ControlThink Forums

   Has anyone had any experience lately with using either standard "hot cathode" or "cold cathode" dimmable Flourescent lamps with Z-wave dimmer modules? The last time I tried one was with a couple of years ago when I got the Intermatic "starter kit" at Lowes and used a lamp module with a Microbrite 5watt Cold Cathold Lamp. The combination worked very well for about 4 hours till the "magic smoke" came out of the Triac in the Module (lamp was fine). I'm pretty sure that it was the dimming waveform that killed the lamp module. A regular standard dimmer will work OK with either cathode type as long as the lamp is "dimmable" (the cold cathodes do dim much better and smoother IMHO..).

    Any recent experience along those lines? I'm wondering what differences there is between a standard "dimmer" circuit and the one used in the Intermatic. Haven't tried any other brand of Z-Wave dimmer yet.  I've just located a new Cold Cathode Lamp that is higher powered than the Microbrites (13 watt input in this case instead of 5-8 watt), and would sure like to have them Z-Wave dimmable, but just a little bit timid after that first experience... 

I have used the Leviton Vizia-RF RZP-03 plug in dimming lamp module with two kinds of dimmable CFLs. I don't know the details of the CFL dimming technologies but they are the Phillips Maraton Classic 65 (BR30 Flood) and the Sylvania Dimmable Energy Saver Decor 5 watt bulb. Both purchased at Lowes. I have used them in a lamp for several weeks with no failure of bulb or z-wave module. The dimming is of course not as good as incandescent, but they do dim, with a limited range and some flicker when they are first turned on.

  I do seem to recall that someone else had used the Vizia line sucessfully too, now that you mention it. Do the Vizia Module instructions have anything to say specifically about the subject? 

The instructions just say: Incandescent: 300W max, 60W min. That is the problem with these devices and CFLs, the CFLs do not meet the minimum wattage specified. But the devices still seem to work with a low wattage dimmable CFL, they may just have less broadcast range in the RF network.

I have been using the Intermatic dimming switches with dimmable CF bulbs without problems.  In one location, I do notice a slight hum from the lights in the off position.

I have 2 dozen plus dimmable CFL's on Z-wave devices.

Using, dimmable CFL's they are running on.

ACT Dimming wall switches,  ZDW100
Intermatic Wall Switches, HA06
Intermatic Plugin Dimmer modules.

Most have been in use over a year, some over 2 years.

There are some annoyances that I decided to live with.

The CFL's don't dim to very low levels,  they just read a certain point and cut off. ( and buzz until completely turned off )
They do not dim or brighten gracefully,  its more of a flicker/jump.  ( we don't change dim levels too often so it's ok for us )
Some of the CFL brands buzz when dimmed.

Other than that,  as long as I meet the minimum wattage for the switch the CFL's seem to work okay.  That is the use wattage for the CFL, not the light output.

The 3 main rooms of the house still use incandescent or halogen, mostly because of the reasons above.

StevenE