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    hdornadic's Avatar
    hdornadic Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Apr 22, 2012, 05:38 PM
    Ceiling fan lights dim
    When I first turn on my ceiling fan lights (3) using the wall switch, they come on normally and then dim almost immediately. After about 10 minutes when they warm up, if I turn the lights off and on again, they come up to their normal brightness and all is well. We have tried replacing the bulbs with no success. Can you tell me what's up?
    drtom4444's Avatar
    drtom4444 Posts: 3,282, Reputation: 145
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    #2

    Apr 23, 2012, 06:19 AM
    It takes a while for some of these mercury vapor bulbs to warm up and get bright enough, but you can buy a better bulb with more lumens for the same price as inferior bulbs. Get "Instant On" bulbs available at any Home Depot.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #3

    Apr 23, 2012, 07:15 AM
    It is most likely bad bulbs but you say you replaced them with the same results. Were the replacements from the same package of bulbs as the first? Best thing to do is ise a volt meter to see if the voltage varies. No remote involved, right?
    hdornadic's Avatar
    hdornadic Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Apr 23, 2012, 07:18 AM
    I don't think these are mercury vapour. They appear to be normal incandescents and have candle flame-shaped glass with normal filaments that I can see through the clear glass cover. And, the problem just started after about a year's service, so it appears it just developed. However, I'll give the Instant-On type a try. Thanks.
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    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #5

    Apr 23, 2012, 07:20 AM
    Use the volt meter and get back to us. This could be a faulty wire connection.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #6

    Apr 23, 2012, 07:33 AM
    Can you try the bulbs in something else?
    hdornadic's Avatar
    hdornadic Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Apr 23, 2012, 07:55 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Stratmando View Post
    Can you try the bulbs in something else?
    I certainly can and I'll do that today. Thanks.
    drtom4444's Avatar
    drtom4444 Posts: 3,282, Reputation: 145
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    #8

    Apr 23, 2012, 08:22 AM
    Now that I see that you are using regular bulbs the cause is obvious: a loose wire(s) either in switch or where they tie into light in the ceiling box. If they check out check the switch in fan that goes to the lights.
    hdornadic's Avatar
    hdornadic Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Apr 23, 2012, 08:51 AM
    Thank you. I'll check this out.
    drtom4444's Avatar
    drtom4444 Posts: 3,282, Reputation: 145
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    #10

    Apr 23, 2012, 09:02 AM
    One other thing I have found with the same problem about two months ago: I had burned wires in my wall switch and in the receptacles on the wall because they were in series with the light. Find all receptacles and switches on that circuit and check them, it could prevent a fire. Also, take cover off breaker panel and using a big enough screwdriver with insulated shaft, if possible, tighten ALL screws on the breakers and on the neutral and grounding bars. They loosen after a while and will cause problems with appliances, lights, and receptacles.
    sndbay's Avatar
    sndbay Posts: 1,447, Reputation: 62
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    #11

    Apr 23, 2012, 01:49 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by hdornadic View Post
    When I first turn on my ceiling fan lights (3) using the wall switch, they come on normally and then dim almost immediately. After about 10 minutes when they warm up, if I turn the lights off and on again, they come up to their normal brightness and all is well. We have tried replacing the bulbs with no success. Can you tell me what's up?
    This may be the answer if you replaced the bulbs recently. All fans made in the past year or two have limiter that restricts the output of fans to a maximum of 190 watts, per our dept of energy. If you have bulbs equaling more that 190 watts, it will come on bright & then dim to 190. This is only if you have a fairly new fan & your bulbs equal more than 190 watts
    hdornadic's Avatar
    hdornadic Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #12

    Apr 23, 2012, 06:03 PM
    Nope, they are 60w each, totaling 180 altogether.
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