Dimmer switches and energy saving bulbs...

I've just put 12 dimmable megaman cfl's in an extension with a dimmer switch and they are spot on. Make sure you use a compatible dimmer that megaman recommends and you'll be fine, the dimmer I used was a bit of an industrial jobbie and wasn't cheap though.
You have to leave them on for a couple of minutes before dimming to allow them stabilize and they don't go as low as an incandescent maybe 40% to 100% brightness.
 
chipperhead said:
I've just put 12 dimmable megaman cfl's in an extension with a dimmer switch and they are spot on. Make sure you use a compatible dimmer that megaman recommends and you'll be fine, the dimmer I used was a bit of an industrial jobbie and wasn't cheap though.
You have to leave them on for a couple of minutes before dimming to allow them stabilize and they don't go as low as an incandescent maybe 40% to 100% brightness.
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1) Replacing an already perfectly good dimmer sounds a bit daft...
2) Leaving them on for a few minutes before dimming sounds very daft for a lounge/dining room. You basically want to walk into the room, set it, done...
 
NeilFawcett said:
1) Replacing an already perfectly good dimmer sounds a bit daft...
2) Leaving them on for a few minutes before dimming sounds very daft for a lounge/dining room. You basically want to walk into the room, set it, done...
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1)Replacing what perfectly good dimmer?

2) Well it's either leave it a couple of minutes, turn it down and use 60w or install 12 x 50w GU10's and use 600w

We have wall lights and LED lights in the same room so it's just about different lighting options, if I just want to go in and watch tv the cfl downlights don't even come on. If the missus wants to do some ironing she can put the downlights on but maybe wind them down a little.
 
chipperhead said:
1)Replacing what perfectly good dimmer?

2) Well it's either leave it a couple of minutes, turn it down and use 60w or install 12 x 50w GU10's and use 600w

We have wall lights and LED lights in the same room so it's just about different lighting options, if I just want to go in and watch tv the cfl downlights don't even come on. If the missus wants to do some ironing she can put the downlights on but maybe wind them down a little.
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...and if you want to do some ironing?
 
I personally shall be stocking up on 60w bulbs for my lamps as they are all remote controlled using x10 modules which can't be used with energy saving bulbs.

I will be very disappointed when I can no longer get incandescent bulbs as it will mean the end for a perfetly good, simple and cheap way of remotely controlling all my lighting.
 
I found some energy efficient dimmable halogen ones that fitted in the standard pendant bayonet when faced with the same problem last week.
 
Jesus H Christ, just use the damn bulbs with the little halogen bit in the middle. You don't HAVE to use CFLs.
 
valve90210 said:
I personally shall be stocking up on 60w bulbs for my lamps as they are all remote controlled using x10 modules which can't be used with energy saving bulbs.

I will be very disappointed when I can no longer get incandescent bulbs as it will mean the end for a perfetly good, simple and cheap way of remotely controlling all my lighting.
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You can get 42W energy efficient versions which behave the same as 60W ones...
 
NeilFawcett said:
You can get 42W energy efficient versions which behave the same as 60W ones...
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Can they be used with x10 dimmers?

The problem with a lot of the energey efficient bulbs (apart fromt he fact that a lot can't be dimmed) is the fact that they creat a lot of noise in the electricity circuit which prevents the transmission (or reception) of the x10 signal which is sent via the mains supply.
 
valve90210 said:
Can they be used with x10 dimmers?

The problem with a lot of the energey efficient bulbs (apart fromt he fact that a lot can't be dimmed) is the fact that they creat a lot of noise in the electricity circuit which prevents the transmission (or reception) of the x10 signal which is sent via the mains supply.
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Yep... I'm using them for just that. Immediate full brightness etc etc...

They do them in various types, all being say about 30% less power usage than what they replace...

Work out about £2 each...
 
what modules are you using them with, they sound like they will be good for my needs if I can find any nice small SES fitting ones...

Howw diffused is the light? I much prefer pearl bulbs to clear (though again europe decides we can't have those...) and hope that the halogens might be a bit more diffused than standard incandescent clears...
 
valve90210 said:
what modules are you using them with, they sound like they will be good for my needs if I can find any nice small SES fitting ones...

Howw diffused is the light? I much prefer pearl bulbs to clear (though again europe decides we can't have those...) and hope that the halogens might be a bit more diffused than standard incandescent clears...
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I just swapped my old 60W bulbs straight over to them, and their basically work/light to the same effect.

They are absolutely clear, no colouring/effect at all, I assume to get the maximum amount of efficiency out of them...
 
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