refilling a lavalamp - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

greyeyes · 04-09-2005, 05:39 PM

I finally pulled my old LavaLamp from storage and I realized that the clear liquid (water maybe??) was pretty low. How would one go about refilling that sucker so it can get to glowing again?
Thanks in advance

f6twister · 04-10-2005, 07:42 AM

I Googled Lava Lite Lamps and did some reading. It doesn't look good for your lamp. Everything I read says not to open the bottle as it will ruin the lamp. I went to this site's FAQ section for my info.

cyrnel · 04-10-2005, 07:59 AM

It's a delicate mix. You may change the behavior by using incompatible fluids. Might be simplest to empty yours completely and refill it with the contents of another lamp.

<a href="http://www.oozinggoo.com/howto.html">OozingGoo</a> has some great info on how they work and making your own.

jhkayakr · 04-10-2005, 08:21 AM

they are pretty cheap to buy, they have quite a few at "Spencers" in any US mall.
or try.... http://www.planetlava.com/

iamnormal · 04-10-2005, 08:42 PM

http://www.mathmos.co.uk/
They have replacement bottles.

vector_1979 · 04-11-2005, 11:16 AM

Sounds like a silly question, but since someone else has brought the subject up, I'll ask.

Is it quite common to have to replace the bottle every so often? I have a mathmos Astro lamp but it hasn't worked since I replaced the light bulb a couple of years ago. The lavalamp itself is about 7 years old. Do I need special light bulbs or do I have to replace the bottle?

Advice would be appreciated.

BadNick · 04-11-2005, 12:02 PM

I noticed on the lamp in my boys' room, that once the original bulb got a little loose and it stopped melting the paraffin "lava". I screwed it in snugly and it's worked now for another year or so, still working. I bet the bulb has to have high enough wattage or it will not melt the lava. When I had it out, it was a smaller than normal but hot running bulb, not sure what size. Also make sure the bottom of the bottle is down as far as designed so it gets hot enough. If that doesn't work, buy a new one.

vector_1979 · 04-12-2005, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadNick

I noticed on the lamp in my boys' room, that once the original bulb got a little loose and it stopped melting the paraffin "lava". I screwed it in snugly and it's worked now for another year or so, still working. I bet the bulb has to have high enough wattage or it will not melt the lava. When I had it out, it was a smaller than normal but hot running bulb, not sure what size. Also make sure the bottom of the bottle is down as far as designed so it gets hot enough. If that doesn't work, buy a new one.

Might get a new bottle. Have tried three new light bulbs. Picked the most energy inefficient light bulbs!

shakran · 04-12-2005, 03:44 PM

in most lava lamps, you need a 40 watt "high intensity" bulb. Otherwise you won't get the wax hot enough to bubble.

BadNick · 04-14-2005, 09:02 AM

...nevermind

I misread your "inefficient" and blabbed on about it but I was wrong, you're right.

MSD · 04-21-2005, 07:53 PM

If a lamp has been sitting for a while and you have the right bulb, just leave it on fro a few days straight. It worked for mine.

04-09-2005, 05:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
greyeyes ham on rye would be nice Location: I don't even know anymore	refilling a lavalamp I finally pulled my old LavaLamp from storage and I realized that the clear liquid (water maybe??) was pretty low. How would one go about refilling that sucker so it can get to glowing again? Thanks in advance __________________ I'm kind of jealous of the life I'm supposedly leading. - Zach Braff

04-10-2005, 07:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
f6twister Addict	I Googled Lava Lite Lamps and did some reading. It doesn't look good for your lamp. Everything I read says not to open the bottle as it will ruin the lamp. I went to this site's FAQ section for my info. __________________ A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin

04-10-2005, 07:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	It's a delicate mix. You may change the behavior by using incompatible fluids. Might be simplest to empty yours completely and refill it with the contents of another lamp. <a href="http://www.oozinggoo.com/howto.html">OozingGoo</a> has some great info on how they work and making your own. __________________ There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

04-10-2005, 08:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
jhkayakr Insane Location: under the skirt	they are pretty cheap to buy, they have quite a few at "Spencers" in any US mall. or try.... http://www.planetlava.com/ __________________ ........gotta need for speed....

04-11-2005, 11:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
vector_1979 Insane Location: In a Caddy Shack	Sounds like a silly question, but since someone else has brought the subject up, I'll ask. Is it quite common to have to replace the bottle every so often? I have a mathmos Astro lamp but it hasn't worked since I replaced the light bulb a couple of years ago. The lavalamp itself is about 7 years old. Do I need special light bulbs or do I have to replace the bottle? Advice would be appreciated. __________________ ------------------------------------------------ Tip: Never do your shoe lace up in a revolving door

04-10-2005, 08:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
iamnormal Addict Location: In the id	http://www.mathmos.co.uk/ They have replacement bottles.

04-11-2005, 12:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
BadNick Riding the Ocean Spray Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa	I noticed on the lamp in my boys' room, that once the original bulb got a little loose and it stopped melting the paraffin "lava". I screwed it in snugly and it's worked now for another year or so, still working. I bet the bulb has to have high enough wattage or it will not melt the lava. When I had it out, it was a smaller than normal but hot running bulb, not sure what size. Also make sure the bottom of the bottle is down as far as designed so it gets hot enough. If that doesn't work, buy a new one.

04-12-2005, 03:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	in most lava lamps, you need a 40 watt "high intensity" bulb. Otherwise you won't get the wax hot enough to bubble.

04-14-2005, 09:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
BadNick Riding the Ocean Spray Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa	...nevermind I misread your "inefficient" and blabbed on about it but I was wrong, you're right. Last edited by BadNick; 04-14-2005 at 09:04 AM.. Reason: misunderstood previous post

04-21-2005, 07:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	If a lamp has been sitting for a while and you have the right bulb, just leave it on fro a few days straight. It worked for mine.