Tilley Floodlights

Hello,

I've just joined the forum as a couple of Tilley search lights have just come in to my ownership.
I know nothing about these splendid lights, perhaps members out there could give me some information regarding age etc, also how I might find new homes for them?

The light photographed indoors appears to be unused, though it has had it's burner removed and an electric light fitted (the fitting of the electric light hasn't caused any damage or drilling!).

The second light I believe came from old Civil Defence stock some thirty five years ago.

 

Well, they're floodlights rather than searchlights and possibly newer than you may think - maybe 1960s...

 

Stevie
They are Tilley Floodlight Projectors - FL6 model. Here is one of mine being fired up down the road from you in Fife.

 

Thanks chaps for the info...
Hmm, Stuart, I think you attached the video to get me hooked, if you didn't, well I think it has!
SWMBO has suggested that I find a new hobby that doesn't need too much space (down sizing on the horizon). Watching the video, the rather interesting old lamps have taken on a whole new character, that of living and breathing. I guess you understand or think I'm bonkers!

I never realised that there was such a following for these lovely old lamps, sure as heck beats my plan for a train set...

On a more serious note. Before I start pressurising fuel and lighting things, what do I need to know? Safety and all that. Any help much appreciated and please excuse my ignorance with the Tilleys.

As to age, I've no idea. The rusty lamp I've now found out came from a skip at a police station that was being modernised in the late seventies. The new looking lamp I have no idea, it came with a whole load of other stuff from a house clearance.

One last thing, are they lamps or lights?

Once again, your replies are much appreciated.

Stevie

PS. You'll be pleased to know that as soon as I've finished typing this I'm going to remove the electric conversion and search through some boxes (from the house clearance) to see if the missing parts are to be found...

 

@BigStevie

Welcome. There is now no eascape.

Here’s some advice.

1. You now need a bigger house or shed.

2. They (lanterns, lamps etc) are all lamps, but some lamps are called lanterns (the outside ones), and some are called lights (floodlights, spotlights). If you stick around here you’ll get to know them.

3. Know your fuels! This is most important. What you have runs on paraffin (kerosene). There’s plenty of information here about how to fettle them back to life and how to run them. If you are a subscriber you get access to the Library which has plenty of information and manuals in it.

4. As I said above, there’s no way out now.

Look here for an (earlier) example of an FL6 and its parts:

Tilley FL6 (1937)

Cheers

Tony

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Welcome aboard.

One lamp is a nice object, to be used often.
Two lamps is a breeding pair
Three lamps is not enough

Oh well, you already have two.

Thankfully you've started with the larger end of the lamp spectrum so you can have many smaller lamps to join the family

 

Two lamps? While rummaging through some boxes looking for the missing bits of one of the flood lights, I found what looks like a 'modern' Tilly lantern. So now, it's three!
My local shop (ten miles away!) tells me they sell paraffin, so am building up to having a go at getting at least one lamp fired up...

SWMBO has told me not to turn in to some sort of anorak, living and breathing pressure lamps... That changed when I mentioned that there's a sister site for pressure stoves, she does love a good camping stove!
So, out of interest, are there many female members here?

Stevie

 

Not so many, but Jean is one of our top posters.

 

@BigStevie You already have the third lamp, I did warn you lamps breed and little lamps appear
Time for some more pictures and we'll help identify your new find

 

Yes, I was warned... I guess this is a thoroughly modern Tilley?

Stevie

 

That is a Tilley X-246-B and it will have a date code on the base plate of the tank, they can be fettled to working order, but the build quality is poor.

 

Two out of three ain’t bad!

 

All 3 work the same, paraffin, preheat and light. Enjoy

 

That's the plan! Going to service them both first, seal kits etc...
Will post some photos once fired up.

Stevie

 

Stevie.
I started with just one and now have even more .
Added another one since this photo .
Bob

 

Bob, where were they hidden! I don't remember seeing them.
Or was it that I couldn't see the trees for the forest

 

Martin.
You were just over whelmed by the forest of trees or lights on display .
Dont forget the van was still loaded at the time .
Bob .

 

@BigStevie

Nothing wrong with an X246B to cut your teeth on, and the copper coloured tank is not so common as the reds and golds!

As Jeff said the build quality is not as good as the earlier X246 model but provided the instructions are followed there is no reason why it shouldn't give a lifetime of reliable service.

To date I have never dished any pressure lamp base.

Regards Jeremy

 

Thanks all for your encouragement! It really is a sickness, this lamp thing. In the two weeks since I caught the bug I've got three pressure lamps, found a splendid old oil lamp and added a couple of old blow lamps.
Today I bought a couple of boxes of old stock globes, a few Tilley parts and lots of old lamp wicks. I'll get them photographed so maybe someone can help me identify what's what.
SWMBO thinks I've lost my marbles. As we have a plan for going off grid, I told her it was good relevant knowledge!
Thanks again folks.
Stevie

 

All you need now is an airport runway !

 

... or a steam locomotive.

 

Anything you want to know about steam locomotives, just ask me or David.
My place of work . . . . . .

 

Well, as near as we get to work these days.

Is that an old photograph or has someone put that bloody 'Locomotion' sign back on my favourite loco...

 

@shagratork

Jim Dick’s book on Tilley lamps has a photo of a Tasmanian locomotive with an FL6 as its headlight (hence my comment above).

Cheers

Tony

 

@shagratork is that from York? Looks like a big museum.

 

Steam locos... I used to live next to the Keighley and Worth Valley at Oakworth, those were the days..... Got to play on the A4 Sir Nigel Gresley when it was sleeping over at Haworth on evening in the 1990s.....

 

welkom!!
your lost now, it all starts with one

 

@tretrop
The National Railway Museum is at York, but I am a volunteer at the Shildon branch of the National Railway Museum in the north east of England.
The museum is called 'Locomotion'.

 

I went to York earlier in June this year, seem that next time I need to aim more to the north next time!