Cool Down Times???

[Carol]

Ok guys, so you know I'm still somewhat of a newb.  I turned my lamps on today at 11:30 because it was raining and dreary and I needed to feel lavaley, hummm, ok that was corney....lol!!  Due to the fact that I'm running a 52 oz and a classic I think 20 ounce and I  believe a few 32's, I just like to cut them off at the 8 hour mark so I can turn them back on at nite.  Susan at LL said only run the classic's for an 8 hour max but it was ok for the 52's to go 10 max.  What is a safe cool down time??  I know when all the lava settles to the bottom and they feel cool to the touch, but is there an accurate cool-down period so as to restart and not screw up their cycle?  I shut my son's off early at one point and it froze in a stalagmyte or castle position so wasn't sure if i shut it down early and started it back up too soon.  Could be his room is just too cold.  Anyway, everyone on the faq's talks about overheating and run times but not much talk about proper cool down times.  So it's 6:00.  They've been running since 11:30 which is 6 1/2 hours.  I'm figuring it would be ok to turn them back on at like 8:00?? yes??

[VOXul]

You should be good after a couple hours of cool down. I slide my lamps verrry slightly to the side, if the top cap of solidified wax seems to bulge or move at all I know the wax below is still molten so I wait longer. If the wax top seems pretty solid and shows no wavy movement, most of it should be solid and ready to roll again.

You can also lift the globe and look at the coil, if the wax is solid around the bottom and the coil is pretty well hidden chances are it is cold enough to run.

[Carol]

thanks!!!  good tips!!  always wanted to ask that, but got sidetracked talking about other stuff, lol!!!

[Keith]

I don't think it makes that big of a difference.  If I want to turn them off and restart them I plan for at least an hour off, generally more.  Just keep an eye out to make sure they aren't running hot if the 2nd run is extended.

[Carol]

Keith, I did 2 off last nite and did a restart.  They must have still been a bit warm because they fired up pretty quickly on the 2nd restart, but I only ran them for a few hours, then went to bed. 

Off topic a bit, but my next question is how does one stay awake when watching their lava's???  lol!!!  I lay down on the sofa, start watching and the next thing I know......Zzzzzzzz!!!!!  lol!!!  Is it only me that this happens to?  I must be getting old or something, lol!!!

[Keith]

Sometimes I fall asleep and sometimes I stay awake too long watching them

[Carol]

lol!!!