Tilley X246B - fire up

Afternoon all,

Hope you and yours are well.

I am in need of some help re my Tilley Lamp. Unboxed her for the first time in a long time, as far as I'm aware, was used ones or twice. Can't be certain. 4 were purchased and this one was rarely taken out. I've stripped down components and removed corrosion and looks stunning.

My genuine mantles just arrived and I have my paraffin and some meths for the torch clip.

Just want to check a few things before firing up. I have all original packaging and paperwork, so will follow the instructions. Just wanted to double check.

1-control knob turned off - just to confirm, is this turned all the way clockwise until it clicks? Then I guess left loosey is on?
2- they recommend half filled tank, I was going to do 3/4.
3- release pressure by removing pump and re tighten.
4- fit mantle - already done
5- soak torch clip in meths - how long for?
6- clip it to the vaporiser below the globe and light
7- allow 2 mins to burn down, as it does so turn control knob on - is this left all the way or right? Then two or three gentle strokes of the pump - would these be full compressions or just half pumps, push the pump all the way back down after?
8- mantle will light with a small pop - I hope!
9- after a few minutes pump firmly until mantle is fully illuminated, I guess a bright white glow?
I will make sure not to overpump, evident with flame outside the mantle and on this model an expanded bottom tank, how many pumps should I do? I guess until it's glowing bright.
10- remove torch.

Pretty straight forward, even for a welder. Just wanted to double check as I don't want to knacker it. Main questions, how many pumps after the first 2 or 3 small ones and how long to wait after the first few pumps before fully pumping?

Also, main question was which was is off on the control knob. I guess to turn off, you turn knob off and just let the flame die out from the maintle?

Do these benefit from being left on rather than keep turning on and off and how long to leave between use to cool down etc. I guess release pressure each time from the tank after use, should I leave before doing so?

Lastly! How long does a Mantle last? I have 5 genuine ones.

Thanks all, lots of questions! Appreciate your help in advance. Never used one before, they look and sound amazing! Such engineering!

Here's some photos

 

Hi @NightShadow1991 - welcome to the board.

The cock does two things when switched "off" - it allows a spring actuated rubber pad to stop the flow of fuel and also pushes a needle up the vapouriser to clear any obstructions in the the very top (where a small hole operates as an atomiser). The whole thing needs pre-heating to work hence the clip on meths heater. You can dip this in jar of meths. It does not take long to soak up the meths.
More fuel = less airspace to compress. For testing a pint will do the job.
Oil the pump leather before use to make sure it actually pressurises. machine oil will do - I use neatsfooot oil.
As this has been in storage for a long time you may find you need to replace the seals. I would buy a seal kit.
If it is not hot enough you will be treated to orange flames. If this happens release the pressure and do the meths again. I use about 60 pumps but again dependent on how good the leather is and how much fuel is in the tank.
Mantles will last a long time but they are delicate and will break if you touch them after burning.
Do release the pressure when you are done. The valve does often not always shut off and you will be treated to a puddle of paraffin. They cool off quite quickly especially in this weather. Turn valve right to shut off.
Do take pics for the gallery !
Chris

 

Hi welcome You seem to have plenty of information there . I would in the main replace all seal then do a dunk test ( dip in water under pressure )
Then if all ok pre- heat twice .with approx 6=10 strokes of pump , open knob and if no flare up, give some more strokes and away it should go ,
have a nice fettle Michael

 

The function of the small hole i.e. the jet, is to restrict the flow of already vapourised fuel thus causing it to speed up. This then causes an area of low pressure just beyond the jet and as a result of this, air is drawn in. The resulting fuel and air flows up into the burner chamber where it is mixed properly before burning at the exit ports in the burner plate.

The only place you'll find an atomiser on a Tilley is the blowlamp pre-heater on the X359...

 

and here comes the Science bit.... thanks @David Shouksmith

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Thanks for the helpful info, leather looks good, very soft and not worn.

I did order a seal kit hasn't arrived yet. Maybe I should wait. Though it's too tempting !

 

Thanks!

 

Thanks for the info. Maybe I should hang fire for seal kit to arrive. Would it damage the lamp bid I tried igniting and they were worn or in need of replacing? Thanks

 

@NightShadow1991

Hi and welcome to the forum! Probably worth waiting until you have new seals, at the least you might destroy a mantle!

 

Test one...fail!!

Question, are you supposed tonsoak the new mantles in anything before hand? As the torch seemed to set the mantle alight during warmup and it's disintegrated

 

You don’t need to soak a mantle in anything prior to lighting. The mantle will flare up initially when the torch is lit but it shouldn’t disintegrate unless it has been damaged, faulty or if you accidentally catch it with the torch.
Once the mantle has been lit it becomes fragile and can be easily damaged.

 

A new mantle out of the packet is like a soft fabric white and very pliable. When you fit the mantle and try to light your lamp you have to first burn in the new mantle, this will set fire and smoke rather like paper burning. this is normal, when the fire has gone out it will look destroyed, black and shriveled like burnt paper. quite normal.

do this before you apply your pre heat torch to light the lamp. When the lamp lights (as normal) the burned shriveled mantle will inflate and form a nice rounded shape like an onion. Your mantle will now be fragile and disintegrate if touched. This is normal and the next time you light your lamp all will hopefully run just fine.

If you mantle develops a hole it can break your glass. so replace it with new and burn in your new mantle before lighting

 

Thanks for the helpful info, it was probably fine then, but I touched it and it disintegrated. My fault. I thought seeing it burn meant it was ruined! Ha. So you mean fit the torch to the vaporiser for a couple of minutes. Let it go out. Then re light and feed paraffin through? Do you mean I need to burn the mantle first? Or can I just fit a new one and start the process againm ? I did do quite a few pumps with the knob switched on, so maybe it is a seal issue as I was pumping but there was no light in the mantle, no flame.

 

I'm going to replace the seals and then retry. No luck tonight. Followed it to the book, all I got was loads of flame, despite not overpumping, then on the second go as the vaporiser was nice and warm, plenty of pumps and nothing, torch went out. I did get a bit of paraffin spull from the turn knob area, so most likely it's the vaporiser that needs attention. Does anyone know anywhere cheaper to get genuine mantles, as I spent £11.99 on 5! I found Tilley International and they are around £1 something each, but will order over the phone tomorrow if possible.

Thanks all. I have had better luck with the old Eltex greenhouse heater, pressurised lamps are clearly a fine art.

 

She burns, but doesn't light

 

If you look on you tube one of our members under the user name broadlander has put on some very good vids on servicing and lighting of tilley lamps, well worth a look, I hope this helps.
Regards Ian.

 

So that would suggest to me that you are not getting fuel up the vaporiser.
Let it cool down, take the hood off, take care not to damage the mantle.
Give the pump a dozen pumps, if the pump is working ok, you should hear a nice Phrrrrp...
Open the control cock and see if you get a fine spray of paraffin shoot out, it can take a few seconds so don’t look at it thinking nothing is happening as you’ll get an eye full of paraffin...
If paraffin shoots out try re-lighting if not then release the pump, you should hear air escape, if you do the pump is working if not then it’s not. If it’s not you’ll have to investigate the leather cup washer and non return valve at the bottom.
Replace pump and remove vaporiser, pump just 2 or 3 times, open control cock, paraffin should flood out of it, if it doesn’t then your control cock or fuel feed pipe is blocked, if I’d does then the vaporiser could be blocked. There is a cleaning needle inside, you’ll see it sticking out at the bottom, press the vaporiser onto a hard surface, you’ll feel the resistance of the spring when fully pushed in feel the other end of the vaporiser you should feel the tip of the cleaning needle, if you can it would suggest the opening is clear....
Sorry for the long post, hope it makes sense..
Keep us updated with progress.

 

Thanks for the info, I checked all those details and it seemed to have worked. I also used the method used by broadlander. Different to the instructions, but worked an absolute treat, she's simmering wonderfully. It's a thing of beauty! Never seen one working before. I actually think it was never used, as the torch was pure white. I also stripped down the pump and everything looked almost new, apart from the leather cup/shoe, must have been sat in paraffin, but pumps fine and no squeak. I will still replace washers and springs when the kit arrives. Chuffed to bits. Amazing to think it hasn't been lit most likely for a good few decades. How old are these lamps? Think it's a mark 1 as it has the middle wire on the guard. 1970s?

 

The numbers underneath the tank that will give you the date.
Burning well...

 

Ah of course. 174 is the only number. Got the original paperwork. I'll have to research the date by the issue.

One thing is the light although glowing bright white, does flicker a bit, I think it's where the mantle edge has got caught at the top of the burner groove a bit. Doesn't quite have a nice rounded onion shape. No holes in it though, so I guess it's fine to still use.

 

Thanks for the heads up, very thorough video! Did the exact same process and worked a treat

 

Jan 1974

 

I can tell you... these lanterns are addictive! You start with one, that becomes two and so it goes on! Fantastic fun though.

Of course, then you have other makes like Bialaddin, Vapalux, Coleman, Petromax, Veritas, Anchor.... and each of them have loads of different models!

 

Most if not all pressure lamps flicker (or pulse) but like flourescent strip lights, the frequency is so high, the human eye can't detect it. A bit more pressure may calm your lantern down.

Mantle packets used to bear the legend 'good pressure is necessary for a well shaped mantle'. Very true !

The optimum fuel capacity is 1.5 Imperial pints (about 3/8" below the filler). Instructions say to give a maximum total of 100 pumps. Surprisingly, there's still a chance your mantle may sort itself out but there's no need to worry if it doesn't. Perfect symmetry, though pleasing to the eye, is not necessary.

eBay has plenty of sellers offering Tilley Mantles many of which will NOT fit a Tilley lamp / lantern. Buyer beware !

These work well
TILLEY LAMP MANTLES PRESSURE LAMP MANTLES VAPALUX LAMP SPARE PARTS SERVICE KIT
Don't be put off by the fact that you have to tie them top & bottom yourself. It's really not too difficult.

 

I use the same mantles - super bright !

 

Let's hope his mantles are better than his grasp of the English language...

 

Brilliant, thanks, I will get some from there. Much cheaper too. I applied more pumps, around 80 this time, not 50, and the flow sounded consistent and the light, brighter and the mantle more rounded in shape. I didn't want to go above 80, even though broadlander video said some instructions said 100 for these models - so long as all parts are functioning as should.

Thanks all.

 

With a full tank, I don't exceed around 75 pump-strokes. Essentially, though, once it's stopped getting any brighter there's little point in pumping it up any further...

 

There's nothing wrong with that but for the first lighting of a new mantle, provided the folds created at the drawstring are uniform, pumping to the max will guarantee a well formed mantle.