Can Atco ECO dimmers control philips cfl?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by filpee, May 15, 2009.

  1. filpee

    filpee

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    As the title says can the AtcoTridonic ECO (or EXCEL) DSI dimmers control standard off the shelf CFL's that you buy down at the supermarket?
     
    filpee, May 15, 2009
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  2. filpee

    ashleigh Moderator

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    If its a DSI dimmer, then the answer is no.
     
    ashleigh, May 16, 2009
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  3. filpee

    filpee

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    Actually its a DSI ballast to control Fluorescent lights. We use the clipsal DSI dimmers connected to these to dim commercial type tube lighting.

    What I am wondering is if there is any difference between commercial tube lighting and residential cfl's (Philips Genie or Tornado range for example).

    So if I was to get a Clipsal DSI dimmer and one of these could I then modify a dual lamp 'oyster' style fitting and dim 2x18watt Philips Genie CFL's?
     
    filpee, May 16, 2009
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  4. filpee

    Lucky555

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    Filpee,

    As long as the ballast matches the fitting you should be ok. There are several atco ballasts meant for different loads, match the load and your should be OK.
     
    Lucky555, May 16, 2009
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  5. filpee

    ashleigh Moderator

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    Might work, might not.

    The standard bog ordinary CFLs you buy in Woolworths (like the Genie or Tornado) - IF the claim to be dimmable, are usually dimmable using plaing bog ordinary phase control. In other words, they should, in theory, be dimmable using a standard mech rotary dimmer, or a DIN rail cbus dimmer.

    That Tridonic / Atco device may or may not do this.

    Suggest you ask around a bunch more. Or get one and try it. Or sweet talk a wholesaler into loaning you one to try it. Or read a heck of lot of manuals and brochures.

    I'm just offering this caution because you'd be pretty annoyed to expect it to work, spend a bunch of money, and then find it didn't.

    Let us know the outcome!
     
    ashleigh, May 17, 2009
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  6. filpee

    filpee

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    I have been reading up a fair bit on this over the last day or two and it would seem that not all CFL's are the same.

    Short answer is no. These ballasts cannot be used to control the 'supermarket' cfl's.

    I would still like to know how to convert my lamp fittings to suit the TC-*EL fluro tubes and if these type CFL's are actually any good for home use.

    Do they start up nice or flicker?
    Do they have a noticeable flicker while turned on or while being dimmed?
    Are they readily available and reasonably priced?
    Do they come in various colour temps? Yes. these Philips lamps come in various colours

    And I suppose the number 1 question is
    Can my fittings be converted?
     
    filpee, May 17, 2009
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