Mathmos lava lamp instructions
Position
Choose a position for your lamp on a level surface in a room with a temperature between 20 and 24°C or (69 to 75°F).
Place the lamp well away from;
- children under 14 years to prevent breakage
- sunlight to prevent fading
- drafts to prevent slow operation
- cold places to prevent freezing
- hot places to prevent overheating
- animals to prevent breakage
- do not place on carpets or block the ventilation spaces beneath the lamp.
Set-Up & Warm-Up
IMPORTANT! - FITTING MATHMOS HALOGEN BULBS
- Handle the bulb with great care; halogen bulbs are extremely delicate.
- Allow the bulb to warm to room temperature.
- Made sure your lava lamp is in the correct position.
- Use a tissue to hold the bulb; deposits on our fingers can damage the bulb.
GU10 bulbs: Carefully push the two prongs of the bulb down into the socket and turn it a quarter-turn clockwise until it stops rotating.
SES bulbs: Carefully screw the bulb in and rotate clockwise for three turns or until it meets resistance.
- Place the bottle on the base delicately.
- Turn the lamp on using the inline switch.
Important
- Never touch the bulb or the lamp when it is on.
- Allow the light to cool for one hour before touching the bulb or lamp.
- Do not run your lava lamp for more than 6 hours at any one time.
- Always leave the bottle sitting on the base when you turn it on.
Put the bottle on the base with the screw cap at the top. If it is not sitting straight please rotate a little. Then plug it in and turn it on. NB. It is normal for the glass to have small air bubbles and moulding scars.
Warm-up takes between 1 and 3 hours depending on the size of the model and the surrounding temperature. Stalagmite shapes may form during the warm-up process, these will then melt and the lava will begin to flow.
Operation
Your Mathmos lava lamp will operate best after it has been used four or five times. For the first few times, you may see small air bubbles in the lava. Please do not leave your lava lamp on for more than six hours a day; this will prolong the life of your lamp.
Overheating will shorten the light of the life of the lamp. Overheating is occurring if there is either one large bubble or many smaller ones. Never move or shake the lamp when it is in use or still warm as this causes irreparable clouding. It is normal for the base to become very hot.
Replacements
When your lava lamp has ended its life it will begin to go cloudy, the colours may fade and it will not move as well as it once did. This will happen after approximately 2000 hours of operation. You can then buy a new bottle at www.mathmos.com in the current colours available. Please note we do not refill bottles and please on no account open the bottle or add liquids.
If the bulb blows please replace it with one of the same type and wattage. Only fit the correct bulb, as stated on the label in the base. Again bulbs can be bought at www.mathmos.com as can many replacement parts.
Safety
This lamp has passed the relevant safety standards and carries the statutory guarantee of the country of purchase. The liquid in the lamps are not dangerous and can be disposed of normally. Never use a lamp if the bottle has been dropped as this will create weakness in the glass, obtain a replacement bottle and dispose of the old one. Do not leave the lamp unattended with small children. If the liquid is swallowed by mistake drink plenty of water. If it is spilt onto the skin or had contact with the eyes pour on cold water. If any symptoms appear please visit a doctor.
Please retain these instructions should be retained for future use. If you have further questions about your lava lamp please visit http://www.mathmos.com/lava_lamp_FAQ.html
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Bottles are now supplied with a lip which runs around the lower part of the bottle, to ensure it will sit straight in the base. When the bottle is placed on the base, it should sit securely, although it will still be possible to move the bottle from side to side and a shadow gap may be visible.
There are minute variations in bottle and base size over time so it may be that occasionally for some much older products a new bottle does not fit in the base. If your bottle isn't sitting in the base, please contact our customer service team.
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Check your bulb is working
Check you have positioned the lamp away from drafts, air conditioning or a window. Try the lamp in a new position in the room.
Make sure the room is at least 20 degrees centigrade.
The lamp will take longer to warm up the first few times; run the lamp for 4-6 hours each time.
If you have an older base check the correct light source is fitted: see bulb section for the possible bulbs here.
Check there is a coil at the bottom of the bottle.