Dimming CFLs


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Old 11-13-13, 06:09 AM
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Dimming CFLs

I have a cfl/led dimmer and two dimmable 100w bulbs (Sylvania) in a light fixture but the bulbs barely dim. I had the same dimmer connected to the previous fixture that had 4 led dimmable bulbs and it worked fine. I can't figure out why it's not working now. Any advise would be great. Thanks - Dan
 
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Old 11-13-13, 06:22 AM
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Probably just the bulbs. Are they same make and model as the previous ones?
 
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Old 11-13-13, 06:46 AM
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I have a cfl/led dimmer and two dimmable 100w bulbs (Sylvania) in a light fixture but the bulbs barely dim
I have never seen a 100 watt CFL or LED. Are these 100 watt incandescent bulbs?
 
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Old 11-13-13, 06:50 AM
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I should have said 100w equivalent. They are 23w cfl bulbs that are equal to 100w incandescent and are supposed to be dimmable. The bulbs I had in the prior fixture on this cfl/led dimmer were led and a different brand and worked well with the dimmer.
 
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Old 11-13-13, 07:16 AM
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Then I'd agree with Ray, probably just the bulbs. BTW, they are referred to as lamps.
 
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Old 11-13-13, 07:24 AM
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CFL's dimmable are all not created equal... Some dim better then others....

Additionally those CFL dimmable switchs work no better then a regular switch IMO.. Actually the old slide switch I have in the kitchen dims the CFL's better then any new switch I can buy..

It has a complete slide to off. My other one has a stop 2/3 rds down or so. I can only dim so much then after the stop its off... Cant find a switch that has a complete slide...

I hope you understand this...

It took me a while to find the bulb brands that actually dim and especially not make buzzing noises...
 
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Old 11-13-13, 07:54 AM
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Thanks for the quick replies. What brand of cfl did you find dim the best?
 
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Old 11-13-13, 08:25 AM
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What brand of cfl did you find dim the best?
I haven't tried them all, but, at the size you're looking for, I've been very pleased with a 90W (or 100W, depending on the package description) equivalent 23W dimmable CF Lamp from EcoSmart. It dims way down smoothly - without stair-stepping - and will get down to about 15% of full brightness, I'd guesstimate. Oh BTW, the dimmer is just an ordinary slide-toggle dimmer - no special CFL compatibility.

I'm pretty sure I got my bulb from HD, but I've seen EcoSmart elsewhere, including neighborhood grocery stores.
 
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Old 11-13-13, 09:34 AM
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Neptun is all I use.. Their website is faulty and does not show the cfls at this time...

I order online locally....


Amazon.com: Neptun - Dimmable / Compact Fluorescent Bulbs / Light Bulbs: Tools & Home Improvement
 
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Old 11-13-13, 02:21 PM
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I have had good luck with TCP, they make both CFL and LED lamps.

TCP Lighting
 
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Old 11-13-13, 02:30 PM
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I have had good luck with TCP, they make both CFL and LED lamps.
Tried them.. They buzzed at low dim and some burnt out the first yr... Most you need to run on high for a few minutes before you dim them..

Also you must burn the bulbs in properly or they will fail... Some say burn on high from 1 hr to 4 hours...

I leave mine on high for some 4 plus hours to burn them in...
 
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Old 11-13-13, 02:32 PM
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