Bought a house with lutron slide dimmer switches, but the plastic knobs are missing. I found replacements at home depot but they didnt fit. it is an older home. where can i find them

bonk66-

I suggest you try your local hardware store...

DIYpro

Wall devices do not have replacement parts.
I was just at Lowes buying GFCI receptacles and noticed they have ordinary switches for less than $2.
The Lutron designer devices are more expensive. The local box store may have a reasonable alternative.

When replacing a dimmer or timer, check a couple things. Not every dimmer works for all types of lighting. Some devices are for incandescent only. Some devices are rated for 500Watts and others are rated for 1000Watts. You may have a 1000W dimmer, and they are more expensive as you know.

I have spent considerable time on the Lutron site past couple days looking at their dimmers.

Lutron has a lot of dimmer varieties. The basic breakdown is 600Watt and 1000Watt. But different dimmers control different types of lighting.
Here is the long list of Lutron dimmer manuals:
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http://www.lutron.com/Service-Support/Technical/InstallationInstructions/Pages/InstallationInstructions.aspx?syst=Dimmers+%26+Switches&prodn=Maestro%C2%AE+dimmer+%26+switch


I cannot find a specific troubleshoot manual for Lutron dimmers
So I suggest 4 things:
1) Feel the dimmer switch for heat >>> if it is getting hot (not warm), then that dimmer is dangerous, so remove dimmer immediately, add up your total bulb wattage to make sure you're below the 600 or 1000 watt capacity of you model dimmer
2) Look at the list of manuals shown at link, and make sure your dimmer matches the type of bulb you are using. Your dimmer model number and wattage should be printed on side or back of dimmer.
3) These dimmers use electronics to control the lights. Electronics go bad. The higher the wattage controlled by your dimmer, the more heat, and the shorter the dimmer life.
4) Short in the wires. Replace your dimmer with one from Home Depot and see if the condition persists. If it does, then a short is probably somewhere in that circuit. Troubleshooting a short is another long answer that needs more wiring detail ... please repost if you have a short.

First off, if your dimmer is getting hot, then there is something wrong. This is dangerous. Do not leave that dimmer in the wall. Remove it.

1) A typical wall switch controls up to 1400 Watts. Look at the watt rating of your dimmer. A 600 watt dimmer will control up to 600 watts. If you have 600 watts on your dimmer, expect a shortened lifespan for that device. If you have more than 600 Watts, expect overheating and possible fire.

2) Lutron makes 1000 Watt dimmers
http://www.lutron.com/Service-Support/Technical/InstallationInstructions/Pages/InstallationInstructions.aspx?syst=Dimmers+%26+Switches&prodn=Maestro%C2%AE+dimmer+%26+switch

3) Type of bulb: Review the specs shown on link above because they show wattage, and they also show which light the dimmer is made to control

4) If your lights are on a 3-way switch, then dimmer has 3 screws and connects to 3 wires. If your wiring is incorrect, it might give symptoms shown above.
If your switch had 2 wires and you put those wires on a dimmer with 3 screws, it might be wired incorrectly.
Check wiring. Re-post a question if your are confused about details.

5) There might be a short in the circuit ... or in the dimmer ... replace dimmer with another one from Home Depot and see if symptoms persist. Disconnect ground wire as a test only and see if symptoms disappear ... if so then there is a short somewhere in the circuit
Don't burn the house down.

1) Overview of product indicates it dims by electronics (they say saves 15% electricity)
The electronics might be bad
http://www.lutron.com/Products/StandAloneControls/Dimmers-Switches/MaestroDimmerSwitch/Pages/Overview.aspx

2) Load types
Different dimmers are made to work with different types of lighting
Depending on your model number, the type of load may be a factor
http://www.lutron.com/Products/StandAloneControls/Dimmers-Switches/MaestroDimmerSwitch/Pages/Models.aspx

3) Total load
A regular 15 amp light switch carries 1440 watts
If you have the 600 Watt dimmer, load wattage should not exceed 600W >>> add up total bulb wattage

4) Lutron seems to have about 60 different manuals
A quick look at the wiring seems straightforward 1-1 wiring replacement with ordinary switch
Did you connect ground wire to green screw on dimmer?

5) If the dimmer and load requirements match with the dimmer you own, I think the problem might be a short .... exactly where the short is located is solvable by testing the lights and timer and surrounding circuits with a multi-tester >>> the testing would start at the dimmer.

6) All considered, you could replace the dimmer with another one from Home Depot and see if same problem persists.

Sadly, yes, it just sounds like the switch got stuck. You should be able to yank that knob off and try to manually unlatch it with something thin and long (like a pencil) - just, do me a favor, and make sure whatever you use isn't conductive, there shouldn't be any exposed electrically, but just be safe about it.

If that doesn't work, call their tech support center at 1-800-523-9466 - they will most likely replace it for you.

Home Depot only carries a handful of items, but the parts are available elsewhere. Your easiest path is probably to just call Lutron's tech support at 1-800-523-9466. They're available 24/7 and can probably just send you some.

I believe their is another part missing when it fell apart. But it is better if you replace it with a new one.

Because the switches are relatively inexpensive, there aren't kits to repair them when they fail mechanically. Your best bet is to get an exact replacement from a Home Depot or such, turn off the breaker switch, and rewire it exactly as it was, using wire nuts and tape.

You need to replace with Lutron Decora toggle switches to maintain the same look, or you can replace them all ith standard toggle switches for less money. They are available at Home Depot or Lowe's.

i hope this helps you,
matthew