skip to main content

Electrical Wiring

LED Lights not turning off on timer

14 years ago

A few years back I installed an electrical box under my eves for Christmas lights. I bought an industrial grade timer that mounts in a switch box and installed it in my garage. I have had many different types of lights and combinations connected into the electrical box and all have worked great until I bought the LED lights.

Now during the time cycle when the lights should be on I get nice bright LED lights but when the off cycle starts the lights only dim and do not turn off. The timer has an off switch and if I move it to off the lights will turn off. I put a meter in the electrical sockets in the off position and I get 0 volts.

Is it possible that the timer could allow enough power to drain across it to power the LED lights at this lower level in the off cycle? Could the LEDs be pulling enough current off the netural line to light dimly?

Happy Holidays!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

joed
14 years ago
The timer does not have a neutral connection. It runs a small current through the lights to operate. This is unnoticable with regular lights. However that small current is enough to light the LEDs. Similar problems exist with CFLs, only they flicker.
0
User
14 years ago
Try reversing the plug. Being diodes this sometimes makes a difference
in how brightly they shine when turned off .
0
Related Discussions
Retrofitting off-sized recessed lighting with LEDs-Help?
Q
Comments (8)
Options 1. Re-use the existing cans. The eyeball trim is typically a separate replaceable piece. From your earlier descriptions, it appears that the light fixtures use A19 type bulbs with the screw in base (Edison). It might be possible to get trim pieces + bulb. That way, you save on the labor required to remove and re-install cans. 2. Replace the can. If you have access to the upper side, removing the can should be relatively easy (though not necessarily pleasant). Otherwise, a large portion of the can should be removable from below. In this case, enlarging the hole is less work than attempting to shrink the hole. Assuming that you are not subject to energy efficiency laws such as Title 24, standard edison base retrofit cans are usable. You may want to use the ECO-575.
...See More
Need advice re 3-Way Lighted Rocker Switch not turn off LED light
Q
Comments (0)
I recently completed a renovation in my basement, where I installed the following recessed LED lights in the ceiling: Lithonia Lighting 6" P Series: http://www.lithonia.com/commercial/6%22+p+series+led+modules.html In two places in the basement, I want to use a "lighted" (pilot light) 3-Way Rocker Switch. It turns out though, that when I use them, the LED's don't turn all the way off. If I use regular light bulbs instead, there are no such no problems. I have now tried using the 15amp rocker switches from both Leviton and Pass & Seymour/Legrand, but same result. I guess because the pilot light on the rocker switch is on, that somehow the LED light continues to use that tiny voltage for itself. Am I missing something? I know that it all works fine if I don't use the lighting / pilot light. However, I would preffer to have it so people dont search for switches in the dark. All advice and input is much appreciated!
...See More
Bought: Auto-timer to turn off mini iron
Q
Comments (2)
Thanks I may get one too. I bought an iron when I was still working with an auto off. That is the one feature I must have. Should have checked it and I didn't, when I found out the auto off didn't work it was too late to return it. The one I just bought I checked immediately! I unplug the curling iron before I brush my hair. I wish stoves had the auto off feature. I have never seen one if they do and mine doesn't lol! Rosa
...See More
Weird electrical issue, light flashes when vent fan it turned off.
Q
Comments (14)
LEDs can light (if dimly) with a remarkably small amount of current. When you shut off a motor, it can generate a spike in the cable feeding the motor as the motor's magnetic field collapses. Put a cable to the light right next to the one feeding the motor, and some inductive coupling between the cables is possible. There's your flash (maybe). Try connecting an appropriately sized MOV (surge suppressor) across the motor terminals, and preferably add 2 more, one each from hot and neutral to ground.
...See More
concretehole
Original Author
14 years ago
I tried reversing the plug and it did not make a difference. Can running the LEDs at the low power damage them or reduce the life?
0
User
14 years ago
Not that I've noticed, also the larger number of strings in a run can also reduce the daytime glow.
0
joed
14 years ago
Check the timer and see if it say to use only with incandescent lamps.
0
pharkus
14 years ago
Is it possible that the timer could allow enough power to drain across it to power the LED lights at this lower level in the off cycle?

Yes.

I've been waiting for this problem to start cropping up with the new widespread use of "energy-efficient" lighting and other devices. It's bound to conflict with automatic controllers whose engineers try to predict their end users' minimum loads.

Replace the timer, or add a relay in between (extra work), stop using LED lights, or add an extra incandescent/resistive load (like a 40w light bulb).
0
pjb999
14 years ago
Yep, most of those cool motion-sensing indoor lights (great idea, in theory at least) can't be used with energy-saving lights! Most, apparently don't use a relay, and most solid-state 'switches'/scrs or whatever, don't fully switch off. Same issue.

Concretehole would need some sort of modification with a relay, I guess, or one incandescent bulb plugged in to pull the current down, however, I guess it'd be drawing power, more than the xmas lights even.

It's annoying, off should be truly OFF.
0
concretehole
Original Author
14 years ago
You guys were right and I was not pulling enough voltage. I added a small (20 lights) string of regular Christmas lights to the end of my LED run and now when the timer goes to the off cycle everything turns off.
0
pjb999
14 years ago
Great! However, you are probably still drawing power, unless the additional load forces it to switch off properly.

If govts want us to use high-efficiency lights, motion sensors, etc, they need to mandate designs that are compatible with cfls and LEDS, imho.
0
manolo cabrera
last year
Saltcedar, thanks 12 years later.... Reversing the plug actually fix the problem. Thanks!
0

Related Stories

LIGHTING Get Turned On to a Lighting Plan

By Laura Gaskill

Coordinate your layers of lighting to help each one of your rooms look its best and work well for you

LIGHTING Turn Up the Party Heat — the Sultry Decorating Secret

By Tiffany Carboni

Give your home a warm and romantic vibe with candles at the entry, lined up along a wall, floating in martini glasses and more

CLOSETS 9 Tips to Turn an Attic Into a Boutique Closet

By Shawn Gauthier

For everyday dressing luxury or off-season clothing storage, explore your attic's potential

LIGHTING The Lowdown on High-Efficiency LED Lighting

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

Learn about LED tapes, ropes, pucks and more to create a flexible and energy-efficient lighting design that looks great

KITCHEN DESIGN 12 Ways to Light Your Kitchen With LEDs

By Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS, MCCWC

See how to use new energy-saving lights to illuminate your kitchen, light a countertop and add style, too

LIGHTING What to Know About Switching to LED Lightbulbs

By Karen Egly-Thompson

If you’ve been thinking about changing over to LEDs but aren't sure how to do it and which to buy, this story is for you

FUN HOUZZ Sculptor Susan Wallace Turns Screen Doors Into Art

By Becky Harris

No more boring screen doors! Texas metal artist creates unique grillwork for doors, windows and public spaces

INDUSTRIAL STYLE Houzz Tour: Wool Store-Turned-Apartment Gets a Glamorous Reboot

An industrial-style penthouse apartment in Brisbane, Australia’s historic Winchcombe Carson building is buffed to a high shine

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Modernism Takes a Natural Turn in Pennsylvania

By Lauren Piasecki/Black Cherry Design

Generous wood throughout and woodsy sights outdoors soften and warm this home’s modern lines

HOME TECH Houzz Tour: A Gin Distillery Turned Bachelor Pad

By Natalie Wain

A renovation converts a dated North London apartment into a sleek, contemporary home for work, rest and play

Sponsored

Rock Solid Creations

Industry Leading Countertop in Franklin County

More Discussions

Glow effect on portico ceiling

14

How much is reasonable to replace an exhaust fan in a bathroom?

15

Where to place outlets in primary bathroom?

11

Killing electric outlet behind cabinet

4

Why would only one outlet be working and no others on the same breaker

4