In that case you could try to cut the hole in the back of the cabinet at the level of the top shelf, or if your wall extends above the cabinet (and not a soffit) you could just cut the hole in the gyp directly above the cabinet. Do it when she is out of the house long enough to not know. By the time she gets on a ladder to get to the top shelf, if ever, she will be so happy with how the lights function that you may be eligible for forgiveness. Or maybe you have the situation I do - there is already a hole cut in the back of the cabinet right over the top shelf, that has a blank cover on it. Just remember the higher you go, the more chance there is of horizontal blocking in the stud bay that would prevent you from pulling the wire through. In my case the box already has wire - they nicked the rough in to the hood power when hanging drywall, so they had to splice it, thus the box (of which I will make good use).
Should have done that before I caved and bought the LED under cabinet fixtures with the integrated transformer! I really liked the LED strip in the tiny LED extrusions instead of the bigger enclosure required to house the transformer too.
I think the Qubino mini dimmer will fit in the single gang box behind a dumb outlet. I'm currently 3d printing a "box" that's the size of the Qubino dimmer device. I'll use that to make sure before I order the dimmer (not available on Amazon, so no that convenient to return).
Ordered, but then got email saying the Qubino is discontinued and no longer available.
For now, I'm going with an in wall "paddle" dimmer and hope Shelly comes out with their zwave version.
Just in case you weren’t aware Shelly bought Qubino so would expect them to create new integrated products.
I came across that while surfing for devices.
Also, the Qubino mini dimmer had a lot of reliability issues. They apparently died after few weeks/months of usage.
Maybe Shelly is re-designing to address the reliability problems.
The NEC forbids dimming a receptacle. This is because you cannot be assured what will be plugged into that location. I have seen modified duplex receptacles (picture below) with a keyed plug-receptacle pair such that you replace the plug on a table lamp and only it will fit that receptacle, but that seems a lot of work.
Got a link to the light fixture you used?
I put the pucks in the fixtures. I know you said you thought there was no room.
Not dimming a receptacle---
The outlet will have unswitched and undimmed 120 VAC--a "dumb" AC outlet.
I have one of these I think. Take the end screws out to expose the wire channel. You can fit a Puck in there. Look in the manual if you have it. Look for hardwired via knockout section. I'm sure it will just tell you to remove two screws. You probably went through the little door plate.
Before I put pucks in them I'd put a triac dial dimmer in them.
I had to get in the wire channel to insert the cable clamps. Trust me-it was all I could do to get the wires and wire nuts to fit around the transformer in the wiring section of the chanel.
Adding two more wire nuts and the puck would be a real challenge.
There is much more space to fit the puck behind or beside the outlet in the single gang box.
I am skeptical if you have the 24".but OK.
If you switch from the outlet combo to a duplex you can fit a Puck in there. Might take people a few month to stop reaching for the switch.
You don't have 24"--1/2 to 1/3 of the lenght is taken up by the transformer. Remaining space is split on either side of the transformer.
One side is pretty much consumed by on/off switch and its wiring. That leaves about 12" x (IIRC) about 1" slot to fit wiring nuts and wire.
It was a real hassle trying to snap on the cover. You have to make sure the wire nuts lay flat (not on top a wire) to get it to close. Took more time to do that than rest of the install.
No worries. Look like you have a plan. Yes?
Yes, wait for the Shelly mini dimmer. Meanwhile, it will just be the zwave mini relay module behind the existing dumb outlet/switch (it has switch in top half, simplex outlet bottom half).
Might look for a duplex to match to capture some more space in that box. Have it as a backup when you go to do it.
I already have a black duplex outlet AND a simplex (single) outlet.
But, I can probably use the existing switch/simplex outlet and have room. I was just worried about NEC violations, but I'm over that.
Thanks!
