Friend sent me a chrome Petromax 830/150 CP. Hasn't been fired in awhile. It seems complete but I can't get it to pressurize. I downloaded some instructions and looked at a few Youtubes. I removed the plunger and it was still oily but the tank will not pressurize (tank is quite empty). Instructions say for the fuel valve wheel to be in the 'up' position, still won't prssurize. Put a bit of neats' foot oil on there and still no change. There seems to be a bit of intermittent back pressure but only at the very bottom of the stroke. Anybody know what's up with this? TB
Hi Thomas and Welcome ! if it hasn’t been used in a while you will probably have to renew the seals. They also have a non return valve in the bottom of the pump tube with a rubber or cork pip.. they can harden best to post some images as there can be slightly different models of these? great little kerosene lantern regards pb @THOMAS BONTE
Welcome aboard! Those lanterns have a NON RETURN VALVE / NRV., fitted in the bottom of the pump tube and inside the NRV., there is a replaceable pip and a spring which make the valve operate, but over time the pip hardens and no longer makes a proper seal, hence the back pressure and sometimes the spring needs to be stretched a little to make it function properly again, but if it's stretched to much then it will be very difficult to pump pressure into the tank and then the spring needs to be compressed a bit, getting it right is a matter of trial and error, a fuel resistant rubber washer also needs to be fitted around the collar of the NRV.. The NRV., has a slot in the top of it so that it can be removed with a proper size of screwdriver and once it's removed from the pump tube then the top can be unscrewed from the body and then the pip and spring can be accessed, those springs often fly off so be careful. There is relevant paperwork in the library, but it's only open to subscribers and the link below shows the relevant Petromax gallery pages. PS., that valve wheel is only a pricker control not a positive shut off valve. Lanterns
I always go about it this way : drain the fuel, overhaul the pump,remove the upper sheet-metal parts , pump it slightly ,submerge it in a bucket of water , use a flashlight to spot where bubbles appear ( that's where the leak is ) ,repair all leaks , meticulously re-check for airtightness until everything is truly 100% sealed-even under higher pressure-clean the inside of the tank and let it dry , fill the tank with fuel ,pressurize it to the maximum,and leave it setting on a clean sheet of paper overnight; the next day,there should be absolutely no stains on the paper.Then ,polish everything clean, reassemble,adjust,and fire it up-enjoying the succesful work before soon buying and restoring the next "classic pressure lamp "
