Kartell Bourgie Lamp Dimmer Switch Replacement

I have a pair of Kartell Bourgie Lamps which I blogged about here.  The old Bourgie lamp has a very bad dimmer switch. It does not last long, which I also blogged about here. 

Thankfully, Kartell has a replacement dimmer switch is so much better than the original one. It is not cheap though but it is definitely worth the change.

I bought 2 replacement dimmer switch.

The dimmer switch with instructions.

The original dimmer switch on the left. The problem with it
was the roller was very flimsy. The new switch is a slider. 

Another view.

The back view. Its quite cool that it has PC board.

Instructions with no words.

Need to be careful in removing the original wire.

On the left of the switch, it is indicated L for Live and N for
Neutral. So the wire that is removed from L, I have labeled
with Red tape, as can be seen on the bottom left hand corner.

On the other side of the switch, take note of the N - Neutral
wire.

The broken switch that needs to be replaced,
The Red labeled wire is the Live wire.

The tools that I used for this project.

The wires properly labeled.

Using the spudger to lift up the slider switch.

Once the slider is taken off, the 2 screws
underneath needs to be removed.

With the cover removed.

With the white wire holder removed. You
can see a small N letter on the bottom
screw.

So the blue wire goes to Neutral.

With both ends connected.

With the back screwed back and the slider in its place.

Thankfully, it worked when turned on.

Kartell Bourgie Lamp - Dimmer Switch Repair

I have 2 Kartell Bourgie Table Lamps, both in crystal. For a Kartell designer product, I have to say that the dimmer switch of these table lamps are quite flimsy. I broke the spindle of the first Bourgie lamp dimmer switch. It costs GBP24.24 to replace a similar original Kartell dimmer switch. Or I can use a butt ugly generic dimmer control below.

The generic dimmer switch in white PVC plastic.

There is another way but it is a temporary solution, using the existing dimmer switch, but without the broken dimmer spindle.

Here is how you do it.

Please make sure that the lamp is unplug from the main wall socket.

Below the dimmer switch, there is a screw. Unscrew it

Remove the screw and the top plastic cover of the dimmer switch. The picture 

above shows the clear plastic spindle. 

You will notice that the spindle wheel is next to the black circular device. You
turn the clear spindle, which turns the black circular device, which controls
the intensity of the lamp. Most probably, the connector between clear spindle
and the black circular device is broken. 

Gently lift up the clear spindle.

Another view.

On the other side of the black circular device, there are remnants

of the clear spindle axle connector left behind. This clear small spindle
 connector can be turned, even by using your fingers. Clockwise to increase
 intensity and counter-clockwise to decrease it.

The clear small spindle axle is the key to this problem. Give a good guestimate and turn it clockwise. You can turn it all the way for maximum intensity of the Bourgie lamp or maybe halfway. 

Leave out the spindle outside. Put back the top casing and screw it back on.

Connect it back to the wall socket. Turn it on. The lamp should be
immediately lighten up.

As mentioned earlier on, this is a temporary solution for the Bourgie Lamp. The intensity of lamp cannot be adjusted from the dimmer switch. It has to be opened up and adjusted from the black circular device I mentioned above. Otherwise, I find the dimmer switch is still in working condition, without the dimmer spindle itself. I do not want to replace it with a new dimmer switch until the existing one is truly faulty.

Eventually, my second Kartell Bourgie Lamp dimmer switch had its spindle broken. But this time, I was careful and I know what to expect. I did not aggravate the spindle. So instead, I opened up the clear dimmer switch and glued the clear spindle back to its axle. So the 2nd Bourgie Lamp is saved.

My advise, to Kartell Bourgie Lamp owners, is to be extra gentle with the dimmer switch. The connector axle between the clear spindle and the black circular device is very thin. It can be easily broken.

I hope my posting help.

8th Sept 2018 Update: Have a look at my other posting where I replaced with another Kartell Dimmer Switch.