Hi all, next weekend I would like to take one of my pressure lanterns for a short camping trip. On a 'regular' petromax I would leave the fuel in the fount, close the bleed air screw, close the footvalve and just put it in the car, fixed in a upright direction. Now I would like to bring my Optimus lantern, which has the old style of vapourizer without a shutoff valve... How would you transport the lantern? - Empty the fount, close bleed air screw - Keep fuel in the lantern, transport with open bleed air screw, hope that no fuel leaks during transport Any other ideas from the experts? regards from germany, kk1992
I recently bought a lamp which was shipped to me by mail, when it arrived the post people had sealed it in a plastic bag because it was weeping paraffin and the box was soaked, I don't think they were very happy. The bleed screw was open and obviously it had been left on it's side. On camping trips I used to put mine somewhere warm or in the sun for a while then tighten pump and put it in its box , if you take one from a cold room and put it somewhere warm then the expansion will help find any potential leak path.
If it's being shipped or posted, it should be completely drained and wrapped in a plastic bag for extra safety before being well packaged with the globe taken out to be packed separately. If you're taking it somewhere (assuming it's a Tilley or Bialaddin style lantern, either drain the fuel and pack it with lots of bubble wrap. If you don't want the hassle, use plenty of (unwanted) pillows and a duvet and keep it upright when being transported. Remember to open the fuel cap a little and leave the pricker mechanism in the open position. A Tilley left with the fuel cap/pump closed will slowly pressurize as the temperature changes around it and kero will leak out of the vaporiser. I inadvertently left a Tilley on top of my hi-fi amp (with the filler cap closed) and had to spend days if not weeks cleaning it out very laboriously. The smell took a few months to finally dissipate as my wife reminds me now and then!
Alright, the consensus seems to be to drain the fount. Better safe than sorry I guess. I found an old cardboard box that fits perfectly. The fount is empty, the pricker is down and the bleed air screw is open. Package for the weekend: - 1 litre of fuel - priming bottle - top reflector - two spare mantles - lighter - fuel funnel - metal chain with to carabiner shackles plus an adjustable wrench. Am I missing something? This should be enough to keep the lantern running for the long weekend. - kk1992
Well I always transport them with or without fuel, doesn't make a difference but always with the air release screw open. Due to temperature or even air pressure fuel will come out of the vaporizer if closed.
I have done both - but for a road trip I think I would empty it. Terrible smell to get out of the carpet in your car !
Update: Over 400km across the autobahn, used on 3 evenings. Even the mantle survived. One litre was more than enough, I run the lantern on a very low pressure with a 150cp jet on alkylate petrol/gasoline (swiss petromax gasoline vaporizer fits on the optimus 200p with some fettling).
Yes, I know it's unsafe, I use a little piece of sheet metal between the bleed screw and the lantern to direct the flammable gas away from the flame. To be honest, I always shut off my petromax style lanterns by releasing the pressure, no matter what fuel I use. Disclaimer: Don't run gasoline in any petromax style lantern. I would never recommend this practise to anyone.
Sorry for the 'double post', but FYI @JonD : The HASAG / MEWA 351 has no shutoff valve and is designated as a gasoline lantern. I don't own one, but I thought you find that interesting. Unfortunatly I don't have an english source, but here is a german description, even mentioning the inherent danger of using gasoline/petrol without shutoff valve. Lampenmaxe | Mewa 351L Maybe germans are just crazy - kk1992
