Oozing Goo - The Lava Lamp Syndicate

So i have this 16.3" lamp, and i can never get it to flow. I have a gookit coming for so,e other lamps, so i may redo it, because idk what the problem is. I have had this lamp on for two hours now, and it never flows, just sits there. The lamp is kinda warm, but not super hot. Its about 70 degrees in here, and im at a loss as to what the problem is. Any thoughts or suggestions?

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whats the bulb wattage?

40W. It looked like it was about to move, and did ever so slightly. The lump is "breathing". It moves up, and then moves down again.

Edit: As I posted this, I looked over at the lamp, and a huge glob split ever so slowly.  It came crashing down, and I thought it would have kinda jumpstarted it, but after that, it's back to what it was doing again.

frosted bulb?

no, it's a clear bulb that came with the lamp. The glob breaks a little off, rises halfway, and falls back down.

I'd put a 60w bulb in it.  Is it pre- or post-China?

Not sure. I bought it about a yr ago, maybe less.

Is it safe to put a 60W in it? I DID buy a 60W bulb, but the fixture in it is rated for 40W

I think it's safe.  Especially on some of my vintage lamps with older wax, a 60-watt is just what the doctor ordered.  They flow much better on 60 watts than 40.  Just something to try...  

If it doesn't work, you can always goo kit it.  Or, use the wax and liquid from another lamp that flows better.  

Another trick that's worked for me is to pour off the liquid after it's cooled, then heat the wax in a pan of boiling water -- then let all the wax liquify and then cool and solidify around the coil again.  

These are all tips I've picked up from searching this FANTASTIC site, Mike.  Trying the 60 watt bulb is the easiest and to me - first choice.

That did it! I got a 60w and GENTLY took the globe off, cooled the bulb and swapped it in. Within 2 minutes, it flowed better than ive ever seen it! Thanks for the tip!

Glad it helped, Mike.  Now the down side is that it might get too hot.  

If that's the case, I'd run it on the 60 watt for awhile.  Maybe a few days/weeks up until it gets too hot then turn it off and let it cool for several hours and cycle it back on again.  Too hot to me means too many little blobs forming with many of them staying at the top.  The goal should be to give the wax a god workout, and then try to go back to the 40 watt.  Of course, like I said, I have a couple of vintage lamps that really run best on 60 watts.  This may be the case for you, too.  Good luck!

Yep, I've got a century that runs great on a 60 watt bulb.  It does get a little hot after several hours but has never overheated.  If 60 watts is too much you can get a dimmer and dial it down a little.

Kirk said:

Glad it helped, Mike.  Now the down side is that it might get too hot.  

If that's the case, I'd run it on the 60 watt for awhile.  Maybe a few days/weeks up until it gets too hot then turn it off and let it cool for several hours and cycle it back on again.  Too hot to me means too many little blobs forming with many of them staying at the top.  The goal should be to give the wax a god workout, and then try to go back to the 40 watt.  Of course, like I said, I have a couple of vintage lamps that really run best on 60 watts.  This may be the case for you, too.  Good luck!

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