How far down should the burner sit on the vaporiser? I'm only getting it to go in 10mm. The gallery won't sit straight especially with the glass on. I can see a small ridge 10mm inside the burner which I don't think should be there. Just wanted to check before I get the needle file out.
Can you see a small ridge inside the burner assembly? I don't think that should be there. The burner and gallery should sit much lower on the vaporiser in my opinion. The whole top wobbles because it's not far in enough.
The vaporiser should slide about 21mm into the spigot. Sometimes the spigots can get distorted and if it is slightly oval it will not allow the vap tube to fully enter the burner. ::Neil::
Thank you for your help. It fits now after a bit of filing. Now I have a problem getting it to light. I heated it twice maybe even 3 times before opening the cock. Flames burst out of the top Looks like there isn't enough oxygen. I tried pumping it up but nothing changed. Just lots of yellow flames. Any ideas what the issue could be? The mantle is half black now. Is it goosed? I take it the problem is lack of oxygen but I'm a total newbie. Never lit one before so sorry if I'm asking daft questions.
The vapouriser's jet may be enlarged and if so, then a new vapouriser will be needed, it's also important that all parts of the burner are properly tightened, once the lamp is properly lit then the black on the mantle will gradually burn off, but there are plenty of mantles around. I see that you are located in the UK., perhaps there are other members of this forum who live near to you and would be willing to assist.
The vaporiser is brand new from Base camp. That's it's first lighting. The old one rusted over as the lamp has been lying for 30 years. All the seals and pump leather are new. Pump is pumping ok. I checked for leaks in a bath of water. Didn't find any. Just a wee drip from the valve gland which I've fixed. What parts on the burner need to be tightened? I've tightened the airtubes from the burner into the gallery. Apart from that I can't see anything else to tighten? I doubt anybody lives on the Isle of Lewis in this forum (biggest island off the uk after Ireland) but if anybody does give me a shout! I pumped it 12 times then opened the cock after preheating. Is that enough?
@Lampost1 From the image you've posted, it looks like you have too much pressure in the tank. Tilley (and Vapalux/BiAladdin as well) lamps don't like a lot of pressure when lighting. With a full tank (1.5 pints) of paraffin and NO PRESSURE, preheat as you have been doing. When the flame from the torch dies down and is just licking the bottom of the mantle, make sure the control cock is open and give five or six pump strokes, the mantle should light. If the flame from the torch goes out, just hold a naked flame to the mantle. You may need to give a few more gentle pump strokes. Once the mantle is bright and steady, add more pressure - 60 to 80 pump strokes will give a bright enough light. No need to change the mantle, once you get the lamp lit, the heat will burn off the soot, i.e. carbon. It won't be instantaneous so be patient. Henry.
Unfortunately, that isn't any guarantee it's any good. It would seem a significant proportion of new Tilley vapourisers are rubbish since Tilley off-shored their production to the Far-East. To be honest, as long as it wasn't clogged up with carbon, I'd probably have more faith the old one was better. A bit of rust on the outside wouldn't make much difference...
@Lampost1 Ah, crossed with Jeff and yourself. If the tank is full and the pump is working well, 12 pump strokes may be too much, try with a few less. There are members here who have had issues with the quality of modern Tilley vapourisers. I myself had one which didn't have a hole at the business end - no wonder it wouldn't work. At the other end of the scale, even though new, your vapouriser may have an enlarged orifice. Henry.
Thanks for all the replies. You're all very helpful. The gentleman at base camp kindly tested the new vaporiser before dispatch as some new ones can be troublesome as you say. My old vaporiser has no hole in the top as it's rusted over. There is no way I'll get it to open again and be the correct size. The pricker was also bend at the end so I deemed it scrap. The new one definetly does have a hole as paraffin comes out. I'm fairly certain it's operator error as I've never used one before. I'll try less pumps tomorrow and see how it goes. Some fire is better than no fire I guess hahaha
Except you want light, not fire! Have you checked the three air intakes and burner are clear? - sometimes critturs like to live in there. Yeah, that's a bonus - we've seen them with multiple holes, holes at an angle and even slots...
To much fuel in the tank can also cause problems, half full is fine. The burner's dome can slacken and inside the dome there is a mixing tube which can also slacken and the spigot also needs to be properly tightened.
Good point Jeff. A quite rare and baffling problem is when the venturi has unscrewed a little. This closes the gap between venturi and the top of the dome and the lamp will just flare with super rich parafin gas. I have only seen this a couple of times so it is rare but something to be aware of because no matter how clean the air tubes or how good the vaporiser the burner will just not function. ::Neil::
Thanks everyone! Couldn't have done it without you. I dismantled the burner and there was no wasps nests. It was very clean. I did find the new valve washer had expanded and was blocking the flow of parafin so I trimmed it. After more 4 foot flames trying to light it this afternoon I got it going with only 3 pumps. That seems to be the optimum lighting pressure for me. Then I pumped it up with 10 more pumps. Been burning away now for 30 mins. Looks like my dad will be getting a working Christmas present after all and not just a polished ornament
Judging by your last photograph, the lamp is still not working properly and it's possible that the burner is close to the end of it's working life.
Way too little pressure. With 1.5 pints of kero around 10-15 strokes to start and when hot another 85- 90 strokes to full pressure. These run at 2 bar so around 28-30 psi and that requires some serious pumping. ::Neil::
Yup. I didn't pump it up enough. It's now burning my eyes with bright white light not yellow. I was scared I'd over pressurise it first time. Also it lit up first try today! Practice makes perfect. Thanks everyone!
It's working well now! That lamp does have a pressure indicator, it's the small brass pipe which protrudes from the top of the tank and when the brass rod which is inside that pipe is level with the top of the pipe then the pressure level is correct. Sometimes when a lamp has not been used for a while the pressure indicator will seize, but they often unseize with use.
