Dears, This is my Optimus 300, first variaton of 300 model from approx. 1931 with one piece vaporiser, two piece mixing tube etc. Professional info regarding such a lamp you can find in @Nils Stephenson post regarding his example in the Optimus 300 Gallery. Inspired by the above mentioned post I was looking for such a lamp. When I located that one, the price was quite high - the seller thought that this was a Petromax, because of a nice Indifferent Petromax glass globe. I informed the seller that this is an Optimus lamp with Petromax glass and suddenly the price dropped by 50% I bought the desired lamp and the “problematic” glass went to my other, Petromax lamp. The lamp is in really good condition, but I had to clean it anyway in citric acid solution because of the ugly green spots/stains in several places. Unusual is that black, ring located directly under the centerplate. It is marked with “Optimus” logo, so most likely it is original for that lamp. Needle was broken so at the beginning I installed very old and used Optimus 300 cp set of needle and nozzle and Petromax 500 cp mantle. Mantle turned half black and did not work as it should be. There was also a “fire ball mantle” problem. Lamp had also a “red hot glowing mixing tube” problem. It took me two days, 3 different mantles and approx. 30 lighting trials to solve all problems... My final solution is new 150cp Petromax needle and nozzle set, 17mm distance between nozzle and mixing tube and a Luxor 200-300cp type mantle. Hope those pics will help somebody to identify or fettle his/her similar lamps. All the best, Piotrek
That's a nice result, well done. Looks like you will have to get an example of all the variations of the Optimus 300.
Thank you guys. @Nils Stephenson - I do not have enough space in my apartment to collect many lamps, so I try to focus on older and less common models. I am still gathering experience and courage to fettle my 1931 Optimus 300B. Does anybody know why they threaded the other end of the mixing tube? Was there an alcohol version/conversion kit of Optimus 300 maybe, with some additional part attached there to limit air and run it on alco?
Very nice, very old. Not so common. Congratulations. If I'm in Poland, I'd pay the seller the 'Petromax' asking price just to get this Optimus
Answer to my own question "why they threaded the other end of the mixing tube? Was there an alcohol version/conversion kit of Optimus 300 maybe, with some additional part attached there to limit air and run it on alco?" is here Early Optimus 300. With a suprise. all the best clever Swedes Piotrek
I think you will find that the adapter used on the lamp you link to is not screwed to the mixing tube. It is just held in place by sliding over the jet and the end (not threaded) of the mixing tube. I have also seen the thread on the end of the mixing tubes of the older variations of the Optimus 200 and 300. My guess has been that it is for an alcohol conversion, but this is not mentioned in any documentation I have seen or physical examples. Another one of those mysteries that will probably never be solved.
Thank you Nils for info. Anyway, alcohol conversion kit seems to be the right direction/idea. Maybe different, threaded design was before. Sliding over adapter is a better idea, because does not limit air gap adjustment. I will let you know once I find one
