'Flicker' type bulbs with dimmer switch ?

[zerobug]

Hi, Could anyone advise please:- I have a chandelier light fitting controlled from a wall dimmer switch, it has 12 tungslen 'candle' type bulbs. I am thinking of swopping the bulbs to 'flickering' type bulbs, neons (?) ( I know they don't really give off light its purely for decoration.) Would I need to replace the dimmer with a standard switch ? Or can I leave it in situ and just turn it up until the flicker bulbs light? Thanks in advance.

 

[dim_bulb]

Don't know what you mean post a link to a website as to where you have seen these things youre on about

 

[ayjay]

flckr bulbs cant be dimmed
keep the existing dimmer at full tilt or replace it with a normal switch

next!

 

[zerobug]

HI thanks for the replies. I'm unable to post a link on this site, (I haven't enough posts currently on the forum and it wont let me !) A google search for 'flicker effect bulbs' shows the sort of thing I mean. I wasn't planning to dim the bulb, I just wondered if the dimmer would be ok for it if turned up to full,. I think it may be a neon.
Thanks !

 

[ayjay]

just use the dimmer at full power if you reduce the knob it wont do any harm
andy

 

[ayjay]

xxxxxxx

 

[keniff]

Yes they are neons and they are also **** poor at giving out light very dim and normally redish in colour

 

[MarkieSparkie]

I would replace the dimmer with a normal plate switch as most phase controlled dimmers require a minimum load to function and even several dozen flicker lamps are unlikely to be a sufficient load.

 

[grantr37]

swap out for a standard switch to save any overheating that might occur, I know what bulbs you are speaking about I think.....is it the ones that have a tip shaped like a candle which looks like it has been hand blown to a sharp pointy end as opposed to the ones that are perfectly shaped like a cone, with 2 or more filaments inside so as to flicker from left to right, but they don't give off much light? I think they have a different gas mix inside and run at a different temperature, so a normal light switch might be good to stop the dimmer unit from getting too warm...

 

[ayjay]

neon gas, they are more for effect than for giving out light

 

[zerobug]

Thanks for the advice, looks like it would probably be best to remove the dimmer and replace with a switch then. (Had hoped to avoid this as its a dual dimmer the other half controls tungsten wall lights which I wanted to leave. Might need to fit a second switch plate and a single dimmer. ) Thanks.

 

[SYKRAPS]

You will be able to have an electrician supply and fit a grid switch so one side is a dimmer and the other side is a standard switch

 

[keniff]

Search google click grid system

 

[zerobug]

Thanks very much for the helpful replies. I might well go with the grid system. Just one more point, the flicker type bulbs are rated at 3w each, so, with 12 a total of 36w. Given that this will be the total rating, would this overcome any concerns regarding the dimmer getting hot due to insufficient load ?, or is this still a possibility. In other words, could I still take the easy option and leave the dimmer in situ, or is it still advisable to replace.