Tilley radiator

Hi, I was gifted a Tilley radiator and it’s missing the wire mantle.
I see that there is a ceramic heater as well.
My question is, do I need both these parts for the radiator to work or are they two different types of mantle/heater??
Appreciate any help you give me..
Davy..

 

David

Welcome.

I am not sure what you mean by “ceramic heater”, but take a look here:
Tilley IF542 (7/1958)

You will be able to see the steel mantle and a ceramic tube inside. You need both.

Cheers

Tony

@David Moulds

 

Hi Tony,
That’s it, I do need the ceramic as well, Thanks for your help mate..

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Yes, the ceramic tube is vital otherwise the top of the vapouriser will slowly get damaged by the heat - the metal forms flakes which slowly fall off. In fact, this still happens even with the ceramic tube fitted, only much slower...

 

Thank you..

 

Thanks for that, I noticed the ceramic rod is on the heater, I’ve ordered a new wire mantle and hopefully get it fired up very soon..
When I received the radiator it had an old material mantle on it, I take it these are the wrong mantles for these heaters..

 

No, they're the correct mantles except they were replaced by the later wire mesh type. Unfortunately, the original mantles contained asbestos so you'll need to be careful with it - don't breathe in the dust!! I think (note, think!) you need to seal it in two polythene bags, seal them and phone up your local council for advice. If that's wrong, no doubt someone will tell us. Otherwise Google it...

 

Thanks for that David..
My brother in law worked for Tilley when they were in Belfast, he has a bag of mantles and three lamps for me, I think these ones were probably made in the 80’s or 90’s so hopefully no asbestos in them..
Thanks for your help..

 

A bag of mantles and three lamps... that'll be a good haul!

 

Yes mate, I’ll get a couple of pics up when I get them, he has some of the funnels for filling them and a gas camping stove and heater for me as well. He’s got a load of service kits as well so it’ll keep me busy for a wee while..

 

This is the first time ever we've had contact, even vicariously, with anyone who worked at any Tilley factory...

 

Yes David, my brother in law worked for them in their Belfast plant for a good 15 years until they closed in 2000, he spray painted the bases.. he got all the parts at cost price, I just wish I had of got more spares from him when he was there..

 

I'd be intrigued to know more about Tilley's painting procedure and what type of paint they used, if he knows.

 

I will ask him the next time I’m chatting to him..