Akron Diamond refurbishing

Discussion in 'Pressure Lamp Discussion Forum' started by Kevin Goyer, Apr 20, 2025.

  1. Kevin Goyer

    Kevin Goyer United States Subscriber

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    Hello newbie here. Hey this is a GREAT site. I am refurbishing an Akron Diamond pressure lamp with shade. I got it yesterday. It looks very good i don’t know how to share pix yet. . I started by removing the filler cap and check valve. The valve seal is gummy and stuck in the race. I shut the gas valve and filled the tank with Berryman ChemDip carb cleaner and BBs. Shook it around a bit. The check valve doesn’t seem to work—liquid leaks out the check valve—and the fill cap is missing the cover.
    Is there a maintenance manual here on the site?
    Where can i get parts?
    Seems i’ll need:
    mantles
    a check valve
    Filler cover
    What pump is used to build pressure?
    What is the generator is bad?
    How do the mantle covers come off?

    Also i want to change my screen name!!
     
  2. Cottage Hill Bill

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    Go over to the Coleman Collector's Forum and use the search feature. Lots of threads on Akron products there. Old Coleman Parts is the starting place for seals. Pictures of your lamp/lantern would help considerably. Sounds like you have an external pump model. Pumps can be found without too much trouble. Again, use the search feature on CCF.
     
  3. Kevin Goyer

    Kevin Goyer United States Subscriber

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    upload_2025-4-20_11-38-52.jpeg upload_2025-4-20_11-38-11.jpeg upload_2025-4-20_11-38-52.jpeg Thanks for the reply—the Coleman Forum link doesn’t work. Ok i ungunked the check valve—it works. Tank is very clean with isolated corrosion pits. I’ve disassembled the mantle manifold. How does the generator come out? Here are some pics. upload_2025-4-20_11-38-52.jpeg
    upload_2025-4-20_11-38-11.jpeg
    upload_2025-4-20_11-42-45.jpeg
     
  4. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

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    Welcome aboard!:thumbup:
     
  5. podbros

    podbros United Kingdom Subscriber

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    Hi @Kevin Goyer and welcome!

    that looks very nice :thumbup:

    the generator on my lantern unscrews so I would gently try that

    regards
    pb
     
  6. Kevin Goyer

    Kevin Goyer United States Subscriber

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    Ah yes!! Exactly thank you PB! Got it!
     
  7. Kevin Goyer

    Kevin Goyer United States Subscriber

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    It works!!!!
    Cleaned the tank and generator with acetone. Used a seal i bought for some other project. Ball valve won’t hold but she lights and burns!!! Thanks CPL!!
    upload_2025-4-20_15-31-25.jpeg
     
  8. ROBBO55

    ROBBO55 Subscriber

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  9. Kevin Goyer

    Kevin Goyer United States Subscriber

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    Thank you for reply, Robb. I almost subscribed yesterday definitely doing it today!
     
  10. Jean J

    Jean J Subscriber

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  11. Kevin Goyer

    Kevin Goyer United States Subscriber

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    Thank you all for your guidance. Ok i got the tank to hold pressure by replacing the tank one-way valve with a schraeder valve. Now im getting a pulsing flame. The hissing from the generator is also uneven. I think i have a leak at the base of the generator threads. Can i use gas line sealant here?
    Is 10 psi too high? IMG_8107.jpeg
     
  12. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    Try using copper slip on the threads first.

    The standard operating pressure for these lamps is about 25-28 psi/2 ATM.


    Cheers

    Tony
     
  13. Kevin Goyer

    Kevin Goyer United States Subscriber

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    Thanks for your reply. I haven’t gotten the copper slip yet but i tried some bar soap. That stopped the weeping from the connection. I increased pressure to 22-24 psi; it stopped strobing, then it weakly flickered for an hour, now it’s steady light. A very good dinner table lamp.
     

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