I have just finished fettling this older Austramax for a friend. I thought I would show the break down of the fettling process. This is the finished lamp - I forgot to take a pic before pulling it apart: The pump: Filler cap/release valve: Cap and cap fixings: Burner, nozzle, spirit cup: Vaporiser (generator), cleaning needle (Note: someone in the past tried to run this with a gas (butane) lamp nipple: Brass mesh 'filter' was very clagged with carbon. It was cleaned in 1:3 vinegar and water, then "Marine Clean": Collar: Control wheel and fittings: Handle and sundry parts: The tank: The globe: Up and running: The lamp was very dirty, with solidified fuel. All parts were cleaned in 1/3 vinegar/water, them "Marine Clean". The vaporiser was cleaned with carburettor cleaner. A new needle and nipple was required. The pump leather was in good condition. The pump NRV needed flushing with carburettor cleaner. The tank was very dirty and it took quite some time to clean and flush. One thing to note: the Austramax is very sensitive to water in the fuel - much more so than my Tilleys and Aladdins. The yellowish mantle in the photo above is a result of kero with just the tiniest amount of water in the tank. I flushed it, cleaned it with acetone and refilled with clean kerosene and it was much much brighter. I'll take a pic of it alight tonight and post.
Beautiful job. My challenge was the NRV leaking bad. So after ignoring it for months while I moved house, jobs etc I unpacked it 2 weeks ago and plucked the NRV, it screws apart and had a little rubber pip (sits inside a small concave brass piece on spring) that had disintegrated. I burnt out the old rubber and shaped a new one from viton and had it working in no time. Very bright, very hot fount after letting it run for 2 hrs to make sure NRV was sealing. My D^D 2/300 is now my favorite lantern. Ps also seemed like the nickel plating was very thin in patches so left polishing to minimum.
Interesting to see the various parts of the hood and it might just explain something. Tony was good enough to send me a cap nut as a Christmas present for my Austramax - thanks again, mate. This was to replace (so I thought) a plain nut which was doing a good job securing the hood but looked poor. However, screwing on the cap nut didn't entirely solve the problem because even screwed right down, threads remained visible, as if the threaded rod sticking out of the top of the burner was too long. So is it that the plain nut was actually a correct part of the lantern and had simply been screwed on top of the hood when the original cap nut was lost? Perhaps the plain nut screws on first, then the flat washer, then the hood and the cap nut finishes it all off?
Ah! Stand by. I will post the diagram of the fittings (if anyone needs them, PT me and I will send a PDF): http://www.classicpressurelamps.com/forum/gallery/1064/1374609850-image.jpg
Standing by, Tony! On the diagram, there seems to be something missing between the burner (45) and cap nut (43) - presumably the threaded rod which, in a logical world, would be part (44). No sign of the plain nut and washer, either...
... but looking at the diagram again: If you look at my 4th from the top photograph, you will see, from left to right: 1. The nut that screws the ... 2. disc of metal that raises the ... 3. cap about 4mm above the burner. The hood then fits over the threaded piece on the top of the burner, and the cap nut I sent you screws on. If the #2 disc is missing, all it is is a "spacer", so it can be substituted with washers or anything. I suspect it was a bit of "over-engineering". If you want one, I'll try and track one down for you. Cheers Tony
I've just pulled my 3/300 apart after a recent long weekends camping. The lamp didn't perform well at all. I will get some photo's tomorrow of the Ball nut and the threaded part going into the top of the mixing chamber.
Tony's reply came in just as I was typing mine. Sorry about the crossover. But then many hands make light work...
David Our posts crossed in the ether. Indeed, the piece that is missing from the diagram, and most likely from your Austramax, is the the cup-like disk that is seen in my 4th photograph. It acts as a spacer - so any form of washer etc should work as a substitute. I'll keep my eyes open for one for you. Cheers Tony
Yes, the cup and nut on Tony's images does of course look like in the picture below when mounted on the burner. But I guess that's all perfectly clear already by the discussion above. Still... a picture says more, etc...
Groan... But, um, yes - it's all clear now. Thanks to all who have responded. I may have kept the nut but, IIRC, it looked thicker than the one shown and was probably just 'an old nut' from someone's odds'n'ends box. I've never had the cupped disc. Anyway, the lantern works excellently as it is, just like my Handi - good gear this Aussie stuff...
I wasn't aware that the army already used Austramaxes from the 2/300 era. Is it possible you could post some pictures of it in the reference gallery please?
Nils. Shock. My lamps are users and not worthy of sitting beside the shining examples in your gallery. It's the same lantern in the post higher up this thread. But I'll take some pictures after work today with close up of the collar showing defence stamp and post it with a short explanation. Cheers. Tony
