How do every one .I am a complete novice to these great lamps so please forgive my ignorance. just bought an ex military vapalux and not sure what to run it on ive been told i can use 28 second kerosene heating oil is this true ? also what checks should i do before i use it ? any info would be much appreciated.. thanks..
Welcome aboard! Paraffin/Kerosene is the fuel to use and heating oil will be fine, but you have to pre heat the lantern with meths. Turn the control cock knob clockwise, so that the pricker wire which is inside the vapouriser is up. Tighten the filler cap and the pressure release screw. Then pump some pressure into the tank, 40 strokes of the pump should do and then submerge the entire lantern in water. If there are any leaks you will see the air bubbles and new seals can be obtained from the Fettlebox on this website. The pump valve is located at the bottom of the pump tube and if it's leaking then it can be unscrewed with a srew driver. Do let us know how you get on, Jeff.
Ditto what Jeff has said. I use 28 sec heating oil in all my paraffin/kerosene lamps and stoves, with no problems at all. Terry
Although not the cheapest Pre-Pak paraffin is probably the most easily available in small quantities from any decent hardware shop and some less than decent ones. If you get it cleaned up/going then it's customary to post a picture or two... They are pretty easy lamps to get running and spares aren't a problem.
