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View Full Version : Ceiling fan light kit turns on slowly


Jinsey
Nov 15, 2007, 08:53 PM
I have a Hampton Bay ceiling fan with a light kit that is only 3 months old. The remote control has a dimmer feature to it. Both the fan and light work off one wall switch that is not a dimmer switch.

My question is this; when you flip the wall switch on, the fan starts right away but it takes the light kit approximately 2-3 second to come on and they light up like they are on a dimmer switch as they slowly grow brighter. When you have the wall switch on, the lights turn on and off right away when using the pull chain.

I called service help and it took them a while but finally they told me that this is "normal" for a fan with a remote dimmer. They said the fan checks the circuit first before the light comes on which accounts for the delay. I don't buy that for a second as even if it did, it should never take that long. I have talked to the folks at Home Depot and other hardware stores and they have never heard of a fan doing that. Any suggestions??

ceilingfanrepair
Nov 15, 2007, 09:39 PM
I have known some fans to work this way so I too assume it is normal.

Most remote fans are designed to be operated with the wall switch on 24/7, and controlled by the remote.

KISS
Nov 16, 2007, 08:37 AM
It will actually increase bulb life, but I agree sometimes it causes you to pause in your tracks before entering a room.

tkrussell
Nov 16, 2007, 08:42 AM
Sounds like compact fluorescent lamps are in the fixture. This is typical characteristic for many of these lamps, come on and slowly get get up to full brilliancy in a few seconds.

Some of the new lamps on the market come on more quick, but you will notice they still do not come on bright when first energized.

What type of lamp are you using?

KISS
Nov 16, 2007, 08:47 AM
In my case, incadesencent.

Jinsey
Nov 16, 2007, 09:49 AM
Thanks, your reasoning was very helpful

Jinsey
Nov 16, 2007, 09:50 AM
Thanks for your input. The light uses standard incandescent bulbs

ceilingfanrepair
Nov 16, 2007, 12:56 PM
Yeah, you can't use CF bulbs in most remote ceiling fans since they have dimmers built in.