Problem with new ceiling fan light (electrical?)

[magellan]

We installed a ceiling fan last weekend that came with a 22w 4-pin circline fluorescent bulb which is dimmable using a remote. For some reason when we turn the light on the bulb flickers, and only stabilizes (and brightens to full intensity) if we hold the light button on the remote for a few seconds -- not the way it's supposed to operate. I've replaced the circline bulb but that hasn't helped.

The fan/light and remote/receiver are both Hunter, ordered at the same time and fully compatible.

Two possibilities I can think of: 1) we wired it all ourselves and connected the fixture and ceiling grounds using a connector rather than the ceiling box's green ground screw, and; 2) the globe was cracked and the lighting assembly slightly bent during shipping.

Does the way we've done the ground matter, or is the flickering more likely due to lighting assembly damage? Or is there something else we could try?

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. It may be the not using the ground screw

Here's a site that may help you out:
http://members.misty.com/don/f-lamp.html#ts

And another troubleshooting site:
http://www.simkar.com/troubleshooting.htm

[magellan]

2. Thanks!

My husband has since told me he used the ground screw in the end (we wound up rewiring once) so it's probably not that. I'll have a look at your links and see what I can see....

:)

[lumberjack_jeff]

3. A dimmable flourescent bulb? I didn't know there was such a thing. n/t

[magellan]

4. You bring up a good point

There are such things as dimmable fluorescents (see here for example: http://www.nolico.com/saveenergy/dimmable_lamps.htm), but now you've got me thinking -- the circline isn't dimmable. So WTH do they sell a dimmable remote with this beastie?

OTOH the light should always come on at its brightest to start, and it isn't doing that even from the pull chain. So something else is wrong.

[jschurchin]

5. Fluorescents are dimmable

provided the ballast is correct. You should have a solid state ballast in the light/fan. Here is some information on these types of ballasts:

http://www.advancedbuildings.org/main_t_lighting_e_dimmable_ballasts.htm

From the symptoms you are describing it sounds like a defective ballast. Thats the trouble with electronics, it can be brand new and not work correctly. Hope this helps. Good Luck.