Greetings, Just wanted to share my newest discovery, found in the U.S. It's a Tilley BL 64 Propane Flood Light. Not running currently, as it needs a good fettle and Mantles, as well as, a Pressure Regulator, upon first inspection. I'm wondering, if this amazing GPA will be easier to get up and running, it being the Propane Version? I'm guessing the Vaporizer/Generator will be clean, not having been gummed up with Kerosene and the like, correct? My first dabble with this type and model of GPA, so please enlighten me if I'm being somewhat naive........ PLEASE! What type and where can I find Mantles for this glorious behemoth? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated! Enjoy!
Not sure if it's welcome news, but I rather thank that is part of a Tilley FL6 kerosene floodlamp and you should be looking for a fount rather than the gassie bits. It used a similar tank to the R55 heater which are not uncommon in the States, but the fittings to takes the business-end are different, so a R55 may not be a very good start.
Still a good find you could rig up a pressure tank and hook up to that copper tail would work that way .Also just needs a mantle . Bob
Ian, turns out they are the real deal. I have seen them with WM Lee and son decals. Sold under the name Til-lee or Leelights and are indeed model BL64. I believe they take a double mantle and I know they are available some where because I got a few but can't remember where from.
Yeah, that looks like the top half of an FL6 which has had some sort of conversion (I'd guess home-made) to get it to run on gas - do I spy a pipe leading to the bottom of the control cock? I've no idea whether that would work - it might, but I suspect not. BTW, you wouldn't need a vapouriser/generator for gas (i.e. gas phase, as opposed to liquid phase; not 'gasoline') fuels. The function of a vapouriser/generator is to convert liquid phase fuels to the gas/vapour phase which propane/butane already are. Hope that helps... Edit; crossed with Anthony and LD...
The link below shows the paperwork for the Tilley propane floodlight. https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/1960s-bt25-and-bt25g.4779/
These links show relevant information. WM. W. LEE & SON TIL-LEE PROPANE FLOOD LIGHT MODEL BL 64 LeeLights LP-Gas FLOODLIGHT Model BL130 - SmokStak Vintage Tilley BL64 LP Gas Floodlight Lantern Restored | #197521359
Ian, it's a Tilley BL 64 Propane Flood Light and is tagged as such, by decals on the back of the unit. I'll post a pic. Thanks for your interest!
Stovost. Would really like to know if its the same generator going into the burner head as a FL6 or its different etc meaning no spring etc and what size hole in end of it you would have to take it out etc for photos . Still an interesting find thou . Looks like it should take the FL6 mantle. Bob .
I've a few of these Tilley gassie things around here somewhere - in my storage unit, I think - and some of them have decals which clearly apply to other Tilley products. My suspicion is that Tilley mixed and matched stuff from the parts bin so the decals/transfers can't always be relied upon. I'm guessing here that Tilley supplied parts to Wm. W. Lee and Son who then modified them to suit. The same situation applies in the UK with Tilley supplying to Bullfinch (and probably others)... If it is a double mantle that's required, I think it's the 1646 or somesuch. I've a couple in my mantle box so I'll check (once I've found my mantle box, obviously! )
OK - we learn something. It's a BL64 although that is an adaptation of an FL6. It looks to have a standard burner but it would be surprising if the vapouriser had the correct size whole and the LPG was at the correct pressure to make it perform to its optimum. Maybe its near enough The LPG lamps I have seen have purpose built-burners and nozzles even where the surrounding parts were borrowed from paraffin models.
My own view would be that the part with the BL64 decal on it was originally destined for a BL64 but that's about as far as I'd be prepared to go with that. All my Tilley LPG stuff has purpose-built burners and nozzles even where the surrounding parts were borrowed from the equivalent paraffin model parts bin, so I think you're exactly correct there, Ian...
David, Thanks for knowledgeable input!! Very much appreciated! I'm in need of the rest of the units mounting bits. Is that something you'd have and be willing to part with? Also, I could use a couple of Mantles. Is that also something you could supply me with? Thanks again for your input!! Steve "Stovost"
Thanks everyone for your interest and help. Please bear with me, as we're currently prepping for an upcoming vacation and my time is being spent there. I'll get you pics, ASAP! Sure appreciate you're help!
Lamp Doctor, Got a minute from the vacation prep and took some pics. The Generator is hollow, having no internal parts. The Hole in the top of the Generator, accepted a .006" dia. Wire.
Stovost, thanks for the pics. The vapouriser looks a bit different to the normal Tilley vapouriser with the ring around the brass part. Does it have a patent number where the arrow points
Anthony, Yes, the Vaporizer, although the use of Propane doesn't require "vaporization", is quite different, in that it has no internal components, unlike a Kerosene Vaporizer would. It's completely hollow and only has an Orifice (.006"+ Dia.) at the top end. The Propane Pressure Regulator meters the flow and one only needs to open the Propane Fuel Bottle and then the Flood Light Fuel Control Valve and light the device. The Pressure Regulator does just what it's names implies and there's no need for Fuel vaporization! Quite simple and efficient.......I hope!!! I've yet to get the important Pressure Regulator and Mantle! As I stated earlier, I'm in the process of packing for an upcoming vacation and the Flood Light is safely stored in its Case. Sadly, that Case is now under the pile of provisions for the vacation! I'll get to it after vacation and look for any Patent Numbers throughout. Did score this Tripod for it today though. Just what the doctor ordered!
Stovost, thanks for a great reply. I have wondered about these for a while and you have pretty well filled in all the gaps.
Does anyone know where I can buy Mantles for the Propane model BL64.. I just picked up this unit and it looks like it may have never been used..however no mantles
This is the double mantle. Compared with an X mantle it is larger and clearly more of it. I wish I could try one on an FL6 but there is the 12 in the packet and I just can't bring myself to do it.
If they are bigger than the X mantle then they are certainly too big for FL6. X mantles are 300cp and FL burners are 250cp so the Floodlight mantle is actually smaller than the standard X type. ::Neil::
I have an unused BL-64 w/ all spares in chest from Swedish Army surplus. It is going on Craigslist (USA) shortly. Converted to 10 W halogen but easily returned to propane. Complete restoration in black gloss as decorative light.
