Base on Midnight Aristocrat not right

[Paula Frank]

My boyfriend picked this lamp up at a garage sale, and I have been wondering why the globe doesn't seem to sit exactly right within the base.   And the lava doesn't seem illuminated as much as it should be.  I just realized this can't be the original base. The top half of the base is not the same as the bottom.   Perhaps it's So obviously whoever had this lamp patched the wrong base to the globe, or vice versa.

Any feedback appreciated.  I want to sell it but I will hold off for now.  Perhaps I can buy the right base somewhere?  Don't know what to do.

[Autumn]

The lamp is fine, that is how it is supposed to look. It is also a century, not an aristocrat.

[Paula Frank]

Thanks much Autumn.  Also got some answers on chat.

[Kirk]

Nice looking lamp, Paula!

[Paula Frank]

Thanks Kirk (mine is the blue and yellow one -- I think you're looking at the red and clear one, which is bEAUtiful).

Still wish it was more evenly illuminated at the top, but, I guess it's fine from what people are telling me.

[Paula Frank]

It's a 40.   And by heat ring you mean the coil, I think it's a coil.  Have to observe more exactly.  (New to this.)  Thanks for the advice lalalava.  45R20 -- where do I purchase one?  What would happen if it overheats -- the lava would turn brown?  The globe would crack?  How do I prevent this -- do I just have to keep a close eye on it?

If the 45R20 would work I think the lava flow would be better too.   It's good but a little lethargic compared to my other vintage lamps.

Thanks so much :)

[Grace]

The heat ring lays inside the base.It closes the gap between the bulb and base,allowing more heat to rise into the globe,rather then escaping through all those small holes in the base.

I see lots of starlight bases with the ring missing.

[Paula Frank]

I just checked and yes apparently this "heat ring" is missing.  I assume the heat rings are loose, removable rings.  Something to remember to ask about if I ever purchase a lamp on ebay or elsewhere.

Is it possible to buy a replacement heat ring, and also where would I readily be able to buy the 45R20 bulb mentioned earlier.  Thanks much Grace.  Learnin' alot here about lovely lava lamps.

Where

Grace said:

The heat ring lays inside the base.It closes the gap between the bulb and base,allowing more heat to rise into the globe,rather then escaping through all those small holes in the base.

I see lots of starlight bases with the ring missing.

[Paula Frank]

Hi all, ok, revisiting this -- need some help.  I posted my blue/yellow Midnight Century on ebay at $200 (with free shipping) or best offer. 

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350846671785...

I just got an offer of $40 which I think is way too low, especially if I'm absorbing the shipping.  The person is saying the lamp is cloudy.  I do not perceive that the lamp is cloudy.  How does it look to you from the pictures.  I do feel not enough light is illuminating up and the flow is not fast enough but is this due to the bulb?

(Also I didn't put in the description that the heat ring is missing -- what does a heat ring look like and does it devalue a lamp if it's missing?)

[Autumn]

$40 + shipping would be fair. The lamp does not look cloudy to me. $200 is absurd.
Paula Frank said:

Hi all, ok, revisiting this -- need some help.  I posted my blue/yellow Midnight Century on ebay at $200 (with free shipping) or best offer. 

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350846671785...

I just got an offer of $40 which I think is way too low, especially if I'm absorbing the shipping.  The person is saying the lamp is cloudy.  I do not perceive that the lamp is cloudy.  How does it look to you from the pictures.  I do feel not enough light is illuminating up and the flow is not fast enough but is this due to the bulb?

(Also I didn't put in the description that the heat ring is missing -- what does a heat ring look like and does it devalue a lamp if it's missing?)

[Paula Frank]

I know, I always overprice with a best offer because I'm new to this and don't really know values.   I'm going to counteroffer with $75 and free shipping and tell him it's not cloudy, it probably just needs a 45 or 60 watt bulb or a tin-foil heat ring.

Thanks Autumn.

[Metallica Man Trevor]

WOW That is an amazing lamp Autumn
 
Autumn said:

The lamp is fine, that is how it is supposed to look. It is also a century, not an aristocrat.

[Paula Frank]

Ok so I'm about to make a tin foil heat ring.  But I imagine this will only make the flow better, right?  There's still the issue of not enough illumination in the globe toward the top -- which I'll try a higher wattage bulb for.  I imagine I'll have to be careful about not overheating if I'm using the heat ring and the higher watt bulb.