Having recently acquired my first X246 (see "gone and done it again" thread) I've stripped it down, given it a clean, re assembled it and "fired it up". Lo and behold she glows like a good 'un! The small pressure indicator works as well, but do you pump up the tank until the indicator is proud of its casing or when it is level? I don't want to "dome" the tank.......
Correct tank pressure is supposedly when it's level with the outer ring. They're notoriously inaccurate though and most folk ignore them and just pump up until the light's not getting any brighter - generally 75 - 90 pump-strokes depending on the fuel level...
I've just had another look at your lantern and I've reminded myself it's an early Guardsman-type. It's unlikely you'll dish the base of that one down, anyway - they were more robustly made than the later ones and the X246A and X246B series. There was also the question of the way the tank base seam was designed which leaves the later lanterns prone to 'dishing-down'...
I haven't weighed them but early Guardsman-type Tilley feels much more heavier that later X246A and X246B Tilleys. On later ones hat with all parts is almost the same and glass dome is same that in old 246. Gage and pump in new are a bit lighter but those won't explain the difference on weight. Therefore tank must be made (noticeably) thinner material in 246A's and 246B's compared to older 246
Yes the guys are right and inner is level with outer when at full pressure. It is easy enough to "Set" the gauge on these. Fill the tank with 1.5 pints of kero (That's 30 Fluid Ounces not the short measure 24 it would be in the US or 0.85 Lt if you are persuaded to the French system). Then give the lamp 100 pump strokes. This gives you around 30 PSI which is the correct operating pressure. Then if they are not level file the gauge down until they are. ::Neil::
