Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Compast Florescent and Reostats

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View Full Version : Compast Florescent and Reostats


patagonia42
04-07-07, 10:30 AM
I am totally new to CFL's and I need help.

Kitchen had 6 can lights with 65w incandesent spots in each controlled by switch with reostat slide. I changed to 6- 14w CFL's and the reostat will not operate correctly; it only works on full power. If three of the 65w spots are replaced, the reostat functions fully on the incandescents, but only dims the CFLs partially.
On low power the reostat buzzes; on high power it does not buzz.

Bedroom: 2 can 65w incandescents replaced with 2- 14w CFLs and the reostat funtions properly but the lights flicker and the switch buzzs at low power.

Is there a special reostat for CFLs?

Thanks for the advice


racraft
04-07-07, 10:31 AM
No, there are special (but expensive) fluorescent lights for dimmers.

You are risking destroying those dimmers with the fluorescent lights installed.

logcabincook
04-07-07, 12:54 PM
Yes you have to buy a specific kind of CFL bulb to work with dimmers. Check the package. I keep an eye out every time I go to Costco and buy several packages of the dimmable ones when they are available. Of course being CFLs they don't have to be changed as often and now we have a surplus ;-)