Discontinued Mathmos

Hi,

Mathmos had some years ago a line of lamps with a electric heater and a LED lighnong system, even with a changing color one then they stop and I don't see much of them being sold.

What happened as the idea seems usefull above all in that era of energy restriction being induced by this pile of crap called UE ?

Did some of you experiment this lamp ? What about crafting an equivalent system in old lamps ?

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Permalink Reply by Lava_Head_UK on January 2, 2023 at 7:47am

It was the Smart Astro it has so many issues that it was discontinued pretty quickly.

still see some pop up on eBay but it’s a risky purchase as it might not last very long.

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Permalink Reply by IdOrU 02 on January 5, 2023 at 11:16pm

But the idea was relevant in using an adjustable heater combined to a light source, at least in my mind.

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Permalink Reply by Claude J on January 8, 2023 at 6:20am

I used to make color-change Grandes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxnvdR8D5F4&ab_channel=LavaLabC...

You can use 150-watt reptile heaters to heat the wax in a 250oz globe

IdOrU 02 said:

But the idea was relevant in using an adjustable heater combined to a light source, at least in my mind.

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Permalink Reply by IdOrU 02 on January 13, 2023 at 5:09am

Making the need for a white ish oil in order for the LED changing colors to do its business ?

This kind of heat source requires also a dimmer like theone used on the lunar, did you put the LED (s ?) on the outer boundary of the bottle ?

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Permalink Reply by Claude J on January 13, 2023 at 9:22am

Yes a dimmer was needed for several reasons
1) To control the flow

(BTY 150Watt ceramic is not the same as 150Watt Incandescent)
2) to have a wiring distribution point as the LEDs need full voltage to the power supply

I used a fluorescent blue additive to make the colors "POP"

I used specific-sized RGB color rings sold on eBay