I would like to report on using dimmable LED lights on one of my GRX-3106 dimmer circuits, without use of an interface device. The circuit previously contained seven perimeter soffit cans, each fitted with a 65 watt BR30 incandescent flood lamp. These were replaced with a set of seven dimmable BR30 LED lamps manufactured by Lighting Science. Bulb details are 15W, 800 lumens, 2700K Color Temp, flood pattern, Mfr model number DFNBR30W27120. The main reason I chose this particular LED bulb is because Lighting Science seems the best at discussing dimmer compatibility in their published literature, and were the only manufacturer to include "Grafik Eye" among the dimmers listed as compatible with their BR30 size bulb. These soffit can lights provide the main source of general lighting in my dedicated theater room, for seating and milling around the room. During the presentation this circuit is turned completely off. This circuit is programmed to ramp from full off to full on in three seconds using the entry wall switch, It also ramps from 100% to full off slowly over 20 seconds, finishing just prior to when the projector begins to throw its image on screen after start-up. The previous incandescent bulbs handled these tasks smoothly and flawlessly. The LED lamps ramp up rapidly perfectly, and the light is way brighter than the bulbs being replaced -- I mean way brighter, which is a bonus in my application. Performance in the slow fade to off is not without issues, however. Dimming does indeed occur over the full range of the dimmer, as evidenced my simultaneously watching the Lutron indicator bar graph, but the light output decline during a slow fade is not glassy smooth like the incandescents -- it happens in a somewhat detectable step fashion over the bright to mid level dimming, and some mild flickering occurs in the mid to off range. Manual dimming testing showed the flicker is more prevalent while dimming level is being changed over the bottom range, and not nearly as prevalent if left stopped at a low, but constant dimming level, During a fade to off cycle, the bulbs stay on until the Lutron indicator lights disappear, and all lamps collectively dim in a like manner and shut off in unison. Overall, I am very pleased with the increased brightness level, and can live with the slow fade flickering. The bulbs are heavy, being constructed of thick cast aluminum body fins, and they contain a rounded frosted glass at the business end, with much the same end-glass geometry as an ordinary incandescent BR30. The light color is a pleasing non-blue tone, and it is collectively spread across the room in a smooth and excellent manner. As these LED's fade, they do not shift towards warmer tones to nearly the same degree as do the incandescents. Overall length of the bulb was the same as those replaced. According to the retailer's website, the manufacturer warrants the bulbs for five years, but I haven't yet read the associated fine print. Caution is advised in making sure the fixture can handle the extra weight of these new LED bulbs, and regarding the number of bulbs on a single GE circuit, due to atypical in-rush currents associated with LED's, treat the wattage as if each bulb consumes 75 watts when determining maximum circuit capacity.
