Pressure Lamp, New to me.

Just took delivery of this lamp, describer as 500cp Paraffin, Kerosene, Air Pressure lamp, similar to Tilley. There are no markings or numbers on it that I can see. But it came with some spare mantles and a "Service Kit" the service kit consisting of a multi spanner, cup washer for the pump a couple of flat washers, spare jet, and a couple of prickers. The kit may be a clue to it's origins. Can any one tell me what make it is and how to light it ?

 

It’s a petromax clone of some sort, others will know more. It’s got the pre heat torch on the side. Some vids on YouTube on how to prep and start.

 

@Pitsmoor Col I think its an Anchor or butterfly... I have one made in China as a clone of a petromax type as BigSteve said.

The thing on the side is a rapid pre heater, a mini blowtorch, best if you do not use it to light the lamp as they can destroy mantles, and use up your fuel.

It should have a preheater cup for meths as well use this but pre heat it at least twice or it will flare up.

Light it like a tilley or vapalux, but get pressure up before preheat as the wheel has a fuel shut off and will keep the pressure when shut off

The pressure gauge on the tank should read about 1 to 2 bars with a red line. Pump to the red line or just under before turning the wheel to light. Up pointer is on down shuts off the fuel supply . (if I remember right)

my one at first would always bend the needles in the jet until I had adjusted the internal needle rod and fuel shut off rod inside the vaporiser tube. It sent me round the bend until i found out how to adjust it!

these clones can be a bugger to get running as the needle and jet mech is often not adjusted correctly. search this forum for set up advice.

When sorted these lamps can be very very bright and reliable lots of info on here re tweaks and mods, the leather pump washer can be unreliable I replaced mine with one from fettlebox for a vapalux and this sorted the crappy pump action.

 

search for this :

Sea Anchor: brand new and boxed

(sorry dont know how to link to this post)

 

@Pitsmoor Col another lamp to add to your collection...could be an Anchor, although I thought the hoods and controls were stamped but I may be wrong..I sold the ones I had!
Have fun and watch your eyebrows when you light it, especially if you use the pre heat blow torch....

 

It's a Chinese(?) Petromax clone of some sort, maybe an Anchor or a Sea Anchor but it's difficult to tell. Does it have anything embossed on the top of the hood? Can you show the Manometer as that usually has a tiny logo which might identify it. If it's unmarked then its a cheap brand that doesn't even bother with a name!

All of my clones work well although my brand new Sea Anchor needed a bit of fiddling and some adjustment before it ran sweetly. If it's anything like mine it'll be insanely bright and very easy to light..... just keep it well away from ANY source of moisture or it'll turn into a rust bucket the moment you turn your back.

 

Cheers Gary, Another question, how do I fill it ?

 

@Pitsmoor Col unscrew this

 

Thank you.

 

It should work well once it has been properly fettled, but if it's an Anchor or any other lantern which has many steel parts, then do keep it dry as those are prone to rusting.

 

Usually only when burning-off a cheap nasty new one. The trick is to turn off the rapid preheater once the new mantle starts to burn. Let it burn off, cool down and then proceed as normal. Alternatively, preheat with spirit and light as you would light any lamp or lantern not fitted with such a device.
In my own experience, once a decent quality new mantle has been used and formed its correct shape, using the rapid has never damaged a mantle.

No they do not ! Perhaps not too scientific but using different sized cleaning needles to gauge the orifice of the jet in the rapid preheaters on lanterns in MY collection, a 250 candle power needle clears the hole, a 350 candle power needle doesn't, so lets call it 300 c.p. If the lantern in question is 500 c.p., which it most probably is, using the rapid preheater uses less fuel than running the lantern !

They do use a lot of air though but for the measly price of a few calories, this can easly be replenished by using the conveniently fitted pump.

 

@Henry Plews

Thanks for the info Henry, I was (mistakenly) under the impression they used a fair bit of fuel, Its something I remember reading (on here maybe?) That's good to know and will make me use it more.

My mantles always suffer when using the preheater, they often hole or split, so as you suggest, perhaps time to find some better quality ones!

 

@Gary Waller : don't use a machine with flammable fuel under pressure without reading the f%$king manual.

May sound harsh but I don't understand people who don't do the proper research.
Asking a question here like how to fill isn't research in my opinion, it shows that you don't know what you have in your hands.
Here and on the internet you find lots of how to operate a pressure lantern. Make sure you know how it works, how to change all the old seals, how to fill her up and light her and for most how to avoid trouble and for all what to do when things go bad.

 

Is there a difference between vapourised fuel and atomised fuel (spray). Can that be why the preheater might use more? Absolutely right that they use up the air and tank pressure drops rapidly.

 

@WimVe excuse me, wind your neck in...its not even my lamp...

 

Yes, vapourised fuel is in the gas state / vapour phase (for our purposes effectively the same thing) - the fuel exists as separate molecules. Something like the water vapour in the room air around you.

Atomised fuel is very small droplets of liquid fuel dispersed in the air - something like a fog or mist...

 

Just got it going, really pleased with it much brighter than i thought it would be. This is the money shot. but the photo does not do it justice, it's hell of a lot brighter in the flesh.

 

Great!!!

They are good workhorses...The glass can be fragile though, but i think Base-camp Stoves do a thicker replacement : )

 

Job done, looking good!

 

@Pitsmoor Col nice one, looking good Colin.

 

Well done !

 

Well done @Pitsmoor Col
It bears the closest resemblence to an Anchor or Sea Anchor. If you ever acquire a branded Anchor and a Sea Anchor, you can make comparisons between them and your unmarked one. There are quite a few metalware producers in China that might still make these, having a common mould pattern and equipment. They could either make these unmarked or stamped them with any brand names if specifically requested. The original Anchor lantern factory in Shanghai had already closed down sometime ago. I'm not sure if the Company's still in existence.

 

Yup, these clones can be ridiculously bright. Looks like it'll give years of good service....... just keep it dry!

 

@plantpot

With the combination of an awesome flame and a sound resembling a small jet engine, it is easy to imagine the fuel level dropping dramatically. To be honest, I also thought the rapid preheaters were heavy on fuel until I had to clear the jet on one. Not having the proper hand held pricker, I used a cleaning needle and was surprised that neither a 500 c.p. nor a 350 c.p. needle would clear the hole. We live and learn.

Re damaging mantles, perhaps I've been lucky but I've only lost 2 or 3 at the most, from the same batch, I didn't buy any more of them.

 

The rapid preheater does not consume more fuel than what's burning at the mantles. As what @Henry Plews said.
The reason why we sometimes get confused:- because of the rapid drop of pressure indicated by the gauge or the rapidly diminishing flame jet when its operating.
The rapid loss of pressure is due to the preheater discharging both fuel and air at the same time. The vaporizer only discharges the fuel.

 

@Henry Plews and @MYN

Thanks folks! I have to admit I do love the rapid preheater, its a great firework show when its running! Thanks for the info again.

 

Where can I get spares for this Lamp, it leaks when pressurised even when it's turned off. I will have to strip it down and replace the seals.

 

@Pitsmoor Col

www.base-camp.co.uk/Petromax/Petromax%20Spares%20Price%20List.htm

11, 17, 83, 90, 193, 229.
You'll need to remove the lower vapouriser to replace part 193 vapouriser valve washer (a.k.a. foot valve). I recommend you use one spanner to hold the hex fitting (soldered into tank) and another to turn the vapouriser, count the turns (in my experience, usually 7 or 8) and use the same number when refitting - again, use a spanner to hold the hex.




When refitting, replacing the lead washer is up to you, I usually put two or three twists of PTFE gas tape round the threads which has never failed me yet.

229 check packing and screw. Make sure this sits squarely over the rapid preheater orifice.

 

Fabulous that mate, thank you.

 

@Henry Plews
Hello, could you do me a favour and take a photo of the (PTFE gas tape), so I know which type to buy thanks.