MikeB Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 Just purchased and installed some 2x2 grid LED lights from Home Depot. Installed them and they look great, but they are a bit bright for my taste. They are currently connected to a SwitchLinc Relay. Specs on the box don't say if they are dimmable, but some reviewers indicate that they work with dimmers. I tried replacing my SwitchLinc Relay with a SwitchLinc Dimmer that I had kicking around and they do dim to a much more pleasing level, but the lights emit an annoying buzz when attached to the dimmer - even when on at 100%. The SwitchLinc Dimmer I have is probably 2+ years old. Does anyone know if the newer SwitchLinc Dimmer modules are any more LED friendly than the previous ones? Any changes that might make it worth trying to order a new Dimmer?Thanks!
Teken Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 If the LED hardware does not specifically state its dimmable your playing with fire.
Techman Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 A dimmable led contains a driver circuit which is a bridge between the switch and the lamp. The grid led lamps are not designed to be dimmed, that's not to say there isn't one on the market that can be dimmed. Using a dimmer on a non-dimmable led will probably result in a shorter life for the lamp and the switch.
MWareman Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 Using a dimmer on a non-dimmable led will probably result in a shorter life for the lamp and the switch.It may also result in the appearance of some magic blue smoke just before the failure.... If it dosnt say 'dimmable' - assume it isn't.
Brian H Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 I looked at some of the offerings on Home Depot. Some where marked OK for dimmers and others where not dimmable. So you may want to verify they are made for use on a dimmer. The carton or the fixture itself should give the information. If not the sales page on the Home Depot web site should give the information for your fixture.
Techman Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 I looked at some of the offerings on Home Depot. Some where marked OK for dimmers and others where not dimmable. So you may want to verify they are made for use on a dimmer. The carton or the fixture itself should give the information. If not the sales page on the Home Depot web site should give the information for your fixture. I've had good results with CREE LED bulbs from Home Depot. Costco has FEIT bulbs which work well with Insteon. Both brands are dimmable.
MikeB Posted April 19, 2016 Author Posted April 19, 2016 The Crees I have around the house, although marked as dimmable, do buzz a bit when dimmed to low levels. These grid lights buzz quite a bit more, though they do dim well to at least 50% or so. It looks like the HD page does say that they are not dimmable, though the box makes no mention and some reviewers do state they dim. I ended up moving one light 1 grid behind my desk chair (instead of right above) and the brightness is much less annoying. I think I'll keep it this way with the SwitchLinc Relays.They are pretty cool fixtures. Edge to edge light on the grid. A lot of light output compared to the fluorescents they replaced at half the wattage. It will take a bit of getting use to the brightness and color, but I'm getting comfortable with them already. This is the model I purchased: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-2-ft-x-2-ft-White-LED-Edge-Lit-Flat-Panel-T-Bar-Grid-Recessed-Flushmount-74032-HD/206075161;jsessionid=98BFBCA679960F8648C284779B7782D9
Techman Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 The Crees I have around the house, although marked as dimmable, do buzz a bit when dimmed to low levels. Which CREE bulbs do you have that buzz? I have various CREE bulbs and have never had a problem with them either failing or buzzing.
MikeB Posted April 19, 2016 Author Posted April 19, 2016 Sorry, I don't have the boxes anymore. I believe they were 60W equivalent, purchased maybe around 1-2 years ago. Is the model # on the bulb? I can check if you are really interested. They are not horrible, but do buzz some when dimmed to a real low level (maybe around 20% or so). I use them at that level as a nightlight in our upstairs hall. On a related note, here in Massachusetts HD has Cree 40W and 60W equivalent bulbs for 97 cents! Amazing deal. I should have waited to buy mine!
MikeD Posted April 19, 2016 Posted April 19, 2016 I switched from purchasing the Cree dimmable LEDs to the Sylvania 'Warm Glow' dimmable LEDs, both available at HD. I found that the Sylvania bulbs seem to dim down to a lower level and are able to turn on at a lower level compared to the Crees. I do not hear buzzing from either. ~Mike
stusviews Posted April 20, 2016 Posted April 20, 2016 Web sites sometime have the incorrect information. If an LED or CFL device/bulb is dimmable, then the device/bulb itself will be labeled as such.
MikeB Posted April 20, 2016 Author Posted April 20, 2016 I ended up removing one of the fixtures too. I was afraid that reducing the number of fixtures in my finished basement (where these are installed) with low ceilings might not work well, but last night I was able to test without sunlight and 2 fixtures spaced properly lights as well or better than my 3 previous fluorescent fixtures. Happy about that, even more energy savings! These really throw a lot of light.
BCreekDave Posted April 22, 2016 Posted April 22, 2016 I switched from purchasing the Cree dimmable LEDs to the Sylvania 'Warm Glow' dimmable LEDs, both available at HD. I found that the Sylvania bulbs seem to dim down to a lower level and are able to turn on at a lower level compared to the Crees. I do not hear buzzing from either. ~Mike Sylvania is or Philips? I got the Philips Warm Glows at HD. They work great on dimmers. No buzz at all but they don't dim as low as incandescent. Changed out about 40 PAR30 cans. Had them in since December and so far so good. Saved about 15 per month.
B.A. Posted April 22, 2016 Posted April 22, 2016 Sylvania is or Philips? I got the Philips Warm Glows at HD. They work great on dimmers. No buzz at all but they don't dim as low as incandescent. Changed out about 40 PAR30 cans. Had them in since December and so far so good. Saved about 15 per month. I also use Philips Warm Glow LEDs. No issues whatsoever with Insteon Dimmers
MikeD Posted April 22, 2016 Posted April 22, 2016 Sorry, my mistake! They are in fact Philips 'Warm Glow' dimmable LEDs. ~MIke
arw01 Posted June 14, 2016 Posted June 14, 2016 May take a look for those Phillips, just putting cans into living area and picked up a bunch of Feit on clearance for about $3.00 a bulb. So far the first one is pretty much on fast ramp and I have not played with bringing it way down in it's current location. If they seem to work well, will post a shot of them, but will watch for the Phillips on the other lights as dimming will be important.
stusviews Posted June 14, 2016 Posted June 14, 2016 I've experienced occasional, but very noticeable blinking with Philips cool white 110W equivalent LEDs. I swapped one of the four with a bluish halogen bulb that minimizes, but doesn't completely stop the blink. There's no problem at full on.
arw01 Posted June 15, 2016 Posted June 15, 2016 Picked up a couple of the Phillips warm glows today to try out. Lost another of the early HD crees in the bathroom fixture that is on a dimmer and slow ramp, sure it's related me dropping power on the breakers a few times in the last few days re-wiring the living room portion of the house from scratch pretty much. Seem to have lost an 8 button keypad too, have to check warranty on that one. It's just dark now.
Teken Posted June 15, 2016 Posted June 15, 2016 Picked up a couple of the Phillips warm glows today to try out. Lost another of the early HD crees in the bathroom fixture that is on a dimmer and slow ramp, sure it's related me dropping power on the breakers a few times in the last few days re-wiring the living room portion of the house from scratch pretty much. Seem to have lost an 8 button keypad too, have to check warranty on that one. It's just dark now. Can you expand on this highlight portion a little more?!? I'm trying to understand the correlation of the LED bulbs failing and you turning off the breakers to rewire your home.
stusviews Posted June 15, 2016 Posted June 15, 2016 Cutting power is unlikely to cause failure. That's how switches function and they're used daily to cut power. Try pulling out the set button on the KPL for 10 or more seconds and then pushing it back in until it clicks. Do not push the set button all the way in.
arw01 Posted June 19, 2016 Posted June 19, 2016 The cree lamp in the bathroom just died, and it's awfully coincidental that it occurred when the breaker was being dropped a few times as I changed wiring around. That breaker seems to be half the house lighting, so I split it off a bit more when I re-did the living room wiring so there are no outlets on that line now.The KPL I have not pulled the air gap yet, could not get a finger nail under it, but will try first obviously. Used up my stash putting in new keypads around to control the new cans and such.
stusviews Posted June 19, 2016 Posted June 19, 2016 Remove the switch plate for easier access. A pocket screwdriver also helps
arw01 Posted June 20, 2016 Posted June 20, 2016 Popped the airgap today after electrical inspection (passed), and my little swich came back up. Cannot say the same for the cfl in the hallway fixture through. Now need to find a bulb for a "totally enclosed" fixture since the hallway sits pretty much flush with the trim.
Brian H Posted June 20, 2016 Posted June 20, 2016 The CFL is not on a dimmer type switch is it? Almost all CFLs are not designed to be on a dimmer except a few rare models designed for dimmers.
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