Bizarre Issue with Chandelier Bulbs

[notmuchgoingon86]

I purchased a chandelier from Aliexpress (China) that came with bi pin G9 LED bulbs (3W equivalent) (pic attached). I asked the seller if this was dimmable and he said NO the bulbs are not dimmable. Apparently China uses cheap non-dimmable bulbs. But the seller told me I could purchase dimmable G9 bulbs and pair them with a dimmer switch and it would work. When I use the bulbs the factory sent me and hook it up to a normal switch (no dimmer), the chandelier works fine. When I replace those bulbs with dimmable G9s, I hear a loud pop and the light doesnt work. I have not tried hooking it up to a dimmer yet, but what is going on?? Is the pop because I am not using a dimmer with the G9 bulbs? Should that matter? Anyone have a clue and how I might solve my problem to use dimmable G9s with a Lutron dimmer. If so, what Lutron dimmer should I use? Meastro or Diva or something else that can handle the low output of the LEDs when dimmed? Update, I ordered a different G9 dimmable bulb (dimmable) and with a regular switch it came on (no pop) but at a very very faint level. Will this change if I add a Lutron dimmer? Thanks.

 

[notmuchgoingon86]

The issue of voltage has been raised several times, but you haven't yet addressed the questions posed.

Can you confirm if the G4 lamps that made a pop are indeed rated for mains voltage? As other respondents have pointed out, it's seems as though this is the issue.

Amazon sell dimable G4 lamps rated for mains voltage, but I make no recommendations and wouldn't want them in my own home. If these lamps are suited to your application, matching them with a dimmer may be another issue that doesn't easily resolve itself.

Ok now I think I understand. Most LEDs require a transformer to step down the voltage to 12v. Since this product has no transformer, the G4 bulbs the Chinese provided are hooked up directly to the mains but are not dimmable. So it seems I have to try to located dimmable G4 bulbs that are rated for 120V. Does that sound right? Is there a special type of dimmer that I need to look for as well. I purchased a Lutron Maestro LED dimmer.

 

[notmuchgoingon86]

Or it seems G4's. That would explain why a dimmer goes pop with the bulbs supplied

I meant 30 G4, not G9. My apologies.

 

[notmuchgoingon86]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BJ46S43Z/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3LXN37TZW84D1&psc=1

Seems like these are the bulbs I should be buying for a US home.

 

[brianmoooore]

As a general rule, G9s are mains voltage and G4s are 12 volts, but there are a few exceptions, and if you can find 120 volt dimmable G4s your problem is solved. You caused considerable confusion on here by wrongly stating that the lamps are G9.
If this fitting has 30 lamps, then you're only going to want very low wattage ones, unless you're trying to light a banqueting hall with just one fitting. With 5W LEDs, the total would be 150W of LED lighting, which will be the order of 15000 lumens = very bright.
LEDs have a large inrush (start up) current, so with this number of lamps switching on at the same time, you'll have to make sure your chosen dimmer can handle this.