I bought this, believed to be largely original, Petromax 829 for £70. It looks little used and has a 10-point sunstar, which I understand delineates it from the Chinese clones, along with the 'Made' in Germany, as opposed to 'Regd' on the hat and tank. It has a blue pre-heater switch on it, which I understand is likely a clone part?? It also came with a new pack of clone (blue) activator wheel and pump knob, which I will fit as I like the colour contrast. I know there's a myriad threads on here regarding these, but I can't quite date the '0724' having had a good look around the forum and web. I will fit new seals from Base Camp, fettle it and stick it in my small collection. Not restored a Petromax for around 4 years, the last one of which was an original 828, which was totally trashed when I got it, I eventually semi-restored it and sold on. This in comparison to that is practically new. Pics below as received, not done 'owt to it yet ..
Fettled and sorted, with seals and a new Rapid from Base Camp. I used copper slip on the jet and nozzle threads, as recommended by Mackburner, which I read on a separate thread elsewhere. Some quite scary scenarios have manifested themselves from these things, so I understand. I'm also a little concerned about the lead washers, which I quite dubiously noted can fairly easily come undone if knocked or bumped by whatever means. Hmmmm. Anyway, I will wait until a balmy, late-Summer evening for a light up I reckon. No way this thing trumps my Guardsman's as a day-to-day lantern, even if somewhat over-(or under) engineered. Will stay in the collection though now I've got the bug again... It's also a 1972 build of course.
Well done. I suppose you have already tested for leaks? A well-fettled unit should be free from all sources of leak to avoid any inconvenience later. If you've already done so, perhaps it might be a good idea to test run it without the mantle attached. It should burn with a clean blue flame. That'd ensure you don't have to waste any mantles in case it doesn't behave appropriately during the first light up. Its also possible to test beforehand, that rapid preheater torch before attaching any mantles. It should also burn with a rather turbulent, largely blue, clean and non-luminous flame.
How to clean and start these beast is mentioned many times. You can upgrade the lantern with a pre heater disc for alcohol and soft start procedure. If well placed the lead washers are no problem. Any washer will fail if loosened. There are only two things that should be technically 100%: it hold pressure > no leaks and, it should spay a straight line of fuel (cold test).
Quote MYN: 'Well done. I suppose you have already tested for leaks?' Yap, all done. The Rapid was leaking out of the top nipple that screws over part #224. I had to take all the cage and gubbins off again to screw it down properly. All good now. I shall do a Bunsen type burner test on it next week and post some pics. Cheers. QUOTE WimVe: 'If well placed the lead washers are no problem. Any washer will fail if loosened.' What I meant was if they are knocked (as you are trying to tighten or repair something else) they back off instantly with no resistance - unlike a rubber washer which will do it cumulatively. I have learnt to be gentle with it anyway. I also got a spirit dish along with the new seals and Rapid, so I shall use that initially as and when I light it. I like the idea of the Rapid and most definitely wanted it working - hence I bit the bullet and bought a new one. The old one, the feeder pipe disintegrated as soon as I removed it. The brass had turned to something akin to split-cane and just broke up in my hand. Odd... QUOTE Reinhard: 'Very good lamp One of the last from West-Germa ny' Your excellent posts I eventually searched were most informative. Thank you!
Something I forgot to say, after reading about testing manometers with a butane lighter refill. I did this and noted my gauge was reading bang on 3 bar pressure with a circa 2/3rds full refill. The Swan butane refill I used, have an operating pressure of 2.73 bar at 20°c. So at room temp at this time of year (in our house around 17-18°) I'll take the gauge as being reasonably indicative.
