Hi All I have just recently obtained a Tilley 246b and would like to know if there is an idiots guide to using the service pack for it. Really want to get this lamp working as it brings back some memories of when I used to go night fishing with my father and all the good times we had (not catching fish, but just having some great Father / Son time) Anyone know of a document or guide that's out there ? Cogsworth
Welcome aboard! If you post photographs of your lantern that will give us an idea of it's condition and we should be able to assist, Jeff.
Cogs-worth You will find some general advice on fettling a Tilley for the first time in this post: http://0flo.com/index.php?posts/40199 Cheers Tony
Tony's advice is good and there is also the full X246B instruction leaflet in the Reference Library. However, you'll need to have a minimum of 10 posts to access that or be a subscriber ($9 per year). Otherwise:- 1. Throw Tilley X246B in the nearest skip; 2. Buy a Bialaddin or Vapalux lantern. Now that's a joke, see, and please don't be offended - it's just what passes for humour in these parts. Seriously, I hope you get your lantern fettled quickly and easily and you enjoy it for years to come. Welcome to the forum, by the way... Good question. SP1 is more comprehensive but will probably contain parts which aren't needed. The 498 should be adequate for most purposes...
Hi all .. Thanks for the varied replies It was the SP 1 service pack .. And the issue is probably my eyesight at this stage .. I've replaced the teacher and washers inside the pump, but no pressure at all building up after a light pumping (that sounds a bit suspect) .. Does the spring actually just hang loose on the shaft (I can't believe I'm typing this) ... Or should it attach to something?
Hi Cogsworth, That's also what got me started on this hobby, memories of fishing and prawning with my father, with what I learned decades later was probably a 246b. Nothing replaces a Tilley in that respect. Kero-Scene
The spring does hang loose on the pump shaft. It may be that your leather cup washer is to dry and needing a little oil or the non return valve in the bottom of the pump is not moving freely?
If the pump seems to not be working with a new leather cup well soaked with oil, (gently open the cup so it's a snug fit in tube) the return valve may not be working correctly the spring and valve with its rubber disc is held in the bottom of the pump. Try operating the pump out of the lamp with thumb over the end. You can type "Tilley pump valve" in the google custom search under Fettle box advert for more discussions on this.
did you soak the pump washer in something first, such as neatsfoot oil or even a vegatable oil? if you did and flexed the washer a bit so that it really fills the pump tube and is a bit fiddly to get back in the tube then I would think you have that end right and need to check the NRV and spring. you can stretch the spring a little if needed but not too much. you should get a distinctive phishh phishh when you pump as the pressure exceeds the valve resistance. checking the pip that goes in the brass recess or on the spring is not hard and seems pliable. should be though if it's new. check the spring and pip move freely too.
Half right. You need to be a subscriber. The 10 posts requirement is for the trading section, and doesn't affect the reference library.
Hi, another newbe. I had a similar problem where the pump didn’t seem to work. I have replaced the spring and bottom NVR rubber, but not the leather as it looked ok. Now it builds up pressure, during the lighting warm up and then comes streaming out of the top of the pump! After 6 or 7 pumps! it quite an old Tilley lamp. Have I done something wrong? I tested the pump in water and there is no leak.
^^ What David said... If it's a new washer then make sure you have assembled it all correctly the correct way round and that the little spring has tension in it. If it's an old washer then replace it. Incidentally on the newer pumps there is a hexaganol nut type assembly that holds the non return valve in. When tightening just do it finger tight and then no more than quarter a turn with a spanner. If you over tighten then you will find it completely seized when you try to remove it again in a few years time! The single biggest problem with working on old lamps is that previous owners have over tightened things. There is nothing on most lamps that requires much more then finger tightening. A common case on X246Bs is with the ring nut that holds the cage in place... If it's a knurled nut then never use tools to tighten it!
Hi, I am told that it is quite old. But not too sure to believe that any more as they chap that sold it also told me it worked perfectly I have attached two pictures, i think. Looks ok at the NRV but there has to be something wrong. Will order another spring and rubber bit and try that.
You should have the close coiled end of the spring on the pin under the step. If you had it the way your photo shows the end can get between the side of the carrier and its housing.
Hi, yes that is the way in came out. Ok I will try the spring the other way and try the pump again. But I will have to wait until I put the lamp back together again. I thought it was a good idea to change all the seals while it was not working. Hope it all goes back Thanks for your help, much appreciated
As alreaby mentioned the spring is the wrong way round, but also... It's hard to tell but the washer usually sits more or less flush with the rim of the little brass cup... Are you sure that you got all of the old washer out? The washer is usually quite a tight fit and not always easy to get seated perfectly flat, but it is important that you do.
