Poorly Tilley 246?

Hi All!

A while ago I bought a Tilley Guardman off Base Camp,

Its in excellent condition for its age, however its never given off any bright light, more like a dullish light compared to my pulsing bright 246B.

I have changed all of the seals,burner etc but still wont give me a bright light, i do get alot of flaring from the mantle but if i release a bit of pressure it will go but the it dulls even more.

Sometimes i do get the occassional blast of brightness from it.

Can anyone give any suggestions?

Thanks
Adam

 

Hello Adam, the top aperture of the vapouriser has probably become enlarged, so the fuel and air mix will be wrong.

Try the one from your X246B in the Guardsman.

If that does not make any difference, then I think that the fuel feed pipe, which comes from the tank to the control cock recess may need cleaning.

I use tying wire for that job, just shove the wire down the fuel feed tube till it touches the bottom of the tank, then pull it up and repeat the process a few times, then give the tank a clean out, Jeff.

 

Hi Jeff!

Thanks for your reply!

Will try that out soon,

Thanks
Adam

 

As a rule of thumb, whenever a Tilley burns badly - particularly with a halo of flame outside the mantle - the first thing to do is suspect the vapouriser and attend to that.

As Jeff says, if you've a known good vapouriser swap it with the other one. It's a pound to a pinch of snuff, that'll be the culprit. I'd also go so far as to say this generally holds true for most lamps, whatever the make...

 

I've healed a few lanterns by cleaning out spider nests from the air tubes. Once they have a good draft the difference is remarkable! Silly spiders...

 

Thank you David,

I will give both of your advice a try tomorrow.

Thanks again
Adam

 

Hello Al, yes, those spiders get everywhere, clean lamps and lanterns always work better, Jeff.

 

Hi all,

Well I changed the vapourizing tube over and that elimanted the glare and I did get a brighter light but after a few minutes it dull again but not as bad, if I turned it off for 30 seconds and relit it then the powerful light would come back and die down,

Anyway as I gotta go work I can't do the other suggestions

Thanks again.
Adam

 

Hi Adam there could be a problem with the top burner the part where the mantle is attatched to it may need cleaning out or serviced as it may not be giving the right air vapour mixture,the airintake may be blocked or the insides may be worn or semi blocked with carbon there are service kits for this part
All so the new vapouriser could be faulty or the has this been fitted with the correct mantle

 

Hello Adam, have you pumped up the tank and stuck it in a bucket of water to see if there are any leaks?

If not, then perhaps you should give that a try.

It seems to me that your lantern is leaking pressure somewhere, Jeff.

 

Hi Jeff,

I will give that a go but if i turn it off for 30 secs and then relight it, then it burns bright again.

How ever im expecting it could be a blockage in the control cock as when i unscrewed the vapourizer with no pressure there was still parrifin sitting in it

But i will give it a go

Adam

 

Hello Adam, in that case, I suggest that you completly strip the lantern and really clean evey part, including the fuel feed tube, which I mentioned yesterday.

Also, perhaps you could try the hood and burner from your X246B lantern, you mentioned that it works fine, it's all a process of elimination, Jeff.

 

Hi Jeff,

Just been to the sink and checked for leaks but no air leaks or bubbles.

So it must be the control cock or blockage in the tank?

Thanks
Adam

 

Hello Adam, it's probably a blockage, but it could be a problem with the burner.

Also, before you discard the vapouriser which was in your Guardsman yesterday, try it in you X246B lantern, but if it's knackered, the pricker wire and the washer will come in handy sometime, Jeff.

 

Hi Jeff!

I quickly fired up the vapourizer in the 264B this morning and it flared up badly, also it didnt really want to know lol

Adam

 

Hello Adam, it's an ex-vapouriser then! Jeff.

 

Yes it is haha,

Need to folk out on a new replacement then

That means i need to open my wallet lol

Adam

 

The older vapourisers with the brass bottom ends are the ones to obtain, they often appear on Ebay, but it will mean parting with cash!

 

Hi All!

Well i have had a fiddle and a clean here and there and well well well it turned out to be the burner unit,

I cleaned out the vapouriser tube,tank and tap, went to light it and boom it went but went dull after 30 seconds,

So i changed the hoods over, relit it and i nearly blinded myself it gives out such a white light its unbelievable. I know its bad for my eyesight but when you focus at it you can the weave of the mantle.

Photos will be uploaded on the gallery soon with a video on here to see what you think?

Thanks for everyones help!

Adam

 

Hello Adam, you got there, great stuff! Jeff.

 

Thanks Jeff for all of your help

Adam