Dimmers and light bulbs

chuckle bros · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:30 pm Post Subject: Dimmers and light bulbs

gonna fit a dimmer switch next week, its a standard ceiling rose, what energy light bulb should I use as I have heard that most types flicker when used with a dimmer switch, or is it best for me to use an old type light bulb.
any help would be great thanks.

Taylortwocities · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:58 pm Post Subject:

Use a dimmable low energy lamp.

Simples!

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davelx · Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 1:24 pm Post Subject:

I find the varilight digiflux to be reasonably good - dimming is quite smooth down to about 15% then it just goes out.

But note that you must meet the minimum load requirements of the dimmer or you will have problems. A single 20W Digiflux or similar on a normal dimmer is not going to work.

Varilight do special low-load dimmers for this purpose:

http://www.switches-and-sockets.co.uk/varilight-hq7w-white-12w200w-1-gang-2way-low-load-pushonpush-off-dimmer-switch-p-14220.html

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chuckle bros · Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 2:50 pm Post Subject:

the dimmer I have is 40 watt min. normal energy bulbs are less that 20w,
but would Osram Halolux GLS Energy Saving BC 42W be fine. it states it is dimmerble.

Steve · Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 5:11 pm Post Subject:

chuckle bros wrote:

but would Osram Halolux GLS Energy Saving BC 42W be fine. it states it is dimmerble.

Yes its dimmerable, but its 5hit. And its not strictly energy saving. It is noticably dimmer than a normal lamp they use to compare. Its halogen, one of the least efficient forms of lighting known to man. Dont know how they get away with this fraud.

sparkybird · Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:30 pm Post Subject:

sorry to hijack the post slightly, but does anyone know of any low load GRID dimmer switches?

Thanks

SB

sparkyspike · Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:35 pm Post Subject:

Steve wrote:

chuckle bros wrote:

but would Osram Halolux GLS Energy Saving BC 42W be fine. it states it is dimmerble.

Yes its dimmerable, but its 5hit. And its not strictly energy saving. It is noticably dimmer than a normal lamp they use to compare. Its halogen, one of the least efficient forms of lighting known to man. Dont know how they get away with this fraud.

I don't think they're s**t. Low energy fluorescents are s**t. At least with Halolux you get some kind of light out of them. They directly replace old GLS bulbs and use less energy. (Yes, they do.)

They won't be around for long though as the more efficient CFLs are getting better and eventually will actually be an alternative. At the moment they are only good enough to scare old ladies into buying them in case the energy police come round.

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chuckle bros · Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:42 pm Post Subject:

if the Osram Halolux GLS Energy Saving BC 42W is crap then I thinks I will just opt for the old type 40 or 60 watt buld and be done with it.