Grande experiment success

[kero48]

So for shits n giggles I cleaned one of my new horribly cloudy grande bottles and left the original red wax in. I simply flushed and drained/emptied the bottle about 4 times to remove all traces of original fluid and residue. I made sure when pouring out the water to do it gently so when the lava tipped over it didn't make much residue marks on the glass. When putting right side up, I did it gently so the lava slipped back into position slowly.

Let set overnight with a paper towel plug to help absorb left over water/water vapor.

Filled the bottle with distilled water to a height that left a 1/2" gap underneath where the decorative cap sits.

I used surf that was left over from one of my goo kits.

I added about 37 to 38 mls of surf. Why cause I had to start somewhere and wanted to be near but less than the normal 45 ml or so when doing a grande goo kit.

- 2 cooking measuring tablespoons (15ml x 2) = 30 ml

- 1/2 cooking measuring tablespoon = 7 to 8 ml

I couldn't believe it, after about 4 hours, the lamp works beautifully and flows fantastically. My wife could not believe how nice it worked. The fluid is crystal clear and the lava shows no signs of any of that powdery stuff that seamed to always lay on top when it was used with the original fluid.

At first the lava seamed to always have a hardish crusty exterior with a melted interior but once fully warm that went away 100%.

Now, I have to cap this puppy and have a thought about how to do this without cement.

Use the original rubber plug, use the original metal cap, and use metal bendable strapping to create a plus sign on top the metal cap, bend the strapping down to the neck keeping the contour shape, use a hose clamp to keep the strapping tight to the glass and under the neckline, then bend the strapping back up over the clamp to create a hook like shape. I don't see why this wouldn't work. Kinda of line an improvised champagne cork holder.

Thoughts?

I will try to add a video to this post tomorrow even if I don't have it permanently cap in place yet.

I still can't believe I have a clear and correctly working grande :)

Photo of the lamp off after running for about 6 hours

[Claude J]

just use the epoxy

its only $10.00 and Amazon get it to you fast

https://www.amazon.com/Bob-Smith-Industries-BSI-201-Quik-Cure/dp/B0...

[kero48]

 Claude thank you for the epoxy information however what about my strap idea sounds wrong for some reason I don't like the idea of permanently bonding the cap on what about if I want to redo or remove the cap again won't the epoxy make that almost impossible

[Claude J]

Yes, The strap idea sounds VERY wrong,

It will not hold the pressure and vapor will escape.

You can use a hair dryer or heat gun to loosen the adhesive if you ever need to open it again

[kero48]

 Claude okay what about the flexible pipe cap cover I am not totally Worried About Vapor loss I just don't want to exploding top of my hands it's that simple I don't mind adding some water here and there I will also check Ace Hardware to see if they have that epoxy

[kero48]

 also I don't understand as long as there is a method to keep the  rubber plug securely in place how would vapor escape whether it's straps cement or a pipe cap the key is to keep the  rubber plug securely in place.  how much pressure are we talkin about

[Claude J]

Results of a reptile heater too close to the bottom of globe

This has  happened with standard bulbs when lamp was located too close to a room's heat source

NOTE: You need to cap it COLD

Cap it hot and the rubber plug will get sucked into the globe when it cools

Also,  some members here have experienced this with their colossus's in the past

Check the threads

CAP THE LAMP PROPERLY AND QUIT TRYING TO JURY RIG IT

kero48 said:

 also I don't understand as long as there is a method to keep the  rubber plug securely in place how would vapor escape whether it's straps cement or a pipe cap the key is to keep the  rubber plug securely in place.  how much pressure are we talkin about

[kero48]

 Claude I am at Lowe's right now they have Loctite 3000 psi Marine epoxy 5-minute they have J-B Weld clearweld 4400 PSI 5-minute epoxy they also have 5-minute epoxy 1500 PSI will any of those work

 they also have Gorilla Glue 3300psi epoxy 5 minute

[kero48]

 Claude I picked up The 4400 PSI version and I picked up a 3300 PSI version I left you a voicemail on at home please call me when you get a moment

[kero48]

Video here.

http://oozinggoo.ning.com/video/lava-lamp-grande-cloudy-fluid-redone

Lamp has been ran twice and flows great, will recap via 2 part epoxy (thanks claude) tomorrow. Still makes me nervous lol

[Keith]

I wish I had a surefire method for resealing a grande for you.  Mine is sealed but I don't like the bulky clamp (it doesn't let the cap fit right).  Claude has been quite successful with his method.

Did you use any PG at all?  You don't mention using any.

It looks really good!!

[Claude J]

Use whichever glue you have bought with the LONGEST working time to set

It not so much the PSI but the materials it bonds (Glass metal) as well as working time.

Unless you have done this a few times with a hobby hammer, it might set before you have the cap clamped down all the way.

its going to take at least  full minute just to apply the glue to the cap

Clamping it with a screwdriver might take more than 5 minutes?

use a small hammer and tape the neck to cushion it if you're worried you will miss the cap edge when tapping it down

The epoxy I showed you has a 10 minute working time

[Claude J]

P.S.

DO NOT push the rubber stopper down too far

DO NOT cap it when its still hot

Claude J said:

Use whichever glue you have bought with the LONGEST working time to set

It not so much the PSI but the materials it bonds (Glass metal) as well as working time.

Unless you have done this a few times with a hobby hammer, it might set before you have the cap clamped down all the way.

its going to take at least  full minute just to apply the glue to the cap

Clamping it with a screwdriver might take more than 5 minutes?

use a small hammer and tape the neck to cushion it if you're worried you will miss the cap edge when tapping it down

The epoxy I showed you has a 10 minute working time