The lamp has been in a damp garage for the last couple of years and I attempted to start it today following the recognised procedure and it would not start. Firstly, the mantle if that's the correct title is now smoke blackened. Secondly, the lamp does not show signs of self igniting which I suspect could be because fuel does not get through the pipe from the reservoir. Thirdly, I wonder if it can be cleared with a thin wire. Fourthly, could someone please let me know where I may obtain a mantle.
The lamp is a Tilley Guardsman but I have no idea what mantle to order from the list I found on the Internet.
@BML I sounds like you need to give it a good service. Don’t wreck the mantle yet — it may still be ok unless it’s torn. 1. Take the hood, with burner and mantle off the lantern. 2. With the control cock closed (fully to the right), does the pricker emerge from the jet in the vapouriser? 3. As in 2, pump thirty pumps into the tank and (do this outside) open the control cock. Does fuel shoot out in a stream from the vapouriser jet? If you get this far, you are on the way. Cheers Tony
Was the lantern working previously? 4. If you get to 3, check that there are no obstructions like wasps and spiders in the burner. Make sure the burner components are tight. You can buy mantles from The Base Camp UK. They are part 164 or 164X. Tony
Tony, Many thanks for all those points which reminded me of when I learnt that two or three years ago but since then I haven’t touched the lamp and all that knowledge was forgotten. Sunday tomorrow so I will have another go so many many thanks again. Brian.
Hello, The mantle that you need is the 164X. You say that the mantle is blackened; this means it is getting fuel but that it isn’t quite hot enough; how long did you preheat it? Thank you, John
Many thanks for that. Of course your absolutely correct, yet another point I hadn’t thought off. So, it’s back to the garage and another attempt
Did you give it a pre-heat with meths wick clip till almost out before pumping and opening control cock ?
I have to be honest so the answer to your question; “Did you give it a pre-heat with meths wick clip till almost out before pumping and opening control cock ?” has to be NO I had even forgotten which way the start-up cock operated. My excuse is that it’s so long since I last used it I’d forgotten all of the correct start up procedures. Luckily for me the contributors to this post including your good self, have set out a To do list for the lamp. This episode started when the electrician came to a safety check and survey our electrical system, I thought I should have a lighting backup and was caught out. The experience has prompted me to check my stop cocks and ensure my, “To be opened in the event of my death file.” Is up to date.
