Help Please! Dimmer on new Mathmos USA Telstar??

[Marley's Ghost]

I have a Telstar Rocket, clear/turquoise received a few days ago.  It was not hot weather when it was delivered, but after letting it sit for a couple of hours, I turned it on.  Within less than 15 minutes, it spiked a little up one side, but then started shooting dime sized blobs of wax at lightening speed all the way to the top.  Being a rank newbie, I didn't know what to do, but from reading here it appeared it might be running too hot.  I put an inline dimmer on it and slid it down to about 65 percent (just a guess, since this dimmer is not marked), and now it is flowing great.  It takes at least half an hour or a bit more to start spiking now, but after the spikes collapse, it is flowing with long stretchy columns and breaking into large blobs too.  Did I do the right thing?  I sure don't want to fry this lamp!!!   This color is gorgeous, I've never seen anything like it, it looks like neon but a very strange brilliant turquoise. The lamp was a bit hazy at first, but has cleared up now.  Has anyone else had to put a dimmer on their Telstars?  Please tell me I didn't screw it up.

[Bridget T]

After the first run, I put a dimmer on mine for the same reason, it went blobby too fast.  Runs perfectly now, that turquoise is a gorgeous color.

I don't think anyone has ever hurt a lamp by making it run cooler to flow better, so I wouldn't worry about it.

[Marley's Ghost]

Thanks so much, Bridget.  I feel much better now, and agree with you 100 percent, it is a gorgeous color, and I can hardly keep my eyes off it.  I am not too familiar with dimmers, except what I read on this great site, so was not sure about putting one on a Telstar.  

Thanks again for your reply!

[Metallica Man Trevor]

I run my fluidiums on 30 watt instead of 40. and there still going strong!!! and I agree there is nothing like a Mathmos, flow and colors are amazing

[Marley's Ghost]

Trevor, I think mine came with a 40 watt E17 SES bulb, whatever that is.  We don't live in a large city, so I hope they are not hard to find.  The instructions do say it can use the 30 watt bulb of the same type.  If I can find a 30 watt, I'll get it, the 40 is too hot.   I think I am "hooked" on Mathmos now.  These rockets are the cat's meow and the colors really are truly amazing!    

[Metallica Man Trevor]

U can order bulbs online. Thats where i get all my bulbs
http://replacementlightbulbs.com/

[Keith]

I was just thinking "Mathmos is beautiful, but too expensive"  then it occured to me, I've spent over a hundred $ on lava so far this year and will probably spend at least $75 more if Spencers has the lamps I want.  So $130 including shipping isn't sounding so bad.  Now how to convince my wife, hmm.  lol

[Marley's Ghost]

Thanks for that link, Trevor!!!  :-)

Metallica man Trevor said:

U can order bulbs online. Thats where i get all my bulbs
http://replacementlightbulbs.com/

[Marley's Ghost]

Keith, I have two more in the mail.  One, yellow/red will be here on UPS today and another, violet/orange, will be here tomorrow.  My husband does not know, but he soon will.   If I suddenly disappear-----you all will know why....LOL   
 
Keith said:

I was just thinking "Mathmos is beautiful, but too expensive"  then it occured to me, I've spent over a hundred $ on lava so far this year and will probably spend at least $75 more if Spencers has the lamps I want.  So $130 including shipping isn't sounding so bad.  Now how to convince my wife, hmm.  lol

[Keith]

lol

My wife's parents just moved in with us and I'm supposed to be "consolidating" my lava collection.  I've bought 4 new and at least 3 used lamps since new years. I'm not doing to well, am I?  hehe :-!

[Marley's Ghost]

LOL, Keith!!!  You are "consolidating."   You can display the Telstars together!   Apparently I am not doing too well either.  Newbie madness!!!!!  EEEKKK    But these Telstars are worth the "risk."   Hats off to Astralav for teaching me that.  LOL

[Keith]

I'm supposed to have a Lava room also, but things keep changing, all but about 10 lamps stay stored. And they don't take up nearly as much room as 'someone' elses shoes!

[Marley's Ghost]

It is just the opposite here Keith, my husband has more shoes than I do!  Mostly boots.  I just confessed the Telstar madness to him and he told me to get the rest of the colors available!!!!  WOW are you believing that?   I'm definitely KEEPING HIM!!!!  Now to figure out where to display them!   Happy days!!!!