New to Tilley Lamps.

Ok Thank you..

 

Trying to put a new mantle on 246B but there seems to be a metal collar sat in the groove of the burner. What is it for ? and does it need to be removed ?

 

Are you sure it's metal, and yes it should have nothing there, I Will see the photo

 

Sorry send a photo

 

@Pitsmoor Col

The metal ring is off what Tilley called a “Happy Mantle” chances are you are fitting a mantle with string at the top and bottom. So you just need to remove the ring and fit your new mantle into the groove.

 

I suspected it was part of the last mantle, but was not sure. thank you

 

I use the cheap chinese mantles from ebay 4 quid for 20, Only thing is they are not double tie, and the bottom is stitched. I unpick a bit of the stitching and turn it into a 2 hole mantle and tie the bottom with either a bit of spare mantle string of if I am out a bit of thin wire (like a 5 amp fuse wire.)

I find they form a nice shape, work very well and give a nice light output.

 

The mantles I have are flat, it's pain getting them on and when I try to light it it just puthers smoke then bursts into flame. I leave the lighting torch on as long as I can but it's still the same, had about 4 goes at it now.

 

You need to burn in the mantle, but they won’t form the proper shape until you pressurise the lamp and light it. Some people burn off the mantle and then use the preheater afterwards, I do both at the same time so that when the preheater is nearly out the mantle is burnt in and I can light the lamp. It’ll go with a pop and inflate the mantle to the correct shape.

 

A good time to get barbeque lighting fluid is at the end of the season when the likes of Wilko and B&M Bargains clear their summer stock to make way for their Halloween and Christmas tat. Having said that, who knows what's going to happen to barbeques this year...

As for fitting a mantle and lighting - er, RTM?

Tilley lamp instructions

I do have a method for getting the mantles inflated properly the first time they're used but it's not for the faint-hearted or newbies...

 

I thought that was RTFM David?

 

??????
Hummm...

 

@Pitsmoor Col

After you tie on your mantle, yes they are a pain, go easy with the string as it breaks easily...lots of info on here on how to tie neatly.

Once its on shape it out roughly to a ball with your fingers, but they often look like a skirt, but this is ok

Set light to it with a match or lighter and let it burn as you have been doing. Once properly burnt it will look a mess, and all smoky, black and a right squashed mess.

Dont worry that's normal.

When the flames are out, you will have this blackened burnt, shriveled very delicate "sock" hanging there. At this stage it is like paper, and will crumble if you touch it with anything.

Take a break, have a cup of tea, then when you are ready, simply light your lamp using the preheat method as normal, and following the usual tilley lighting instructions taking are to not over pump your lamp as it can damage your fuel tank. Your lamp needs to be all fixed up, fuelled, new seals etc holding pressure, and ready to run.

Your mantle will pop into life and inflate and shape its self and should burn with a bright white light. Unless your lamp has a problem then it will not shape or light so this may be a few things, bad seals, blocked vaporizer, no pressure etc.

Hope this helps you, we have all been there.

 

@Pitsmoor Col
You’re in good hands with @plantpot he’s right on the money.
Take your time and enjoy. Post us the pictures of your money shot.
Cheers
Pete

 

Many thanks.

 

I am trying to renew the gland nut seal on the control cock, but don't know how to get the little Black knob off the shaft. The other Two just pulled off, but this is a different shape and I don't want to force it. Can anyone tell me how it comes off. thank you..

 

Grip the shaft with some pointy pliers and unscrew the knob, they don't always come easily though. Use something to protect the shaft from the pliers.

 

Cheers. Also I am wanting a wick for the starter torch, I have tried using it as it is but the meths just goes all over the place. I think I will have a look on Base Camp for one.

 

loads on ebay... If you cant wait and have no wick, clip it on then fill it with meths. (unless you have the clip with the slots!)

Try a drinking straw, dip it into your meths bottle as far as possible, finger over then end hole, drop it into the starter torch, light.

I use a medical syringe and blunt needle again from e bay to fill the spirit wells on my vapalux lamps, just lift the glass and fill, also very useful for primus stove spirit cups and a plethora of other uses, oiling hard to get at parts, etc etc etc.

You can also get them with tubes too....

 

After 2 attempts on both these lamps, I finally got them going. It must be over 20 yrs since they were last lit. The 246B is a little brighter than the Guardsman, and the mantle is a better shape I don't know if it makes a difference to the brightness. But I am pleased with the result, first time I have lit a Tilley lamp.

 

Looking good there... one thing tho,the pumps are sticking out is that you leaving them like that or are you suffering from "pump creep"

 

Must be "Pump Creep" What causes it ?

 

@Pitsmoor Col

Looking good. Tilley burners do wear out with use so it's not too surprising that the younger of your lanterns appears to be brighter.

Henry.

 

Pump creep is when the non return valve at the bottom of the pump tube is not sealing 100%.

Even if you've renewed the seals, make sure they're seated properly. Check that everything is clean, the smallest speck of dirt can cause problems. You can also try stretching the spring a little.

Henry.

 

@Pitsmoor Col

Your Non return valve is leaking, its at the bottom of the removable pump, you will probably have paraffin in the pump tube and you most likely need an new viton "pip"

unscrew it and change it, if you already have changed it there's probably a bit of crud in there, so clean it and give the spring a bit of a stretch, just be-careful not to over do it or snap it in two

 

Henry beat me to it!

 

I thought I was over pumping. How many strokes of the pump should I be doing ?

 

In the early days the rule of thumb was if it's not getting any brighter, stop pumping. Later, about the time the X246B came into being, Tilley recommended with a full tank (1.5 pints) give a maximum of 100 pump strokes. (Or words to that effect). This is important especially with the X246B as the base of the tank can easily be distorted by over pressuring.

Henry.

 

@Pitsmoor Col
Well done for bringing them back to life!

 

I have another one to do, when I get round to it. Also they want a good clean and polish.