Recently, we came across an original Soviet operating manual for the Raduga (Rainbow) lava lamp, dating from 1990. This colorful document captures a little piece of late-Soviet design history: the factory's technical specifications, original operating instructions, and even the manufacturer's address.
We have translated the manual from Russian into English so collectors and vintage-lighting enthusiasts can read it.
Original Russian manual: Download the original 1990 Soviet Raduga manual (PDF) — two scanned pages in Russian.
Raduga Decorative Lamp — English Translation of the Original Manual
1. General Information
1.1. The Raduga souvenir lamp is intended for decorative use, creating a colorful lighting effect in residential and public spaces.
1.2. Reliable operation and long service life are possible only when the operating conditions specified in this manual are strictly observed.
2. Operating Conditions
- Ambient temperature: 289–298 K (+16 to +25°C).
- Relative humidity: up to 98% at 298 K (+25°C).
- Atmospheric pressure: 84–106 kPa (630–800 mmHg).
3. Technical Specifications
- Maximum incandescent bulb power: 40 W
- Number of bulbs: 1
- Bulb base: E27
- Rated voltage: 220 V or 127 V
- Dimensions: 190 × 190 × 490 mm
- Weight: no more than 2.8 kg
4. Package Contents
- Raduga lamp — 1
- Operating instructions — 1
- Packaging — 1
5. Safety Requirements
5.1. Do not subject the lamp to shocks or vibration.
5.2. Protect the lamp from tipping over.
5.3. Do not replace the working liquid.
5.4. Before replacing the bulb or moving the lamp, disconnect it from the electrical supply.
5.5. Do not use an incandescent bulb rated higher than 40 W.
5.6. Follow the operating conditions specified in Sections 2 and 7.
6. Lamp Construction
The Raduga consists of a base (1), a vessel containing the working liquid (2), a top cap (3), an electrical cord with the bulb socket (4), three connecting rods (5), and fastening nuts (6). The top cap and base are joined by the three rods and secured with nuts.
7. Preparation and Operation
7.1. Unpack the lamp and check that it is complete and undamaged.
7.2. If the lamp has been brought into a warm room from the cold, wipe it down and allow any condensation to dry completely before use.
7.3. If the electrical network supplies 127 V at 50 Hz, fit a 127 V, 40 W incandescent bulb.
7.4. To replace the bulb, disconnect the lamp from the power supply, unscrew the nuts on the rods, remove the cap and liquid-filled vessel, and replace the bulb.
7.5. After replacing the bulb, tighten the nuts evenly to avoid tilting the vessel.
7.6. Continuous operation should not exceed eight hours. Then disconnect the lamp from the electrical supply for at least four hours.
7.7. The lamp reaches its normal operating condition about 40–60 minutes after switching on.
7.8. During operation, the lamp heats up to 50–70°C (122–158°F).
7.9. Slight cloudiness of the working liquid during use does not affect the lamp's performance.
8. Storage and Transportation
8.1. Store the lamp in its transport packaging in an enclosed room at temperatures from +5 to +40°C and relative humidity not exceeding 80%, away from acidic and other aggressive airborne impurities.
8.2. The lamp may be transported in its original packaging by any means of transport over any distance at temperatures from +5 to +40°C.
8.3. Keep the lamp upright and secured during transportation and protect it from cooling.
9. Certificate of Acceptance
The Raduga lamp conforms to technical specification 2.940.002 TU and has been accepted as suitable for operation. The original document contains spaces for factory inspection and sales records.
10. Manufacturer's Warranty
10.1. The manufacturer guarantees normal operation for 12 months from the date of sale, provided the user observes the instructions for operation.
10.2. Warranty claims are not accepted if the operating instructions have not been followed.
10.3. Reviews and suggestions were to be sent to the following historical address: Komplekt Plant, 71 Marshal Biryuzov Street, Poltava, 314019, Ukrainian SSR, USSR — Quality Control Department (OTK).
Where Was the Raduga Lamp Made?
The Soviet Raduga lamp was manufactured at the Komplekt plant in Poltava, Ukraine, then part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. The factory and its address are identified in the original operating manual.
The factory building shown below is abandoned today. It offers a striking reminder of the industrial world in which these decorative lamps were once manufactured.
We Also Found an Earlier Raduga Manual from 1985
After publishing this 1990 instruction manual, we discovered another original Raduga booklet dating from 1985. The earlier version contains less technical information but more illustrations, including a dimensioned drawing of a special wrench used to loosen the lamp’s connecting rod nuts. It also lists a Poltava post-office box instead of naming the manufacturer.
Read our English translation of the 1985 Raduga manual and see the original drawings.
How We Restore and Modernize Soviet Raduga Lamps
At Old New Lamp, we give these distinctive vintage lamps a new life. We believe that wax that has aged for decades may no longer deliver the flowing effect expected from a lava lamp, so we replace the original wax with our own prepared formulation.
We also repaint the housing in most restorations, refreshing its appearance while preserving the distinctive Soviet-era design. Our modified lamps typically use 60 W or 75 W incandescent bulbs because our replacement wax formulation works at these heating levels. Specifications for our restored lamps therefore differ from those in the historical factory manual.
We are proud to help preserve the unusual character of Soviet lighting design. Explore our restored lamps in the Old New Lamp lava lamp collection.