Added two new lamps to the stack today: a Tilley x246b and a Hipolito H202. I read some threads about the effect over-pressurisation has on the fount. The bottom of the tilley has a small bulge in the centre so I'm a bit afraid my fount is worthless now. Does anyone have a photo of a certified ballooned 246b tank? The H202 has a nice bonus. After settling with the seller for the Tilley he said he also had a small Hipolito lamp available. NOS with all the accessories. For cheap as well. Unfortunately upon collecting the lamps i found out the lamp was not new but at least it was complete. So got a nice discount and I took it as well. Nice thing was it came with a letter (dated November 1995) from the previous owner (Dutch fire brigade) with some useful tips and precautions about using this lamp. Apparently they sold off this lamp in a big batch of other surplus materials.
Dag Emiel, A ballooning bottom makes for a lamp that does not 'sit' but wobbles slightly. How do I know? And, bulging bottoms or not, they keep going. And going. And.... If desired, a good whack with a rubber mallet should teach that mischievous bottom to behave. By the looks of your (very nice) chrome 246 XB there seems nothing wrong there. They are supposed to have a slight convex bottom. On the other end of the scale of quality you are congratulated with that small Hipólito. Not often encounterd in this shape, plus the box and accesories, so you did well! Mike
Nice pair of lamps. If the Tilley sits sturdy on a flat surface the bulge is normal, if it rocks the tank has been over presurized, "hitting it with a rubber mallet" may reshape it, but will not show if the solder is torn and may fail catastrophically when pumped up, although it may be fine at lower pressures.
For the Tilley ... no wobs, no probs! ........ I just made that up I just don’t know how I do it for the money ........ should give up my day job? Cheers Pete
Any repair on a to be pressurized tank with flammable liquids should warrant a leak test. That should be so obvious that I never mention it, let alone hinting at catastrophies, that I think is just drama which does nothing for safety. Common sense should be our guidance, instead of Hollywood. Mike
