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Thread: Dimming Florescent globes

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    Default Dimming Florescent globes

    I would like to know can you buy a Dimmer to dim a typical Bayonet Cap Florescent globes

    thanks



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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr 672A View Post
    I would like to know can you buy a Dimmer to dim a typical Bayonet Cap Florescent globes

    thanks
    Normal Fluoros can't be dimmed.
    You need to purchase special dimmable ones, probably not cheap and I assume now hard to find since the uprising of LEDs which make more sense.
    They can then be dimmed with any standard dimmer designed for incandescent lamps.

    Same goes for 240V LED lamps. There are dimmable and non dimmable versions.
    Last edited by Uncle Fester; 19-07-17 at 11:14 AM.
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    Yes, you can Dim CFL's using the correct dimmer
    It isn't something i'd recommend though, nor does it work like you probably imagine it will.

    Ironic, i was about to post about this yesterday with a new dimmer i now use.
    Last edited by ol' boy; 19-07-17 at 11:45 AM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by oceanboy View Post
    Yes, you can Dim CFL's using the correct dimmer
    It isn't something i'd recommend though, nor does it work like you probably imagine it will.

    Ironic, i was about to post about this yesterday with a new dimmer i now use.
    I've notice after a Google Philip make one but is rarely available. yes this Dimmer works with a minimum amount of Globes

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    When I need a dimmable light I use a halogen lamp.

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    Quote Originally Posted by loopyloo View Post
    When I need a dimmable light I use a halogen lamp.
    Halogen lamps shouldn't be dimmed. They rely on the lamp operating at rated voltage for the halogen cycle to complete.
    If the voltage drops, the cycle doesn't complete and it causes the filament to deteriorate (shorter life) and can start to blacken the glass.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Studio1 View Post
    Halogen lamps shouldn't be dimmed. They rely on the lamp operating at rated voltage for the halogen cycle to complete.
    If the voltage drops, the cycle doesn't complete and it causes the filament to deteriorate (shorter life) and can start to blacken the glass.
    Wouldn't that depend how the "dimming" was done?

    I think every house i have ever done, with Halogen downlights has dimmers.
    All i can say is, it is the Halogen light without the dimmer that seems to blow more often.
    Possible from cold start shock, where is the dimmers have a soft start function.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr 672A View Post
    I would like to know can you buy a Dimmer to dim a typical Bayonet Cap Florescent globes

    thanks
    Trailing edge dimmers will generally fulfil your requirements. Leading edge (most common and cheapest) are a poor choice for CFL lamps due to high inrush current.
    Rod Elliott has a good explanation
    Been happily dimming with trailing edge dimmers for years on both CFL and Halogen luminaires. No premature failures.
    "The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom." - Issac Asimov

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    Quote Originally Posted by Studio1 View Post
    Halogen lamps shouldn't be dimmed. They rely on the lamp operating at rated voltage for the halogen cycle to complete.
    If the voltage drops, the cycle doesn't complete and it causes the filament to deteriorate (shorter life) and can start to blacken the glass.
    Ah ok. didn't really notice that but the one I had for years in the dining room did end up a little dimmer before it blew.

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    Quote Originally Posted by TVguy View Post
    Trailing edge dimmers will generally fulfil your requirements. Leading edge (most common and cheapest) are a poor choice for CFL lamps due to high inrush current.
    Rod Elliott has a good explanation
    Been happily dimming with trailing edge dimmers for years on both CFL and Halogen luminaires. No premature failures.
    That's very interesting.
    So how can you tell if it's leading edge or trailing edge when you purchase one ?

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    Quote Originally Posted by loopyloo View Post
    That's very interesting.
    So how can you tell if it's leading edge or trailing edge when you purchase one ?
    You ask for either one. There is also more now too
    It is also written on the box.
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    How many of us already have dimmers in the house with incandescent globes. I would have NO CLUE what sort of dimmers I have.
    I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...

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    Quote Originally Posted by lsemmens View Post
    How many of us already have dimmers in the house with incandescent globes. I would have NO CLUE what sort of dimmers I have.
    Yes exactly my point too.
    Here's a random one from ebay in a well known brand, nothing mentioned about where the chop is :


    My best mate is manager at an electrical wholesaler, I'll ask him what he knows.
    Last edited by loopyloo; 15-08-17 at 11:09 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by loopyloo View Post
    Yes exactly my point too.
    Here's a random one from ebay in a well known brand, nothing mentioned about where the chop is :

    Old Tech now

    The new dimmers do really cool things
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    Quote Originally Posted by oceanboy View Post
    Wouldn't that depend how the "dimming" was done?

    I think every house i have ever done, with Halogen downlights has dimmers.
    All i can say is, it is the Halogen light without the dimmer that seems to blow more often.
    Possible from cold start shock, where is the dimmers have a soft start function.
    No, regardless of how the dimming is done it will still shorten the life of the lamp.
    However, a soft-start function is fine - because you are taking the surge out of the start up which may extend the life of the lamp, and
    within a short space of time the lamp reaches full brightness and remains there.
    With the abundance of LED lamps now, there's really no need to use halogens any more.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Studio1 View Post
    However, a soft-start function is fine - because you are taking the surge out of the start up which may extend the life of the lamp, and
    within a short space of time the lamp reaches full brightness and remains there.
    My point exactly
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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