (12) 60 watt incandescents. So the dimmer was overloaded. I also replaced the lamps with 5 watt LEDs

I like seeing the old stuff that has held up under daily use. Today's products are probably manufactured more consistently. But I would guess they are designed for a shorter life. I would also say that the stuff is much cheaper to buy today.

 

[Bert_]

We have a couple of big old dimmers from the '50's in the church I'm a member of. The knobs are about 3" diameter and it's all built into a recess in the wall. One controlls 8 or 10 300w bulbs.

 

[jd_1138]

I like seeing the old stuff that has held up under daily use. Today's products are probably manufactured more consistently. But I would guess they are designed for a shorter life. I would also say that the stuff is much cheaper to buy today.

Yeah things are made more "consistently" these days -- meaning everything off the factory line is consistently garbage.

But it's mostly the fault of the modern consumer who doesn't want to pay for quality.

 

[SGKent]

Yeah things are made more "consistently" these days -- meaning everything off the factory line is consistently garbage.

But it's mostly the fault of the modern consumer who doesn't want to pay for quality.

No sh_t. Another forum I belong too people are bragging about their work, which is so poor quality a Yugo owner would run from. It is why the Chinese will always own us. Many Americans will still sell their birthright for cheaply made products even after this crisis is over.

 

[Norcal]

No sh_t. Another forum I belong too people are bragging about their work, which is so poor quality a Yugo owner would run from. It is why the Chinese will always own us. Many Americans will still sell their birthright for cheaply made products even after this crisis is over.

People do not care about quality, price is the driver, which is why Harbor Freight is thriving.

 

[ard]

We are talking about one dimmer, probably in a backroom used a few times a year. Not saying the other stuff will last longer or as long, but lets keep it in perspective. I remember most of those older dimmers not lasting very long.

Just to be clear- Im not really speaking to the longevity and technological superiority of "old dimmers".

More to the idea that many of the new devices we install today just will not last.

Heck, one upgrade to Alexa could render them inoperable...

 

[cybrdyke]

Just to be clear- Im not really speaking to the longevity and technological superiority of "old dimmers".

More to the idea that many of the new devices we install today just will not last.

Heck, one upgrade to Alexa could render them inoperable...

To be fair, we're not just controlling incandescent light bulbs any more, either. The level of sophistication of that dimmer and an incandescent bulb is pre-historic by today's standards.
Electronics have made products much different, more complicated in many ways. And miniaturization of electronics seems to make them less reliable.
People's expectations just arent on par with the products being made. Alot of folks will wax poetic about the good ol' days and how well things were made back then. Well, if they want the good ol' days,, then they can have rotary dimmers and incandescent bulbs that will last 50 years.
Saying that they just dont make things like they used to is comparing apples to oranges.
CD

 

[JRC3]

^
To add to that...

I have plenty of Z-Wave bulbs. A few of which are outside in coachlights, they are only recommended for interior use. They are about 3 years old and run 365 days a year from dusk to dawn. They are as simple to change as, well, screwing in a lightbulb. What I'm getting at is, they can and do take the place of a dimmer in many situations. If they fail, then so be it, just screw a new on in. They cost about $9 a piece, not much more than current LED lightbulb, and way less expensive than even a non SMART LED comparable switch dimmer. Actually, even less than an incandescent dimmer. The exception is that a wired dimmer can control multiple lights.

For running multiple lights I use a module about the same size as a pack of dental floss and fits inside a regular electrical box. That's pretty much what ARD was referring to, but probably more so the switch type SMART device. My modules are also in their third year, we shall see how long they lasts...

 

[Bert_]

Just to be clear- Im not really speaking to the longevity and technological superiority of "old dimmers".

More to the idea that many of the new devices we install today just will not last.

Heck, one upgrade to Alexa could render them inoperable...

I know what you mean. New or old doesn't really matter but sometimes we have a little to much technology to run a light. It's nice to put something in that doesn't go obsolete in 10 years.

Sometimes turning on the light can be as simple as flipping the switch.

 

[fitter30]

I remember them 141 & clayton rd

 

[ddawg16]

There is something to be said for those old rheostat dimmers....they work perfectly with dimmable LED lights.

 

[JRC3]

BTW, that old dimmer is obsolete. One installed just 5 years ago might also become obsolete because it can't be used on LEDs or even CFLs.


I just realized something...Right now in my own home I'm doing work. Check this out, it's surely is original from 1959-1960 when the house was built. It's in the main hallway to the three original bedroom so it's been used many time each day. I can't wait to change that nasty thing.

*edit*
BTW, it's illuminated, if that's not clear in the pic. The other 3-way that was replaced during an addition back in 1992 or so, flickers and is failing.

 

[JRC3]

There is something to be said for those old rheostat dimmers....they work perfectly with dimmable LED lights.

That's hit or miss and either way likely to burn up the LED. And most likely to make the LED buzz. I wouldn't do it.

 

[danielbuck]

Man that brings back memories. My grandparents place had those switches and probably have not seen one for 40+ years.

most of the switches in my house (built 1900) look like this. The one by the front door has 3 sets in a row, with a single long cover. Looks pretty cool

 

[MikeF2316]

That's hit or miss and either way likely to burn up the LED. And most likely to make the LED buzz. I wouldn't do it.

As you probably know, whether the old dimmers work with LEDs depends on the design of the driver inside the bulb. And if they are compatible with voltage reducing dimmers, it depends on how many LED bulbs you're dimming at once. Actual voltage at LEDs is under 3.5 volts, it varies depending on chemistry, which determines colour.

 

[James-W]

I kind of like the way the warranty expiration date was printed on a sticker right on the device. When the warranty is printed right on the device, there is no question if it is under warranty or not. Maybe they should do that with the items being made today.

 

[nadogail]

I kind of like the way the warranty expiration date was printed on a sticker right on the device. When the warranty is printed right on the device, there is no question if it is under warranty or not. Maybe they should do that with the items being made today.

IMHO, Products made today are in warranty for only as long as it takes the check that paid for it to clear the bank.

 

[Terry D]

IMHO, Products made today are in warranty for only as long as it takes the check that paid for it to clear the bank.

You must be getting the extended warranty, Lol. I dont know it even lasted that long.



Sent from my SM-G960U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[coljar]

Can you tell if my warranty is still good on this switch?

My mom's house still has one left going up the stairs to the third floor. It was the first house in town being built new wired for electricity.

 

[Mr_fixit]

What's the age of these? Bought some of these from an electric store about 25-30 years ago

 

[Terry D]

What's the age of these? Bought some of these from an electric store about 25-30 years ago

I'm guessing around 1920 to 30's