Here is my last restoring object, a Solar heater. As been told in other topics, this brand seems to be very solid and of high quality. This one looks like a copy of a Tilley and a Bialladdin but I have no idea when it was made. It is not very old, maybe from the 60:s? The most spectacular of this one is the fittings and the guard itself. Must be unique for this model. One odd thing to note, is the not symmetrical placed air inlet tube. A bit hard to see on the image though. No idea why it is that way. Unfornately is the pump knob not original and the pressure meter/filler cap looks like it has been modified. Anyone that knows how the original looks?
Good one - if it hadn't been for the word 'Solar' on the front I'd have thought it was a Tilley R1 with an earlier burner fitted. The control cock knob does look like Bialaddin. I've no idea why the air intake is offset, though - perhaps to save you coming into contact with it when you picked the heater up (not that you were supposed to move a heater whilst it was lit...)
Hello Bo, I recall that one of those heaters was listed on Ebay Canada several years ago, perhaps this it? I'm not sure when it was made, perhaps in the early 1970's. Perhaps you could post a close up photo of the pressure gauge as I cannot tell from the current photo if it has been modified. Great find!
Here some photos showing the pressure meter. The base is original I guess, maybe also the cover but the I am doubtful about the glass. It is plastic and has a rim that makes the cover rise from the base when mounted. Maybe the original had a glass plate. Signs from a small stop screw is also visible, now broken. I believe this item was used on all Solar products so maybe someone has an original and can tell what it looks like.
Hello BO, the link below shows a Solar lantern and there is a good close up photo of the pressure gauge, Jeff. Solar 200cp
Greetings, I've recently taken on the restoration of a similar heater to yours, a Unimet Heater and I'll need a new Pressure Meter for it, as well as seals and such. A new Mantle would be in order, as well. Have yet to dismantle the device and haven't found if the Vaporizer and Cock Valve are in working order, also. Do you know where I might obtain these needed parts? Your help will be greatly appreciated! Steve "Stovost"
Steve; i take it by now that you are not interested in the FL-6 i offered you; i know at one time you were wanting to trade for one;that is fine as i'm sure they will be others whom might be ;
If you have a Petromax lantern, perhaps you could try the one from it and if it fits then there are plenty of rough Anchor lanterns around and they use the same threads as Petromax.
Jeff, Unfortunately, I don't have a Petromax, or Anchor Lantern to sample the part from. Would really like to chat with Bo Ryman directly! (I've private messaged him, but no reply, yet) I've a few questions to ask about the Heater's Burner/Mantle configuration, and he appears to be the only other person with one, at least in similar design, as mine! After questioning the seller of an aftermarket Pressure Meter on eBay, as to the possible fit of his item, to the Unimet Heater and my mentioning the possible Thread Pitch and Size mismatch, he's inquired to what the Thread Pitch and Size is of the Unimet Heater. Not knowing it, but from you're thinking that a Petromax Cap might fit my Unimet, would you happen to know the Thread Pitch and Size, of a Petromax, with the hopeful possibility, that the Unimet is the Same? The searching for parts, is a lot of times tougher than the Fettle! Steve
..Hi Steve, ...Just seen your thread here.....I'll go over to the wash house and see if I can have a look.... ...might be a little while... Regards, PB
....Well, I'm not sure how much help this will be? The Anchor gauge fits on an old Austrian tank I found so this does seem to confirm the 'swap-ability' factor.... ..Measured it and nearest I can judge it's 22mm but can't find my thread gauges anywhere so unable to confirm the pitch.. But if you have found someone selling the Anchor gauge at least you can be sure it will fit??? Best wishes, Pb
Hello Steve, are there any other collectors in your area? I know that many members of CCF., own examples of the Petromax type of lanterns and they are helpful folk. I had to use an Anchor filler cap/pressure gauge on one of my Petromax lanterns and on my Optimus lantern and they do the job, Jeff.
