Yes, the PL-1 tip is threaded and the threads are the same as a Coleman tip. It screws on perfectly, but as the Coleman tip is square, you would have to round off the corners to allow it to fit into the burner cavity. The PL-1 generator is filled with long strands of fine fiberglass. First (or coincident with inserting the filler) a fine mesh screen is inserted to keep any fiberglass fibers which may break free from clogging the generator. The filler bundle was folded in half and inserted with a small flexible metal fork which was then pulled out. This information is from Herman Lahde's book. The patent for the PL-1 (#2362342) here is the most detailed I've ever read. Everything is explained in minute detail such as using 20 strands 8/8 ply cotton yarn for the internal wick (I'll be ordering some soon). The description of the generator design and it's unique features are very well documented. A fascinating read. That being said, when this generator fails (tip constantly plugs up), it's almost impossible to remove the fiberglass that's in it. The only way I think this could be done is to straighten out the tube and carefully drill or pick it out. Not a simple task, but I may try it. I was looking at new filler material from here P/N RFG18F10 which may work. Actually I would prefer to find a new one but these generators are extremely hard to come by. Dan
Thanks for the info, that is great to know. One thought I had is to get some brass tube and braze it together with a threaded end (or use the end off of a coleman generator) then stuff with fiberglass (or asbestos,or brass wool) and bend to shape. Again, thanks a ton for the info!
Hi Steve, The PL-1 generator is kind of a specialized beast with the thinner top part being an integral part of the design. The small section was to increase the velocity of vapor stream and due to it's small size and rapid heating, to prevent the clinging of carbon to the sides. In the lab they claimed to get 1800 hours from the generator. Nice theory, but not sure how it worked in practice. Dan
Probably like many other things, all the "wear" is at startup/shutdown. If you just leave it running forever, lasts a very long time.
Regarding cut open Tilley Vapourisers, I did just that many years ago. We used them regularly on the boat, and usually the first signs of a dying vapouriser was flaring around the mantle. Another might be bulging of the stem of the vapouriser within the burner tube making removal difficult. One such vapouriser cut open was done with a Junior Eclipse, nice and steady, and the bulge in the tube was caused by a build up of carbon within. There was also a slight eruption of the metal around the top of the tube around the jet. Back then, a new vapouriser was £8 something. My first Tilley X246b was £5.5s new, and is still with me working fine. Though a later addition of a 1957 'Guardsman' and a Bialladin shows superior quality of the latter two.
