Hello. Not sure, should I create a new thread here, just registered to ask about issue. Previously googled it, also searched through forum. Have new Petromax HK500, bought to have good light even if electricity will be missing. At first, tried to start it with liquid paraffin. (read in multiple places, that it should work with it, also it's oil or paraffin lamp) But it didn't start, also rapid start system didn't want to burn at all. (there were some kind of spray drops, but it didn't burn) Tried to do soft-start, but it didnt work, instead there was white (sometimes black) smoke. I thought that fuel may be not really appropriate, bc lamp is also for kerosene, so removed paraffin, put kerosene into the tank. Rapid start worked well, lamp started. Everything seems to work well, except one thing: it's flickering. In one place: Petromax 829 flickering light (about Petromax 829) they call reason: "Leidenfrost effect". And suggest to put something near needle. But I'm not sure I have the same thing, maybe more dense paraffin left somewhere in lamp, interfering air or kerosene to go out. Maybe kerosene is not the right fuel too. Also on thread: Petromax CP500 issue they also mention that effect. Wanted to ask, is it ok, that lamp flickers ? Posted video to public telegram channel: Vladislav Ivanov in Public May it be related to leftovers of more dense paraffin ? And what should I clean to ensure it's the reason ? Or maybe kerosene isn't enough good for this lamp ? (bought lighting one, it's transparent, very liquid, but has some smell) I'm not too familiar with these lamps at all, so would be grateful if you'll point to part I should clean from spare parts list: https://www.base-camp.co.uk/Petromax/Petromax Spares Price List.htm Thanks
Welcome aboard! Paraffin/kerosene is the correct fuel, but don't use what is sold as lamp oil as it is for wick lamps and sometimes it does not work well in pressure lanterns, flickering can be caused by there not being enough pressure in the tank or carbon building up on the pricker rod, if you remove the outer hood then you will see the air gap in the inner hood and that has to be set to the proper size or the lantern will not work properly. When the weather is cold then your lantern will need to be preheated twice or perhaps more, one preheat immediately after the other and it's meant to be preheated in the house, I prefer the soft start method using meths/alcohol, but don't use painter's meths as it's the wrong version and it will blacken everything. Other members of this forum will have more advice for you, do let us know how you get on.
I would not worry about what is left in the tank as it is now too dilute to make a difference. I would take Jeff's advice above and make sure that the gap is correct, and everything is clean and done up tightly. I would describe the effect you are seeing as "pulsing" rather than "flickering" - this may help get more answers. Jan Moeller's guide attached to help you. C
Some flickering is normal. But like in the video that is to much. I would use the cleaning needle and check the pressure. That is pump it up. Especially in the begin with full tank, there is almost no air and lot of kerosene. That ratio will change.To keep the bigger air volume under pressure you need pumping. Fuel: I guess your paraffin is something else then what they call paraffin in the uk.
In the uk there are seemingly more and more "paraffins" - the trick is to find real paraffin (kerosene) not what is essentially lamp oil. But people call oil lamps/hurricane lamps "paraffin lamps" here, so therefore anything that burns in it must be paraffin - right ?
Hi guys, thank you all. Thanks, Jeff, about: > Paraffin/kerosene is the correct fuel, but don't use what is sold as lamp oil as it is for wick lamps and sometimes it does not work well in pressure lanterns Yes, seems, that's my case That paraffin was a little bit more dense (not that much), there was no difference between it and kerosene in wick lamp, so I tried it first. about: > flickering can be caused by there not being enough pressure in the tank or carbon building up on the pricker rod Lamp was new, but there was already some carbon inside rod after first failed start. Tried to clean it all with spirit. about: > When the weather is cold then your lantern will need to be preheated twice or perhaps more Yep, the weather was enough cold (near 0 by C), but I burnt it semi-outside (separate room with opened window), so it was near 10 degrees C there.
Thanks, Fireexit11. Yep, probably that's more pulsing then flickering. Saved that document about cleaning lamp, disassembled it, cleaned some carbon, but left old seals (seems they're ok). Also didn't screw everything up so much, as it was before, just on subjectively "enough" level Burnt lamp again, pulsing left, but on much lesser level. I think, maybe it's ok. Will record a video and ask about that a little bit later (forgot to record it, don't know why).
Thanks, WimVe, about: > Some flickering is normal. Probably now I have some flickering/pulsing, not that much as was before. I just see light is more "blue" sometimes, sometimes more "yellow". That happens once per 2 seconds, but probably even won't be visible on camera. Anyway will record and ask again if visible Yep, did pumping every 10 (or maybe 20, don't remember) minutes when pressure decreased to 2 or lesser, pumped to 2.5, as was told in manual.
Btw, will receive clone of this lamp on this week (called Sea Anchor). And will compare it's flickering/pulsing to Petromax one. Anyway these lamps are great, so bright. At first thought to use it indoor with opened window, but it produces too much smell. So decided to burn it in separate room with opened window, and everything will be lightened in near room (plastic window and door pass enough light) So there won't be any smoke at all, just light
Vladislav , I had a the same problem with a Red Hart lantern. Fixed it with a piece of brass gauze wound around the pricker rod. RED HEART 705 Gas Lamp
It's often a matter of trial and error. I fill those tanks a little over half full of paraffin/kerosene so that there is plenty of room for the pressure, if there is to much fuel in the tank then there will not be enough room for the proper amount of pressure and the lantern will not work properly. The link below shows an old topic which may be of interest. Winter lantern thread
I have and Aida and a Petromax 829 and the brass gauze fixed the pulsing as well. Good luck and keep at it!
