3 light chandelier issue, 2 bulbs are dim but if I install the 3rd, the other 2 go off.

[the1tater]

I had this issue with the old wiring on the chandelier along with light flickering, so I rewired the chandelier with new sockets and 2ft. leads into the main house wiring as it had been before. Same issue was happening, so I replaced the dimmer switch, same issue happening. I bought all new dimmable light bulbs as a last resort but alas, same issue, as soon as I install the third bulb the other 2 go off. Any ideas? Can this be caused by the house wiring itself? Thank you so much for reading, this has me completely baffled. :O)

 

[Dan]

Ideally I think you'd need to call an electrician because it sounds like it might need a new feed and the wiring checking as it could have been wired wrong before.

Did it work at some point before you changed some things?

 

[the1tater]

Hi Dan! Yes, it used to work just fine until last winter when I had a small leak in the roof that dripped through ceiling and likely through the light fixture as well as I saw some watermarking inside the fixture when I replaced the wiring on the chandelier. After the leak dried out the light would flicker depending on when the dimmer switch was set at and then more recently (before the repairs) it would flicker all the time. The chandelier is over 60 years old (it's a really cool little wagon wheel design) and the house is a 1980 doublewide, so I assumed the issue was likely in the light wiring or the dimmer switch which was all original. The wiring in the ceiling looks solid, could this be a bad ground up there or something the leak could have caused? I've done a fair amount of DIY electrical work here over the years, I've replaced all ceiling lights, added ceiling fans, replaced outlets etc. so I'm familiar with the inherent 'weird' that comes with mobile home wiring but this has stumped me.
Edited to add: All of the issues I have explained were happening prior to the rewiring and replacement of the dimmer switch, including the weird thing with the bulbs which is why I started with rewiring the chandelier thinking it was a wiring/ground issue in there. :O)

 

[the1tater]

Ideally I think you'd need to call an electrician because it sounds like it might need a new feed and the wiring checking as it could have been wired wrong before.

Did it work at some point before you changed some things?

Hey Dan I realized when I answered your question I didn't click 'reply to Dan' so it might not have notified you lol Any other thoughts with the additional info.? Thanks!

 

[Taylortwocities]

First job. Remove the dimmer and replace it with a standard light switch.

See if that fixes the problem.

 

[the1tater]

First job. Remove the dimmer and replace it with a standard light switch.

See if that fixes the problem.

Okey dokey, I have a spare lightswitch here, I'll try it this afternoon and update what happens, Thank you so much!

 

[the1tater]

First job. Remove the dimmer and replace it with a standard light switch.

See if that fixes the problem.

Holy cowpokes Batman! It worked! Swapped out the dimmer switch to a regular single-pole lightswitch and BAM! All the lights work, no flickering, and all the bulbs are equally bright! Thank you so much! Now I wonder what the deal is, are dimmer switches just weird little animals to work with? I certainly don't mind this light without the dimmer, never dimmed it anyway lol but why the difference? Again thank you so much, I really appreciate it!

 

[Taylortwocities]

Compatibility between LEDs and dimmers is a constant headache for many.
Old type dimmers - designed for tungsten or halogen bulbs often just don’t work with LEDS - I find the Varilight Pro the most forgiving.
Budget LEDs may say Dimmable but just give problems there’s leading edge v trailing edge, all sorts of fun.

Glad it’s sorted.

Enjoy your presidential election, I have my popcorn ready!