That's exactly what was aleady described here: during preheating with closed fuel valve the remains of fuel in the vaporizer can only escape through the jet, which causes the smell. Using the Rapid torch preheated this is no big thing as the escaping liquid fuel will immediately be burned off by the big flame, and the Rapid preheater produces some smell anyway. But with the alcohol preheating method you will definiely notice the smell and get fumes and flames under the outer hood. The valve is only needed for the pressurized start with the Rapid torch preheater. There are many lanterns which are designed for alcohol preheating which don't even have this valve. So it is not really a safety issue except if you want it to be preheated by the Rapid.
Thank you very much! Now I understand that the valve is not needed. It is posible to have it always open .
Thanks to all your help I did it!! The lamp works . there is a flame on the mantle ( I guess it is normal), and I cannot open the valve full down since it burns ♂️. But with a little open it works. I did a very long preheating as you told me and start very slow. Maybe now it is about adjustment. thank you all! I am very happy
This is not possible to upload a video I did for you. But I live in front of Hercules Tower: the eldest Roman lighthouse still working. The two lanterns working together. Very romantic for me… I will try to make a picture
Hi @Akihiko looks like you are making progress at last! Mantles can flare for a bit when they are new but usually settle down after a while I think the wheel should be able to rotate freely? Best to have the cleaning needle as far down as possible.. as you say perhaps some more adjustments…
Excellent ! - that wheel should be all the way down. - Remember there is no valve behind the wheel - only two rods, one pushing the needle up and down, the other pushing open a flat rubber seal against a spring at the bottom of the tank. it is an on/off type of seal really. By running the lantern with the wheel at 90 degrees you are holding the needle up too high and it will get damaged.
Thank you very much! Maybe I have to open it to adjust the lower seal or the length of the inner piece. When I open the wheel full down It starts to fire on the carburetor and the mantle. It looks a lot is gas is coming. But I’ve never seen one working so I don’t know how it should work properly. thank you all. I have discover a great forum with such fantastic people! Greetings!
Well I would not adjust anything untill you know why, what is doing and how it works. The nose of the hand knob should pointing in the direction of the needle: up or down. Up it cleans the jet and the lower rod seals the valve. Down gas will flow and lower rod pushes open the valve. The needle should just stick out of the jet for cleaning and not blocking the jet when down. When you open the valve and lower the needle your lantern works the best. If you get flames the vaporizer is not hot enough and/or your mantle is to small. You can't adjust the flow of the fuel ! That is limited by the jet opening. You have checked if the jet, needle and mantle are the right, 250cp, size?
Thank you, WinVe. I was a bit afraid to open all the way down since the mantle start to burn when lighting. I think it is possible to see it on the pictures I uploaded. The mantle was new ( it was already burned first) and is 250 for sure. It is possible to use a 500 one? Maybe I have to open it all the way down and wait until it stops burning. Thank you very mucho for your time.
You can but if your goal is to have a well burning lantern, I would not advise it. Does your car drive better when you put 17inch tires on the 15inch wheels? I would advice to pre heat twice, so that the vaporizer is hot enough to make gas. Then use the slow start method, mentioned on this forum many times for petromax type lanterns.
Thank you WinVe! I understand. I tried to clean the lamp very good and I did a new seal test. When the nail is up It has some bubbles but I understand is not important with the soft start. If nail down and with my thumb on the jet the seal is perfect. So, I checked the measure of the J piece ( 14mm) and the ceramic burner. Since the mantle was broken and I don’t have extra ones yet, I tried to check the flame and it is beautiful blue , maybe a bit too big for the mantle sizes. Now I am very confident with the soft start. thank you very much.
Dear friends. My lamp still not wirking well. I bought new yet, new needle, new burner… new mantle, all from petromax web. I did a slow start and worked perfect for about 2 minutes. After huge flames came up, and like that every 15” or 30”. I found it very dangerous. The mantle became black. I don’t understand what is the problem. I send photos from the beginning working ok and after the flames. thank you!
You should use the needle ! Then tell us what fuel you use, how you maintain the pressure etc. Some people think that you don't have to pump air once lit but that isn't the case. The smaller the tank or the fuel/pressured air ratio you must pump. A full tank has less pressurised air and needs pumping often. also you may have dirt in the tank/fuel. Or needle height is wrong and not enough gas = heat is available.
Thank you very much, WimVe. I am using Alkan as fuel and I filter it when refilling. I did a very long preheating. About pumping I did extra after the first big flames but more flames came. The flames are about 30cm high above the lamp!! It is like sometimes a lot of fuel is coming and it has to burn, of if some fuel is accumulating in the J tube and burns. The jet, burner and needle where brand new as well as the mantle. Should I disarm everything and change the lower valves? I am looking for some tutorial or video about how to do it and how to calibrate it. If there where some technical service where I could send the lamp… Now I am a bit afraid of using it because of the flames. But I think if it works property should be safe… I am thinking about selling it Thank you very much for your kindness and help. Jorge
I would try ordinary kerosene - I think that the Alkan is better for hurricane lamps. Once you understand how these things work life becomes easier. The big flames may be due to: Low pressure. Test again for leaks (put empty but pumped up lantern under water) Leaks near or on the jet - test for leaks Not hot enough. - maybe the fuel again ? Bad fuel - change fuel Blocked jet - use needle/ make sure fuel is clean There is a kerosine lamp workshop near the football ground. I am not sure if they deal with pressure lamps.
What you already have done but should do again: pump up with fuel and without inner hood/burner. Then open the valve slowly and see if you get a straight fuel spray. Mind you: it should be a straight line. Off coarse : do this outside. Without the hood you can also check for leaks.
Thank you very much, Fireexit1! I will do again a leak test and try with pure kerosene. Also check the jet. THANK YOU
Thank you very much, WimVe!! Now I have some minutes do do this check outside. I will look for a straight spray. THANK YOU!
I have seen that I have the Spanish flag now! I looked how to change it but couldn't. Thank you for a moderator help! I will make this lamp to work! I am sure. Thank you for your fantastic help. I will pay beers for you all if you ever came to La Coruña ( Fireexit1 let me know!) and when going to the Nederlands ( WimVe). Thank you! Akihiko
