I’m an idiot, and somehow completely missed the slow fading out of incandescent bulbs (in the US). This, timed with my recent (6 month) deep foray into HA resulted in a large purchase of dimming modules and wall switches that are non CFL/LED compliant.
I have several GE 3-way setups with the older version, and MANY GE lamp modules. Many of the switches I’ve actually sourced locally from Lowes under their much cheaper branded IRIS, and see that the newer versions are LED compatible. So my strategy there (I think) will just be to slowly replace my older ones over time… I only have a few, so not too bad.
But I have at least 15 of the GE dimmer modules, and I don’t see a newer GE version that handles dimmable LED/CFL. For you folks that either made my mistake, or got into HA earlier where this wasn’t an issue ( and now is), what have you done? Is my only alternative to suck up the $$$$ loss and replace over time?
I think some newer LED bulbs will dim OK with Incandescent voltage. I don’t have any experience except that even some “dimmable” LED bulbs buzz on the bottom quarter even with the Leviton Low Voltage Dimmers. Check out the reviews on Amazon…and hopefully folks will chime in.
Hindsight 20/20, it would have been cheaper to get LED bulbs which dim with the cheaper z-wave dimmer modules. Would have saved $100 a switch (x18).
I don’t have experience with the GE dimmers (I use all Levitons currently). What I will say is that the CREE bulbs from Home Depot seem to dim on whatever dimmer I put them on. I have them on a Leviton Lamp dimmer (they don’t dim that far down before cutting off), and I have them on some Schlage Dimmer modules (actually dim a lot better on these! A broader range). I don’t notice much hum, though within about a food I can hear a slight hum (2 in the living room I keep at 2% for the whole night).
Besides that I have the EcoSmart LED trims from Home Depot as well (they use Cree LED bulbs) and they seem to work with the 2-wire or 3-wire dimmers just fine. I have as little as 3 on a switch. My only issue was the 2 4" LED trims in my master bath. They dimmed, and didn’t flicker, but the ramp up and down was not consistent. It would dim up a bit for the first 25% or so, stay at a constant light level for for the next 50%, then dim up the rest of the way over the last 25%. I’ve changed the switch out to the new Levitons and it dims smother, but still has a spot mid dim where it evens out for a second or so.
I guess my overall point is that it does in fact also depend on the bulb on whether or not it will work with old dimmers. Note that some Dimmers (2-wire) do require around 40w on the circuit just to work. The Levitons have this requirement however I do have circuits that have less than the 40w, so you’re mileage may vary. I think some LED bulbs are actually being created to work with old Incandescent dimmers. The CREE ones specifically say they work on most dimmers on the market, so I would look for something like that.
And as I said, the more bulbs on a circuit and the better chance you have of them just working with the non LED/CFL dimmers, however, you can just test and find out. Home depot has a great return policy.
Note: I have light in my bathroom that has 2 cree bulbs in it on a Leviton VRI06. These bulbs don’t dim down very far, but they don’t stay on. I tried to replace them with multiple other LED bulbs from home depot and lowes. Some never shut off (VRI06 is a 2-wire dimmer), some blinked, etc. The Crees were the only ones I found that would work with that dimmer. I’ve just had great luck with them and couldn’t recommend them more. Can’t promise you they’ll work with the GEs, but they have not failed me yet.
[quote=“tomgru, post:1, topic:180767”]I’m an idiot, and somehow completely missed the slow fading out of incandescent bulbs (in the US). This, timed with my recent (6 month) deep foray into HA resulted in a large purchase of dimming modules and wall switches that are non CFL/LED compliant.
I have several GE 3-way setups with the older version, and MANY GE lamp modules. Many of the switches I’ve actually sourced locally from Lowes under their much cheaper branded IRIS, and see that the newer versions are LED compatible. So my strategy there (I think) will just be to slowly replace my older ones over time… I only have a few, so not too bad.
But I have at least 15 of the GE dimmer modules, and I don’t see a newer GE version that handles dimmable LED/CFL. For you folks that either made my mistake, or got into HA earlier where this wasn’t an issue ( and now is), what have you done? Is my only alternative to suck up the $$$$ loss and replace over time?
you can always put a resistor in parallel with the lights. While it will consume some electricity (and generate a bit of heat), it will allow you to convert over to the LEDs and there should be a net savings.
Look for a 10 or 15watt resistor that can handle 120VAC
Hi, if you are referring to the GE or Jasco 45602 (ZW3101), they actually do work fine with dimmable LED’s. I intend to publish some test results on these, but I recently tried them with a Philips 8W dimmable LED, a GE dimmable 11W LED, and and EcoSmart 9W floodlight LED. All single bulbs (presumably they may be even smoother with a bigger load) All work fine, dims and resume dims no prob, quite smooth actually.
They actually do run a neutral through them as all outlets use a neutral for the return path of current so I think thats why they will work. You are not relying upon a filament to pass power through to the radio.
[quote=“tomgru, post:1, topic:180767”]I’m an idiot, and somehow completely missed the slow fading out of incandescent bulbs (in the US). This, timed with my recent (6 month) deep foray into HA resulted in a large purchase of dimming modules and wall switches that are non CFL/LED compliant.
I have several GE 3-way setups with the older version, and MANY GE lamp modules. Many of the switches I’ve actually sourced locally from Lowes under their much cheaper branded IRIS, and see that the newer versions are LED compatible. So my strategy there (I think) will just be to slowly replace my older ones over time… I only have a few, so not too bad.
But I have at least 15 of the GE dimmer modules, and I don’t see a newer GE version that handles dimmable LED/CFL. For you folks that either made my mistake, or got into HA earlier where this wasn’t an issue ( and now is), what have you done? Is my only alternative to suck up the $$$$ loss and replace over time?
I have several GE (bought at lowes for IRIS) dimmers in more then one house. All my bulbs are LED in both houses. The Ge Dimmers haven’t been a problem for me as long at total wattage is more then 40w draw. For me that’s around 4-5 65w equivalent LED bulbs in my can lights.
Also, if all the products you bought from Lowes are still in their packaging, they will take them back. If it’s beyond the return period (I believe 45 days) they will more than likely issue store credit instead of a refund.
