Flickering bulb?

Peerzy · 13 Jul 2015 at 21:24

Right, I'm confused.

Purchased a large lamp from BHS (Clicky).

Fitted it all up only to find the top 2 bulbs flicker badly when not completely turned up (and when turned up to the highest it makes a sound). Thinking it was the two bulbs I went out and purchased 2 new ones but got the same result.

Not had time to take it back so I purchased the same lamp again for BHS and have just built it again to find it's got the exact same problem....

I can't believe I have 3 faulty bulbs (2 of which are new) and I can't believe I've been given 2 faulty lamps so I'm lost?

Any ideas?

Diddums · 13 Jul 2015 at 21:25

Sounds like a faulty dimmer to me.

Efour · 13 Jul 2015 at 21:29

Demnons

Peerzy · 13 Jul 2015 at 21:31

Diddums said:
Sounds like a faulty dimmer to me.

Yup, but not on two lamps ordered weeks apart?

I'm even more confused now as I've just pulled the bulbs out and put them back in (maybe not quite as tightly this time) and the thing seems fine now.

I'm afraid to touch it in case it starts again :eek:

Tom0 · 13 Jul 2015 at 21:32

Peerzy said:
I'm afraid to touch it in case it starts again

Oh dear.

Sliver · 13 Jul 2015 at 21:38

It's aliens. You need to write to your local MP.

HardwareGeek · 13 Jul 2015 at 21:59

Check you are using the recommended dimmable (tungsten ideally) bulbs of the correct wattage. too high will burn dimmer out, too low wont be enough load and will flicker.

Does it flicker over the whole range of the dimmer except when on 100% or just when turned very low?

Take back and swap for another lamp, dimmer maybe faulty

MagicBoy · 13 Jul 2015 at 22:03

My parents have a similar unit, just without the "whirl". That flickers a lot when dimmed but they don't seem to notice it! On full whack it outputs about the same light as the sun. Buzzes like a Bee hive as well.

Peerzy · 13 Jul 2015 at 22:06

HardwareGeek said:
Check you are using the recommended dimmable (tungsten ideally) bulbs of the correct wattage. too high will burn dimmer out, too low wont be enough load and will flicker.

Does it flicker over the whole range of the dimmer except when on 100% or just when turned very low?

Take back and swap for another lamp, dimmer maybe faulty

It did flicker all throughout the range (slightly less when fully on)

Oh, the wattage might be it, I've no idea what these 3 bulbs are but it says to use 60w. I guess they could be too low, odd how they seem to be working fine now.

Socaddict · 13 Jul 2015 at 22:11

Are you sure you're not using CFL equivalents? They're generally not compatible with dimmers and will flicker when dimmed. This will want 2 40W Incandescent bulbs.

Peerzy · 13 Jul 2015 at 22:22

Socaddict said:
Are you sure you're not using CFL equivalents? They're generally not compatible with dimmers and will flicker when dimmed. This will want 2 40W Incandescent bulbs.

Bulbs are dimmable for sure, I remember buying them and the packet said they were.

Mull3t · 13 Jul 2015 at 22:45

Maybe simple question but did you make sure the bulbs are dimmable?

Edit* ignore, should have read the whole thread.