Bought my first pressure lamp

Yes I did replace that piece of rubber, I do notice it sits below flush on the brass cup that holds it, perhaps that's what's causing it to leak?

edit: Doh, I realize I got the pip and cup mounted backwards....

 

Ok looks like you may have solved it but the seal should sit at least flush or slightly proud ?

 

Aha! That'll probablybe why! Easy to fix as well!

 

You can test it outside of the lamp. Should make a noise only when you compress it. Make sure the spring is the right way up and is not "kaput". Below flush in the cup is not an issue, not sitting flat in it can be.
Occasionally the pump tube can split, but it is 99% of the time the valve. If you are convinced the valve is OK then remove it hold your finger over the end and pump it underwater to see if any bubbles appear where they should not.

EDIT - xd in post !

 

Yeah I just tested it again and it worked a lot better now, worked real well infact.

 

Excellent ! - now you have pressure is the pressure indicator working ?

 

Looks like it's working really well! Oh, I love your BBQ cooking/preparation area - very neat!

 

Congratulations

 

Looks to be working great. I remember having a few nrv problem on my first Tilley too! I do like your outdoor kitchen, it has given me some ideas for mine over which I have been deliberating for about 3 years.

 

Thanks, if you want to make something like that, you'll have to build the form in place, it's too heavy to lift. I also made mine in two casts, also to prevent cracking because the overall length of the concrete top is maybe 6 meters.

One thing I would do differently is I would build the backing wall on top of the slab after it was cast. It was really difficult to screed and level the top with that in the way. It was built in 2016-2017.

Here's some photos of the construction, link only:
https://live.staticflickr.com/8276/30207560365_580c280e35_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/4276/34705560681_b3e1d0833a_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/4213/35397512805_81913b88ac_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/4312/35407868764_f8320b59d6_b.jpg

Unfortunately it does not move, I am just going by gut feel for now. I wonder if I could get something in there and push on it to maybe loosen it up.

 

Hi Dennis
It’s good that you have got your nice lantern working now

It is quite common for the pressure indicator to not work.. quite often they can leak from there and have to be soldered over.. inside they are made of quite delicate thin metal..

Just out of interest, how many pumps do you give in total??

 

I read somewhere that 15 strokes was recommended so I counted to 15, but found I had to give a few more for the lamp to work.

 

Well, i am a mere beginner so I will let someone else tell you about the correct working pressure for a Tilley

Good luck with your lovely lantern and It is nice to see such an original Tilley in time warp condition

 

Depends on how much fuel in onboard but I run mine at 30-50 strokes from pretty full (.8 L) - the instructions for the x246b (that has no pressure indicator and a different tank) go up to 90 strokes. I have found 30-40 gives perfect light for a good duration, but varies from lantern to lantern.

 

X246 lighting instructions:





From here:

https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/x246-instructions.788/

Thanks to @pete sav

Cheers

Tony

 

So 10-15 strokes with valve shut to light it (method 1) or none (method 2) then once lit pump until pressure indicator is level. But silent on what to do if your indicator does not work. How very British .

 

@Fireexit1

I expect they left the factory with working pressure indicators…

But, my practice is to pump steadily to 80 to 100 pumps, while checking the mantle to see it does not start to flame outside.

I don’t bother with X246Bs, but the size of the Tilley burner, its wear, the vapouriser etc all combine to make some difference in the way they perform.

Tony

 

So how many pumps would you say you have to give it before the indicator starts to move, Tony? On average.. approximately.. ish ?

 

@podbros

That depends on the indicator. I’ve never had to solder one up. I soak them in penetrating oil for a couple of days, clean them up, then add a drop or two of 3-in-1 oil. I then pump the lamp and observe the behaviour of the indicator.

I would say you should see have seen it move by about 20 to 30 pumps. Sometimes you have to give it a little poke with a suitable wire.

Tony

 

I don't set any store on those pressure tits - they're notoriously unreliable. I just pump up the lantern until it doesn't get any brighter and maybe a few strokes more. You soon get a 'feel' for it...

 

What you can do :
- put some sewing machine oil on top to lubricate the tit
- pook around in the "hole" to remove dirt (don't make scratches (worse)) and
- check if there are any scratches/rims that prevent the tit from coming up.

 

Matey ... now your ready for some night fishing in the land of a thousand lakes ,, Finland .. cannot fail the fish will be attracted to that ever so bright light ... may be the flies as well