Hello! I’ve just discovered this fantastic forum. I always wanted to buy one Petromax since my father had one and I remember it from my childhood. I’ve just found this one and it looks it was never used! If any of you could share your wisdom I will be very happy to know the year and some information. It is written on the bottom 1918. Thank you!
Welcome @Akihiko This immaculate Petromax 821 was, in my opinion ,made in week 19 of 1981 at Hipolito in Portugal. Some features of the portuguese origin: -It just says Germany on the tank. -It says not made in Germany on the hood. -There is no "Super"on the nameplate. -The spirit cup #35 does not have a riser tube. -The centring bottom #122 is not magnetic.
Thank you very much! I am very happy to have that information ☺️. Now I will try to make it work. If not working, I will also try to learn how to fix it… Very happy to be here… Greetings!
Welcome @Akihiko You did very well to find that. I have spent many days going into various shops all over La Coruña for years and never found a single lantern. It looks like it has never been used. It will look spectacular on the beach at night We look forward to pictures of its first lighting at riazor or matadero
Fabulous looking lantern. If that was in my ownership, it would never see a match. Plenty of used lanterns for sale. Once your NOS is fired, it becomes just that, used.
That's how the Petromax lanterns would look like when they were new. If you intend to keep its appearance, then do not make it work. But then, you will not know if it could actually work or not. The choice is in your hands.
I love it!!! Thank you Oh! You know La Coruña very well. I found it on the internet.. a shop from Andalucía Are you from La coruña?
I am agree with you but for me is magic to make it work and to use it. But I understand you Not an easy choice. But I have already try to turn it on…
I tried to make it work but… A lot of flames came out… I am reading a lot trying to see what is happening…
Thank you for your answer. No.. I was trying to turn it off. But after that I opened the valve and It went off.
I would say make sure the jet is done up tightly. You have enough pressure and you are pre-heating properly. Also are you using kerosine for fuel ? (Queroseno) - not lamp oil or similar
I am using Alkan. I will try again tonight. I have tightened the nail and the (I think number 50) piece. I am preheating with 96 alcohol. thanks for your help
I would use ordinary Kerosene - it typically has a lower flashpoint and is much cheaper. Alkan should still work - but might need more heat. The alcohol for pre-heating is perfect. Good luck !
Ok, here we go again: - did you read the manual before lighting the lantern? remember it is full of flammable liquid fuel under pressure and you want to set it on fire. The lantern, not your house. - did you do a pressure test, to check for leaks? - did you burn off the mantle first? - do use only kerosene, petroleum, querosene. - check needle position. Does the point on the knob point in the right direction? - needle is for cleaning purpose only, it will never seal ! - start without pressure in the tank, needle down (valve open), heat up, close tankcap valve, pump slowly until lantern lights up. If not release pressure, start over. - start the lantern outside, especially the first times - enjoy you rare and very nice lantern
Thank you very much. Sorry for using bold letters, but it is the way I know to answer. I tried to start it again but when preheating it start to make a lot of smoke and smell very bad. I think some petroleum is going out somewhere when it becomes hotter. I stopped it and don’t try to open the valve. It is much more complicate than I thought… Thank you so much for your kind response
Your model has a "foot valve" - that should stop pressure/fuel when the control wheel is "closed". WimVe suggested a lighting method for similar lanterns that do not have a foot valve. Both are valid methods for lighting the lantern. The best way to switch it off is to release the pressure (kerosene lanterns only - not gasoline). If you have no leaks then your problem may be that it is not getting hot enough, or you do not have enough pressure. if you understand how these work you will know that no liquid should come from the jet (carburettor) - only gas. That gas is formed inside the vaporiser, but it needs to be hot for the kerosene to be turned into gas. If it is not hot enough liquid will come. Once the lantern is alight the heat from the mantle continues to turn the liquid into gas inside the vapouriser.
For a "soft start" with alcohol: Do not pressurize the lantern until you are confident that it is sufficiently preheated. Keep the filler gauge and the air release screw open. The needle can be in the "low" position (the nose on the handwheel points downwards). This is also the position in which the fuel valve is open. Just before the alcohol has burned out: Close the filler gauge and the air release screw and start pumping slowly. It should then light up with a soft "pop" sound. If liquid fuel is still coming out, release the pressure immediately and continue to preheat. Depending on the fuel and the ambient temperature, up to 2 bowls of alcohol may be required.
Make sure the jet is fixed well and tighten it. The flame on top means you have a leak there. That is also why you get smoke and smell. That is also why I say: start the lantern outside. Despite what people say, the slow, or soft start without pressure in the tank is the best way. There will always be fuel in the generator/vaporizer, which when heated will escape via the jet/needle not as a vapour. Off coarse you also have checked for leaks without (pre) heating at all. Fuel leaks as well as air leaks.
Thank you you have lots of good advice now from experienced collectors I would read everything and make sure it all make sense to you.. if it doesn’t then ask more questions. if you still can’t get the lamp to run you should maybe empty out the fuel from all of the systems and check for leaks with a ‘dunk’ test in water to eliminate any leaks.. sometimes it’s a process of elimination to pinpoint a problem good luck with everything regards pb
What a fantastic forum and such a nice people! I am learning a lot. Thank you all for your time, advices and kindness. I will give it a try tonight again with the hope I will work. I think it has no leaks since a put pressure on it and no sound or fuel are going out. But when preheating with pressure this smoke and smell are coming. Maybe I have to change the valve for secure reasons ( I will try to find one). Anyway I will start it without pressure. Thank you all with my best wishes of a very happy 2024.
