Magnets, how do they w...ahh you get it.

[VOXul]

We know that magnets can move a coil around in the wax, sometimes fixing an issue. I have a coil that has half wax and half empty and this makes for no fun. So I ordered a set of neodymium magnets to test out a potential coil fix without the need for poppin' tops!

These magnets are rated with 24lbs of pull and the idea is to attract one side of the coil with one and attract the exact opposite side with another. These should both be holding each side firmly in place against the glass. From here, slowly raising each magnet evenly up its respective side towards the outward bend of the globe. If I am not missing something here these magnets should hold firm and cause the coil gaps to open wider as it creeps towards the widest point in the glass. This should create a larger opening for the wax to penetrate back into its crappy dry half. I might put all 4 to use and tackle it from the 4 axis points if I hire some help.

If I end up pulling the coil apart maybe it will end up working better anyways...

Fingers crossed.

(I didn't see a thread mentioning this approach but if I am missing one please let me know)

[Tim Gill]

It's a interesting approach - haven't seen it documented on hear so would be good to post to let us know how it went
I don't think you would damage the coil much so it could be perhaps a easer less messy method of getting the coil and wax to sit better.

[VOXul]

I will fully document this experiment. I had to order the magnets from Home Depot. They are rare earth cubes made by Magcraft, rated to pull 24lbs. Just recieved confirmation they are shipping to store. Lastnight I verified that the entire circumference of the coil was attracted to a set of smaller magnets so they should REALLY like the 24lbs pulling on them.

Tim Gill said:

It's a interesting approach - haven't seen it documented on hear so would be good to post to let us know how it went
I don't think you would damage the coil much so it could be perhaps a easer less messy method of getting the coil and wax to sit better.

[Joseph White]

that's actually a brilliant idea, you could potentially have something here. adjust the flow of the lava by adjusting the coil height. that is brilliant and simple.... i assume the diameter of the coil and the number of wraps of the coin does change the flow as well

[VOXul]

I have fingers crossed. If it fails I have 4 pretty sweet magnets at least I looked at the cooled puck this evening and still see that wax has embeded itself ito one half of the coil, the other half is still empty inside. Lets just spread those loops a little bit shall we? The wax will most likely penetrate a larger opening. The control could come in as a nice perk, turn the coil into a bubble wand of sorts.

Joseph White said:

that's actually a brilliant idea, you could potentially have something here. adjust the flow of the lava by adjusting the coil height. that is brilliant and simple.... i assume the diameter of the coil and the number of wraps of the coin does change the flow as well

[VOXul]

Quick update: So I had run the lamp under Ian's power burn method as I have termed it at this point. This is round two of that method for this globe. 

The grande had been simmering for 4 days, hovering over its coil. I turned the lamp off Wednesday evening and allowed the lamp to settle and cool all of Thursday.  Thursday evening (last night) I had kicked it back on just under full power and let it run on into the night.  I woke this morning to what is seemingly an improved coil connection and flow. Not perfect but the wax was no longer hovering in a docile state. I shut the lamp down before work today and I will check the wax/coil bond this evening when it has hardened. I have a hunch that some of the coil is still empty due to the imperfect flow. The magnets might not have as big a task at this point though.

[VOXul]

So, I have checked the cooled globe now after work, it appears to have completely absorbed the wax back into the coil! (Kinda party time but...it has done this before) So... the magnet approach may have a delay in game if it holds on this next warm up. If it ain't broke I ain't fixing it so, knowing this globe I have a feeling it may go back to empty itself and I will run the magnets but I am going to test their pull on the coil when they arrive, will update soon.

[Carol]

I hope it stays with its friend the coil!!!!

[VOXul]

The party was short lived

So as I expected, the wax has once again separated from the coil. I ran it twice with reconnection and this morning it was hovering once again.  I have come to expect that from this globe at this point.  SO... magnets come tomorrow, haha, I will be testing the theory out once I pick them up.  Chances are I will always be doing this dance unless I swap the coil or add another 52oz'er.

[VOXul]

This globe can't make up its mind... We have re-attachment after another day cool down...most frustrating lamp ever. A turn of events though! My brother has the same grande and he has come over an oddity. Half of his wax stays un melted at the top no matter how long/hot he runs his lamp, very weird.  He contacted LL and is receiving a replacement so we have this oddity to test the magnets on.  I am thinking fishing the coil up to halo around the top of this iceberg chunk of wax, pull it down again and have the magnets hold the floater under the coil to see if maybe a bond within the wax separated.

WE WILL USE THESE MAGNETS IN SOME WAY SHAPE OR FORM PEOPLE!

[Joseph White]

Any updates on how things went/are going?

[VOXul]

I have the troublesome grande heating up now.  As it sits, the grande has reconnected and left coil twice sine ordering magnets. Last run it was connected. My brother is going to be bringing his grande globe over, same kind, and we are going to run the trick on his.  His presents an odd problem. Half of his wax is floating up top solid and WILL NOT melt. He has toweled it and even flipped a century base upside down and used it as a top heat source for an hour or two. We are going to try to fish the floater down, halo the coil around it and force the chunk to be held down by the magnetized coil.  This may be next weekends project. Updates to follow on that attack.