I have just scored a 1200m, that came with a new set of seals. It pressurises fine and no leaks, but the previous owner hadn't used the quick lighter in many years. The jet orifices appear clear and I have blown them out with compressed air and they do pass air when pressurised and the valve opened, but not much! I suspect the gauze filter and pick up pipe in the tank is blocked, but I can't for the life of me at present, get the complete lighter unit unscrewed from the tank. It's bloody tight to say the least. My question is: I have a spare Petromax pick up pipe for an 829 lighter and wondered if this would screw straight into the Optimus valve as and when I manage to remove it!? Or will it be too long for the little 1200 tank? Many thanks
Further to the above, I tried the entire Petromax 500 quick lite assembly on the 1200 and it does fit, albeit for the most part. The feed pipes on both rapids are interchangeable, so no problems there. The valve threads (lighter to fount) are the same, so it screws in no probs. The only problem is the shut off valve on the 500 lighter interferes with the 1200 gallery, so if needed it needs cutting and adapting which I'm not really prepared to do. So this brings me to the problems with the 1200 quick lite, which I've nailed down to the top part: Whilst the outlet is visible here, it is blocked. You can not see daylight through it. I pressurised the tank with 60 pumps, then opened the valve and only very tiny bubbling occurs. Taking it off completely the fuel and air flow is as per, because I have cleaned the lower part of the valve and fuel feed pipe and gauze, which cleaned up great. Fuel jets out of this as it should I'm assuming that heating it with a blow torch, then quenching will ruin it? I may try high powered compressed air tomorrow at my mate's garage and see how that goes, because the lower powered compressor I have us garbage. Any thoughts?
@Muzzleflash after looking at some threads on this it looks like there is a cleaning needle available from base camp stoves? i have found it on the optimus page i would be giving them a ring and explain? hopefully Mike can help with comparability
@podbros Yes, I'd seen on the Optimus parts list the cleaning needle. I'll get one, regardless because it'll probably be good for my pair of 500's, too. Assuming that cleaning needle is for the quick lite, as much as the vapouriser head??
@Muzzleflash on the optimus page it specifically mentions the quicklighter, which is why i mentioned speaking to Mike, if possible, as i can’t vouch for the compatibility with different sized lanterns or different sized quicklighters? the ‘o’ ring seems to be the same size though best of luck with it pb
From memory, the cleaning needle for a 300cp jet is the same size as the quick starter cleaning needle. If you have a spare, you could use one and see.
Thanks @podbros. Have emailed Mike @Nils Stephenson That's good to know. I only have spare 500 needles, but I may try a well used Vapalux or Tilley pricker wire in there and see what happens...
Success! I contacted Mike at Base Camp about purchasing a cleaning needle, but he said if it's seriously blocked using the needle can damage the tiny orifice. Alternatively, he said drop the jet into a mug and pour in boiling water, whilst stirring vigorously. After a full kettle of water and 5 minutes stirring the jet is now clear and a perfect circle of daylight appears when held up to a window. Great advice
Thought I'd post a quick couple of basic pictures of the lamp. It was very badly oxidised having sat in a garage untouched for over 25 years. I gave it a quick rub down with Autosol and I'll be leaving it at that, as I don't particularly like highly polished brass. Can't light it yet as it turns out the pump leather I've got is the larger version, but otherwise all good:
Here are the money shots. I put a new pump leather in, adjusted the air gap down to 12mm (it was originally 17mm!) and put an Anchor sock mantle on it and filled the spirit dish rim full via a Vapalux spirit can (works great). I had several Anchor sock mantles I got in a job lot of bits a few years ago and have never used them. Not sure what CP they are, but they burnt in and formed very well. It initially flamed considerably when opening the valve fully (after 3 pre-heats), but a bit of back and forth on the valve wheel and wow, what a light! Very impressive and a definite keeper:
Oh and the quick lite works very well, but is absolutely bonkers if you ask me. How on earth the globe doesn't crack when you whack it open is baffling, but brilliant
There shouldn't be any direct flame on the glass, but maybe the angle of the quick starter is a bit off. Looking at the pump, it looks like the lamp has had a bit of a rough life so maybe it is a bit bent.
@Nils Stephenson The quick lite doesn't hit the glass, but I'm just amazed all that instant, concentrated heat doesn't crack it. The pump tube doesn't look bent, unless the lower indent tells you something different? No idea...
The pump has been hit at some time and the tank has been pushed in. Not the first Optimus I have seen where this has happened. You can compare it with this one of Frederik's.
Ouch! That poor pump must have been hit very hard to make that kind of indentation to the normally rounded tank. It looks like it's been pushed in about a cm, or even more. Good quality proof that it all survived, however! No big deal as long as everything works. The shape of that indentation is fairly even, so it hasn't really spoiled the look of the lantern too much. It almost looks like it was factory made that way.
