Tilley generator, how to progress.

Discussion in 'Fettling Forum' started by scudo, Oct 23, 2022.

  1. scudo United Kingdom

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    Tilley dish heater. It maintains pressure but nothing coming out of the jet.
    How to progress as I dont want to damage anything.
    From the image does the tip of the jet unscrew.
    Is it ok to withdraw the contents of whatever is in the tube.


    4.jpg
     
  2. pete sav

    pete sav Founder Member

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    The wire sticking out of the brass end should tug out easily at the top end of it there should be a sharp point that pokes thro the top end of the vapouriser. maybe the hole has closed up or someone has accidentely peened it shut
     
  3. Henry Plews

    Henry Plews Subscriber

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    This image shows the internals of Vapalux (upper) and Tilley vapourisers. You can see that the jet is fixed.

    image vap R.jpg


    The upper cleaning needle in this image is intact, the lower one is broken.
    DSCN2548 (2).JPG
     
  4. scudo United Kingdom

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    When I try and pull the cleaning needle out from the bottom it comes most of the way out then it is sticking.
    DSCN0851.JPG
     
  5. Henry Plews

    Henry Plews Subscriber

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    There's probably a build-up of carbon on the wire. Try heating the vapouriser to a dull red then plunge it into cold water 2 or 3 times, the thermal shock cracks the carbon and breaks off the wire more readily. If you use pliers to get a better grip, grab the wire not the ferule !
    Once you've removed the wire, tap the end of the vapourser on a piece of wood and get as much loose carbon out as possible.

    If you find the needle point has broken off, you can get a replacement wire from base-camp, see item 150 here Tilley lamp spares

    Often, when replacing the wire, it doesn't go straight in, if this is the case, do not force it. Usually, a little sideways shake whilst holding the vapouriser vertically does the trick.
     
  6. scudo United Kingdom

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    This is the needle point.

    DSCN0854.JPG
     
  7. Henry Plews

    Henry Plews Subscriber

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    I've never seen anything like that on a Tilley (or Vapalux Bialaddin) wire before. No matter, it's broken / won't work and needs to be replaced.
     
  8. scudo United Kingdom

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    Question..... does the part circled turn the heater on/off once pressured or just prevent the generator from getting blocked?

    1-1.jpg
     
  9. Buggerlugs

    Buggerlugs Australia Subscriber

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  10. podbros

    podbros United Kingdom Subscriber

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    Brian is dead right :thumbup:
    There are a few Tilley lamps/lanterns though, where the control cock is just a pricker control … some types don’t even unscrew?
     

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