Found this little gem in my grandfather’s old summerhouse. Primus No 391 (FÖR SPRIT) Stamped “AI1”. Guess I need new parts for it to work. It’s all dried out in the pump. My plan is to make it bring light somehow. (Will probably be back in here with more or less stupid questions)
Welcome to the forum Pär. Maybe a moderator can separate this into a new thread. The lamp looks to be in good condition but is unfortunately missing the spirit (preheat) cup. This is not uncommon on Primus lamps and they are hard to find these days. You will also need to find out if the lamp has been modified to run on kerosene. That was also quite common. Just ask lots of questions and take photos to help. There are no stupid questions if you don't know the answer yourself. Btw, the lamp was made in 1944.
Thank you very much for the warm welcome. My dad, now 84, told me that they used this when he was a kid. It was quite a sensation when they first got this one, Carbide lamps and candles was the common thing at the time. He wasn’t sure if it has been converted. Is there any way I can check? And what parts do you think I would need bring it back to life? Also, do you think it would be possible to use a preheater from a Petromax or similar?
If it still is for alcohol, you should have a restriction at the bottom of the mixing tube. The part where the air is drawn in as seen on my image below. If this brass insert is removed, your lantern has most likely been converted to run on kerosene. If so, the jet and needle should also have been replaced for a smaller one. The alcohol jet has a significantly larger hole than the kerosene one. A correct kerosene jet should be stamped 6348, but that's not always the case. It's hard to measure the hole, but a 200CP lamp normally has a jet of around 0,17 mm, and if your needle still is there (and fit through the jet), you can always measure that one. If it's smaller than 0,17, it's for kerosene. A much larger needle and jet means it's for alcohol.
Thank you very much for your reply. Then it’s most likely kerosene. The tube is empty. So I guess I need to find some parts for it to get it going. Preheater cup, sleeve/mantle pump leather.. etc Couldn’t really tell if there’s a stamp on the jet. Where would be the best place for parts? Fettlebox seems to be closed for the moment.
Thank you Carlsson. Found that fogas.se might have parts for it. But do you know of a better source for spare parts?
I think Fogas is the easiest way to go. Or just search through eBay or Tradera. Mantles are often found there. You don't need a Primus branded mantle. Any sock-type of mantle around 200-300 CP will do. Even larger if you don't find anything else. You can use anything that holds around a tablespoon of spirit for a preheating cup, but it's good if it can be attached so it won't rattle around and possibly ruin the mantle after it has been burnt in.
I would strongly advise changing the filler cap washer. They can be bought, but a lot of people make their own. You need 2mm thick rubber of at least a good quality nitrile or best would be viton. The washer has an outside diameter of 18mm and an inside diameter of 8mm. Once you have changed the filler cap washer and oiled the pump leather, you need to check the NRV. Pump up an empty tank, remove the pump and then put it in a bucket of water. Any leaks will soon be revealed. A preheat cup holds about 5ml. I have seen Petromax style cups adapted, but whatever it is if it fits and works that is the main thing.
Thank you for good advices. Any specific oil used to oil pump leather? I will order a petromax preheat cup and try.
I just use a light hobby oil for oiling the pump leather. Sometimes they need a bit of help to get the full size back so I use small thin flat-bladed pliers to squeeze the leather all the way around.
