Petromax 882 questions

Is this air tube, mixing chamber and J-tube correctly configured or has it been bent?







It’s from a Petromax 882 that was converted to use a Coleman 249 generator (vapouriser).




Cheers

Tony

 

Bend.
It should be in line straight up, straight down.

 

Thank you, @WimVe. That’s what I thought but did not want to do without being sure.

My next question is how is the “j-tube” fixed to the mixing chamber?




I might have to test this lamp with the 249 generator to see it working, before bending this part back into the correct configuration.


Cheers

Tony

 

At my lamp it is simply a snug fitting. Due to oxidation it will get stuck more or less.

 

Thanks, Wim.

Cheers

Tony

 

It's possible that the misalignment was deliberate, to get the mantle closer to the Coleman generator.

 

@ROBBO55

That was my thought, too. That’s why I’ll test it with the 249 vapouriser first.

Cheers

Tony

 

Thanks, @WimVe

Some gentle heat & quench plus penetrating oil broke the seal.



Cheers

Tony

 

What thread is this:




Cheers

Tony

 

Three vapourisers to ponder for my Petromax 882 project:

From left to right in the following photos are three vapourisers all the same length, 115mm.

The one on the left is new, with “Petromax” “250” on the nipple and no other markings; the one in the middle has “Px” (only) “200” on the nipple and no other visible stamping (but it’s pitted); and the one on the right (which I won’t use, but want to identify) has the square upper profile, a “200” nipple with the 200 stamped inside a horizontal oval, and no other markings.

I am thinking to use the centre vapouriser as it is old and more likely to be contemporaneous with the lamp.






Any suggestions, and ID of the vapouriser on the right hand side would be appreciated.


Cheers

Tony

 

The right one with the square profile is from a 200 CP pre-war Hasag, e. g. 42, 242 or the like. It has the same dimensions like the Petromax vaporizers and can be interchanged.
I would use the one in the middle for the Petromax 882 since it's from that time.

 

@Martin K.

Thank you.

Interesting about the Hasag vapouriser. I might need it some time. I’ve found quite a few pre-WWII German lamps (and stoves) here in Australia.

I’m in the process of cleaning the old Petromax vapouriser and testing it. It should work.

I need to make a new “square” nut for the J-tube as the old one was roughly drilled off-centre, and is corroded and split.

Cheers

Tony

 

I'd be interested to know this too.
I've worked on numerous J-tubes of the Petromax and clones but have neither measured the threads' size and pitch nor determine the thread type in the past.
Now I can't even recall where I kept my thread gauges .

 

Surprising, to me, at least:



—> 9/16 & 18tpi, fits snug.

Cheers

Tony

 

UNF thread? That'd be a liitle odd for a Petromax.

 

M14 x 1.25 ?

 

It's not unusual that Petromax used an imperial thread, as many other German / Austrian manufacturers did as well.
These threads are still common for plumbing here nowadays.

 

But 18 tpi would be at 1.41mm pitch.
9/16" is indeed close to 14.3mm or in the M14 range.

Coincidentally, I have just measured the J-tube thread size on a Petromax-styled lantern (original NOS Butterfly part). But that's for a 300/350cp lantern. It is 17mm in diametre with a straight metric 1,50mm pitch. That'd probably be M17x 1,50 which, is still one of the standard metric fine size but uncommon.
If I'm remembering correctly, I've used the Butterfly mixing chamber or burner cap holder on a Petromax J-tube before. However, those J-tube threads are thin and prone to wear and oxidation. It is easily forced-deformed. Therefore, I'm still doubtful of my recollection.
I'd probably dig up both my 200hk and 300hk Petromax units later to check as well.

 

Lamp manufactures used also water- gasworks dimensions.

E&G also made many street gaslights.

 

Thanks Myn
aye… i just threw it out there, knee jerk doubtful myself hence the ‘?’ but its prompted a bit more debate
Cheers
p

 

I cut down a UNF 9/16 nut to use on the J-tube:







Cheers

Tony

 

Well… this looks pretty good!






[mantle after the 12-minute rule]

I’m keeping it running for a bit while I cook and can keep my eye on it. The tank is hot-ish at the top, but I can keep my fingers on it for 15 seconds so not too hot. I’ll turn it off soon. Just checking all is well.




Cheers

Tony

 

Well done, mate !
As far as the heat: normally there is a globe holder and with that a pressure plate on top.
Those will normally get the heat away from the tank top. But all lantern tanks get warm/hot. So no worries.

 

Thanks, Wim.

I do have the rest of this lamp (well, almost all the rest — I will have to make a few things). My comment about the heat of the tank was to assure viewers it was safe running it without the collar and base plate.

I am very pleased with its performance. It’s taken a fair bit of careful fettling to get it running, so to have it perform like this on its test flight feels very good indeed.

Nice mantle shape after 1/2 hour of operation.




Now to make a few bits and put it all back together.


Tony

 

Nice work Tony.

 

Excellent works !

 

The lamp appears to be running at its best, Tony.
Would be sursprised if that performance could ever be bettered.

 

Getting closer to finishing…




Cheers

Tony

 

so worth it

 

Is that an original glass ?