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    poppapoopa's Avatar
    poppapoopa Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    May 27, 2008, 03:14 PM
    Do Fluorescent bulbs destroy your dimmer lights?
    I replaced the light bulbs on my Hampton bay and Harbor breeze ceiling fan dimmer lights with fluorescent bulbs. I soon found out that I should not have done that because fluorescent bulbs do not dim. The problem is now that I put the regular bulbs back in they do not dim either. The lights turn on to full strength but when I try to dim them they just flicker. Is the dimmer function broken or can it be reset some how?
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
     
    #2

    May 27, 2008, 03:25 PM
    Nope, there is no "reset". You likely did fry the dimmer.

    It says right on the package NOT to dim them. There are some that can be dimmed, but they are conspicuously marked that way.
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #3

    May 27, 2008, 10:07 PM
    You usually fry either the dimmers or the bulbs. Normally it's the bulbs. I would give it time and see if they start working again.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #4

    May 28, 2008, 09:14 AM
    Ceilinfan, I'm sure you were talking about the CFL's, not the incandescent. Dimming can hurt or destroy the bulbs, does sound like dimmer is shot.
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #5

    May 28, 2008, 01:43 PM
    Yes I was referring to using CFL's in a dimmer
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #6

    May 28, 2008, 01:54 PM
    Here is a link for a dimmable CFL. Microbrite Dimmable Compact Fluorescent - BLF-MICROBRITE
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #7

    May 28, 2008, 02:04 PM
    If your remote has a dimmer button press and hold it for about 8 seconds, tell us what it does now.
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #8

    May 28, 2008, 02:10 PM
    ONLY with the incadescent bulbs in!
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #9

    May 28, 2008, 02:16 PM
    You bet, only incandescents with a dimmer.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #10

    May 28, 2008, 02:53 PM
    If you want the CFL and Dimming, Link by Kiss above is your solution.

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