Hello Gentlemen, I recently bought a Optimus 300 lantern and would like to try to get this running.From what I read here on the forum its circa 1930s and has a vaporizer that is part of the casting and the cleaning needle is passed up through the bottom. Is this correct and is the needle part available anywhere? Also missing is the knob that controls that needle and the small pip that the needle passes through on the top. I am new to euro kerosene type lanterns so any suggestions,advise or tips would be appreciated.
Hi Doug, nice Optimus 300, yes it is from the '30. I don't have one, but I imagine you should get parts for a petromax 350 and they would fit. On hytta.de Detailseite: Ersatzteil- und Zubehörliste "Petromax 350 HK You need these parts: Complete 104, but you can avoid the part 191 that is for lanterns with bottom valve (with rapid preheater torch). I did not try this part on a Optimus 300 but the length should be the same, maybe wait for confirmation by other members. Then you need the complete part 114. I would also buy a new 350 jet and a new pump valve, but check if you can remove the old one, you need a special tool for it... a flat screwdriver dowsn't fit old style valve. Nicola
A very interesting old lady, Doug! I'm sure she'll clean up beautifully. I think the needle and gas tip will be the same as the Optimus 930 300cp. The pump leather and NRV will be standard Primus/Optimus. Be very careful when trying to remove the NRV, it will probably be very tightly stuck and if you do not have the right( better than standard Primus stove) tool you will round off the head. Could you post a pic showing the pricker control shaft (excenter)? If you remove the vaporiser, you will also need a lead seal (easy to make) between the vaporiser and fount, as well as a viton fuel cap seal and a small piece of graphite sheet for the pricker control shaft seal. Your lamp would have had a fibre wheel similar to this (on a 1930's Radius 119):
Yes, this is the first variation of the 300 so it's from about 1931/32. The jet and cleaning needle are the same as on any Px clone type lantern and are available from a number of sources. Maybe Fogas have original Optimus parts? The control wheel assembly is like any other 1930s Optimus 200 or 300. You can see a few examples in the gallery.
MUNSTYCKE part no. 2671 RENSNÅL part no. 2681 Vred & Rattdelar - Gasol- och fotogenprodukter part no. 2630 PUMPLÄDER CA 14 MM part no. 2774 (18mm) Not saying these are the best prices, but they are the correct parts for reference. Our host The Fettlebox will have the pump leather and NRV or pip and perhaps the fuel cap gasket & lead seals for you.
I sincerely hope they did not bugger up the threads there! Doug, once you have the parts it will be an easy fettle. Please keep us updated with your progress!
I would actually go with part 114. It is from the later version of the 200 or 300P and is the closest to what would be correct. The other would fit and work though. An original fibre wheel would have to come from a donor lamp. As for the pump leather and seals, I would get in touch with the Fettlebox or make them yourself.
So what I need is: (104) Guide rod, complete - 350 HK (114) Eccentric, complete - 350 HK · blue, "Petromax" (50) Carburetor Nozzle - 350 HK I made a pump leather and fuel port gasket and they seem to work. should I buy a new NRV ? What about the pressure gauge?I dont see any the needle move when I pump it up and it seem a bit ugly. Do I need that? Would I need a cap to cover the vacant hole if I removed that?
If the cleaning needle rod is not there, then the Petromax part 104 as shown will not work. The Optimus part number was 104a. I can't see one at Fogas so maybe it will be hard to find a new part. The NRV can be dismantled, so all that is needed is a new viton pip instead of the old cork one. A manometer is not necessary but was sometimes bought as an accessory. As a collector I like to have them as there are not many of the original ones around. The hole normally has a screw with a lead washer blocking the hole. You can see that in the gallery.
Doug, your Optimus 300 is not just another common Petromax clone, even though it shares a few parts with Pmaxes and has some similar features. I would stay with the Swedish 300cp parts where possible and keep the lamp as original as possible. If the pressure gauge really does not work and is not repairable I would still leave it in place if it were my lamp.
This is what I can see: Is this part 191 and 103 ? This is the bolt to replace the cleaning rod or is it replaced from the top?
There is an eccentric block screwed onto the bottom threaded end of the conducting rod (aka cleaning rod). You can only remove the conducting rod assembly from the vaporiser at the bottom by unscrewing the brass plug. The Petromax eccentric block diameter may be too large to go in but you can slim it down to the right dia. The Pmax conducting rod may also be too long and need shortening (in the middle).
Not sure what or where to get the parts now. These are the parts you guys think I should get? (104) Guide rod, complete - 350 HK (114) Eccentric, complete - 350 HK · blue, "Petromax" (50) Carburetor Nozzle - 350 HK
Doug, a VW parts diagram is maybe not the best way to get a handle on repairing a Volvo. They are different. You may have to get a Pmax/Britelyt conducting rod parts 101, 102, 103 and modify to suit just because the correct part is not available. For the rest, including the jet, needle and pricker control shaft/knob assembly, stick to the Optimus 300 parts from Fogas. Seals you can make or get wherever convenient.
Also, the part 114 that Nils referred to above is Fogas's Optimus part 114 and not the Petromax part 114.
