Dimmable CFL follies

[cornutt]

Was wondering around Lowe's the other day and I saw on the shelves several CFLs made by Sylvania that were billed as dimmable. So I picked one up to experiment with. It's a CF24EL.

I put it in a table lamp which is plugged into a Web Mountain AM-02 UPB lamp module (the 2-prong one). I reconfigured the module for dimming with Upstart (I had previously set it to non-dimming). Then I tried to dim it:

75%: no effect.
50%: no effect.
25%: no effect.
20%: I saw it dim some, although not as much as you'd expect for 20% level.

Problem is, after I did that, the lamp module would no longer respond to commands or send status. Until I turned it off using the lamp's switch. Then the module started working again.

This behavior is repeatable: if I set dimming to 20% or less, it dims a bit, and then the module stops responding until I manually interrupt the current to the lamp. Any ideas?

 

[jwilson56]

I have had good luck with these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/12-DIMMABLE-COMPACT-FL...=item27af501ef3

They work great with my Switchlinc switches. Can't beat the price either

 

[MikeB]

I have had good luck with these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/12-DIMMABLE-COMPACT-FL...=item27af501ef3

They work great with my Switchlinc switches. Can't beat the price either

What's the light output like? Bright white, or softer like a typical incandescent?

 

[jwilson56]

Well nothing is as good as a normal bulb... but the wife has not complained. They seem bright enough to me. Of coarse everyone is different. I looked at it this way. They are cheap enough to try out. Worse case put them in closets and other places if you don't like them for the main rooms.

 

[MikeB]

Well nothing is as good as a normal bulb... but the wife has not complained. They seem bright enough to me. Of coarse everyone is different. I looked at it this way. They are cheap enough to try out. Worse case put them in closets and other places if you don't like them for the main rooms.

My closets are already loaded with CFLs I didn't like.

 

[BLH]

I have found dimmable CFL bulbs may not dim linearly and some only like some dimmers.
Your bulb may have been making all kinds of power line noise that effected the module you where using.

I have one CFL that is fine with an older X10 LM465 but flickers and is terrible with one of the new soft start LM465s. They changed the circuit that drives the outlet and the new design didn't work well with the CFL.

I have used CCFLs in places and many times they are better in my dimmers. Though they cost more and are mostly in smaller wattages.

 

[ano]

If you want a dimable the ONLY kind to get is cold-cathode models like these:
18 Watt Dimable

They work with any dimmers, they dim down to maybe 5% or less, even will start dimmed and get bright from there, plus they have LONG life. This model with the link is rated at 25,000 hours. Don't bother with any that aren't cold-cathode, your just wasting your money. These aren't cheap, and you won't usually find them at Walmart or Costco, although you can get some lower wattage cold-cathode lights at Walmart now. Oh, and they don't flicker either. If you are determined to dim a CFL, these are the only way to go.

 

[BLH]

I have has the smaller CCFL bulbs from USHIO;TCP and MicroBrite work well.

One that I did buy and have doubts about.
http://www.1000bulbs.com/Dimmable-Cold-Cat...ht-Bulbs/40725/

Gets what I would call very hot and the plastic base is turning brown around the tube entries. Along with dimming poorly with some dimmers.
Last time I searched UL the ID number was not found. Today it was found. So I guess it was a recent addition.

 

[ano]

I have has the smaller CCFL bulbs from USHIO;TCP and MicroBrite work well.

One that I did buy and have doubts about.
http://www.1000bulbs.com/Dimmable-Cold-Cat...ht-Bulbs/40725/

Gets what I would call very hot and the plastic base is turning brown around the tube entries. Along with dimming poorly with some dimmers.
Last time I searched UL the ID number was not found. Today it was found. So I guess it was a recent addition.

My experience is with the cold-cathode bulbs with what I call the small spiral tubing. I have seen a few with the thick tubing but like you describe, I've heard from others results weren't good. While they are pretty hard to find, try to stick to the thin-tubing models with lots of spirals. 1000bulbs is one of the few that carry them, and they have been pretty good. I bought one that just didn't light so they just sent me another, I didn't even need to return the bad one.

 

[BLH]

I got mine from the same vendor.