Mathmos Lava Lamp, anyone got one, i think I just broke mine.

Soldato
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Hello,

Just got a Mathmos Lava lamp delivered which I got cheap from an auction.
After 20 mins of being on, not a lot happened, so i shook it really hard, now there is a wire coil and lots of fluffy stuff in the liquid.

Have I broken it? Or shall I leave it on, does it form back up again?

Thanks
 
my lava lamp has a coil in the bottom its a cheap one from argos tho....and my gf shook it once all the lava split up but if you leave it on for a while tunr it off and let it settle then turen it back on it should be fine again mine is anyway :D

btw they take along time to get going 20mins ain't that long at all :)
 
Sounds like you probably have. If they haven't been used for a long time or have gotten cold they take a long time to get going. You aren't supposed to shake them at all. Only way to find out is let everything settle and switch it on again and see what happens. The metal coil should be at the very bottom to heat the wax.

You can buy replacement bottles but then as you were after a cheapy you probably won't be bothered about that.
 
Nah it wont have broken it, it usually takes at least an hour to start melting, I used to shake mine loads, if you leave it turned on for a while all the bubbles will work their ways out and it will be ok.
 
Ill leave it on until I go to bed tonight then just turn it off overnight.
I can't believe I was so retarded. As soon as I did it I was just like "oh you ******* idiot!"

Thanks for the quick response. I really need to be moe patient in future.
 
Nope, it's fine, I have slowly watched it all mould together, looked awesome. Damn clever stuff wax is :D

ps. Yes I am that bored that I sat watching wax mould together.
 
challengedavid said:
if you shake it when the wax is melted the liquid will go cloudy then its game over

Not true with my Mathmos. I've done it a few times now. Just give it some times and it soon all moulds back together. Obviously in the instructions it advises against it, but who ever listens to those ;)

Still going strong! Old picture - only one I have but works flawlessly. My phone was crap, but it's a purple with a dark orange/red wax.
1415123102_l.jpg
 
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kinda accidentaly knocked mine over whilst it was all melted etc, thankfully it didnt smash otherwise that would have been a nightmare (plus new keyboard/mouse/etc). Its been sat around for a while now getting less cloudy slowly, but as the bulb went at the same time i havent had a chance to light it up.

The coil is just there to retain and conduct heat evenly afaik, most annoying when it goes on its side.
 
vonhelmet said:
Never mind the wax going cloudy in there... he says there's a wire coil in with it.

WTF? Sounds b0rked to me.

Yes, all lava lamps have a wire coil in them, it's for conductance of heat.
 
Where is this wire coil? I go a mathmos lavalamp for the gf last year and the only thing that heats the wax is the mini spot lamp bulb that the bottle bit sits on... :confused:
 
Some of them have a coiled wire at the bottom of the glass jar. The bulb beneath provides all the heat, but the coil spreads it evenly at the bottom of the jar.
 
jumpy said:
Where is this wire coil? I go a mathmos lavalamp for the gf last year and the only thing that heats the wax is the mini spot lamp bulb that the bottle bit sits on... :confused:

If you lift it up and check the bottom you should just be able to see it. Unless they're saving money now and not putting it in.
 
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