Lava Lamp Failure

by Maria De Sevilla

Mar 11, 2010

I received what I believe is an original Century Model from the 60's for Valentines Day 2010.  My profile photo show the lamp the first night I lit it.

 

The bulb did not work when I got it so I went to Ace to buy a new bulb.  I came home plugged the lamp in and it worked beautifully for about 4 or 5 times.  Now the water is cloudy and you cannot see the movement of the wax and it's all blobby and bubbly.

 

Is my lamp ruined?  I am SO bummed...I've wanted and waited for a REAL lava lamp forever!  While I knew NOTHING about LAVA lamps, I've now found all of the do's and don'ts on-line.  The only don't I've done is used a bulb that got too hot.  Can anyone help me?

 

I went on-line to see what a 30 R 20 bulb is and found that Ace Sold me the wrong bulb - a 45W bulb.  Is this the cause of damage to my lamp?  I cannot find the correct bulb.  I found a 30W reflector bulb yesterday but when installed it was too tall.

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  • up

    Maria De Sevilla

    OK, I'll go get an appliance bulb-easy enough! I think the Globe is the Original and yes, it has a screw top. It was shipped to me with lots of bubble wrap. It didn't get bumped or shaken per se beyond that since I have received it. I tilted it gently when it got all bubbly but that's hardly what I call shaking. I moved it from one room to another but normal stuff, you know?

    Mar 11, 2010

  • up

    LampHead

    After reading through I would say the socket in your lamp has been replaced at one time or another incorrectly. The A-15 bulb is the original bulb for that base and if it does not fit something was altered. You could try a A-19 bulb but you will not find them in 40 watt versions anymore, you could also try a simple socket extender and see if that helps with the A-15. Your next step would be to try a spot bulb and as you have found out they are too tall.....BUT....I have found a spot bulb that fits the base, for some reason or another R-20 bulbs are not the same height from each manufacture, bulbs made by Westinghouse are almost 1/4 inch shorter, I have found them in 45 and 50 watt versions, they fit in common Century bases so they should fit your Aristocrat. You could also try a R-16 bulb which can be found in 40 watt versions.


    LampHead

    Mar 11, 2010

  • up

    Maria De Sevilla

    Hi Lamphead. Thank you. I FINALLY scored a R16 40W spotlight at Lowe's last night that worked. I wouldn't think the socket was replaced in the lamp because the cord looks like it came from the 60's and there is a mustard colored felt on the bottom that appears to be so perfect that I would think it's the original but you never know...

    Anyhow the spotlight bulb works but the water is cloudy which is the original issue I posted about. Is there anything that can be done? While the liquid didn't start out perfectly clear when I got this less than a month ago is wasn't totally opaque either. I now have a lava lamp that emits a red glow instead of one that has yellow liquid with red lava.

    I am thinking of telling my friend and having him see if he can return it to the guy he bought it from on E-Bay. Dammit!

    Mar 12, 2010