Fireflow problem

[Mishmish]

Just wondering if anybody has any tips for getting a Fireflow O1 going?

I recently bought one with purple wax but the tea lights I'm using don't seem to do much more than soften the wax. I can't get it to flow and the whole thing just doesn't seem very hot even when the candle has been burning for over 2 hours. 

I know some candles are low heat so I'll experiment with others, but as it's a naked flame I don't want to mess with it too much without some advice first. Anyone have any ideas? 

[Dr. WHAT?!]

I had this same issue when I got mine until I moved it into a room that had no draft at all and was generally warm. Another way is to put it by a bunch of lava lamps when they are running.

[Mattmos]

Sounds like you need to get the candle closer to the bottle. You might be able to raise the tea light a little by putting something non-flamable under it. Or you could go to a somewhat taller candle, such as a votive candle. A votive candle is about 2-2 1/2 times taller than a tea light. Dr What is the man to listen to. Hope this helps.  

[Dr. WHAT?!]

Oh ya forgot to mention that too. I used a empty tea light tin and turned it upside down to raise the candle up closer to the bottle.

[Mishmish]

Thanks for the advice, I'll give it another go tonight. Unfortunately I live in a cold and drafty house with no proper heating, so probably not the best conditions for these. I originally had it on top of my mantlepiece as I assumed it'd be the warmest place, however the candle was flickering like crazy the whole time. Not sure if this was cold drafts or warm air from the fire rising up, but either way I don't think the candle was steady enough to create a constant column of heat.

 

I'll try the tea light tin idea and maybe find somewhere different to stand it. (difficult in our house with 2 new kittens!) I'll try the idea of standing it with other lamps too.

Has anyone tried using a glass tealight holder or something similar to protect the flame a bit more?

[Tim Gill]

I have a purple fireflow as well and there are issue with that - i have only got it flowing once!

I thought it was down to not using all the tea light in one go and also a colder room so I have tried running it until the candle burns out and also running it in a warm room and on a mantel piece with a fire going and nothing.

The purple colour way was made when first released and they had issues so discontinued this so i think it is due to the formula, I think the globes now are fine.

I would like to know if you have any success with it and i am also thinking / going to add some Epsom salt to it to see if it will flow - if that fails then i will get a new globe.

Did you get it from mathmos - that way you could get a refund / replacement. I got mine of ebay so can't do that.

[Mishmish]

No luck tonight moving it elsewhere and raising the candles. :(
It did seem to raise up into a dome shape after about 40 mins so thought I may see some action, however it just flattened out again and stayed that way. 

Going to try with some new candles I think, will go and get some tomorrow. 

Tim, I got mine from eBay also, wanted it specifically for the rarer colour. Having almost seen it in action I may replace the globe with a brighter colour anyway as I have dark wallpaper and it doesn't look very vibrant against it. What's the point of getting it going if I can barely see it flowing anyway, right? 
Anyone know if the R1's are any easier? The globe looks nearer to the flame so thought I may get a pink one and swap them over. 

I think my house isn't built for candles actually, I had difficulties getting my German windmill going at Christmas due to the candles flickering. 

Tim Gill said:

I have a purple fireflow as well and there are issue with that - i have only got it flowing once!

I thought it was down to not using all the tea light in one go and also a colder room so I have tried running it until the candle burns out and also running it in a warm room and on a mantel piece with a fire going and nothing.

The purple colour way was made when first released and they had issues so discontinued this so i think it is due to the formula, I think the globes now are fine.

I would like to know if you have any success with it and i am also thinking / going to add some Epsom salt to it to see if it will flow - if that fails then i will get a new globe.

Did you get it from mathmos - that way you could get a refund / replacement. I got mine of ebay so can't do that.

[Tim Gill]

Sounds exactly like mine - swap them over but I think they are the same height from the candle.

Yea there is not much point in having it working when you cant really see it so if it does work then just swap the globes over but if not then I suggest getting one of the tucquiose globe - that will look good.

[Mishmish]

Happy update!

Tried using a votive candle as suggested and it's flowing beautifully!

Slightly worried about the candle being closer and overheating, but i'm just happy to get it going so I'll run it in short bursts until I'm a bit more confident. Another lovely addition to the collection. :)

Can't wait to get an R1 now!

[Tim Gill]

Fantastic - thats good news, can you put a picture up so i know what to do myself with my fireflow.

[Mishmish]

Sorry it's been months since replying to this, I've been so busy i forgot all about it.

For anyone else with fireflow issues, I can confirm that it was definitely the overall temperature that was causing the problem. In winter almost nothing would get this baby working, but having just dusted it off in July it's not working happily with just a tealight in the base. To start it off i used an upturned empty holder underneath just to create a bit more heat, but then removed that once it was flowing ok.

I've attached a short video showing it working, it's pretty slow but you get the idea. Once I'd already uploaded the video it seemed to speed up a bit. Typical!

 

http://youtu.be/d9aA6tXBIkQ