Mathmos Telstar repair advice: loose socket, bottle striking bulb?

[Brad]

Hello,

I need some advice on how to repair a Mathmos Telstar, or whether I need to do anything at all.

The problem I see is that the bulb socket is loose and wiggles around.  It seems like the socket isn't quite seated.  When I place the bottle onto the base, it doesn't sit flush on the leg struts and it feels like the bottle is sitting on the bulb.  (edit: or maybe it isn't).   The bottle is a bit unstable and tends to tip sideways.  I have to push the bottle down pretty firmly to get it to settle.  This seems a bit unsafe.

See this short video demonstrating the wiggly socket.

From the bottom of the lamp, there is a plastic strain relief and a lock washer behind the strain relief that mates to the bottom of the lamp.  Can this assembly be unfastened or unscrewed in any way?  I've tried twisting it and it moves a bit but it's fairly tight.  If it can be undone, I'd like to loosen that so I can figure out what went wrong on the inside of the base.

The bulb that was sent with the lamp is a Crompton Lamps 240V 30W incandescent reflector, which looks identical to what Mathmos would ship themselves.  Here's a similar bulb on Amazon UK.   I will be using equivalent bulbs purchased in the US (see my other post here) that are the same height.

What should I do?  Can I fix it myself, or should I take it to a lamp store?

Side note: this is the third lava lamp I've owned, and my second Mathmos imported from Europe.  My Astro is working fine, as is the Schylling lava lamp I bought last week.  Socket aside, this Telstar is in excellent aesthetic condition, exactly as was advertised: the chrome base and cap are super shiny with no major blemishes.  All the parts are super clean, including the cord.  The lamp was also shown working in the pictures with red lava flowing normally.

edit: maybe I am just crazy and the bulb isn't contacting the bottle at all?  Are all telstar sockets like this?

[Johnny]

Have you removed the legs then tried the bottle in the base? 

[Tevfik Dogruman]

To remove the socket, you must first remove it.
"A plastic strain relief and a lock washer" screwed on the bottom, turn and remove.
The socket has two parts. It is seen in the pictures.

Once combined, it opens very hard.

[Mr MaGoo]

Easy way to tell if globe is hitting bulb is to put a dab of something, liquid paper, paint, silicone, toothpaste on top of the bulb, with it off of course, then place globe down in position.  Then take out globe and see if said substance is on bottom of globe, letting your know there was contact. Then wipe off globe and bulb, question answered.  Now, to determine how to fix this.  Good luck with repair.

MaGoo!

[Brad]

Thanks for the picture.  That was very helpful to see the nut on the bottom of the socket. 

I held the socket with one hand while twisting the strain relief using my other hand.  Eventually the nut "caught" on the threads inside the base, and I was able to screw it back into place tightly.

Tevfik Dogruman said:

To remove the socket, you must first remove it.
"A plastic strain relief and a lock washer" screwed on the bottom, turn and remove.
The socket has two parts. It is seen in the pictures.

Once combined, it opens very hard.

[Mr MaGoo]

YAY!  Have to see the finished product bro!  If no pics it did not happen :P

[Brad]

Ask and ye shall receive!

The lamp is connected to a Mercury brand UK plug dimmer with a rotary control.  Wish we had those in the US.  Behind the dimmer is a UK>EU plug adapter and the whole thing is powered by a Kriëger dual voltage 150W transformer.  Runs cool and completely silent!