Hi. I am new to using Tilley lamps, so I am after some advice please. I just bought this on E Bay, although I haven't received it yet, & wonder if you can confirm that it is a 1069XA. I can't find any reference to that model number. You're help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Edde
Hi Eddie, welcome to the forum. It looks like a Tilley X246B, a pretty bog standard later Tilley. If you’re needing service items for the lamp, click on the link on this site for Fettlebox. This model of lamp does the job, though hasn’t the build quality of the earlier Tilleys. Fairly straight forward to fettle in to serviceable condition. There should be some numbers stamped on the base, this will give you the age of your lamp. Stevie
Hello Eddie and welcome to the forum. Your images are too small but I can tell you that your lamp is a model X246B and 1069XA is a date code. It is not known for certain, what the letters mean but we do know that the numbers are a date code which may be of 3 or 4 digits, the first one (or two) indicate the month and the second two indicate the year. Your lamp was made in October, (19)69. When your lamp arrives, familiarise yourself with it before adding fuel and trying to light it. Just because something looks good doesn't necessarily mean it is. The rubber seals may have deteriorated and no longer do what they're supposed to so: Check that there's no damage to the pump leather and that it's oiled and therefore supple and cabable of building pressure. Take off the top complete with burner. Make sure there's no fuel in the tank, the pump is screwed in firmly and the valve/cleaning needle control is turned off (clockwise) - there's just short of 3/4 of a turn between 'off' and 'on' so don't force it. Give the pump 50 or 60 strokes to get some air into the tank. Immerse the lamp in water and check - air bubbles will indicate leaks. Seal kits are available from The Fettlebox if needed and plenty of help and advice here so don't be afraid to ask. Henry.
@Eddie Bowie Welcome from Queensland Australia. When you have got her running you will probably get the urge to find another lantern to fix. Don’t worry, just go with the urge ........ it’s the lampie pox that has blighted us and caused untold hours, days and years of utter enjoyment. Hope you’re infected by this wonderful hobby of ours and we see more of you and your restorations. Cheers Pete
Welcome to the forum Eddie. Now that you know the model use the search facility. There is lots of information about the X246B on the forum.
Hi all. Many thanks for your quick, honest & helpful replies. My first purchase for it was a mantle. Should I get a full service kit of washers & replace them all, just in case the originals are u/s?
@Eddie Bowie Personally, I'd check the lantern before ordering parts which you may not need. Regarding the seals, part no. 155 which is the basis of the non return valve (N.R.V. for short, a.k.a. check valve) at the bottom of the pump barrel and also on the control cock, comes in two guises. If you look here Tilley NRV & Control Cock Valve seal - Pack of 4 you'll see that the seal is a flat disc which sits in a small brass cup, this is the "old 155" and will not fit your lamp without the brass cup. When your lantern arrives, remove the pump and unscrew carefully the hexagonal nut from the end - there's a spring in there, you will see that the "new 155" is molded to fit directly into the spring so if it's necessary to renew this particular seal, you'll have to look on the internet but make sure you get the correct type. Once you've removed the hood & burner and glass (and wire cage if you like), it's up to you whether you go for total immersion or not. Either way, do include the control cock and try it in both 'off' and 'on' positions. Henry.
It looks to be in very good condition and very little used. With some new seals and some TLC along the lines suggested above, you'll have it working in no time.
I have managed to change most of the seals that come with the Tilley service kit. I am having difficulty with the one on the control knob. I read somewhere on here that it is an anti clockwise turn. If that is the case what is the best method to remove it cos it's a tad tight?
On the X246B the black knob should pull off. Then the knurled packing nut unscrews anticlockwise. Cheers Tony
Hi all. Job complete. Just waiting for the meths burning torch thingamajig to turn up from Tilley. Again, thanks for your help. I will hopefully post a pic of it working in the not too distant future. Eddie
For next time, put the jaws of some fine-nose pliers between the black knob and gland nut, either side of the shaft - there's no need to grip it. Advance the pliers into the gap so that they fill it snugly and then wiggle them sideways to push off the knob. It takes about two seconds - simple...
