Greetings all, New member (long-time lurker) here. I'll try to keep this brief so I can get on with fettling and not distract everyone too much. I've searched all I can on these lamps and how I might go about fettling - so I'm familiar with the citrus bath and paste and so on, and the preferred avoidance of removing the eccentric block on this model, etc. But I have a couple questions I couldn't find answers to using the search function. I'm currently in Kenya and came upon this nice example of an Austramax 2/300. From my research here I think it's a v.3(ish) but maybe from the pics you all can guide me further on that. Non-original Coleman 550 globe which seems to fit ok. I haven't fired it up yet - it's as found. Looks pretty sooty which could either be the dirty kerosene exclusively available here, or maybe a blockage? I'd like to strip and clean it as much as reasonably needed to get it sorted and glowing. Here are my queries: 1) Is it recommended with this model to remove all but the pick-up tube and eccentric block and place the entire fount in a citric acid bath - if one wants to clear out the pick-up tube of any potential blockage - or is that ill-advised? 2) Would a full citric bath cause a concern for the fabric washers in the eccentric block/valve, or is it ok to just bathe/rinse/air-dry? 3) The plating is pretty oxidized and thin (I can see the hint of "copper" underneath) so not much to work with here - but I don't care - I'll be happy with a functioning and patinated lamp. Other than the citric bath/paste and some metal polish, any other tricks to remove this oxidation? 4) The metal mesh is stuck inside the generator and won't budge. I'm hoping that a citric bath will dissolve the crud and loosen things up. The jet also appeared to be completely sooted/blocked. Any suggestions on cleaning these parts beyond the citric bath to ensure mesh removal and proper function? 5) You can see from the photos that there is some hard blackened residue on the vent. It appears that someone might have touched something plastic (or some other material) to it while still hot. It could also just be baked on soot/residue, but I have no way to know for sure. I've tried light scrubbing and it doesn't budge. Not wanting to ruin the otherwise excellent condition vent, does anyone have thoughts on how I might tackle this one? In the past I've used a phosphoric acid-based oven cleaner to remove similar residue from enamelled cast-iron cookware - would that be advisable here? Thanks everyone for your help!
Also, if not clear from the photos - and for identification purposes - the Austramax logo is on the collar above the pressure pump.
@83glt Nice find and so far away from 'home', ie Australia. Yes 'Ver 4' with logo above pump. Nice to see the ball nut on the hood. I wouldn't get concerned with the pickup tube yet, clean it later if it's a problem. More likely though is a leak from where the valve block screws into the tank or often on the valve wheel spindle which may require some graphite tape, or a new eccentric which now has O-rings. To get the mesh out you can try heating and solvents but I use a consistent thread wood screw of 32 mm (1 1/4") length and 4.2 mm (0.165") diameter to screw into the stuck mesh and it usually comes out fairly easily without obvious damage, though they can be quite carboned up. Someone else will be better placed to answer your questions on cleaning. Good luck and Oh, Welcome to CPL
Thank you very much! The wood screw hack worked perfectly - took 5 seconds. Nice one! I’ll try the citric bath on the generator/frame parts, make certain the jet/needle are cleared and working, and then paste/polish on the fount and see where I end up. Hope to hear some thoughts on what I can do about the vent/hood. Thanks again!
By the way, I tested pressure by pumping with valve closed and covering the fuel cap with my finger to release and it appears to hold air pressure at least. Here are some more pics of the various parts and you can see how bad the carbon is on the frame/mixture tube and the wire mesh that I successfully pulled with the wood screw. All forms of fuel are generally very “dirty” here, and you never really know the quality you’re getting. Still not sure if the soot build up is from dirty fuel or clogged components. The lamp actually looks pretty lightly used - just dirty. I’m also a member over at the camp stove forum and posted some info there regarding using supermarket “dry cleaning fluid” - actually white gas and easily found here - as fuel for my coleman stove. Incidentally, I also have a Coleman 635 Major pressure lamp that needs attention - that will be a subsequent thread once I get this one sorted.
That's a nice find and it would be interesting to know how it ended up in Kenya. Use a blow torch on wire mesh from the generator. That will burn off the carbon deposits. As for the hood. I would use a fine steel wool (0000) and dishwashing liquid. Don't use acids on enamel.
Welcome to CPL @83glt When you heat the mesh be gentle as they melt easily. If the jet is blocked I heat the nipple to a dull red then drop it in cold water. Repeat until the jet is clear. The Austramax is a kerosene lantern and not designed to safely use Naptha based fuel. They are a good little lantern when you get them going.
All your tips were very helpful and the lamp is up and running nicely. I’d say there was only a couple hours in it. I suspect the gent I bought it from didn’t know how to use it properly and scorched it. Everything cleaned up nicely and easily. Under the soot was a very clean and otherwise well cared for lamp. No leaks or performance issues - burns steady and bright. A very simple and useful lamp. Now to find a better fitting globe! Thanks again to all of you for your guidance - it got me on the right track. The steel wool/dish soap for the vent worked perfectly - just some elbow grease! Now to sort out the Coleman!!
Welcome. The Austramax bulge globe has the same dimensions as the Coleman 550 globe, so your Coleman globe is correct for an Austramax. Austramax also fitted a straight-sided glass on the early 2/300s and they fit an unbranded straight-sided glass to contemporary new Austramax 3/300s. This glass has the same height and top and bottom diameter as the Coleman 550 globe. Cheers Tony
Ah ok. I thought it was a “good enough” substitute. There seems to be 1/8” or so gap and it rattles if I move it around. No worries I suppose, It’s doing the job. Thanks for the info!
To clean and restore your Austramax 2/300 lamp, follow these steps: First, avoid removing the eccentric block; instead, soak the whole fount (except the pick-up tube and eccentric block) in a citric acid bath to clear potential blockages. Be cautious as citric acid can damage fabric washers. For cleaning the oxidized plating, use metal polish and citric acid paste sparingly since the plating is thin. To free the stuck metal mesh inside the generator, a citric bath should help dissolve the debris. For the hard black residue on the vent, try a phosphoric acid-based oven cleaner, but test a small area first to avoid damage.
Congrats on the fettle the old Austramax looks like new. Lovely blue hood and judging by its original state must have done a lot of work.
