Mathmos Jet - rewire

[Erin]

Anyone re-wired a Mathomos Jet?

I've got a plug converter (this kind: http://www.amazon.com/International-Power-Adapter-Plug-Converter/dp...) and I was just going to plug it in, but I dropped the base and the bulb doesn't work now.

If I re-wire, how does the base come out? I see there are two clips on the underside holding the socket it, but it looks like those would break if I tried to take it out that way.

If I want to just keep it as-is, where in the US would I get bulbs for this? And if I re-wire for the US, what wattage bulb would I run?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

I want to run this lamp but can't!!!

[Erin]

Dr. What's post, the 2nd one on this forum said : "Then the wiring is in there by push pins. Just take a small flathead screwdriver and push down on the contacts and the wire will come out."

That's why I'm trying to take the wires out; so I can put in a US cord.

[Autumn]

Erin said:

Dr. What's post, the 2nd one on this forum said : "Then the wiring is in there by push pins. Just take a small flathead screwdriver and push down on the contacts and the wire will come out."

That's why I'm trying to take the wires out; so I can put in a US cord.

You cant use that socket with US light bulbs.

[Erin]

That I know. So you're saying I can't just wire in a US cord and keep the Euro socket and use Euro bulbs? I think what Dr. What was suggesting was to re-wire, but not replace the socket. So I'd still need the Euro bulbs, but then I wouldn't have to use a plug adapter.

I think YOUR solution is to replace the wiring AND the socket.

So when I was asking about removing the wiring, it was in reference to Dr. What's post.

I think there are several solutions here and it's confusing the crap out of me. LOL

My thought is this: if I re-wire, I don't want to have to use a dimmer. I know that's what everyone suggests, but then I've got 12 feet of cord on my lamp and I just don't care for that.

Is there a 30W US bulb that will work on this lamp if I covert everything over?

[WeeboTech]

Dr. WHAT?! said:

Erin said:

That I know. So you're saying I can't just wire in a US cord and keep the Euro socket and use Euro bulbs? I think what Dr. What was suggesting was to re-wire, but not replace the socket. So I'd still need the Euro bulbs, but then I wouldn't have to use a plug adapter.

There are a lot of ways to get this to work, in which everyone's way will work so you have to break it down to what's the most convenient and the cheapest way to convert for you. You CAN just rewire with a USA plug and keep the EURO socket. If you don't want to use a dimmer then just get the 30 watt euro bulbs that are $5.20 a piece. But if you want to save a little money then get the cheaper 40 watt euro bulbs but you would need a dimmer. Which you can get at any hardware store for under $10.

Changing the base completely to a US socket and wire will work as well but there's a lot more work to it. Where as the way I suggested it's just a matter of swapping out plugs and getting the euro bulbs. And honestly the euro bulbs are always available on those 2 websites. They have been selling those for a long time so I don't think they'll be stopping them anytime soon.

I wouldn't even change the plugs, I would by the plug converter and use the euro bulbs.

[Erin]

So, a couple more questions. Let's assume I do want to keep the socket and just re-wire for the US, how DO I get the wires out of that socket? I can't see any way to release them?

I guess I want to convert the whole thing over, to be honest. The bulbs are $5.20 each and for two of them to be shipped is about $20. Plus, someone told me I'd need a converter if I'm going to use these as the plug I have right now is just a Euro > US adapter, not a voltage converter. So if I plug in 30W euro bulbs into a Euro socket and then take that Euro cord and shove it in an adapter (not converter) and plug it in, won't the bulb blow?

 So at this point and time, I think I'm going to focus my efforts on converting everything to US. I have an intermediate socket lying around somewhere and can go get a cord with switch easily. It's the attaching it to the base that has me a little confused, but Autumn's been helping me out with that. :)

So to everyone so far, thank you! I'll get this done one way or another!



Dr. WHAT?! said:

Erin said:

That I know. So you're saying I can't just wire in a US cord and keep the Euro socket and use Euro bulbs? I think what Dr. What was suggesting was to re-wire, but not replace the socket. So I'd still need the Euro bulbs, but then I wouldn't have to use a plug adapter.

There are a lot of ways to get this to work, in which everyone's way will work so you have to break it down to what's the most convenient and the cheapest way to convert for you. You CAN just rewire with a USA plug and keep the EURO socket. If you don't want to use a dimmer then just get the 30 watt euro bulbs that are $5.20 a piece. But if you want to save a little money then get the cheaper 40 watt euro bulbs but you would need a dimmer. Which you can get at any hardware store for under $10.

Changing the base completely to a US socket and wire will work as well but there's a lot more work to it. Where as the way I suggested it's just a matter of swapping out plugs and getting the euro bulbs. And honestly the euro bulbs are always available on those 2 websites. They have been selling those for a long time so I don't think they'll be stopping them anytime soon.

[Erin]

Thank you! Actually that's my photo. :)

I will give it a shot! Thanks Shawn.

[Erin]

Wires out, but I think I broke the contacts that held them in. :(

[Autumn]

Erin said:

So, a couple more questions. Let's assume I do want to keep the socket and just re-wire for the US, how DO I get the wires out of that socket? I can't see any way to release them?

I guess I want to convert the whole thing over, to be honest. The bulbs are $5.20 each and for two of them to be shipped is about $20. Plus, someone told me I'd need a converter if I'm going to use these as the plug I have right now is just a Euro > US adapter, not a voltage converter. So if I plug in 30W euro bulbs into a Euro socket and then take that Euro cord and shove it in an adapter (not converter) and plug it in, won't the bulb blow?

 So at this point and time, I think I'm going to focus my efforts on converting everything to US. I have an intermediate socket lying around somewhere and can go get a cord with switch easily. It's the attaching it to the base that has me a little confused, but Autumn's been helping me out with that. :)

So to everyone so far, thank you! I'll get this done one way or another!



Dr. WHAT?! said:

Erin said:

That I know. So you're saying I can't just wire in a US cord and keep the Euro socket and use Euro bulbs? I think what Dr. What was suggesting was to re-wire, but not replace the socket. So I'd still need the Euro bulbs, but then I wouldn't have to use a plug adapter.

There are a lot of ways to get this to work, in which everyone's way will work so you have to break it down to what's the most convenient and the cheapest way to convert for you. You CAN just rewire with a USA plug and keep the EURO socket. If you don't want to use a dimmer then just get the 30 watt euro bulbs that are $5.20 a piece. But if you want to save a little money then get the cheaper 40 watt euro bulbs but you would need a dimmer. Which you can get at any hardware store for under $10.

Changing the base completely to a US socket and wire will work as well but there's a lot more work to it. Where as the way I suggested it's just a matter of swapping out plugs and getting the euro bulbs. And honestly the euro bulbs are always available on those 2 websites. They have been selling those for a long time so I don't think they'll be stopping them anytime soon.

I think you are a little confused about what your options are. You can either keep all of the original electrical and use a 120v to 240v adapter, or you can replace all of the electiral with 120v pieces and use american plugs and light bulbs.

You can not mix any of this up, you can't use euro bulbs with with 120v and only euro bulbs will fit the original socket. So even if you run 120v to that socket you still can't use it.

[WeeboTech]

>>> I think you are a little confused about what your options are. You can either keep all of the original electrical and use a 120v to 240v adapter, or you can replace all of the electiral with 120v pieces and use american plugs and light bulbs.

>>> You can not mix any of this up, you can't use euro bulbs with with 120v and only euro bulbs will fit the original socket. So even if you run 120v to that socket you still can't use it.


There are special Satco bulbs that use the euro base but run on 120v.

[Erin]

Alright, I finally got it! :D

Supplies needed: 1 intermediate socket, 1 US cord with switch, the original plastic base from the jet, hot glue, electrical tape.

First, take out the original Mathmos Jet base and take off the top (socket). Break off the two longer tabs on either side of the base,

Next, take the highlighted piece off the intermediate socket:

Run your new US cord through the Jet base and wire into the intermediate socket (highlighted area shows where the tabs used to be):

Position intermediate socket on top of Jet base and hot glue into place:

Run some electrical tape around the two pieces for added stability:

Snap new socket and base back into bottom of Mathmos Jet!

Everything is now working fine, but the base is hot as hell, so a dimmer and different bulb are in order.

Thanks everyone for the help! You guys ROCK!

[Erin]

Well, after running this for a bit, it gets pretty hot. I took it apart and the hot glue remelted a little. Not entirely though. The socket and plastic base are still intact.

Might be better on a dimmer, too.

[Erin]

I'll see what I can do. Thanks for giving me a heads up.

Jim said:

Erin - your cuticles are decent but not great.