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#1
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Switch timer does not work with flourescent bulb?
Is there a problem using a switch timer with a flourescent long-life
bulb? I have had 2 timers do strange things when I replaced an incandescent bulb with a flourescent. The timer seems to turn on the light during the day instead of at night. It works fine for a couple of days, then gets confused with the timer settings. Thanks Mark Sabatini |
#2
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Switch timer does not work with flourescent bulb?
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#3
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Switch timer does not work with flourescent bulb?
Is there a problem using a switch timer with a flourescent long-life
bulb? I have had 2 timers do strange things when I replaced an incandescent bulb with a flourescent. Such timers ought to have a sticker or notice "incadescent use only" because they rely on a trickle of current thru the "off" lamp to run the timer circuit (rather than using a third wire to supply its own power). |
#4
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Switch timer does not work with flourescent bulb?
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#5
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Switch timer does not work with flourescent bulb?
On Jan 16, 2:57*am, wrote:
wrote: Is there a problem using a switch timer with a flourescent long-life bulb? I have had 2 timers do strange things when I replaced an incandescent bulb with a flourescent. The timer seems to turn on the light during the day instead of at night. It works fine for a couple of days, then gets confused with the timer settings. Yes, the cheaper models say "for incandescent lamps only" or words to that effect. *I found a more expensive timer that clearly uses a relay internally and has a battery to power it and I guess the clock circuitry as well. *The timer I replaced started losing track of time when I switched to CFLs for my outdoor porch lights. *I think the CFLs put some high frequency noise on the circuit which confuses a clock chip that uses the 60Hz line frequency as a reference. *The better model says it can be used with electric motors as well. Bill Ranck Blacksburg, Va. Another suggestion/idea. Some of those timers (electronic ones) may depend (as do some thermostats) on sufficient 'juice' flowing through, even during the period of time when the timer is 'off', to operate the timing circuits, within the unit itself, correctly. While that current may be only need to be a few milliamps, a CFL lamp, which even when on uses much less current than an incandescent bulb, may not be allowing sufficient 'minimum' current flow during the 'off' cycle to keep the timer operating consistently? It may well be as someone mentioned also that such timers are best (or must be) used with incandescent lamp bulbs. All these additional 'add- on' items, often available cheaply at hardware and other stores are not necessarily compatible with each other! In fact some are downright unsatisfactory in that they, if cheaply made, either can't do the job or may generate radio/TV interference. Some dimmers are notorious for that, for example. |
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