I just thought I'd share an observation from my use of Tilley 164H mantles on my Vapalux M320. I did read some threads on the subject but I didn't notice anyone mentioning this. I general the Tilley mantles seem to work well and they are very bright. They have a larger globe than the Vapalux mantles but the light is still bright and white. I did think they might have a slight pink cast but that was probably from looking at the mantle too long. They seem to need at least 30 minutes use to settle down properly. Any early signs that some parts of the mantle are not hot enough disappears with use. I do find them fiddly to fit. Removing the mantle support to fit the mantle is not easy sometimes. It can be very stiff to unscrew and the bottom hole is really a bit too tight but they do fit with patience. At the top, where the steel loop is, there is excess mantle material extending beyond the loop. If the top loop is just fitted into place with no regard for the excess material then in use there is an inner glowing ring visible within the mantle. This excess material is in close proximity to the burner holes and could just affect performance. To mitigate this, I fold the excess material back above the ring and then fit. Then there is a tighter fit at the top and no glowing inner ring within the mantle. Just a thought and probably rather obsessive!
Hi Svenedin, I also like the Tilley mantles. I find that the light output varies from one to another, Some are quite yellow burning and others give out a brilliant white light. The excess material that you mention was also a problem on one of my lamps, as you say it gets in the way and did affect the burn considerably. When you say about removing the mantle support, I take it you mean the spigot in the bottom of the burner which goes over the top part of the vapouriser? If this is the part you mean, then you shouldn't have to remove it as the mantle will go over it. Also it may be advisable not to as the threads on some can become weak through the heat and you may not be able to refit them afterwards. Best regards Matt.
Hello Matt. Yes I do mean that spigot. I couldn't seem to get the bottom hole of the mantle over the lip on the spigot but if you say it will go then I will try next time! I was concerned that the threads would not survive being undone at every mantle change -they squeak horribly when undone. The light does seem to vary a bit but once they settle it is a brilliant white and very bright indeed. Blindingly so in fact. Best Wishes, Stephen
Ah I thought you did, it is a tight fit but they do go with some persuasion. I think with some of my lamps I need to do a bit more fettling on the burners before I light them as I think that has quite an effect on them as well. Best regards Matt.
Ok. Well if I remember my experiences in chemistry labs with bunsen burners, the heat of the flame varies with distance from the burner. The mantle should be sitting in the hottest part of the flame or it will not excite the electrons of the mantle doping metals; previously thorium but now yytrium (which produces ~20% less light). This is why it is usually best to use the mantles specifically designed for the lamp because they will be the right size and shape to sit in the right part of the flame. Thorium mantles weren't actually that dangerous unless you inhaled the smoke from a new mantle (thorium and its isotopes are alpha and beta emmiters so the radioactivity would be stopped by your skin unless you inhaled it or ate it).
Oh and another thing, a friend of mine is an electronics hobbyist and he has recently built a geiger counter. This evening we had a play with various mantles. We had: Modern Coleman mantles of various sorts: not radioactive An old Coleman mantle: Radioactive And here is a surprise: Modern Tilley 164H: Radioactive!!! I know it must be a modern Tilley mantle because the package has the Guildford address on it and a web address. Of course it could be an NOS mantle in a new packet So, is this why Tilley mantles are so bright? Thorium it appears........
Like you, I use the 164H on my vapalux lanterns with excellent results, though I do try whenever possible to acquire thoriated mantles. As for removing and re fitting the mantle support, try coating the threads with copper grease, it is heat proof and will protect your threads nicely.
Thanks John. I have some copper grease for brake servicing. I hadn't realised it could take such a high temperature. Good idea.
That copper slip is pretty good under heat and can be used to seal threads on jets for all sorts of lamps. It is an essential fettlers tool. ::Neil::
