Hello I was wondering if the Vapalux M320 had 300CP? I think atleast the mantle is marked 300CP, but does the lamp give that CP? Vapalux says that the lamp gives about 60 Watt.
I have never thought a standard fitted V42 mantle gets over 50 Watts by my eyes? I believe they give somewhere between 40-50 Watts? I have increased the output a bit by not tying off the bottom string and letting it just hang during burn-off. This makes the mantle form into a more cigar shape and also makes the weave look closer? The mantle now being closer to the spigot gives a much whiter light which may make it look brighter? Steve
Thanks for the reply ateallthepies! This sounds just like my Tilley 246X which I would guess also have about 40-50watt. Have never heard of shaping the mantle to increase light, do you have any pictures of how you have done it?
The Vapalux burner unit is capable of 300cp. I measured one in a table lamnp at 307cp. That was a brand new vaporiser and burner mind you but it did show the engineering is good and the rating correct. Most will not if course because when we get them they are often used and they deteriorate in use. ::Neil::
Yes, supposed life of a vapouriser is 500 hours. However, you can take that with a pinch of salt as large as the one you take with the supposed 300cp output. Such vapourisers are meant to be replaced when they reach the end of their working life. There's no method of cleaning them completely and carbon builds up on the inside, progressively reducing their efficiency. My suspicion is that there is also progressive deterioration (flaking etc.) of the metal itself particularly the part within the mantle which gets very hot. Add to that the progressive widening of the orifice due to pricking and the flow of hot gas and you end up with a finite life. Clarify "246X" for me, please...
Does the 246 have also a jet in the vaporiser or is it only the vaporiser? The 246X comes from when I bought the lamp from Shed-Man. I think it is one of the first 246 and also goes under the name "Guardsman" or "porquepine" i think. Have also seen it called X246, but I think the actual name is only 246.
No, it's properly called a Tilley X246, of which there were two main types; 'Pork Pie' (not porcupine!) from the shape of the tank and 'Guardsman', which had the more usual tank shape. 31640[/ATTACH] Pork pies Porcupine
Now why did you not say so in the beginning? I have just recently started my interest in Vapalux and Tilley and have very little knowledge of those brands. Then again, do you know if there is a jet in the vaporiser or just the vaporiser?
Not an actual jet, as in an exchangeable part of its own. The gas orifice is a part of the vaporizer, so by exchanging that one you will get both a fresh vaporiser and a new "jet", so to speak. Generally also a new pricker.
Thanks for the help David and Christer! Did take off the burner from the vaporiser and found the integrated jet, but when i moved the valve, there was no cleaningneedle coming up. Should there be a cleaningwire there? Will now ask Base Camp for parts. Did always wonder why anybody would call the 246 a porcupine. Those Pork pies look delicious and I see the resemblance.
Those pics got me all hungry, the pork pies look alright as well Vapalux/Bialaddin Vapourisers will soon be user serviceable when I get me finger out and actually make those promised end pieces Back to the mantle topic... On all my m320 lamps I have taken a rat-tail file to the bottom of the brass mantle holder/spigot thingy and made a shallow groove all the way round. Why? Well I noticed on more than one occasion that the mantle over time rode up by itself and and became loose and prone to breaking. Tying the mantle into this grove does 2 things- prevents mantle shriveling which I think makes the output a little brighter? Steve Steve
Judging by what I saw the other day on a well-known auction site, someone has beaten you to it! Initially priced at £30 a pop, the price went up to £40 straight after the first one had been sold - ouch!
I'm gonna knock out my tips probably for under a fiver, that will show those Koreans for making nice shiny things I got the Axminster Seig SC2 Mini lathe. Steve
Hi Steve. I like your idea of filing the bottom of the brass mantle holder/spigot thingy. I fitted a new mantle this week and noticed it rode up the spigot. I'll give it a go Terry
I also wrap some extra cotton or thin wire around top and bottom rather than rely only on the Mantles strings. Seems to make it really secure. Steve
Hi, I use single-hole mantles (Peerless 111 outdoors and Gold Top 1111 indoors) for my Vapalux, make a second hole into the bottom of the mantle and tighten it with thin wire around the spigot. This works well. I use a wire they use in flower shops. Good evening
