Bubbling Water Tower

Check to see that the bulb is as close to the base of the bubble tube, touching, if possible.  You could also use some heat sink compound between the tube and the bulb to help transfer the heat.

@Danr posted:

Check to see that the bulb is as close to the base of the bubble tube, touching, if possible.  You could also use some heat sink compound between the tube and the bulb to help transfer the heat.

Okay, thank you.  The bulb appears to be touching the tube.

Sometimes you have to remove the tube and shake it.  The "boiling crystals" sometimes lock up at the bottom of the tube and the heat from the bulb can't then penetrate enough to get the bubbles flowing.

@lionelflyer posted:

Sometimes you have to remove the tube and shake it.  The "boiling crystals" sometimes lock up at the bottom of the tube and the heat from the bulb can't then penetrate enough to get the bubbles flowing.

Okay.  In order to do that, do I just unscrew the light bulb and then the tube will slide out?

The tube is usually well glued in. I solved the problem with mine by using a lower voltage bulb. If you have an adjustable voltage supply, you could try ramping up the voltage.

@John H posted:

The tube is usually well glued in. I solved the problem with mine by using a lower voltage bulb. If you have an adjustable voltage supply, you could try ramping up the voltage.

Okay.  The bulb is getting hot, because I touched it last night to see if it was getting hot.  Just not getting any bubbles. 

As John H said, it is near impossible to get the bubble tube out without damaging something.  Turn the entire water tower upside down.  You should see the little crystals that lionelflyer mentioned floating around.  Gently shake the entire tower while upside down then try it out again.

It is unlikely that it is the bubble tube, but you never know.  The part is HH-5200247 but I do not see that anyone has it.  You may have to live with no bubbles for now.

I still say it's not hot enough. Take a fire starter and just warm the bottom of the tube with the light on. It won't need much. The crystals make it require more heat. Hot to your finger may not be very hot to the tube. The butane flame will at least show you that it can work.

So I took out the tube; it happens to just slip right out. The crystals appear to be all compacted in the bottom. Is this how it should be? I shook the tube quite a bit. The liquid moved around, but not the crystals. Picture attached.

Update: I let it sit for about 45 minutes and it started to bubble. I’m going to let it run for a little while, so hopefully it won’t take as long next time. If anyone is looking for a bubble tube for one reason or another, the MTH parts and sales place has them in stock. Thanks for all of your suggestions!

I was going to say I sometimes have the same issue with a Halloween decoration that has a bubble tube. Sometime it takes quite a while to start bubbling, other times not so long.  I can't say that I noticed any pattern to how long it takes.

It used to always take maybe 2-3 minutes. Then all of a sudden it took much longer and then stopped all together. Who knows.

I have the same tower, sometimes it works after a few minutes other times after a bit I give it a good smack on top and it fires right up, go figure!

Jerry

These are similar to the Christmas Bubble lights.  When mine don't bubble, I flick the tube with my finger repeatedly  and most times it dislodges the waxy accumulation at the bottom and starts bubbling.  Do this after it's been on a while and hot.

Its my favorite accessory.   Can't have too many of them..

Back in the day I would buy all the Marx, af and colber towers that were at a good price.  If they bubbled quick and good, then it stayed and some other poor performer got sold.