Lava Lamp

millsymuttleylaugh

Not sure if this is the right place?

Anyway I've got a lava lamp, they still sell them in Argos, their about a tenner. But to cut a long story short, I've had it a while, the bulbs gone twice on it so far, last time it went I never replaced it so its been sat idle for over 6 months

Bought a new bulb today and plugged it in and its not really done anything, didn't take this long to heat the wax up when I first had it, problem is I can't remember what wattage the old bulb was so that may have something to do with it.

But I was wondering, if they are left idle for a long time, is it possible for like the wax to go off and not melt properly anymore? Or is it more the case of me being daft and buying the wrong bulb so its not hot enough?

Thank you

diable

I have a Mathmos lave lamp and the bulb is a 40 watt one, Can you remove the glass section and see if there is a sticker anywhere with the recommended wattage?

millsymuttleylaugh

Its the little curvy one. It definately is the right shape, I just dunno about wattage and no sticker its still not done nothing either

Money_Grabber13579

You haven't bought an energy saving bulb for it? The only problem is, incandescent bulbs are being phased out, so if t is supposed to take 100W, you'll probably not get one now. And the energy saving equivalent won't heat up any where near hot enough to melt the wax.

kwikbreaks

We still have one although it hasn't been turned on in a while. It has a 30w mini spot with an SES connector - the wattage is marked on the metal of the spot.

I don't think they "go off" because we've only used ours very periodically but it has always worked eventually but does take quite a while to brew up.

millsymuttleylaugh

Ive just had another look at it and found out it needs a 30w, I only bought a 15w so it obviously isn't powerful enough.

Thank you to you all for helping, its my own fault I need to go change the bulb

Taffybiker

I'd buy 2 or 3 of them. It will be more and more difficult to get replacements later.

isofa

Money_Grabber13579 wrote: »

You haven't bought an energy saving bulb for it? The only problem is, incandescent bulbs are being phased out, so if t is supposed to take 100W, you'll probably not get one now. And the energy saving equivalent won't heat up any where near hot enough to melt the wax.

They don't use standard sized bulbs :rolleyes:

SES 25, 30 to 50W depending on the model, small spotlights.

There will always be specialist stores selling these, just like they will halogens. Billions of halogens are in use in displays around the world, professionally lighting using all manner on incandescents that aren't even possible to replace with CFL lamps.

kwikbreaks

I might need to hide for a few days after admitting owning one....

JasX

Money_Grabber13579 wrote: »

The only problem is, incandescent bulbs are being phased out, so if t is supposed to take 100W, you'll probably not get one now

*ponders putting stash of those I have in the cupboard on ebay..... or maybe i should wait a bit

davester

might find it would be illegal in the end to sell even on ebay, get the eco police knocking at your door with Bio degradeble battons and drag you away in their pedel powered van.