My X246 stormlantern is the only Tilley I own, and I don't have a reference point, but looking at others' lamps in action on here I don't think mine is performing as it should. 2 things stand out, (i) a yellowish rather than a whitish light, and (ii) there seems to be a overlarge plume outside the mantle, which itself seems to be a bit "baggy" to me. Photos are obviously difficult for diagnostic purposes, but is anyone able to suggest where I start? The fuel is fresh, and the mantle is quite new. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Ian.
I find the exact opposite - for me a picture paints a thousand words. It's very clear that your lantern is not running as it should. Assuming it's pressure tight, I'd say the problem is with the vapouriser. These have a claimed working life of 500 hours though this can be shortened by unsympathetic use e.g. dirty or inappropriate fuel. I'd venture to suggest it's at the end of its working life and needs to be replaced - it's probably clogged with carbon and / or has a worn jet. They're not really serviceable but some folk here do faff about with them in an attempt to eke out a few extra hours of burning. Hope that helps...
Many thanks David. Yes pressure is tight, the pip actually works too. I will replace the vapouriser. Is the plume a usual feature?
As well as trying another vapouriser I'd make sure everything in the burner is tightened up as it should be. This aint right. I guess it is making some odd noise too.
The plume is often called a halo and is caused by too much fuel making it through the jet. Some of this ends up burning outside the mantle as you've experienced. There is supposed to be a method of gently tapping the jet with a hammer to close up the hole a little but I've never got it to work!
Shall do Anthony. No particularly unusual noises, that I can identify, although the pressure does seem to faintly pulse. Colin I think I might try replacing the vapouriser as a first step. Ian.
How many is a few ? My R1 heater, which gets a lot of use through the winter months, is fitted with an early type vapouriser with a brass fitting, I've no idea how many hours it had done before I started counting but after 500 hours it wasn't working as well as should but after a mere 10 or 15 minutes of faffing about, I've got close to an extra 300 hours out of it and it was still going strong the last time it was used before being put away for the summer. Well worth the effort. It depends on the shape of the end of vapouriser. If the jet protrudes like a small nipple, you're in with a chance. Don't bother with a hammer, just drop the vapouriser nose downwards onto a vice a two or three times, use a magnifying glass to compare the orifice with that on a good one, if it still looks a too big drop it again, as it gets noticeably smaller check to make sure that the cleaning needle will still poke through, you don't want to overdo it.
Aha! Excellent info Henry! Maybe I can resurrect some of the worn vaporisers I've hoarded over the years.
At least its still an X246. I've only got the one with an extra 'B' to faff with. What about the air inlets and the mixing chamber? You need to check that they're not sooted, blocked or deformed in any way too. I had a steel vaporizer with a tiny leak at the top, near the crimped/folded section. It was causing my lamp to behave like what the picture's showing. Had to braze it since I don't have a spare vaporizer.
Sounds like you have got all the great information to get this beauty going, your in great hands, I can't wait to see the results and what the problem was. Great spotting @Anthony I've never seen that before.
Well after a short hiatus I'm happy to report that by following the excellent tips given above, my Tilley lantern is revived and no longer a sub-standard performer. I replaced the vaporiser and on comparison the hole at the end of the old unit had become enlarged and presumably was allowing far too much fuel to pass through. I guess this would have been the primary cause of the flaring/halo I was seeing. There was also a pressure leak caused by a worn pump clamp washer. That wouldn't have been helping. Thanks to all the contributors and tipsters above.
That looks like a Tilley should. You have a pressure indicator on the tank - the pip in the middle should be flush with the outside of it when running at the correct pressure. A drop of oil in the centre can free it off if it is not moving. Best get another one now to keep it company
Yep Fireexit, the pip is doing its job. And yep, I've already started the search. Watching a few different lanterns on Ebay here is AUS. A bloke needs a project. Perhaps you could answer a question for me, what is the difference between a Stormlantern, and a Guardsman? Just terminology, or are there differences?
@Icky You could write a book about those questions - and someone has! The best place to start is by looking at the x246 variants in the reference gallery, then keep an eagle eye out for the ones you like!
Terminology. There was a time (1950s) when The Tilley Lamp Company Ltd. gave names as well as model numbers to some of their lamps. X246 storm lantern (but NOT X246A) = the GUARDSMAN. R1 radiator = the AMBASSADOR TL106 table lamp = the QUEEN TL136 table lamp = the PRINCESS ML93 bracket lamp = the DUCHESS WL25 wall lamp = the YEOMAN KL80 hangig lamp = the VICTOR IL47 indoor suspension lamp = the WARDEN
