Dimmer Switch I have a chandlier with 5 energy bulbs in the kitchen/dinning area. We do not need them bright all the time, it can be controlled by 2 switches one on each end of the room. We decided to install a dimmer switch. We already installed one in the kitchen that controls 5 ceiling lites and it works fine. The dimmer switch with the two switches does not work, could it be the engery efficent bulbs?

Most old dimmer switches do not work with energy saving/led bulbs, they will work fine with the old style filament bulbs, the newer dimmer switches will be compatible with energy saving bulbs and will indicate on the packaging!

Not really no. There are kits available but all to often there are laws and standards for vehicles in which the conversions do not abide by. Make sure you research what is legal before attempting such, usually is not worth it.

Most modern dimmers provide normal energy savings. They reduce the total amount of watts consumed on the circuit. Many years ago, dimmers only reduced the watts consumed as light - making up the difference as heat in the dimmer switch. A 100W light turned down to 1/2 wattage at a dimmer switch resulted in 50 watts of light at the bulb, but 50 watts of heat was created in the switch. That was zero energy savings. The newer electronic dimmers will still let 50 watts be used as light, but only a few watts as heat in the switch.

To maximized energy savings, use of new cold cathode technology lights such as CFL (compact fluorescent lamp), LED (Light Emitting Diode), etc. types are suggested. You can use these lamps on a dimmer to furrther reduce the amount of energy used - but only if the lamp indicates that it is dimmable.

If the lamp or fixture does not specifically state it can be used on a dimmer, don't. This includes powering a light through a dimmer that is set to maximum brightness. Use a standard non-dimming switch instead.

I hope this helps & good luck!

sounds like you have a bad panel dimmer control. try turning the control from bright to dim very fast a few times then slowly, do this in a dark area or at night with the headlights on, you should see a flicker of light occasionally. If you don't see any light then it could be either the headlight switch or the dimmer control, if you DO see any light, then it's your dimmer

Rotary dimmers are not normally suitable for fan control plus not all types of lamps are dimmable , so used wrongly a dimmer could catch fire.
Steve

sounds like you have the dimmer turned down

Bulbs could both be burnt on low beam--or dimmer switch worn out--test bulbs --if ok --replace dimmer switch.

the triac on the dimmer control board is defective,you will need to access the board area inside the unit and replace the electronic control board,if your good with a soldering iron and multi-meter and can find a replacement triac you can repair it yourself if the board isn't burned too bad in this area

If you put a CFL in it, they are not dimmable. If it is a standard light bulb, it should not affect the dimmer.

you are using incandescent bulbs because most dimmer will not work with Fluorescent otherwise sound like a bad switch, if it new return it. They are fairly easy to replace. Hope this Helps Paul