[aumanpj]

About a month ago, I installed this Allen + Roth Tyslow 6 LED light track light from Lowes. The fixture replaced an old light fixture that operated on a pull chain. To avoid the need to run wiring and a switch to control the new track light, I installed this Hunter Silver Handheld Universal Ceiling Fan Remote. While the control would not dim the fixture, it would turn it on and off just fine and this was okay with me! I do not care so much about dimming this fixture, I just wanted to be able to turn it on and off without installing a wall switch. Here is a picture of the actual installation. All has been working well throughout this past month until recently. Just yesterday, the fixture started buzzing whenever the fixture is turned on. It doesn't sound to me like the buzzing is coming from the bulbs themselves; rather, the noise sounds like it's coming from the junction box where the electrical feed, remote, and fixture come together.

I will point out, I had spent some time yesterday installing a new light fixture on a different circuit of the house and this process involved turning on and off a number of circuits until I could find the correct circuit for the installation. So, I did turn on and off the circuit for this Allen + Roth track light. Could it be that something I did harmed this fixture and that's why it started buzzing? Is there anything I can do to diagnose and stop the buzzing?

Thank you for considering my question.

 

[jimn]

Did the manufacturer rate the fan control to drive LED fixtures. I assumed you wired the LEDs up to the remote light connection and not the remote for the fan motor. With LED, CFL etc you need to purchases dimmers and controls specifically rated for using these devices. Also, in e case of a dimmer the lamps and or fixtures need to be rated for use on a dim able circuit. I don't think you hurt the fixture but likely you may be damaging the remote receiver

 

[aumanpj]

That's right, I wired the LEDs up to the remote light connection and not the remote for the fan motor. The remote's specifications say, "Auto bulb detection works with CFL, LED, incandescent; Safe Exit light delay allows safe exit from the room as lights dim to off". I am not attempting to dim the fixture with the remote. I value only the on/off function. The fixture's specifications say, "Dimmable with select household dimmers Lutron SCL-153PR-WH, Lutron MACL-153MR, Lutron TGCL-153PH, Leviton IPL06-10Z, Leviton 6674-P0".

 

[Arrow3030]

It could be a wattage issue. Could be the dimmer is maxed out. What type of LEDs are they? Magnetic or electronic?

 

[aumanpj]

The fixture has 6 built-in LED bulbs and the total wattage is 30. Nothing in the manual or online indicates to me that it is magnetic or electronic, so I don't know.

 

[aumanpj]

So... I uninstalled the fixture and the remote from this circuit and then reinstalled the fixture without the remote. Upon turning on the circuit, the fixture worked just fine and without buzzing. Of course, this is pleasing because the fixture is still in good working order. I then uninstalled the fixture so that I could add the remote to the line and then I added the fixture. Upon turning on the circuit, the fixture and the remote worked just fine and without any buzzing.

Could disconnecting the remote and reconnecting it somehow reset something in the remote? I'm left feeling confused and unsure of what to do. I suppose I could just reassemble everything and hope that this doesn't happen again, but what caused it? Could some wire have become loose and caused the buzzing? I guess I doubt this. Another option would be to go through the trouble of installing a new wall switch, but I really would rather avoid this option if possible.

Hmm... maybe some of you have some thoughts about this? Thank you for considering.

 

[aumanpj]

No thoughts from anyone???

 

[aumanpj]

Well, I called Hunter today and they could tell me that their device has not been tested on light fixtures - only fans - and they are surprised it worked at all. Additionally, they said they've had some reports of buzzing when hooked up to fans and that this was indication of failure of the receiving devices. With that said, I tried hooking everything back up tonight (since it stopped buzzing during my test reconfiguration) and as soon as I had everything re-assembled, the damn thing started buzzing again. So, I took it all apart, tested the light fixture only to satisfaction, then reintroduced the remote to satisfaction without buzzing. I then re-assembled everything and wouldn't you know it!? The damn thing started buzzing again.

At this point, I'm giving up on this remote control switch. Maybe someone could recommend a different one to use, or suggest some other kind of advice?

Thank you for reading.

 

[aumanpj]

Although no one is responding, I thought I would update you anyhow. I had decided to give remote control switching one, okay two more tries. Giving up on Lowes, I decided to try Home Depot. I bought this universal 3 speed fan control also manufactured by Hunter. I got it home, installed it, and it immediately made a buzzing noise. Frustrated, of course, I returned the control to Home Depot. Upon return, I was asked to explain the situation and I did. At Home Depot's recommendation, I purchase this universal on off ceiling fan remote control. While I was concerned that the packaging said nothing about operating LED lights (only CFL), their rationale was that it was a simple on/off switch and that the dimmer capacity could be what was causing the buzzing.

Well, I got it all hooked up and there's no buzzing! Of course, this could be a temporary situation much like the first switch described in the original post - but time will tell.

I wonder what you all think of this rationale. I was feeling guarded because of the lack of LED indication on the packaging... but it seems to be working, so I'm happy.

Thoughts?