US current to Mathmos Astro problem (sort of!)

[Gooboy]

I have 2 Astros pluged into a UK mains power strip which is plugged into a step-up adapter into my 110V house current. My Astros heat up, but the lava hardly moves, it rises a bit to mid way, then back down again. I know it simply isnt getting enough current.

If I plug them in single w/o the power strip, they are fine as long as I dont try to run both lamps from the same outlet socket, if I do, no flow.

If I move the other lamp to a different outlet in the house (using a step-up of course), everything is fine!

 

I know I could put the power strip on a voltage regulator and ramp it up, but I am afraid of overload because my house is old (1941) and the AC conduit is old fashion cloth and paper, and you do not want to continue running hot current through that stuff for fire hazard reasons.

 

Would really like to have all my lamps in one place, but that whole room is on the same circuit.

 

Sans calling an electrian, does anyone have a suggestion?

[Gooboy]

LOL! I know this is a tough question, if you think I should just forget it and display my UK Astro's in different

parts of the house, that's ok.

I just think it looks nice to have them all together.

Too bad the electrical system in my old house does not agree!! LOL!

 

I guess in 1941 they didnt think there would be such things as appliences that use current any higher than a

40W lightbulb ;)

[LampHead]

What wattage does your converter put out ? You have absolutely nothing to worry about running 2 lamps on one circuit, I think your voltage converter is either not powerful enough or just very cheaply built. Most homes (even your older one) have 15 amp circuits that can be safely run at 80% capacity (called continuous load) forever. A 40 watt lamp/bulb is only drawing roughly .33 of 1 amp (slightly higher due to the converter maybe .41 assuming a 50 watt draw) so your home/wiring is not the issue its your converter. You can safely run 36 lamps on a 15 amp circuit continuously.

[WeeboTech]

I'm going to agree with Lamphead here. Tell us or show us more about your converter and power strip.

LampHead said:

your home/wiring is not the issue its your converter. 

[Chow]

Have you tried this?

 

http://oozinggoo.ning.com/forum/topics/us-power-for-smart-astro?com...

[Gooboy]

Here is what I have (two of them):

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N54DGO

 

This does not show the cord, but it has a US 3 blade plug to plug into my wall outlet.

I put one on each lamp, and it works fine.

If I plug my UK mains power strip into one of these, and plug 2 lamps into the power strip, my lamps

light up, but never get much flow!

The power strip is all UK mains, both plug and 4 sockets are all UK.

Its rated at 13A maximum load and 250V. and is white and made by Lindy (BS1363/A) whch can be seen

on their website; www.lindy.com.

I got it from eBay.UK.

WeeboTech said:

I'm going to agree with Lamphead here. Tell us or show us more about your converter and power strip.

LampHead said:

your home/wiring is not the issue its your converter. 

[Gooboy]

Yes, this is what I would think. Should not have any problems.

It's kinda strange :\

Maybe I'm not giving the lamps enough time to heat up and get going really well?!

LampHead said:

What wattage does your converter put out ? You have absolutely nothing to worry about running 2 lamps on one circuit, I think your voltage converter is either not powerful enough or just very cheaply built. Most homes (even your older one) have 15 amp circuits that can be safely run at 80% capacity (called continuous load) forever. A 40 watt lamp/bulb is only drawing roughly .33 of 1 amp (slightly higher due to the converter maybe .41 assuming a 50 watt draw) so your home/wiring is not the issue its your converter. You can safely run 36 lamps on a 15 amp circuit continuously.

[Gooboy]

I'm not even sure I know what this is :\

 

And yes, all my home outlets are polarity correct and proper grounded ;)

Chow said:

Have you tried this?

 

http://oozinggoo.ning.com/forum/topics/us-power-for-smart-astro?com...

[LampHead]

Thats rated at 100 watts so running 2 lamps off of one converter is definitely the problem, even though its rated at 100 watts it probably dont put out 100. Since you have 2 converters already I would just use one for each lamp and you should have no problems.

Stanley Post said:

Here is what I have (two of them):

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N54DGO

 

This does not show the cord, but it has a US 3 blade plug to plug into my wall outlet.

I put one on each lamp, and it works fine.

If I plug my UK mains power strip into one of these, and plug 2 lamps into the power strip, my lamps

light up, but never get much flow!

The power strip is all UK mains, both plug and 4 sockets are all UK.

Its rated at 13A maximum load and 250V. and is white and made by Lindy (BS1363/A) whch can be seen

on their website; www.lindy.com.

I got it from eBay.UK.

[Gooboy]

That is what I am doing, I spent some time re-routing stuff and have both Astro on their own converter and plugged

into the wall. So both socket on that wall recepticle are being used for the 2 converters.

Meanwhile, other lamps on that side of the room have been pugged into another wall outlet via a long extension

cord and power strip. So now everything is running ok.

I just can not use that UK power strip, each Astro has its own dedicated converter.