LEDs and dimmers

[lksdrinker]

I recently installed 4 LED cans in my kitchen and also a ceiling fan that I'm using 3 cree LED bulbs in. These are both on separate 4 way setups which each have 1 dimmer. I dont have the exact specs of the dimmer with me right now, but it was listed as being compatible with CFL/LED.

Now while the dimmer works, my problem is that I would like the lowest setting to be pretty dim almost close to dark. However, If I leave the dimmer all the way down and try to turn on either circuit (from any of the switches) it can take as long as 5 seconds (sometimes even longer) for the lights to actually turn on. If the dimmer is set a bit higher the lights turn on immediately as expected. (Well, actually the LED cans dont all illuminate at exactly the same time no matter where the dimmer is set...seems to be less than a second of delay after the first lamp illuminates and before the rest do and the first one to light is not the first in the chain either!)

Is this just an inherent problem with LEDs or is the dimmer switch the culprit here?

Any and all advice is appreciated!

 

[elvee]

LED fixtures don't dim to zero. How low they go is often the characteristic that separates the brands. Cost is definitely an issue. Age plays into it as well. A really good unit will be able to go down to about 5% before dropping straight to zero. The quality of the dimmer plays into it as well. If the curve of the digital dimmer isn't great it will throw a dirty signal to the lights, causing them to not go to ON when the dimmer is set very low.

A few years ago it was common to only have an LED dim to 15-20% in the cheaper fixtures, and 10-12% on the better ones. Every generation of lamp and circuitry is improving on that.

 

[lksdrinker]

I'm not necessarily looking to dim to zero, and I can get the desired "dimness" from the LEDs. Once they're on I can dim them down to as low as I desire. My problem is if I leave the dimmer at that very dim level and then shut off the lights, it takes way too long for them to turn back on after hitting a switch.


I'm using what I think are relatively new to the market units....http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-4-in-White-Recessed-Gimbal-LED-Downlighting-Kit-LK4GMW-LED-M4/203311710 The specs say "Dimmable down to 10% using most standard incandescent dimmer switches"

The bulbs I'm using in the ceiling fan are: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Cree-60W-Equivalent-Soft-White-2700K-A19-TW-Series-Dimmable-LED-Light-Bulb-6-Pack-BA19-08027OMN-12DE26-1U100/204609903 The specs on this simply indicate they are dimmable.