Heritage Grande coil

[Cowmatian]

Hey every one, as I think I have mentioned before, I bought 2 heritage grandes and they wouldn't flow after the second or third run. I contacted Lava Lite, and they sent two more lamps (very nice of them), but these also had flow issues.  Anyway, I am almost 100% sure adding a second coil would get these going. Anybody know of a good source of coils, I know there have been discussions about replacement coils before, but I though maybe there is a better source available now. I tried the plated steel springs from Lowes, and they began rusting in my aristocrat.  I was thinking maybe 5 below lamps? What do you guys think?

[Carol]

I don't know too much about coils as I've always used the old coil from another lamp when I've done my goo-kits, but I've read on here from other members that you have to buy the stainless steel.  It shouldn't rust if it's stainless.  Even in my salt water changes, the salt never bothered my coil. 

[Brad]

hey cowmatian - it's been a while!  dr. what had a good idea - use stainless steel jewelry wire and wrap it around a pencil to get the approximate diameter needed.  http://oozinggoo.ning.com/forum/topics/spring-coil-source

otherwise, during my time on this forum, i don't recall seeing a reliable source for stainless steel springs that are the correct size and length.  good luck

[Cowmatian]

Yeah it has. Things have been crazy. Its good to be back to lava though!

[064idi3z31saf]

My Heritage Grandes both have only one coil and rock.  However I've had two grandes that crapped out on me after a few days of running them and I have no idea why. Both had the double coils in them.  I tried everything in the book to revive them.  Sad because when they ran they were awesome. That being said. I don't think it matters if there is one or two coils.  I've goo kitted 3 grandes in the last couple of months only using one coil and they run better than the 2 coil. If your lamps are dead...there is really no way to revive.  Mine were flowing steady one day and the next they were not flowing at all.  Just a hovering ball of wax that stayed grounded.  I thought it was over heating so I put them on a dimmer and no luck.  They just sat there doing nothing. I tried everything in the oozing goo book and nothing would bring them back from the dead.  I'm glad I was able to return them. 

[Cowmatian]

I got the stainless steel wire. And I'll try it tomorrow hopefully. If this doesn't work, I'm thinking I'll do a goo kit.

[Carol]

That's definitely on my bucket list!!!  To kit a grande!!!  The flow must be awesome in a grande!!!!

[Rick Gillespie]

I'm having trouble with a U.S. made 32oz coil only sticking to the Goo on one side. I was going to buy a good it from MT and saw that they include a screen and only mention that if you make a custom Lamp to make sure to use a Pyrex Vase. What is the screen for? Do they use screen instead of a coil? 

[Keith]

The screen is meant to take the place of the coil but they don't work very well.  Use a coil instead.

Rick Gillespie said:

I'm having trouble with a U.S. made 32oz coil only sticking to the Goo on one side. I was going to buy a good it from MT and saw that they include a screen and only mention that if you make a custom Lamp to make sure to use a Pyrex Vase. What is the screen for? Do they use screen instead of a coil? 

[Carol]

That screen they give you is stupid.  You're supposed to bend it, fold it and manipulate it similar to a coil.  Yea right!!  I know some on here that have used the screen and they had good results.  If you wanted to "try" it , you could, but if it doesn't create the flow you like, you will have to melt down your goo, dump it, and kind of start all over again.  Not that bad a problem....I've done a regoo, and regoo'd the regoo!!!  Haaaa......I had a couple beat globes that I kept getting weird streaks down the sides at random places in the globe.  It definitely wasn't wax.  It was like a condensation type of thing.  So I took them down to acetone wash the globe. In all of the kits I've done, I've used the same coil out of my LL lamp, but I leave it in the globe when I do my "wash".  I even leave it in there when I do my acetone wash.  You can use brakeleen also.  I've never use brakeleen per se, I've used the acetone and I still had one trouble globe that kept giving me a brownish hue.  I changed my fluid a few times and did a few runs and that dissipated.  That was that globe I got beat on that I ordered through ebay. 

 

As far as only using pyrex, I think that's more of a warning for some folks who would decide to make a lava lamp out of something that isn't heat resistant, it cracks or explodes and is a liability to Magma Towers.  I run all my 52 oz'ers on 60 watt frosted bulbs at full wattage for a few hours.  The globes get super hot, but then I dim them down about 1/4.  After they cool in another hour or so, then I usually take them down to 1/2 way on my dimmers.  I've never had any problems and even fall asleep to my kits next to my bedside.  I wouldn't do that if I didn't feel safe or felt that there might be a problem with my globes exploding!!!  um that sounded weird......

[Rick Gillespie]

Duck and Cover! Carol's globes are gonna blow! :-) 

[Rick Gillespie]

Hmmm. Thanks for all the info. 

[Rick Gillespie]

Did you try the jewelry wire yet Cowmatian?