2nd goo kitted grande and still no good flow

[Tim]

So I got my first goo kit for Christmas! But I can not get it to cycle or flow correctly I used 55-60ml of surf and distilled water. I called MT and they sent me new goo and surf but still the same flow the second time around. Lamp has be on for 10 hours at 100% power on a new heritage grande base and the bulb is good. Does anyone have any suggestions of what might going on?

[Loren]

I tried with 5 different goo kits to try and kit a grande...even after 24 hours, they never flowed.

I never figured out why...I finally just gave up.

[Carol]

I know the problem with my 52's when I kit them and they don't flow is lack of heat.  I have to up the bulb from the stock bulb of 40 watt that come with the lamp to a 60 watt, then have to install a dimmer.  I run at 3/4 of the way until I get flow then I can back it down a tad, but I have to keep my dimmer on almost 3/4 of the way on a 60 watt to get decent flow.  I'm not familiar with the bulbs on a grande and I don't know if there is any way that you can go with a higher wattage and use a dimmer like you can with a 52 oz, but if there is any way that can be done, then maybe you can try that.  What size bulb does a normal grande take? 

[Brad]

tim - if there is a significant amount of space between the bulb and the bottom of the globe, it won't get hot enough to flow.  even 1" of space between them is enough to cause problems.  to correct this issue, you can purchase a bulb extender at the hardware store to get the bulb closer to the globe.  i had to do this to my heritage grande to get the wax to flow properly, so i suspect this may be the issue in your case.

[Tim]

Brad, I did try a bulb extender but still no luck but thanks for the info.

[Tim]

Carol, a grande takes a 100 watt r20 spot bulb. Thanks also Loren... but I have seen pics and videos of kitted grandes flowing I don't understand why we can't get them to flow. This really sucks I wanted a goo kit for along time but when I finally got one it turned out to be disappointing! Seems like a waste of $50 to me.

[Loren]

Believe me, I understand your frustration! I see them all the time also, even saw them back then, and I'm just like...

WHY CAN I NOT HAS?? I tried everything, even the bulb extender, even a blacklight bulb...I moved the grande from room to room, closed all the vents, wrapped a towel around it...nothing. No flow.

[Tim]

I might try some caning salt to change the density of the water. I didn't want to do this but what the hell at this point it doesn't really matter. I have had luck with caning salt before so it can't hurt to try. I know that Jus used epsom salt and had luck with getting her grande kit to flow really good but I think caning salt may be cleaner.

Loren said:

Believe me, I understand your frustration! I see them all the time also, even saw them back then, and I'm just like...

WHY CAN I NOT HAS?? I tried everything, even the bulb extender, even a blacklight bulb...I moved the grande from room to room, closed all the vents, wrapped a towel around it...nothing. No flow.

[Brad]

Increasing the density of the liquid with salt sounds like a good idea then. Good luck!

[Tim]

Thanks, I'll keep yall posted!

Brad said:

Increasing the density of the liquid with salt sounds like a good idea then. Good luck!

[Brad]

obviously something changed with the MT wax formula as of late.  the goo kits i had would overheat with 40w in a 52oz globe or 100w in a 250oz globe.  now it seems that their wax needs more heat to flow properly.  by changing the density of the liquid, one can fix this, but that is not how their kits are advertised to work.  it's supposed to be add DI water, wax, and heat, and enjoy.

[Tim]

That's not good then for MT sounds like they will be getting complaints. I will say this there customer service is really good! But LL customer service is good too thanks to Susan! Any way I don't understand why would change their formula they had a good thing going but know there seems to be problems. I just kitted a 32z and there was NO flow at all till I added salt and know it flows awesome on a 25 watt reflector bulb that came with my clear view.  When I start adding salt to my grande I will try to measure as I go so I have an idea of how much salt to use in the future if I want to kit another grande.

Brad said:

obviously something changed with the MT wax formula as of late.  the goo kits i had would overheat with 40w in a 52oz globe or 100w in a 250oz globe.  now it seems that their wax needs more heat to flow properly.  by changing the density of the liquid, one can fix this, but that is not how their kits are advertised to work.  it's supposed to be add DI water, wax, and heat, and enjoy.

[NoneofyourBusiness Nosey]

Dont use too much salt or it will separate from the coil. I had the same problem with my 52 oz century and almost gave up. What worked for me was using a different base (had to be temp issue). I realize this really isnt an option for you but i strongly suspect it is a heat issue. If I were you I would start with a cold globe, let it cool over night and try a higher watt bulb on a dimmer. Set the dimmer so that the lamp is about 25% hotter and leave it for as long as reccomended, i think its 10 hrs. If that doesnt work shut it off cool it down totally and try the next day a little hotter. The wax should start to dome or mushroom higher and higher until a blob floats up- or in my case a chunk which stuck at the top and slowly melted back down. If its too hot it will usually look slightly rounded but not mushroomed/domed. Too cold and its flat. * I've kitted two lamps, first one took days- i had your problem and learned a bit. My wax was clear it was so hot! The second kit literally was up and running in just over an hour.