Hi Everyone Ive had great success here already getting and old KL80 Tilley up and running so im hoping for a little more magic I have no idea why but Old lamps have sparked my interest, not to sell but just to have, as its great showing them to folk whop used to use them or have never used them. Ive come across a Lucas Carbide bicycle Lamp which looks intact. But... Does this lamp need Gaskets and Filters? Ive read that the Lamps you would use underground has these but Im not too sure about the Lucas, so I dont want to light anything until im sure, Also is there any instructions for these? or a Parts list, in case there is anything thats missing for the lamp that I haven't noticed? Thanks for any help once again Kindest Glen
Hi Glen, I don't know a lot about carbide lamps but I do know there should be a rubber gasket between the carbide container and the main body. This is simply because else the generated acethylene gas will escape. Also, Lucas is one of very few makers that put a date code on their products; have a look at the lower of the 2 brackets that form the sprung suspension system. There is a 3- or 4 digit number. The last 2 numbers give the year, the first 1 or 2 the month eg my petrol bicycle lamp has N°914 meaning september 1914. My carbide one has N° 131; january 1931. As you may have guessed, october, november and december have a 4 digit number. If you know the type of your Lucas lamp I might be able to give a bit more info (but, I'm not an expert! My knowledge re these is limited...). Best regards, Wim
Brilliant Wim, Thanks You Ill dig that out tonight, I had a funny feeling that it would need Gaskets but I cant find a thing about the Lucas Carbide, only the Miners Hat Carbide, but I did think it would be similar, Well time to get the old Bicycle tube out Ill report back later Cheers Glen
So the numbers are 653, June 1953 how cool Any idea how think the washer should be? Around 0.5mm is that thick enough?
So it’s good and bad news The lamp has come apart reasonably easily with all tubes etc clear, except for the cover that keeps the horse hair Filter in place, it was totally rotten, I did try to save it but it’s in 2 pieces, so you’ll guess my next question! Is it possible to get one of these? The Gasket is in place but I think it will need removed as when you put the 2 bits together they will move slightly, and it’s thick!! About 3-4mm, so is it worth leaving it in place and putting a very thin gasket in as well? Thanks for any help once again Cheers Glen
No idea about finding a new cover, but the gasket I would suggest you make a new one in 1 piece! It is never a good idea to use 2 gaskets one on top of the other. Viton would be perfect but I think Nitrile will also be OK. If the shape of the cover is not to complicated it should be possible to make one from a tin can. Best regards, Wim
Thanks Vim My only concern is the purpose of this Cover, is it just to hold the Filter in place? The Metal cover is kind of Bell shaped so I would need to hammer out the bell in the middle to try and make it fit, or try to repair this one as there should be not heat at all so I could glue it back together? Is this wise? Thanks for any help Cheers Glen
Aye! Good point, but im not too sure the metal would stand it, its really fragile and I would need to remove that Calcium stuff off it before it solders. And that might be all thats keeping it together
Just a thought, but I got a perfect fit stove top expresso pot gasket for my carbide miners lamp from a house wares shop.
Hey Digout! Good Call!! I got an O ring but im not too happy with it but an expresso pot might do it!!
Hi Guys, so firstly thanks for all the help it’s been invaluable and I’ve finally got the lamp running So firstly Cilit Bang works to get rid of the Calcium in the lamp but you’ll need to coat it for a while. Next I had to fabricate a Spring out of 1.5mm Music wire. Then I had to manufacture the retaining cup that keeps the Filter in place. Popped it all together and it lit first time
To clean a carbide burner, you just need a cleaning needle of a suitable size. It depends on which size of a burner you have, but a too small pricker is better than a too large since the soapstone in the burner is sift and easily damaged. I have forgot exactly the size, but the wire is smaller than what you are used to from the prickers generally used on stoves. They are more like the ones we have in pressure lamps, so probably around 0.20 mm, give or take depending of which size you have. The burner type you have mounted on your lamp has two very small jets that meet at an angle close to the centre of the burner, so you need to hold the pricker in an angle to prick each jet. Better explained by the image below from one of my carbide lamp instructions. It's a Primus, and use the very same kind of burner as you do:
Cheers guys I’ll have a dig for tiny wire. Apart from that the lamp works fine it’s just now how to clean it without removing the nickel. I. Ant find anything apart from a soapy cloth. Is there anything that is just a touch stronger to remove the carbon etc? Thanks again
Yes, if not easy to find from UK on-line sellers. I ordered some spares for my Indesit cooker and they were promoting the stuff, it really works well.
