Dimmer switch ioneprative with new halogen lamps

[fhumbert]

Hi all,
I am in need of some advice.
I have just fitted a new ceiling light fitting in a bedroom. It replaces a single light (bayonnet 60W). The switch is a dimmer.

The new light has 3 G9 halogen lamps which are of course dimmable.

After fitting it, the dimmer does not work. I cannot switch the light on. It is simply not working.

I fitted the old light back and the dimmer works.

I fitted the new light again and the dimmer does not work.

I then fitted a normal rocker switch (not a dimmer) and the new light works.

Basically I have narrowed down the problem to the dimmer.

It is a Hamilton Litestat from 40 to 400W. There are 3 bulbs in the fitting and each has 28W power so I am under 90W total power. Even accounting for derting by 25%, the dimmer should still be able to cope with 300W yet it can't even manage 90W.

I rang technical support at Hamilton and they don't know why it would not work.

Does anyone have any clues?

Thanks

 

[Richard Burns]

From what you describe (old light dimmer works, new light functional on single pole switch, new light non functional on original dimmer) this is not possible.
I would suggest that the dimmer is faulty and it would be easiest to change the dimmer for a new one and see if that works.
It is possible that the initial start up current is too high for the dimmer in it's current state. It should not be too high if the dimmer were working correctly.