I am new on this forum, so I want to introduce myself (I haven't found a separate place for doing this): my name is Mark (2 is because someone with this name registered earlier) and I am from Poland. In early December (not exactly on the base of editorial problems of Mayan calendar, but due to other scenarios of higher level of probability) I bought Bruder Mannesmann copy of Petromax500. I fired it on the all-concrete stairway and it was extremely exciting -- the rain of fire droplets falling from the cap, and so on (now I know -- too cold vaporizer). When the lamp started to work properly, in my memory resurfaced fragments of books about African safaris and expeditions to the white spots on the maps, those I've read as a child. I think, I was infected... "Hissing pressure lamp and a roaring lion behind the mosquito net..." Browsing the internet I've noticed something, I could not resist -- two used Anchor lamps (no globes, only one pump and both manometers missing), but for ca. eight (8,-) GBP BOTH! (plus postage). Got a missing pump (original Petromax), globes and one manometer. Another fuel cap I've made from threaded ring for the tap filter and a copper, some soft soldering did the rest. They keep pressure... The big day will come soon... But earlier some work with polishing paste is necessary -- they are steel ones and it seems that the rust may build under the chrome plating. And today -- I've got (bought on Polish equivalent of Fleabay) -- Vapalux! There is a hole in the globe, vapourizer is rusty (but needle is working) and I don't know, how much force may I apply for to unscrew it, without destroying the rest of the fuel line. But the enamel on the top cap is OK, and chrome on the brass fount looks good, the pump is working well. So -- hello, folks!
Hi Mark2 Welcome - you are already bitten by the lampbug be carefull you never get rid of that dicease I would like to know how good your Mannesman is while I just ordered one to recieve in a week. My fears tells me they shouldnt write "be carefull contains glass" on the box but something like "keep away from moisture". But I just gotta have it - I dont have that brand in my collection - yet. Let me see it burn please Claus C
Hello Jeff, hello Michal! Hi Klaus, my Mannesmann IS working, you only have to bear in mind to pre-heat a little longer, for to avoid over-excitement with flaming inferno... A full 'kidney' preheater of meths should do. On the start fiddle a little with the turning knob -- wait with "full open" till it will reach proper working temperature, if you don't want to be a witness of Biblical rain of fire... The globe is secured for transport with two plastic rings, so it should be OK. Keeping it for a long time in the garage/ shed/ cellar/ other place with high humidity is not very good idea -- it's steel, not brass. At home it will be OK, and occasional rain in the garden/ on the camping should not harm the plating. Using car wax could be a good idea, but I have to check, how the car wax will behave on high-temp regions. Will it fry?
If it's a circular hole then it's meant to be like that. These came on the earliest Vapaluxes and are for lighting the lantern. They're getting rare so you need to look after it. On the other hand, if it's a jagged hole, it's not meant to be like that, obviously!
I am afraid that the hole was made not in the factory, but rather during all-night party, when the lamp fall on its side... The globe is not a cylinder, but jar-like, as in Tilleys, with bottom opening for pre-heater. No other holes were designed. Edit: I will add photos, when I master the system of adding pics and The One Who Is Asking Questions will be not in this place. Now we have flu and Difficult Questions Are Waiting To be Asked.
Hi Mark, I am a honorary Polish, do not speak it, but My Grandfather was from the Katowice region...and was devout of the Matka Boska Częstochowska....I bet she graces all of us who dare to play with lanterns, Dobry Vieczor!
