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FANMAN123 · Jan 19, 2009, 07:53 PM

I have a pretty touch lamp that could operate at 3 levels of brightness and one "off" level . Each of these levels needed a slight tap on the top of the lamp. One day I tried putting in a small fluorescent lamp instead of an incandescent one (just testing y'see) and that seems to have spoilt the lamp. It has now become tap insensitive , operates at only the brightest setting and needs to be disconnected from the mains to be put off! Your suggestions will help salvage my tap lamp. Thanks in advance

Missouri Bound · Jan 19, 2009, 09:11 PM

Dimmers don't usually work with fluorescent lamps. And now it won't work with regular bulbs (incandescent)... is that correct? You probably messed up the control. But they are usually replaceable. Find it, usually in the base of the lamp and buy a new one at one of the home centers. Then you can keep your lamp. But don't try flourescents in the new device. There are dimmable flourescents available, but I don't believe they will work with these type of devices.

FANMAN123 · Jan 19, 2009, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by Missouri Bound

Dimmers don't usually work with flourescent lamps. And now it won't work with regular bulbs (incandescent)...is that correct? You probably messed up the control. But they are usually replaceable. Find it, usually in the base of the lamp and buy a new one at one of the home centers. Then you can keep your lamp. But don't try flourescents in the new device. There are dimmable flourescents available, but I don't believe they will work with these type of devices.

Thanks for your inputs mate. How do I refer to the control when I speak to a salesman so I may get the right part ? Just call them controls ? How does one look ?

Missouri Bound · Jan 19, 2009, 09:22 PM

Just tell them exactly what it is... a touch control dimmer for a lamp. Take the other one out if you can. If it has a base, it's usually there, under the felt. You would be best to see the old one, so you can verify if the new one will fit, and you can also check out the wiring. Type in "touch control dimmer" on your search bar and look around to get an idea. Good luck.

I did a quick search, and you can find them at Ace Hardware for about $7.00. If the lamp is worth that to you, great. Just make sure you understand how it's wired before you start.