CFLs dont fade right...

[ullyeus]

so I've replaced all my lightbulbs with CFLs and noticed that they don't dim as nicely as my old ones....in fact they just flicker rapidly or are on full brightness...

any thoughts? anyone find differences between brands?

[CRXGSR]

Certain CFL's aren't meant to be used with dimmer switches. You have to buy special CFL's if you're going to dimming them.

[civ@uw]

You should NOT dim CFLs unless they say specifically that they can be dimmed. I don't know about specific brands, but dimmable CFLs are usually marked as such.

[mrlooneytoon]

CFL is a gas /chemical mixture inside the bulb, not like a regular lightbulb which glows and heats up due to more current flow which could be controlled with a dimmer.

If there are any special CFL's that can fade with a regulating switch then they'll be pretty expensive, no?

[Jucius Maximus]

If you put a CFL on a dimmer switch, it will die prematurely unless it is designed for dimmers.

(And for anyone reading thread and wondering ... CFL = Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb)

[Kaitlyn]

haha I replaced the ones in my living room with CFL, and the lights have a knob that you would turn to get 3 settings... with the CFL bulbs they stay off the first time and the 2nd and 3rd turn seem to give the exact same brightness...

[ullyeus]

Certain CFL's aren't meant to be used with dimmer switches. You have to buy special CFL's if you're going to dimming them.

any idea where I can get them?

I've been to homedepot...canadian tire...walmart....revy..the only one's I found were HUGE lights for your backyard that could dim.

[majesus]

I hope this helps you in your quest.

http://www.gelighting.com/na/busines...faqs/cfl.htm#3

[skategoat]

Rona has dimmable CFLs but they are expensive. $18 or so.

[CSK'sMom]

haha I replaced the ones in my living room with CFL, and the lights have a knob that you would turn to get 3 settings... with the CFL bulbs they stay off the first time and the 2nd and 3rd turn seem to give the exact same brightness...

Your fixture is a trilight fixture. You can buy trilight CFL bulbs that work properly in trilight lamps.

[granite_grrl]

Your fixture is a trilight fixture. You can buy trilight CFL bulbs that work properly in trilight lamps.

The second most used light in the house is a trilight lamp and I've been wanting to replace it's bulb with a CFL. Do you know where I can purchase these and how much they cost?

[CSK'sMom]

Trilight CFL's are pretty common. I believe we picked ours up this last time at Home Depot. I've seen them though at Walmart, Canadian Tire, etc though too.

[urameatball]

I'm using noma CF lights on a dimmer.
they kinda dim but it's not gradual.