How to Program Varilight V-Pro dimmers to Optimize the Performance of Dimmable LED Lighting

Varilight is a very much praised and appreciated brand especially because of its great LED dimmer switches, and recently they put out some videos via their Varilight TV channel on YouTube.

Watch the video below and see the step-by-step instructions for the Varilight V-Pro dimmers - switching between trailing edge and leading edge modes, and then returning to the factory settings.

The Varilight V-Pro dimmers are set to run in trailing-edge mode (MODE 1) by default. This versatile mode is suitable for most types of lighting, including many dimmable LEDs.

It is also "gentler" on the load (this is MODE 3). An alternative trailing-edge mode (MODE 3) may improve the performance of some dimmable LEDs and dimmable CFLs. Some other lighting loads, including some types of LED lights, perform best with leading-edge control.

This dimmer can also be set to run in leading edge (see MODE 2).

Changing the driving mode between trailing edge (MODE 1) and leading edge (MODE 2)

1. Step 1. Switch on and set the dimmer knob to the MAXIMUM brightness setting (turn fully clockwise)
2. Step 2. Turn the lights OFF and back ON three times: OFF-ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON (leaving approx. 1 second between presses).
3. Step 3. The lights will step up and down in brightness to show that the dimmer is in CONFIGURATION MODE, then go off.
4. Step 4. To select MODE 2, turn the know fully anti-clockwise. The lights will flash two times. This will show that the dimmer has been set to MODE 2. The dimmer can now be operated normally in the new mode.

To return the dimmer to MODE 1, follow the same procedure again. The light will flash once. This will show the dimmer has returned to MODE 1.

Changing the driving mode between trailing edge (MODE 1) and alternative trailing edge (MODE 3)

1. Step 1. Switch on and set the dimmer knob to the MAXIMUM brightness setting (turn fully clockwise).
2. Step 2. Turn the lights OFF and back ON three times: OFF-ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON (leaving approx. 1 second between presses).
3. Step 3. The lights will step up and down in brightness to show that the dimmer is in CONFIGURATION MODE, then go off.
4. Step 4. To select MODE 3, turn the know fully anti-clockwise then fully clockwise. The lights will flash three times. This will show that the dimmer has been set to MODE 3. The dimmer can now be operated normally in the new mode.

To return the dimmer to MODE 1, follow the same procedure again. The light will flash once. This will show the dimmer has returned to MODE 1.

Adjusting the minimum brightness

The minimum brightness setting of the Varilight V-Pro dimmer can be adjusted to achieve the optimum dimming range for a particular load.

If your lights are flickering when they are dimmed to a low level, you can increase the minimum brightness of the dimmer, which may prevent this from happening.

If the lights are brighter than you would like when the dimmer is set to a minimum, you can try reducing the minimum brightness setting of the dimmer.

1. Step 1. Switch on and set the dimmer knob to the MINIMUM brightness setting (turn fully anti-clockwise).
2. Step 2. Turn the lights OFF and back ON three times: OFF-ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON (leaving approx. 1 second between presses).
3. Step 3. The lights will step up and down in brightness to show that the dimmer is in CONFIGURATION MODE, then go off.
4. Step 4. Turn the knob fully clockwise. As soon as the lights come on, start to adjust the minimum brightness, then leave at the desired level. After 3 seconds, the new setting will be saved.
5. Step 5. Now continue to use the dimmer as normal, with the new minimum brightness.

Resetting the Varilight V-Pro LED Dimmer

How can we reset the dimmer? The dimmer can be reset to its factory settings, and this will restore the driving mode to the trailing edge (MODE 1) and default minimum brightness setting.

1. Step 1. Switch on and set the dimmer knob to the MAXIMUM brightness setting (turn fully clockwise).
2. Step 2. Turn the lights OFF and back ON three times: OFF-ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON (leaving approx. 1 second between presses).
3. Step 3. The lights will step up and down in brightness to show that the dimmer is in CONFIGURATION MODE, then go off.
4. Step 4. Turn the lights OFF and back ON three times: OFF-ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON (leaving approx. 1 second between presses). The light will come ON and dim down to OFF indicating a successful factory reset. Then the light will flash once showing the dimmer has returned to default MODE 1 (trailing edge). The dimmer can now be operated normally in the new mode.