Do dimmers go bad like this ?
#1
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Do dimmers go bad like this ?
The lights in my den are connected to a dimmer. Lately when the dimmer is switched on and at low lighting, the lights flicker. If I turn the dimmer up to max the flickering stops. Also after it's been on for about 10 min it remains steady and I can set it back to lower levels without flickering. Anyone else experienced this type of behaviour ? I thought it was maybe hight resistence at he dimmer so I cleaned it with contact cleaner (breaker disconnected), but it didnt make a difference. It's a failry expensive 1000w 3 way dimmer ( other switch is standard on/off ) that has worked well the past 3 years. Any thoughts ?
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#2
Electronics go bad. Dimmers are electronic. Even a bulb burning out can harm a dimmer or the parts can fail from heat or vibration. If I had to guess a thermal fault with one of the components. Warms up problem goes away. Replacement is your best course of action.
#4
It sounds like a bad solder joint somewhere in the dimmer. Could also be a loose wirenut. A bad wago (if used) could also be the culprit.
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No CFL's, just 65W incan floods. It has just recently started, and the switch is on an outside wall, so maybe you're right about the loose wirenut ( as a result of the cold ). I'll pull it out and look it over. When I bought this dimmer a few years ago it was around $50 so I willing to give it some diy effort before I replace it. Perhaps I should resolder the joints inside ?
Has anyone replaced the triad ( or power transister) inside with good results ?
Has anyone replaced the triad ( or power transister) inside with good results ?
#6
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I have a buddy who tried to recondition a few of them with limited success; something like one out of three worked for more than a couple days before burning out again. Other components in the dimmer had probably been damaged when it initially failed.
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As an update, I took the dimmer out and cleaned the switch ( the varible brightness control part) with some radio shack contact cleaner. It's been working great since then.
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