3-way LED bulb mystery (??)

[Laredo]

Having trouble getting only certain (larger) LED 3-way bulbs to work in my 3-way lamp. Replaced an incandescent bulb 50-150W (worked fine) with a 3-way LED 5-16W. Works fine but not enough light. Went to a bigger LED (7-21W) but this one works only on the "3rd click" of the switch. I conclude - must have gotten a bad bulb. Get another - same thing - 3rd click only, nothing on the first 2 clicks. Reinstall the smaller LED again, works fine - lo, med, hi. Install an old 3-way compact fluorescent - works fine. Get another brand of the larger LED 3-way, again - doesn't work, 3rd click only. Tried several others - same thing. What the heck is happening here...?

 

[garage guy1of38]

Google LED dimmers and minimum load required.

 

[Worsedog]

Google LED dimmers and minimum load required.

Three-way lamps don't use dimmers.


Compare the bulb bases, sounds like socket contacts aren't touching the base properly on those particular bulbs.

 

[garage guy1of38]

Three-way lamps don't use dimmers.


Compare the bulb bases, sounds like socket contacts aren't touching the base properly on those particular bulbs.

Ah, oops. I was thinking three way switch!

 

[The Cobbler]

......

Compare the bulb bases, sounds like socket contacts aren't touching the base properly on those particular bulbs.

but, they are double filament bulbs, (or led) so if they are say 50, 100, 150 watt, first click is 50, second click is 100, third click lights both the 50 plus 100

 

[cybrdyke]

You've verified that the socket is functional, but not with the lamp that you just bought.
It's not likely that you purchased two separate lamps on two separate occasions that both dont work.
What's probably happening is that your new LED lamp isn't making contact to all the contacts in the socket. The shape of the base of the new LED lamp could be slightly different than your older lamps. There's not much you can do about that. But...
inside the socket, there are a number of electrical contacts and they can be slightly adjusted. Please unplug your lamp before doing this!!!
Slightly tug those contact tabs upward so that they can reach the contacts on the base of the bulb. That should do it.
Good luck,
CD

 

[The Cobbler]

weird for sure. I would test the pins on the socket to see what you're getting there, voltage wise

 

[Laredo]

What's probably happening is that your new LED lamp isn't making contact to all the contacts in the socket. The shape of the base of the new LED lamp could be slightly different than your older lamps. There's not much you can do about that. But...
inside the socket, there are a number of electrical contacts and they can be slightly adjusted. Please unplug your lamp before doing this!!!
Slightly tug those contact tabs upward so that they can reach the contacts on the base of the bulb. That should do it.
Good luck,
CD

Bingo!
That was it. Also upon closer inspection of the new bulbs I noticed a slight residue of "rubbery" residue on the outer ring contact that easily wiped off with my thumb. Wiped off the residue, bent the tabs up slightly in the lamp socket - works great!

Thanks all!