New outside fixture; light flickers

chev · 03-25-2009, 08:34 PM

I have a questions for anyone who can help. I know basic wiring, have books, I am a "do it yourselfer" for my home because I need to save as much money as I can.

So, I replaced my outside light fixture that sits right outside my front door. The light fixture is for outdoors but its not the classic white, black, neutral, its more like the inside type. Brown, ridged goes to white, smooth brown goes to black and copper to ground. I made sure the connections are tight, wire nutted them, and used electrical tape around them.

I hook these up, the light works fine and after a few minutes the bulb starts flickering bad. Its one of those 13 watt floresent energy saver bulbs that push in, instead of screwing in. Anyone experience or can share anything about this?

Thanks
Joe

jbfan · 03-25-2009, 09:08 PM

After the flickering starts, do you turn it off and then back on? Does it work and start flickering again?

Yoyizit · 03-25-2009, 09:13 PM

Flickering might be normal for the burn-in period.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp

Scuba_Dave · 03-25-2009, 09:15 PM

Where are you located?
Outside temps?

chev · 03-25-2009, 09:26 PM

I live in NJ, yes, its pretty cold out. When I turn the light off and turn it back on again it starts flickering again, like a strobe light.
If its off for a while, and you turn it on, tis fine for less then a minute and then starts flickering again..

finnimus · 03-25-2009, 09:34 PM

Did you try a different bulb?

Scuba_Dave · 03-25-2009, 10:07 PM

My outside CFL seemed to flicker when 1st installed
Or in really cold weather
I haven't noticed it flickering for a while

unclduey · 03-25-2009, 10:40 PM

Another possibilty is do you have a timer to switch this light fixture? Some digital timers dont like CFL's.

chev · 03-26-2009, 09:32 AM

No, no timer, the unit itself is not a sensor light or anything like that its just a normal fixture that operates from a switch.
I will try and replace teh bulb later today, I have to go to the store and get one. Its the type that snaps in with two prongs, not the screw in type

The light will work fine for less then a minute, then it starts blinking like a strobe light then I just hit the switch down...

chev · 03-26-2009, 07:56 PM

I don't get it, I replaced the light bulb, it worked for a bit over a minute then started blinkin like a strobe light again. i am just going to take it down adn return it to lowes and get a normal fixture without these special bs prong eneergy saver lights and a normal black, white, neutral configuration. Hooking three wires up and makeing something work has never been so difficult...

you swithc the liught switch off, flip it on, blinks again..

by the way, whats with the brown wires???

Scuba_Dave · 03-26-2009, 08:04 PM

Brown wires could be a $$ saving thing
If they only need to buy 1 color wire.....
But they still need the ridged & non-ridged
I've only used the CFL pin bulbs inside - just recessed lights

Yoyizit · 03-26-2009, 08:19 PM

Just for laughs, check that the voltage at the fixture is within 5% or 10% of 120v, and that a 10A load drops the voltage about 3v or less.

hayewe farm · 03-26-2009, 09:26 PM

Are they cold temp. CFL lamps?

jbfan · 03-26-2009, 09:34 PM

You have a bad ballast in the light. Return it and try something else!

Scuba_Dave · 03-26-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbfan

You have a bad ballast in the light. Return it and try something else!

Ballast on the CFL is in the bulb, at least on the screw in?
I know there are versions that do not have the ballast built in
He tried 2 different bulbs

03-25-2009, 08:34 PM	#1
chev Newbie Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5	New outside fixture; light flickers I have a questions for anyone who can help. I know basic wiring, have books, I am a "do it yourselfer" for my home because I need to save as much money as I can. So, I replaced my outside light fixture that sits right outside my front door. The light fixture is for outdoors but its not the classic white, black, neutral, its more like the inside type. Brown, ridged goes to white, smooth brown goes to black and copper to ground. I made sure the connections are tight, wire nutted them, and used electrical tape around them. I hook these up, the light works fine and after a few minutes the bulb starts flickering bad. Its one of those 13 watt floresent energy saver bulbs that push in, instead of screwing in. Anyone experience or can share anything about this? Thanks Joe

03-25-2009, 09:08 PM	#2
jbfan Electrical Contractor Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Newnan GA Posts: 5,078	New outside fixture; light flickers After the flickering starts, do you turn it off and then back on? Does it work and start flickering again? __________________ Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"

03-25-2009, 09:13 PM	#3
Yoyizit It was a dark and stormy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NW of D.C. Posts: 5,954	New outside fixture; light flickers Flickering might be normal for the burn-in period. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp

03-25-2009, 09:15 PM	#4
Scuba_Dave Xtreme DIY'r Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South of Boston, MA Posts: 17,248	New outside fixture; light flickers Where are you located? Outside temps?

03-25-2009, 09:26 PM	#5
chev Newbie Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5	New outside fixture; light flickers I live in NJ, yes, its pretty cold out. When I turn the light off and turn it back on again it starts flickering again, like a strobe light. If its off for a while, and you turn it on, tis fine for less then a minute and then starts flickering again..

New outside fixture; light flickers