Hi folks. Was wondering what folks are using as a replacement or where they are getting the ceramic tubes for a Bialaddin bowl fire. I see basecamp has them at £8 if I'm looking at the right thing. Thanks Brian
Hi Brian, you are looking at the right item at Base-Camp. There has been a lot of discussion on the site in the past about replacement ceramic tubes, but I cannot recall any really acceptable alternative being proposed or indeed offered. But then I may have missed something - as usual. Steve.
Brian, are the ceramic tubes for the Tilley radiator and the BBF the same size? If so I can let you have one, if not sorry I raised your hopes!
Need someone sensible to confirm that Jean. Thanks very much for the offer. Will hopefully be able to confirm soon.
I just happen to have an R1 and a BBF sitting beside me at the moment and the tubes are not the same. The Bialaddin tube is around twice the length of the Tilley. Sid.
Hi Dan, Great you provided the dimensions of the tubes Could you please add the inner diameter as well? Perhaps there are tubes available that could be cut to the correct length.
Hi Stephan, Bialaddin: ID = 14.95 mm WT = 2.38 - 2.6 mm Tilley: ID = 14.05 mm WT = 2.15 mm All measurements are with a dial caliper so ID measurements can be a bit off. The wall thickness (WT) may be a more useful measurement, but it does seem to vary a bit (especially for the Bialaddin). I don't think it's s a big problem, though. We've been down this path a few times and it does not appear to be as easy as it seems, but perhaps you'll have better luck. Dan
Hmmmm..... The tube on my Tilley is about 1/4 inch shorter than the one in Dan's photo. That's how I received it and it works fine so I've never questioned wether or not it is the right one. Looks like it could have been replaced at some point with a shorter tube from somthing else.
Hello Brian As Steve quite rightly states, there has been some considerable discussion, and indeed some research into a viable replacement for our ceramic tubes. Myself and David (shouksmith) have played/tested/costed a replacement, and I think there is an alternative that's proven to be a good alternative ( David, bear me out here............) . Though the reason I started the project was mainly because 'Basecamp' had been out of stock of these tubes for some time, and was fearful that we were going to have trouble finding an alternative During the thread however, 'Basecamp' had a fresh supply of tubes, thus, quenched the need for an alternative 8) I don't feel the testing by David was wasted though, it just proved that we lampies can come up trumps if the need arises
As I suggested some time back ceramic tubes are available as industrial thermo-couple sheaths(1200C+) around 12mm id and other sizes to 1M or so long can be cut to length
I agree with Ray, I've found different qualities of those tubes, depending on the intended use. There are some available with 15mm inner diameter and 20mm outer diameter. Once cut in length they would fit both Bialaddin and Tilley, with a little slackness. The problem is to get this stuff, that seems to be intended for industrial use and that can't simply be ordered online.
