How to ID a genuine petromax 829 and Hipolito 301

Hi all. I'm new here and I want to pick up a couple lanterns. I've heard that there are Chinese copies of the petromax, and I wanted to make sure these are genuine before I buy them.

I can ask the seller to take additional pictures. Though I'm not sure exactly what pictures I need to ID it as a genuine or copy.

 

Hi @Gilbert

Welcome to the forum. I’ll let some of the other more knowledgeable folks here advise on how to identify/date a Petromax. I understand there should be some numbers on the base of the fount which appear to be scratched into the metal. These will probably help with dating the lantern. I’m sure you have already noticed the Hipolito is missing it’s manometer and the hood if the Petromax a fixed section of the hood which (I believe) will require a complete replacement.

Edit: I can’t see enough detail from the photographs but this post may be of assistance to you: Petromax Rapid 829/500CP

Regards, Jeremy

 

Hi Jeremy,
Thanks for the reply.

Can you clarify your last sentence regarding replacement parts?

I understood the part about the Hipolito needing a new manometer, but what where you saying about the hood?

 

Both hoods should look the same. One lacks the top.

Does the Petromax say "Made in Germany" or does it read "Germany regd" ?

Erik

 

Hi.

Yes, the top of the Petromax should have a chrome cap on it pretty much the same as the Hipolito next to it. I suppose you could consider it a rain/wind cowl. If I remember correctly they would have been spot welded in place. As I mentioned earlier I’m no authority on this type of lantern and I’m sure some of the other experts will pick up and comment on this post and probably correct me too.

Edit: crossed wit @Erik Leger

Hope this helps, Jeremy

 

The Hipolito H-301 (350 cp) shown is a high -quality lamp without a quick preheater.The filling screw is missing.Year of manufacture probably 1977-1979.
The Petromax 829 without cap is clearly Chinese production ,made after 2000.

 

Reinhard,

Thank you sir. Do you think it's best to avoid the Chinese petromax?

The seller is asking $100 USD for both.

 

Erik,
I don't see either on in the picture. Only "Germany". Though it looks more like "Cermany".

 

OK... you just pay $80 for the Hipólito which still is a good deal and $20 for the Chinese Petromax - which also is a good deal for the parts to take from it...
But the missing filler cap / pressure gauge is going to be a problem. You most likely will not find an original one. If someone else has an original filler cap he will also have the matching lamp included.

Erik

 

We do not provide any price Information here.I would buy both lamps .The Petromax 829 has been manufactured in Asia for over 20 years now.During this long period there have certainly been qualitative fluctuations and changes.German collectors are mainly interested in the old Petromax. I also had two Petromax 829 from China and they works very well and bright.

Reinhard

 

I guess the question is - do you want two projects that may well result in working but not quite original lanterns - or are you a fastidious collector that wants 100% originality ?
That said I would grab them for the Hipolito alone. The fuel cap/manometer from the Px will probably fit the Hipolito as an interim measure. You will also need globes, not too hard to come by.

 

Im certainly not a collector. I would like to have two working lanterns to take camping.

Are there new fuel cap/manometers available? It doesn't matter to me if they're original.

 

It looks like most of the parts are available at Lehmans in the US. I hope to have the lanterns working soon.

I'll be picking them up on Monday. Lehmans sells a parts kit https://www.lehmans.com/product/petromax-complete-maintenance-kit-for-hk500-lamp

Can you tell me what else you recommend I buy to get the lanterns working?

Will this kit also convert the Hipolito from a CP 350 to a CP 500?

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Thank you, happy to be here.

 

Lehmans will not show their full online catalogue to me as I use a German IP. Strange. Needed to use a proxy to have a look. It is a regular maintenance kit for the recent 500 CP lanterns. It comes with most parts you will need. If you install the 500 CP nozzle (and needle) to the 350 CP lantern it will make it a 500 CP lantern - no other differences (except for the type plate).
You might also want to get a Petromax wrench which is totally useless as a tool but comes with a gauge to adjust the air gap (air intake gap between nozzle and J-tube).
You also need a globe. You can use the small straight Coleman globe which should be cheaper in the US. (Dim: dia: 110 mm height: 115 mm). Walmart used to stock these when I was in the US... but that's been ages ago.

A few more mantles may be a good thing to have and some additional lead washers.
Depends on how much money you want to spend.

Erik

 

Most parts are interchangeable between the larger Hipolitos and Petromaxes. Yes changing the 350 jet (nipple) and needle for a 500 one should result in a 500cp lantern. Although the 350 is normally a lot quieter. The one with the missing top part of the top cap will work OK as it is. If you find another one it will be the whole assembly.

Sorry - synchropost..

 

You are buying service kits. These should have all the seals, jet, needle and pump leather. You will also need sock mantles 500CP and some kerosene (not lamp oil) as well as some denatured aclohol for pre-heating. Other useful things are a funnel and a small bottle with a spout for getting the alcohol into the little dishes for pre-heating. A long neck lighter is also helpful. Erik mentioned the wrench and the globes.

 

Thank you all. If you think of anything else, please let me know. I really want to get these rubbing and enjoy them for many years.

Which parts, aside from the mantles, are considered consumable? Are these like the colemans where I need to keep a spare generator and fuel cap gaskets?

 

Just the mantles really. Jets do wear but it takes a long time under normal use. Seals and pump leather last for ages (oil it occasionally) The cermamic/clay burners can let go but not often. I use Viton seals wherever possible and they will outlast me..

 

@Gilbert you may find this document useful as the contents are relevant to Hipolito, Aida, later Optimus and Chinese copies of Petromax.
https://classicpressurelamps.com/attachments/px-rest-pdf.57117/

The fount holds 1 litre which is a tad short of a U.S. quart (1Ltr = 2.1133 U.S. pints) and should burn for around 12 hours in a 350 c.p. lantern / 8 hours in a 500cp

 

Welcome @Gilbert
Since you don't consider yourself a collector, I'm pretty surprised that you are picking up these classic liquid-fueled pressure lanterns for your camping trips. Today, most guys would just get themselves some LED devices instead.
If you had only been familiar with the Coleman-styled lanterns, then the Petromax lantern might appear to work or behave like an entirely different animal.
Unlike the Coleman, a typical Petromax-styled lantern does not have any fuel shut-off valves.
Also, there're lots of room being left for 'tweaking' and adjustments by the user in order to get them working optimally.
The preferred fuel would be kerosene. They're not designed to operate safely with Coleman Fuel, white gas or gasolines. Using the wrong fuel can prove disastrous if you're not fortunate.
I'd buy both the Hipolito and the China-made Petromax since the price isn't unreasonable.
I'd most likely treat the Chinese unit as a workhorse since most parts are still made and available today. The Hipolito was made in Portugal and they were made equally as good as the original German Petromax.

 

@MYN,
Restoring the old colemans has been a hobby mine. I really like the look of the petromax lanterns, as well as the materials. I won't have to deal rust inside the fount.

Thanks for the info @Fireexit1 and @Henry Plews

I'm still trying to figure out how to quote someone in a reply.

 

Is the generator not a wear item?

 

No not really. They can choke up, but can be cleaned. I have never had to clean one out and have many of this tyre of lantern. The link Henry sent you contains much info but there is also much data on this site, and can be searched at the to right hand of the page. Terminology is an issue as different makes/countries use different words.

 

I'll keep that in mind and I've printed out the document. Thanks.

As far as cleaning the chrome... there seem to be many methods. I was thinking a short lye bath.

 

Most of us here would start with the least offensive methods first. Warm water and soap often brings good results. Chrome polish is useful, but go lightly as it is nickel plating not chrome, so is softer. Some move on to vinegar, I like to use citric acid solution. But not for long as it removes material.
Looking at the pictures above they seem to be in good condition, so won't take too much effort I think.

 

Both the lantern founts should be entirely brass except for the solder and a stopper piece on the inside just under the upper portion of the fount where the threaded bush for the central screw is soldered.
They don't have steel base plates like the Coleman.
They would remain largely free from rust. Not all Petromax-styled lanterns were made of brass. Some are made of steel and would certainly get rusty.
The only lantern made by Coleman which looks similar to these Petromax-styled ones is the Col-Max.

 

I'll keep that in mind.

As far as identifying genuine made in Germany petromax:

Will they all say "Made in Germany", while the Chinese ones say, "Germany", or "Regd Germany"?

Are there Chinese versions of Hipolito lanterns? Or are all Hipolito marked lanternerns genuine?

 

You are largely right. Chinese ones don't usually come with the 'Made in Germany' stamping. But then, it has been known that an unauthorized copy from an unknown manufacturer in China can put any country in the blank: MADE IN ........ .

I've never heard of any Hipolito versions from China.