If theres a Home Depot close to you, check the compact fluorescent bulb shelf. Most of them are the N:vision brand but if you look closely, you may be able to find the reflector version of this Philips bulb. They are usually off to the side or near the bottom of the shelf.
You can use triac to make a really simple dimmer, and its fun to build. Triac is available at radio shack for about 2 bucks. Triac can also be used to control the speed of drills, electric fan, etc.
Most regular CFLs convert the incoming AC to DC which is fed to a dual transistor oscillator that powers the ballast transformer.
A dimmer chops off part of the positive and negative components of the AC sine wave but the ballast in a non-dimmable CFL is not designed to operate on the chopped sine wave. Dimming a normal CFL will cause it to flicker a lot and eventually will overheat and burn out the ballast.
Ah good to know. Regardless I mainly use CFLs in hard to reach places and what not, which usually don't dim. But know I will move the CFLs I have in dimmer lights to other places. Thanks.
awesome. light looked a little weird on low though.
andy67850 1 year ago
I love the 14 watt Frosted cover from Sylvania I bought. They light immediately. Video coming soon.
TheGeek1028 2 years ago
I like CFL bulbs, but the major disadvantage of the dimmable bulb is the very high cost.
CaptainElevator42189 3 years ago
If theres a Home Depot close to you, check the compact fluorescent bulb shelf. Most of them are the N:vision brand but if you look closely, you may be able to find the reflector version of this Philips bulb. They are usually off to the side or near the bottom of the shelf.
yuandrew 4 years ago
You can use triac to make a really simple dimmer, and its fun to build. Triac is available at radio shack for about 2 bucks. Triac can also be used to control the speed of drills, electric fan, etc.
tangnatalaga 4 years ago
That's crazy, Andrew! I'd never seen one dim before.
coastale 4 years ago
Most regular CFLs convert the incoming AC to DC which is fed to a dual transistor oscillator that powers the ballast transformer.
A dimmer chops off part of the positive and negative components of the AC sine wave but the ballast in a non-dimmable CFL is not designed to operate on the chopped sine wave. Dimming a normal CFL will cause it to flicker a lot and eventually will overheat and burn out the ballast.
yuandrew 5 years ago
I dim them anyway, the regular ones that is, and I don't have any problems, what does dimming the regular ones do anyway? Well informative video.
coviekiller5 5 years ago
It reduces the life and increases the risk of fire/smoking of the ballast.
TheGeek1028 2 years ago
Ah good to know. Regardless I mainly use CFLs in hard to reach places and what not, which usually don't dim. But know I will move the CFLs I have in dimmer lights to other places. Thanks.
coviekiller5 2 years ago
Also, try not to have the base up. That reduces life and increases safety risks even more.
TheGeek1028 2 years ago
wow thats very interesting! :D
Accordguyintake 5 years ago