Hi I'm a noobie to all this stuff and I recently acquired an old (ex MOD) Vapalux lamp. I love it. However, I quickly discovered that a meths spirit can or bottle with a long thin spout is a must-have. Could I find one anywhere? Could I thump! There are several forum posts across the web with people asking where they can get one. I learned from these posts that they are as rare as chickens' teeth and people have improvised their own solutions. Most of these solutions ignore the main attribute of a genuine spirit can (such as the Primus 1745 can), namely that they dispense a measured amount of fluid - that's an important safety feature. I still haven't given up the hunt, so if anyone can point me in the direction of a Primus 1745 spirit can, I would be grateful. In the meantime, I came up with my own solution. It's simple, cheap and safe. All I did was bond two plastic syringes together. It costs pennies - buy a 10ml and a 1ml syringe from your local pharmascist; slice the top off the small syringe and remove the plunger. Glue them together with Araldite. Job done. Measured dose guaranteed!
Hi, I have just bought a vapalux spirit can off e bay, I think there is still an ad on there for them. Just be advised though, they do not supply a measured amount of meths, it is down to your own judgement. That being said though, it is one of the best things I have bought to support my lamps, even if it was a little pricey!
Yeah ... I've seen Vapalux cans on eBay but, as you say, they don't dispense a measured amount. What I'm after is one of these:
If I were you I'd go for the more modern (relative) Optimus spirit can. It's the same design as the Primus one, but it is in plastic (white with red top and brass tube). The Primus one is good but it is steel, so prone to rust.
True enough, although I've never found it a problem. My view is that W&B and all the other manufacturers designed their spirit cups the size they are for a reason - to hold enough spirit for an adequate prime. So I just fill 'em up to the top and no measuring required. Particularly adverse conditions might require a second prime but I find that's rare...
An Optimus bottle would be fine. Either would do. I'll keep an eye out. As for the 'measured amount' issue, I can't see what I'm doing in poor light and it's all too easy to dispense too much meths. It spills over the edges and is a hazard. Dispensing too little is a mere inconvenience.
OK, but how do you know the correct 'measured amount' for, say, an Optimus or Primus lantern is the correct amount for a Bialaddin or Vapalux...
I don't know how much these cans dispense. I do know that about 10ml does the job. I'd have to try one.
I got one of these and I am not happy with it. The red plastic is full of little cracks where it is glued to the white and more problematic there were cracks at the small rim of the filler opening where the cap is fitted. I used it only a few times before the half rim broke off. Now I am using a small cork to close it but I had to file a small slot in the wall of the opening to allow the air to get past the cork.
I have seen ones like that but the one I have been using for a few years is fine. Maybe they changed the plastic at some point in time or there could be different additives in the alcohol used in different places.
Alert: Revival of an old thread. I managed to pick up two Primus 7145 spirit cans. They dispense 6ml each "tip". Cheers Tony
Easy solution ... small plastic bottle with pointed spout ... a decent ladies hairdresser will have them.... used for perms solution ..she throws them away... save for you maybe !. plastic tubing to fit spout diameter( home brew shops will have the correct size ) ... cut to appropriate length of course ... har but you say its all floppy ... nope.... insert single strand copper wire inside fuu tube length and more to go inside spout .. bend to shape ... tube follows shape.. and there you are ...hey ho .. usefull methalyser bottle
This is what I use. I got mine from eBay for pence. If you know a friendly school science teacher (or a hairdresser as someone suggested) you could probably get one for free. It doesn't deliver a measured amount but that really doesn't bother me. It works on all my stoves and lanterns except my Enders 9061D (stove) because the thing is so intricately designed (fiddly and over engineered).
Or basically the same item but from UK amazon... https://www.amazon.co.uk/DaoRier-Me...&qid=1542658601&sr=1-13&keywords=wash+bottles
I use a wash bottle as well, perfect for my Bialaddins, vapaluxes and primus stoves. Simple, cheap and readily available.
Thats the stuff really good ... hey but I like to improvise a little and of course its a little invention for me ... not that I cannot afford 99p ! I will probably get a few of these thanks
I ordered two from the river in South America place .. I hope they arrive here for Xmas little prezzie hey ...
After spilling Denatured alcohol all over my First Petromax Clone Lantern last night doing my initial soft light up. I have just ordered three of these. They should be at my house Friday. 250ml Wash Bottle, Plastic Safety Squeeze Bottle
That's what we call meths or methylated spirits in the UK but I believe you guys call it denatured alcohol. I recently found that the dye used to turn it purple stains white kitchen cupboard surfaces!!!!! Luckily it's in a place Mrs Geer can't easily see, but it could have caused some serious marital strife! You have been warned ladies and gentlemen of the United Kingdom!
I guess you could always justify taking gin or vodka on a camping trip, after all, it's only to light the stove with
The methylated spirit (rödsprit) here in Sweden is red dyed hence the name röd (red). It is more red than your purple kind. I bought a stock of about 80 liters cheap that was sold out at my car dealer years ago because they had been stored in direct sun light and had lost its red colour and is now completely clear. My stock will hold many to come even that I use it as an anti freeze liquid to my car’s window washer in the winter. I learned that in the military and it is in my opinion better than the expensive determined products you can buy in the shops. Michael
