[Anianna]

We installed a Wink hub, these Lutron dimmers, and new 60w equivalent dimmable EcoSmart LED light bulbs. All worked fine for about five days, and then this sort of thing started happening:

The new dimmers and bulbs are currently installed in two rooms and both rooms have this problem. The two rooms are on the same breaker, but I *think* the lights do this when we run either the washer or dishwasher even though those are each on a different breaker. Can anything be done about this?

 

[Arrow3030]

Try changing the bulbs out. It's too weird that they don't all come on and off together for it to be the switch. I've heard lutron has excellent customer service over the phone.

 

[Anianna]

Correction: They flicker like that even without any appliance running. *sigh*

Will try different bulbs.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I would sure think it's the dimmer. But you would think Lutron would be better than that.

 

[ddawg16]

I looked at the dimmer you noted and it's rated for LED's and CFL's.

Is the ground on it properly hooked up?

 

[Oso954]

How is that fan wired ? Does it have a remote ?

 

[Anianna]

We have two of those dimmers, both wired precisely as per instructions (copper ground to green). We chose that particular dimmer because we do not have a neutral wire in our switches and this one didn't require it. We twisted the wires from the wall with the wires from the switch and capped them.

Neither fixture has a remote, though the switch is a smart switch and we use a Wink hub to control each remotely.

The lights blink like that whether the light is dimmed or on full. I ordered some new bulbs because the only other kind I can get locally have bad reviews for catching fire and I'm not willing to try those.

 

[sgip2000]

It could be the "wattage limiter".

 

[Arrow3030]

Is the dimmer also wired to the fan motor?

 

[Arrow3030]

I also don't recommend ordering light bulbs without checking to see if a smart switch has been tested compatible by the manufacturer of the switch. Lutron really cares about their image and has a great customer support line.

 

[Anianna]

It could be the "wattage limiter".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiBNhKr6JGw

I had the impression that the limiters only affect high-wattage bulbs like old tungsten bulbs. Regardless, one of the fixtures is new and may have a limiter, but the other is a pre-limiter era fan, so I will check that as a last resort after trying some new bulbs and troubleshooting the switches.

 

[Anianna]

Is the dimmer also wired to the fan motor?

The fan is controlled by the chain so long as the unit is turned on at the switch.

 

[Arrow3030]

That is a problem. Not saying it's the problem but I don't believe caseta has released a switch to control motor loads yet. I know maestro by lutron has a switch that takes a two wire system and allows independent control of fan and light. I'm not sure if it is maestro wireless so it may not communicate with your hub

 

[Anianna]

That is a problem. Not saying it's the problem but I don't believe caseta has released a switch to control motor loads yet. I know maestro by lutron has a switch that takes a two wire system and allows independent control of fan and light. I'm not sure if it is maestro wireless so it may not communicate with your hub

I hadn't considered this. It shouldn't be an issue so long as the fan is not on, though, right?

 

[Arrow3030]

That would be my assumption. It's somewhat a moot point being that the switch is installed in the wrong application. I'm tempted to call customer service myself with your problem lol.

 

[gregzoll]

They are doing that, because the WiFi radio is trying to communicate with the Wireless Access Point, but the dimmer is making the radios think that there is an issue.

Remove the Dimmer, because the bulbs that use the Wink Hub through a program app or the Amazon Echo to control them. You have to leave the switch always on, otherwise it will cause your Wireless Access Point to forget about them and flush out their IP's.

 

[Anianna]

They are doing that, because the WiFi radio is trying to communicate with the Wireless Access Point, but the dimmer is making the radios think that there is an issue.

Remove the Dimmer, because the bulbs that use the Wink Hub through a program app or the Amazon Echo to control them. You have to leave the switch always on, otherwise it will cause your Wireless Access Point to forget about them and flush out their IP's.

I'm not sure what you mean. The bulbs are not smart bulbs and the Lutron switches are rated for the Wink hub. Do you mean to never turn the lights on or off at the switch and always use the app or Echo? The lights were turned on with the app.

 

[Anianna]

That would be my assumption. It's somewhat a moot point being that the switch is installed in the wrong application. I'm tempted to call customer service myself with your problem lol.

Heh, yea. I was hoping to rule out the bulbs before calling Lutron. I did get cheap bulbs (relatively speaking), so I am hoping they are the weak point. Since the system requires so much new tech to function (the hub, the switches, and the bulbs all have to be replaced for it all to work), it is difficult to tell wherein lies the problem.

 

[Tally Wacher]

I have leds and GE Zwave dimmers and they work fine. I previously had non Zwave Lutron dimmers and the LEDs would flicker. I also have a Wink hub, but will be replacing it with a Smartthings hub version 2 as it is more versatile.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I'm not sure what you mean. The bulbs are not smart bulbs and the Lutron switches are rated for the Wink hub. Do you mean to never turn the lights on or off at the switch and always use the app or Echo? The lights were turned on with the app.

You can buy 'smart' bulbs that connect to a hub or whatever. You can dim, change colors, etc.

I thought that at first when you said Wink hub.

Because you wouldn't want or need a smart switch and a smart bulb, they'd argue with each other.

I'm more in the fan motor camp. I wouldn't think that would affect anything, but it's hard to say. If you put a incandescent bulb in the fan, how does it behave?