Dimmable lights hardly dimming

[sophiejazz]

I've just had some new fire rated IP65 dimmable down lights fitted. I'm so disappointed as they hardly dim at all and yet the small icon suggests that they should dim quite a bit. They are Luceco 5W integrated, from Tool Station but I'm now wondering whether I'd have been better investing in Enlite (I have Enlite in the bathroom and am delighted with them).
Firstly a little about the set up. The 3 gang 2 way dimmer switch in the downstairs hall works both upstairs and downstairs lights (the 3rd gang is for the outside light), Upstairs the 2 gang switch works the bathroom and on/off for the upstairs lights but I'm informed I can only work the dimmer from downstairs and can't use a dimmer switch upstairs for the hall.
Also wondering whether it may have anything to do with there being a 2way switch involved, given, I can only dim from down stairs. By the way they are in the hall so don't actually need to be IP65. Any one else have this problem or any suggested solutions?

 

[JohnW2]

Do I take it that the new lights you got are LED ones and that the dimmers worked satisfactorily with whatever lights you previously had? Were those previous lights LED ones as well? If not, the problem could well be that the dimmers you have are not suitable for dimming LED lights.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Anstiss Ltd]

On a lot of dimmer switches you can remove the actual electronic part in the back. So if you have matching face plates don't worry

Had to change one in a double dimmer switch once when installed new led lights

Just Google search for a dimmer switch compatible with leds.

 

[sophiejazz]

Do I take it that the new lights you got are LED ones and that the dimmers worked satisfactorily with whatever lights you previously had? Were those previous lights LED ones as well? If not, the problem could well be that the dimmers you have are not suitable for dimming LED lights.

Kind Regards, John

Many thanks John. These are newly installed dimmers, previously we had a centre light with a bayonet bulb non-dimmable, non-LED. Whilst the new lights dim slightly (say by 80%) they do not dim right down. The dimmer switch is British General and the lights Luceco.

 

[sophiejazz]

On a lot of dimmer switches you can remove the actual electronic part in the back. So if you have matching face plates don't worry

Had to change one in a double dimmer switch once when installed new led lights

Just Google search for a dimmer switch compatible with leds.

Many thanks Thomas. if this is done, will the dimmer still work?

 

[sophiejazz]

Many thanks John. These are newly installed dimmers, previously we had a centre light with a bayonet bulb non-dimmable, non-LED. Whilst the new lights dim slightly (say by 80%) they do not dim right down. The dimmer switch is British General and the lights Luceco.

Sorry, to 80%. (They only dim by about 20%)

 

[Anstiss Ltd]

A lot of dimmer switches are just a module bolted in the back of the face plate so if replaced with a dimmer it will still dim

 

[Taylortwocities]

The dimmer switch is British General and the lights Luceco.

What is the spec/model number for the BG dimmer switch? Where did you buy it?

 

[sophiejazz]

Bought from Tool Station.
BG Electrical Ltd FPC83P
3 Gang 2 way 400W Push on/off

 

[Taylortwocities]

So, that is your problem. The load you have is too low for the dimmer.

You need one of these modules (if you insist on Toolstation) https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p39759

I prefer the Varilight V-Pro though https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLJP400MOD.html

Other suppliers are available.

 

[sophiejazz]

So, that is your problem. The load you have is too low for the dimmer.

You need one of these modules (if you insist on Toolstation) https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p39759

I prefer the Varilight V-Pro though https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLJP400MOD.html

Other suppliers are available.

How does this marry with the existing dimmer switch or does it totally replace it???

 

[Taylortwocities]

Its a dimmer module. I assume you want to keep the existing plate as it is already serving two other circuits?? You just remove the existing module and put the LED dimmer in to replace it.

Or you'd need to find a matching dimmer switch that will work Ok with your LED light and the other two circuits.

 

[winston1]

Firstly a little about the set up. The 3 gang 2 way dimmer switch in the downstairs hall works both upstairs and downstairs lights (the 3rd gang is for the outside light), Upstairs the 2 gang switch works the bathroom and on/off for the upstairs lights.

So you want to be able to dim upstairs and downstairs hall lights and the outside light? Why? These are all places that need decent lighting. Don't want to trip coming down the stairs because someone has dimmed the lights.
Also consider having the bathroom switch inside the bathroom so someone can't plunge you into darkness while in the bath or shower.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Probably worth locking the consumer unit too, so that some miscreant cannot turn off the oven when the soufflé is cooking.

 

[securespark]

Just to back up what the others say, I have come across fuse boxes in external cabinets many times in my career. I have never heard any complaints about them being switched off, despite being accessible by miscreants.