Modifying a Petromax 500hk

Hi all. An idea has entered my mind and i just want to run it by you knowledgeable people so here it goes. I was camping the weekend with the other half. We were in the awning and lit up the 500 running blue peerless mantels and to be honest it was too bright for the small space that we were in. Then I thought of this.... would it be possible to lower the brightness by changing the needle and nozzle to 250 or 350cp spec?? Has anyone tried this?

 

What you describe is the actual difference between a stock Petromax 500HK and a stock Petromax 350HK (the only difference apart from the type plate ..).
So changing it to a 350 should not be a problem

 

Or save yourself a bit of bother and buy a good used 300cp Bialaddin or Vapalux. Then you'd still have the 500cp jobbie if you wanted to light a barn or whatever...

 

That's sound advice from David!

 

I have my eyes on a Vapalux at the min and will see how it goes, they look to be a lovely lamp. Regarding the 500HK, I find it extremely reliable and to be honest I have a bit of an attachment to it and would like to continue to bring it with me. I like the little 150 but I am having some issues with it. Some smoke emits from the base of the needle wheel, it pulses intermittently from bright to dull and also has the tendency to flare up when turning the needle wheel even after giving it approx 60-90 seconds preheat using the rapid preheat

 

What's wrong with a new 350cp jet and needle ?
Sounds cheaper to me then another lamp.

 

Hi!
I like the 350CP's, too. They don't consume so much fuel and are bright enough by far.
Just using a 250CP jet & needle won't work because there will likely be not enough heat for the vaporizer. I got it running with a small modification, just mounting a cover rosette (from a water tap) around the mixing tube, just above the burner. This provides enough heat to the preston loop.

BR, Martin

 

Do you have a picture of the set up Martin? I stripped the 150, cleaned the parts with an ultrasonic cleaner containing vinegar/water and re assembled using a parts kit from starklichttechnik.de. Now it is working perfect!

 

Just tried to upload some photos, but the server seems to have a problem at the moment:
Access time to the site is very long; database error message gets shown on top of the pages; and uploaded pics have 1B size info; shown as "broken" in the post. Will try once more later...

 

Thanks Martin

 

Here you are:

However, this is a cobbled lantern: The lower part (tank, vaporizer, globe cage) comes from an old Phoebus 665; unfortunately the rest was missing.

I added an inner hood from an old Petromax, mixing tube & burner from a Hasag 351L and a chinese outer hood . Because the mixing tube was too small for the 500cp jet (original Hasag would have been only 300CP) I decided to fit a 250CP jet and thus had to add the heat deflector as you can see in the pictures.

Runs well now, about 16h with 1l of paraffin, and you don't have to pump too often .

BR, Martin

 

Nice work there Martin and thanks a million for the pictures.

 

Awesome!

 

I am just wondering could you fit Primus 991 jet and needle to a 1020?

 

No, the threads are different on both the needles and the jets.

 

Thanks Christer

 

I bought a 250 jet and needle, put them into the Petromax 500, adjusted the height of the mixing tube, and it works 100%. Runs very quite compared to the 500cp set up. I'll take a few photos tonight.

 

did you have good luck with this set up? I have an aida 1500 record I would like to try this on?

 

Yup! It runs perfect. I just use a mantle that has been burnt in using a 500cp jet. Then switch over jet and needle, lower mixer tube space to 250cp level and away you go. Delighted with how quite and bright it is. Using Petromax Helox mantles.

 

I have a 350 jet and needle ...but I like the 250 idea..I would assume its better on fuel also. I have one super bright 500cp but I wanted something a little quieter ,not as bright and better on fuel without buying another lantern. I will order a jet and needle than. Thanks I appreciate you getting back to me....jon

 

No problem John. Just make sure you burn in the mantle with a 500cp jet first then do your changes to a 250. Keep us posted.

 

A 250cp jet works well in a 500cp Petromax, a peerless 21 mantle will be the right choice.

 

@leo thanks I have been thinking about getting some peerless to try...but get confused on sizing .nice website by the way!!!my son is named Leo ...short for Leopold!!

 

My last name is Leopoldt

 

Petromax Helox mantles are excellent, on par with Peerless with no thorium.

 

Cool. Thanks guys!!

 

I'm tempted to try this.
I have a well running Hippo 502 which is on Helox mantles and as bright as anything - but it's loud and a fuel eater. Way over the top for most occasions.

I have the jet but not the needle.... maybe I should get one. Given the tank capacity it should go for hours and hours!

 

Very easy conversion, still good enough heat produced if using the heater or cooker attachment. Huge reduction in noise as well.

 

Any update?

 

Have been working on old coleman...havent got needles yet.next in line.