New Petromax HK500

Hi all - I received one of these for Christmas but returned it as I kept having problems (in particular, the luminosity would drop by 50% about 20 minutes into a burn despite pressure being up). I waited 6 months for them to be available again from Lehman's and just got my new HK500. I'm having the same problem with this one so now I'm starting to think it's something I'm doing wrong! I follow the start-up procedure but often see a lot of flames shooting out of the top of the lamp when using the blow torch start up but when I finally shut it off and turn down the knob - it burns nice and brightly for about 20 min and then dims. I'm using paraffin oil. Any ideas why I'm getting shooting flames and why the lamp dims to 50% after burning well for about 20 min? Thanks so much - (new user here and new to pressure lamps).

Rob from NJ

 

After using the blow torch, did you repump it, as they sap the pressure

 

Hi Paul - yes, I did and brought it up to the recommended pressure and monitored it. It maintained the pressure even after it dimmed.

 

Welcome aboard!
Yellow flames means that the lantern's burner system is not hot enough, I do not use those pre heating blow torches I prefer to use the meths/alcohol tray.

If it's cold then more than one preheating will be required, pressure lanterns etc., are designed to be preheated indoors.

All of the parts have to be properly tightened and you may have better results if you use Kerosene rather than lamp oil as it is designed for wick lamps.
Do let us know how you get on.

 

When you pre heat with the rapid torch: is the valve open or closed?
So valve wheel point up or down?

Before startup: check if the clay burner is still thight in place, as is the jet and while doing check if the needle stick out when the point on the hand wheel points upwards. Off coarse all without pressure.

The manual should state: use rapid when under pressure and the vaporiser foot valve closed. That's needle up.

 

If the flames shoot out at the top then the jet is probably not tightened. The cleaning needle may be kinked,or both.
When the pressure tank is full , there is little air in it , so you have to pump it up more often at the beginning . And don't forget, the operating pressure of a Petromax is 2 to 2,5 bar. Rule the thumb : only pump until it no longer gets lighter .

 

Wow - can't thank you all enough for all of this feedback. Much appreciated. Will give it a try again tonight after work and report back. Thanks again!

 

Just to make 100% sure, you are running it on kerosene, not Coleman Fuel, right? Don't want to be rude but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Also, modern Petromax lanterns are all made in China and I've heard that the quality is not the same as the original German made lanterns.

As others have said, if flames come out of the top, either the fuel is not being vaporized or there is a leak around the jet.

Hope you get it sorted.

 

Hi ColinG,

I'm using this for oil.

https://www.amazon.com/Gallon-Paraf...ocphy=9003647&hvtargid=pla-307436373806&psc=1

According to Lehman's - this lamp is still made in Germany. Who knows. Thanks for the reply.

 

Hi - I'm using Shabbo's Paraffin oil.

 

My take, check the burner assembly and be sure all is tight. I know the rapid lighter can be a pain but they do work. You have to remember as stated, keep pumping up the lantern when you use the lighter.
Don’t be fooled when they say any fuel will do in one of these lanterns. Not true, use kerosene only. They were designed for that fuel.
Good luck.

 

Welcome to CPL Rob.

Looking at the MSDS data
Shabbos has a flash point of 98 deg C (too high)
Kerosene has a flash point of 38 deg C

Shabbos is a fuel for wick lanterns, not pressure lanterns.
change your fuel to kerosene

 

Update for all of you fantastic folks that took time to help me out: I replaced the Shabby Shabbos Paraffin with genuine Kerosene and what a difference! No flames, easy start up and a very bright steady light! I'm so happy. This thing is amazing! Now I can't wait for it to get dark out! Ha! Thanks again! Rob from NJ.

 

Just to add to what colin said, petromax lanterns have not been made in Germany since 1972 I believe, after that date they were made in Portugal at the hipolito factory and when that facility closed down production went to China. Exact dates would be confirmed by some of our German members.
Regards Ian

 

Glad you got it running properly rob, a picture or two would be nice to see.

 

Well done @Rob Sandt,
And you only change the fuel?
No fuel of any kind, should leave the jet when pre heating. No fuel > no flames.

 

Welcome Rob.
Some pictures of the lantern and we should be able to tell if its a modern China-made or an older one of German/Portugal origin.
Pure paraffin oil for wick lamps isn't ideal for these lanterns.
It'd burn fine with either kerosene or mineral spirits. Never ever use gasoline or Coleman/Crown Camp fuel in these Petromaxes. They are not designed with the necessary safety features to burn volatile fuels.

 

Well he writes he did wait six months after Christmas so the lantern is pretty new and there fore made in china.
Unless Lehman has a stockpile of NOS lanterns from the sixties. But a picture will be the proof of coarse.
When the production stopped at the Altena plant end of the sixties no petromax lanterns where made any more in Germany.
Quality control and/or assembly may be but not 100% made.

 

I suspect that this stuff might be a little too "heavy", what means that it will not vaporize easily enough with the heat applied to the generator. And in addition there's a risk that it will build up carbon in the generator quickly. Maybe you could try a fuel that is closer to kerosene rather than lamp oil.

 

Pics

 

This lantern maybe is from Pelam, a company founded by Jonas Taureck, who bought the brand name some years ago. At least some of them are/were assembled in Germany from parts imported from China.
Pelam sells all kinds of outdoor stuff under the Petromax brand name.
However, the quality is unfortunately not as high as from the lanterns that were made by Graetz in Altena/Germany from the 1950s on, or from those made by Casa Hipólito in Torres Vedras/Portugal from the 1970s on until the 1990s.
Nevertheless, with some thorough servicing from time to time they can be reliable workhorses. Have fun with it! And be careful: they tend to breed somehow and become more and more!

 

Unless it specifically has stamped on it “made in Germany”, it’s not an original. The newer ones have a serial number on the bottom of the fount, and it usually has “German reg.” stamped on it.
Never the less I think you will enjoy your lantern!

 

The blue plastic and angles of the cage and hood give it away: modern China made.
Iit also bears the Graetz monogram. I wonder if that is legal at all. I never have heard Pelam did own the Graetz logo (Bildmark) too.

Maybe you know it but it is on or off, nosewheel down/up.
You can not regulate the light.

 

@Rob Sandt , I'm glad you have overcome the initial problem. Enjoy your lantern.

 

Thanks again, everyone. It's working like a charm. It really was just making the switch to kerosene that made all the difference. I've started it now using the alcohol/gentle method and the blow torch method and they both work great. What a beautiful lantern! Looking forward to using it a lot. Glad to be part of this forum! Cheers!

 

Nice that it works now.

I have a similar one, it also works well. A little pulsation even though it has some brass mesh around the rod.


Regards Matti

 

HI Matti - can you explain "brash mess around the rod?" What is that/ what does it do?

 

Hi @Rob Sandt

Look in this thread: Petromax CP500 issue

 

"brass wire mesh".
Erik

 

Here the lantern in action. It’s a bright lantern for shure. It has the Petromax Helox mantle, gives a good yellowish light