Dimming LED landscape lights? (how to, cover, water, orange)

[NC211]

We recently had a failing dry stack replaced with a paver retaining wall. The project included 6 cap lights that are meant to flush the wall with downward light. Each light has 8 LED's in them.

The problem is that, while the proper color temperature with the rest of my landscape lighting, they're simply too bright (120 lumens each), and it's a bit too much from the road.

I want to figure out a way to tone them down (they're not dimmable). I'd love to find some kind of "filter" that I could attach to them that would diffuse them down a bit, take out some of the "bite" they cause.

Any ideas? Can I put a little paint on them? Maybe scuff the LED elements a bit? Anyone know of a company that sells "filters" for these things that allow for color/intensity changes?

Here's a couple of pictures of what I'm working with. In the picture of the actual retaining wall, the lights are located where you see some orange-looking cellophane taped on (was for Halloween decorations).

Thanks!

[nuts2uiam]

Not knowing the composition of the lens it is hard to say. Maybe you could use some etching solution. Not sure that would dim them enough though.

[harry chickpea]

Roscolene is the theatrical gel, but it can fade with time, although the neutral density filters are less prone to that. If you paint anything on a light, it is guaranteed to come out uneven, no matter how hard you try. The place looks high-end enough that the better option is to contact the manufacturer about how to properly dim them.

[myrc60]

How about some window tint like the DIY stuff for cars?

[luv4horses]

Are diffuser covers available? Those would help soften the light. Maybe someone forgot to add them.

[Ghengis]

are your cap lights part of their own lighting circuit and the only LEDs you want to dim? Nor sure how your circuits are configured but I think any LED fixture/circuit is dimmable.


https://www.clarolux.com/blog/dim-yo...ghting-system/

[NC211]

Thanks all, sorry for missing the responses. I forgot about this one (been a long week).


Unfortunately I don't think the dimmer would work (but looks really cool!). They branched off of my main power line that is running nearby in the same mulch bed that is running the other LED lights in the yard.


The lights are attached to a bracket that is sandwiched between the stone caps. I took one out to look at it. They're substantial pieces of equipment. Brass and heavy. Each has 8 LEDS in them. I might be able to figure out some kind of diffuser to install over the bottom of them. But until then, I simply clipped the feed wire to three of them to calm things down, which has helped.


Sounds like a money maker idea here, and a little surprised it has already been invented. General snap-on diffusers for LED-based landscape lighting. Since the LED's don't get hot, no fire risk. Seems like a great idea, because now thanks to LED technology, it doesn't have to be just white light.

[leastprime]

You can add a resistor to the circuit, either just prior to or after the LED. LEDs are current devices.
Alternatively, try smoking the lense by oiling the lense and placing lense over a sooty/smokey sourse.
YMMV

[luv4horses]

I like the idea of spray painting over the light face to reduce the intensity. You could even brush on a dilute 'stain' which would fade over time in case you decide it is too much. Even magic markers could dull the output. Too bad you had to cut the wires.

[NC211]

Thanks all! I tried the marker approach (sharpie), but the cover to the LED's is like a water proof soft rubber cover. Crude comparison (sorry), but it's almost like a 1/8 inch thick condom-type cover over the lights. The marker's ink wouldn't transfer over to the surface. Hopefully I'll get some time this weekend to mess around with the one I took out of the wall. I like that idea of "smoking" them. That might work, but not sure how well it would survive being out in the elements of high wind and moisture?