Hi everyone. I just got a Optimus 1350 and tried to fire it up for the first time today. The problem is that it cant build up pressure. At least thats what i think. The guage doesnt move when i pump it and when i take of the handle for the pressure and try to blow throug it it seems to be blocked. Im looking very much forward to heering some suggestions from you. Thanks a lot Mads.
I don't know what you mean "Handle for Pressure" if you mean the pump rod then you can't blow through that even if everything is good. Your lungs simply can't give enough pressure to open the check valve. If he pump leather is OK then a blocked check valve will make the pump impossible to push down. If that is the case the you need to remove and service the check valve by fitting a new rubber pip. If the pump moves too freely then maybe the leather wants oiling or replacing. If the pump is working OK then the simple thing to do is to pump the lamp and place under water to discover any leaks. With an old lamp that has been stored for a time most seals will want replacing and I would suggest yoy replace the filler cap washer and pump leather and check valve seal as a matter of routine servicing. ::Neil::
Thank you very much for the quick answer. I’ll get a replacement pump leather. How do i service the check valve? I dont know how to get it out.
@Mads Berger Try to put the pump rod with the pump leather in an cup with kerosene and leave it there for a day or so. That recover most of the time a hardened pump leather. If it become soft and flexible you can oil it up with a good lubrication oil and put it back in the pump tube. I usually spray some rust remover down the pump tube so the NRV (Non Return Valve) get lubricated to help it work better. Try then to pump to see if not the pump start to work again. If the tank is empty do not expect to see any reading on the manometer. You need to fill the tank 2/3 with kerosene. It might also be that the manometer is stuck, which is not uncommon. Michael
Sounds great. I have ordered a new pump leather, just to be sure, it seems to be old and worn. I’ll try to spray some rust remover down the pump tube. Thank you all very much for the quick answers.
To add: the non return valve is at the bottom of the pump tube and needs a special tool to remove it...however, you might be lucky and 'shift' the NRV once there is a descent pump leather installed and you are able to pump hard and create pressure in the tube. Remember, the valve probably hasn't moved in years so several quick/hard pump may just unseat it and get it working again. Also: on this type of lamp it is the screw next to the meter that lets out/retains pressure, not the pump, circa Tilley.
The Optimus check valve is the same as a Primus stove type. You do need a special tool to remove but you can make a tool by cutting a 5mm slot in the end of a suitable steel rod or even a bolt. About 10mm dia bolt will do the job. Here is a dismantled check valve which shows how they are made and in this image also the working end of the tool I made to access these valves. The one shown is actually from an Australian Aladdin lantern but they are pretty well identical. ::Neil::
I think I need some help here. I decided to put a bit of oil on the pump leather of my Optimus 1550. The pump had been a bit stiff to operate but did give good pressure. The leather was in reasonable condition. The lantern worked great. After oiling it didn't pump too well, I kept pumping and lost all ability to pressurise. I removed the pump. The leather had disintegrated and seemed stuck at the bottom of the pump chamber by the NRV. I hope to extract the bits with a dental probe. Any thoughts on what happened, why and how to avoid any future problems?
Well obviously the leather wasn't in good condition but sometimes you can't tell untill you try and use it. Fit new leather and oil it and you are good to go. Optimus leather is 17.5mm with an 8mm centre hole. They are available from the Fettlebox here. ::Neil::
Thx for the info Neil. Ordered some bits, including a new correct fit pump leather, from the good people at base-camp. They advise not using 3-in-1 but a bit of vegetable oil. Also no need to soak for 48 hours. Their rationale for avoiding mineral oil is tha you wouldn't condition boot leather with Castrol. Dubbin is made from beeswax, fish oils...no petroleum stuff.
Mmm, up to the individual. When I was a lad, castor oil was the recommended medium to keep the leather washer in your bycicle pump supple but, and here's the rub, vegetable oils contain oleic acid which rots leather ! 3-in-one every time for me. Henry.
I must admit I am a bit surprised that Mike recomends veg oil. Neatsfoot is perhaps the best but I have used 3in1 for years and never had any problems but I have seen some seriously green and waxy pump leathers falling apart and I always assumed they were oiled with some type of cooking oil. ::Neil::
About the oils, sometimes it depends if the leather is frequently worked on or left idle for long periods of time. Also, some climatic influence on durability. Vegetable oils are not 100 percent hydrocarbons but contain some oxygen-bearing constituents too. They are more susceptible to moisture absorption over time and more bio-degradable than most mineral oils. Which is why they eventually turn rancid from both chemically and biochemically-induced degradation. Its not exactly ideal (my opinion) for infrequently worked leather. But then, some oil is better than no oil at all.
