I am presently fettling a Tilley FL5 and during the course of stripdown I found this item inside the tank. It is clearly a low pressure relief valve (the spring is very weak) but what for? I can't think it is lamp related as the tank of the FL5 pressurises nicely and even the pressure pip works. The valve is 19mm tall by 17mm diameter Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
That's the end off your pump, or at least it used to be. What have you got fitted in terms of a pump?
Of course it is. I should have spotted that but hey, it's been a long day! The pump end shows signs of re-soldering but it has a perfectly working NRV. The original must have popped off and rather than fishing it out, some lazy oik has merely soldered in a replacement. Still, it is all part of the lamp's history. Thanks for your reply. Here is what is now fitted.
I guess it must have gone in when the tank was full, else a quick turn upside down would have got it back. That original NRV looks in good condition, would be nice perhaps to remove the replacement and solder the old one back in, of course if it works you won't see it in operation anyway.
The loose one will be the original one. Basically, the fewer holes in the NRV body, the earlier it is - one hole is the earliest but that will have the bayonet-style cover. Screw-in bodies go from 2-4 holes with decreasing age... P.S. - I wasn't the "lazy oik"!
Thanks Matthew. I'll leave the replacement valve where it is and consign the original to the parts bin. I thought retirement meant a life of leisure, wine, women and song but no such luck here. It's more clock repairs, chicken taming and wife placating! No time for unecessary forays with the soldering iron
Hi David, Thanks for the explanation of the holes. I had no intention of pointing fingers. In fact I reckon you didn't know it was there. All part of the pleasure in resurrecting a gem of our past.
@R100 Someone might need that old pump end... Would you mind photographing the end of it to show the holes face on, please? Cheers Tony
Baby fur seal? Please explain. Wait ... I see now. As one who has photographed many seals on the Lincolnshire coast, I should have spotted it!
Thinking about this, I reckon that's the first two-holer I've seen like that - from memory, I seem to recall that the two holes are normally diametrically opposite...
