Dimmable LED bulb flicker

[begreen]

I just switched from dimmable CFL bulbs to 60w Feit LEDs in our dining room. The CFLs dimmed nicely but the new LEDs flicker even though according to the package they are dimmable and are on an approved, modern dimmer.

What are other folks finding with LED bulbs on a dimmer?

 

[iamlucky13]

Some of the LED manufacturers have dimmer compatibility lists, showing dimmers they've tested their bulbs with. Some of the dimmer manufacturers also have lists of bulbs they've tested. Here's Lutron, for example:
http://www.lutron.com/en-US/Service...al/Design-SelectionTools/LEDDimmerMatrix.aspx

I noticed a while back CNET has been reviewing some LED's, including dimmer performance. This is a lot easier to read than the manufacturer lists, but they've only tested a handful of bulbs and dimmers:
http://www.cnet.com/topics/smart-home/best-smart-home-devices/best-led-light-bulbs/

I'd also suggest that if you find a combo you like well, write a review for both the bulb and the dimmer referencing each to help other users find working combos.

One more note - I have a Lutron Skylark (I think) dimmer that came with a lengthy instruction sheet including instructions for setting up the dimming range. It worked fine out of the box with incandescents, but I would not be surprised if going through the setup could help some LED's dim more effectively.

You'd probably have to pull the faceplate off to find the model number and look up instructions online, if they exist for a given model. The instructions looked a bit tedious. Fair warning.

 

[begreen]

Hmmm, in my book dimmable means dimmable. Not with a boatload of caveats and tweaks. Thanks for the suggestions. I did find our dimmer on the Feit website so now I am more perplexed.

 

[sportbikerider78]

I'm not sure what to tell you. I have had great experiences with the Luxtron switches that say they are for use with LED bulbs.

 

[iamlucky13]

Unfortunately, without a standard for either bulb dimming performance or dimmer output, dimmable means caveats and tweaks. From I've read, many bulb + dimmer combos do give satisfactory performance, but some bulbs that work on one dimmer end up not working well on others, as not only are there differences in how different LED lamps handle dimmed power signals, but there are some differences in how dimmers function.

 

[begreen]

It's a Lutron Ariadni dimmer approved for the following loads:

• • Incandescent / Halogen
  • Dimmable Compact Fluorescent (CFL)
  • Dimmable Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
  • Hi-lume® LED 2-wire Forward Phase

 

[7acres]

I just finished wiring my home office with LEDs all on matching Leviton dimmers. They don't flicker but they hum. I'm disappointed.

 

[iamlucky13]

Do you have other brands of LED's you can try on the same circuit? Ideally all of the same types - I've heard of some people having issues mixing types on a dimmer.

Also, there's a suggestion in the troubleshooting section of page 2, here:
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/26/26384e5c-e90d-4d88-aaa9-75e12b896e5c.pdf

 

[begreen]

In our case there's just two 9w LED bulbs on the circuit. Both from the same 4pak package.

 

[jebatty]

After replacing almost all CFL and tungsten incandescent bulbs in our house with LEDs from a mix of brand names, my experience on dimming, lack of flicker and lack of buzzing has been very good. One of 4 identical LEDs in the garage buzzes slightly. No noticeable buzz on any others. Flicker is evident on a couple of LEDs as they are dimmed to about half way or more. All in all, very satisfied with all the LEDs and pleased with the results.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I had a flicker with the dimmer that was installed in the house before I bought it, swapped it with a led compatible dimmer and no more problems. Also dimmed better too. Basically lower before cutting out.

 

[LowbanksArcher]

I've had my share of headaches with this recently. We built add addition on our house and I wired in 8 LED 9w pot lights. Same circuit. 4 on one dimmer, and 4 on another. Since i was experimenting with various types of light (5000k, 3000k, 2700k), i purchased a few different options to try. All compatible with the dimmers. Even though they were on separate switches, having different brands of bulbs on at the same time would cause one bank to flicker. It was awful. Even with one bank with bulbs removed entirely, the single bank of 4 would flicker intermittently. Once changing all 8 to the same brand/model (decided on 2700k), it improved, but would still get the odd flicker at certain dimness settings. Lastly, I returned both dimmer switches and spent a little more on another brand. The new dimmers solved the problem entirely.
Since LED's run such low wattage, dimming them makes them extremely vulnerable to any variation in current. Mine will still twitch when certain appliances turn on (microwave, water pump, etc)

 

[begreen]

This kind of burns me because I just replaced the previous dimmer with the more expensive Lutron model a couple years ago.

Can folks start listing the make and model of dimmers and the bulb brand and model they have had success or failures with?

Right now I have a failure situation with 2 Feit dimmable LED bulbs on a Lutron Adriana dimmer.

 

[iamlucky13]

To be honest, I've got concerns about the quality of the Feit 9W bulbs Costco sells. Checking their website, the reviews are mostly bad, based on failure rates and dimming flicker.

My limited experience with them is fine, but I don't have them on dimmers. Their color rendering is actually significantly better than most of their competitors, but with comparable efficiency, price, and light distribution. Perhaps Feit needs to stop claiming they're dimmable.

 

[begreen]

Yes, I've had good luck with Feits in other locations and undimmed the bulb is fine. I can move these bulbs to another location. What bulb mfg/model are more universally working for people that have them on a dimmer?

 

[LowbanksArcher]

This kind of burns me because I just replaced the previous dimmer with the more expensive Lutron model a couple years ago.

Can folks start listing the make and model of dimmers and the bulb brand and model they have had success or failures with?

Right now I have a failure situation with 2 Feit dimmable LED bulbs on a Lutron Adriana dimmer.

This was the winning combination for me.

 

[iron]

i have all new lutron dimmer switches, rated for LED. various LED bulbs that are dimmable. all of them buzz/flicker to some degree. it's thoroughly annoying. only at the brightest setting do they quiet down.

worst is in my island pendant lights - you cannot find an LED bulb (at least i haven't) that doesn't shade the upper part of the light. so, half the pendant is dark; half is light. with old school bulbs, there is a nice warm glow throughout.

LED lights = not ready for prime time in terms of replacing the incandescents.

 

[jebatty]

Likely not too helpful on solving dimmer problems experienced by some, but all of my dimmers are many years old and dimmed incandescent bulbs which I switched out for LEDs. I don't know how the dimmer circuitry has changed over the years and I expect it has become more "electronic." Might the flicker be caused by the wave form of the AC leaving the dimmer and conflict with the AD/DC circuit in the LEDs? Clearly, not all dimmer/LEDs flicker. So, whose at fault? Dimmer mfrs, LED mfrs, both?

 

[sportbikerider78]

If you guys are replacing recessed lighting, I have had success with dimmers of all types,,,even the old school 'knob' type. Perhaps consider the complete can retrofit.

 

[begreen]

Good to know. The problem bulbs are on pendant lights with conventional bulb format.

 

[sportbikerider78]

i have all new lutron dimmer switches, rated for LED. various LED bulbs that are dimmable. all of them buzz/flicker to some degree. it's thoroughly annoying. only at the brightest setting do they quiet down.

worst is in my island pendant lights - you cannot find an LED bulb (at least i haven't) that doesn't shade the upper part of the light. so, half the pendant is dark; half is light. with old school bulbs, there is a nice warm glow throughout.

LED lights = not ready for prime time in terms of replacing the incandescents.

I was at HomeDepot yesterday and saw some that might work for you. Very little in the way of a base.

http://www.cnet.com/products/cree-4flow-led-2015/

 

[begreen]

Looks like a step backward for dimming if that is an issue (go to 1:00 to see). If that is a requirement then there's another Cree tests better + 10 yr warranty. They say the Phillips tests best for dimming so I will try that.
http://www.cnet.com/products/cree-60-watt-replacement-led-bulb/

 

[Nelson]

I've replaced nearly all bulbs with LEDs in our home and my experience with dimming has been hit or miss. I've had good luck with the Commercial Electric retrofit cans in terms of dimming. I do have some Feit LEDs and have had issues with dimming. All switches are original to the house (pre 2013 for us). All in all, seem to have had good luck with CE retro-fits (we have a ton of can lights) and Cree bulbs.

 

[Kobeman]

I know the feeling on the lutrons, I put in all maestro wireless not too many years ago , maybe 2, not the c/l version then, cant dim leds now, the circuitry in the maestro keeps enough power in the circit that the bulbs would glow when should be off, (fiet) , had to switch out the maestros for the c/l, I'm an electrician, but still alot of $, I called lutron and they said the main problem is theres really no standard established for dimmable leds yet.

 

[jrems]

I tried some feit a couple years ago and was not happy with the performance or color. Loud hum when dimming. Cree was just ok. I had 4 failures within a year so no more of those. Very good luck with the Phillips, nice warm color, Dim nicely. I also have a handful of ikea leds. They have the nicest color very close to standard incandescent. Dim very nicely as well. I have not experienced any flickering with the ikea or Phillips.