Grande questions

[Lucasbuck]

I just bought a grande and had some questions (new to lava lamps):

1 - Is there anything I need to know before using it the first time? Like, is there a break in time that I should keep it running for the first time?

2 - I'm a teacher and would really like to use it in my classroom. Could I just turn it on in the mornings, and turn it off when I leave, or do they take a long time to get going? Any risk of fire or anything leaving it on overnight (so I could just leave it on and turn it off on the weekends)? Sorry if that's a silly question, like I said, first lamp.

Thanks for any help!

[matt01165]

hello, well fist off you can break it in the slower the better by using a inline dimmer. it can run at a lower temp.  the wax will stay better longer this way. I run mine for a couple of hours 2hrs after it gets flowing. It will eventually overheat , especially during hot summer months and the wax will turn ugly burnt color if it is yellow, if the lamp is left  full blast on overnight all the time. I would not run it unattended. with a dimmer you turn it way down but not completely off at night this would be better for it if that is what you want to do. Plus it will start moving quicker in the a.m.

[Mattmos]

I have a few Grandes and they take about 3 1/2 hours to get a good flow. If your classroom gets a little warm in the summer, it will take less time for your Grande to warm up. If I had a lava lamp in school, to be on the safe side, I would just unplug it at the end of the day.  I have a Grande that is now 3 yrs. old and I have literally ran that thing for 8 hours a day, almost every single day, for the past 3 yrs., and it still runs great. I don't see you having a problem running your Grande for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, and giving it a well needed rest over the weekend.  Almost forgot, as far as the break in period, turn it on and let it flow for the day. That's what I did anyways. One last thing, during the first 30-45 minutes of warm up, the Grande lava lamp will squirt out long jagged shapes of lava, which is pretty cool.

[Lucasbuck]

Thanks for the info.Would putting it on a timer an hour or so before school starts work, then unplug it on the weekend? I just don't want a safety hazard.

You said you've had yours for 3 years and run it every day and it still runs great. Since I'm new to lamps I was curious, does something wear out on them after time? Does the lava get old and need replaced?

[Tim Gill]

Yea putting it on a timer and also dimmer would be good. - dimmer to control the flow and the timer is a good idea but do unplug it for the weekend. It should be safe if you get a good quality dimmer and timer.

Lava does degrade over time and if used constantly for a number of years then the wax can get 'dead' and basically doesn't flow - when that happens the globe should be replaced.

Lucasbuck said:

Thanks for the info.Would putting it on a timer an hour or so before school starts work, then unplug it on the weekend? I just don't want a safety hazard.

You said you've had yours for 3 years and run it every day and it still runs great. Since I'm new to lamps I was curious, does something wear out on them after time? Does the lava get old and need replaced?

[Lucasbuck]

Another question. Do most people use the bulb that comes with the Grande, or another wattage?

[Tim Gill]

Just the bulb which comes with the grande - use a dimmer if nessery to lower the wattage.

[Mattmos]

Use the bulb that comes with it, but you may want to buy a couple for back up, just in case the first bulb burns out.  Buy an R20-100 watt bulb for the Grande.   
 
Lucasbuck said:

Another question. Do most people use the bulb that comes with the Grande, or another wattage?

[Lucasbuck]

Thanks for all the info!

[Lucasbuck]

I just noticed the Grande has a slight scratch\chip in the side of it. Doesn't affect the looks, but you can feel it if scrape your fingernail on it. Are slight imperfections normal? I'm kind of worried that the heating\cooling might make it worse, which in a classroom would be a bad thing if it broke. Anyone have an opinion if I'm just being paranoid?

[Tim Gill]

Thats normal, it will be fine.

Have you turned the grande on yet to see how well its working?

[Lucasbuck]

Just turned it on so it's still warming. I've got some little free floaty pieces. Hopefully they come back together.