Grettlings Fettlers, After restoring my third Tilley Radiator, that being and R55, I'm noticing that it's heat output doesn't appear to be as great as my other Tilley Radiators. The others, are another R55 and an R1A. I've not actually measured the temps with any piece of apparatus other than my hands in front of them and visually noticing the brightness of the Metal Mantles installed on each. By doing so though, I've noticed that the Mantle of the Radiator with the least heat output, is not as bright as the other two. Where the other two appear to be "red Hot" throughout the entire circumference of the Mantle, the Radiator in question, only gets "red hot" in the lower hemisphere of the circumference. I've attempted to position each of the Mantles on the Mantle Support, within the same proximity of the Burner and Burner Grid, but that hasn't changed the output of the questioned Radiator. I've done repeated cleansings of the Burner Ass'y. and Vaporizer of the Radiator in question (Vinegar Bath, Lemon Juice Bath, and Heating and Quenching of the Vaporizer) and the heat output has not increased at all. The Radiator in question lights as it should and other than what appears to be a difference in the heat output, runs as well as the other two Radiators, that it's being compared to. They all have had seals replaced and do not leak. Can anyone suggest what might be the cause of the difference? What might the remedy be, to correct the difference? Thanks, Stovost
Hi, Have you tried swapping over the burner units to see if that is the issue? I would expect it to be a new vapouriser being required but it may be worth checking!
You are welcome! When my fishing Bialaddin started to lose light, it was the vapouriser at fault (and has been for most other lanterns/heaters we have). Its still often worth fault finding first!
it was the vapouriser at fault (and has been for most other lanterns/heaters we have). Expat, I'd really like to keep the unit as original as possible. Can you suggest another, more thorough way of cleaning the vaporizer? The other Tilleys I have, have their original Vaporizers (as far as I know anyway) and are of the same vintage. Why would this particular Vaporizer be acting strangely? Just wondering.
Hi Stovost, You could try to drill the vapouriser out with a bicycle brake cable with a frayed end but I doubt it will help. Over time the flow of gas erodes the jet of the vapouriser causing to enlarge. This leads to an an over-rich mixture of fuel/air and a poor burn. Once this happens the vaporizer is scrap and needs to be replaced. James.
Probably because it's at the end of its service life - Tilley claimed 500 hours. They're not serviceable and are designed to be simply replaced when worn out. Get a new one...
