Flow problem, possible coil issue.

[Nicky]

After some struggles with refilling and making a new lamp I got it to flow and the density seems pretty good.

 

The problem I have is that after a while of running the wax moves up and doesnt sit on the coil at all, now there is still a lot of globs moving around just no big blob at the bottom that sticks to the coil. 

 

I kept the 40watt bulb I had in so thats stock standard, I am thinking it could be getting too hot but on the other hand it takes a while before its heated...the content is based on the retro formula. 

 

The coil is just a spring and I can't see how it can be broken unless there is some chemical you need to cover it in again after replacing the content or it needs to be scrubbed clean (i did clean the whole thing well with soap and degreaser and rinsed it several times)

 

So yeah it works well but doesnt form like it use to (a large blob that moves up and drops down again), now when heated well it makes smaller blobs that later on are hovering more on top that anything.

 

Should I remove some fluid and add more water to reduce salt quantity? or should I add more perc to get the wax heavier? I am open for ideas ;)

[Ford Prefect - NPNG]

i dont know anything about home-made lamps but the wax detaching is an over-heating thing. the size of bulb you use to get the lamp running will eventually overheat the lamp if you run it for long enough, regardless of make or wax etc.

 

try using a dimmer. when the wax is flowing just slightly hotter than optimum, turn it down a bit,. if you wait to turn it down after it has detached you'll have to turn it down too far and it will be a pain to get it right. its trial and error to get it right, and it will vary if it is hot or cold in the room etc.

 

i use a wall socket plug which has a dimmer on it, which the lamp plug plugs into. this way i dont have to wire a dimmer into the flex of the lamp, and have the option of running an extension lead off it so i can dim multiple lamps at once.

 

all waxes behave differently and it may be that you do need to alter the wax/fluid but this is the first thing to try, and means you dont have to tamper with the contents. once you start fiddling it can be easy to ruin so i would deffo try this first.

:)

[Nicky]

Thx, will try and get a dimmer. I knew it would be an option, still hoping there is some other options also. It worked fine with the 40watt I have had in since I got the thing, but as you say the waxes differ and smelting points will too no doubt. 

 

Any more advice would be welcome though, I'm sure others can always benefit from the info too. Thx 

[Ford Prefect - NPNG]

you're welcome. it is kind of trial and error and as you are using home made wax there is always an unknown quantity involved.

people only learn stuff from things going wrong then trying stuff to fix it. i'm sure there is some solution out there.. :)

hopefully others with experience of home made wax will be able to offer more advice.

:)