I did not buy the Bowlfire because of the blue knob - in fact I did not even notice it in the photos. All I wanted was another Bowlfire.
It looks to be the normal green colour on the end face so perhaps it's been painted around the cylinder side for some reason...
@shagratork It might possibly be blue electrical tape? I was watching that one and got her to agree to letting me arrange a courier for collection, but in the end i was too tight to bid on it once it went over £20!
I couldn't give a toss what the colour of the knob is or whether is is covered by blue tape. All I wanted was another Bialaddin Bowlfire.
As expected the very bright blue was blue electrical tape. I have no idea why it was put over the knob. Underneath was a nice green knob.
There were a limited number of lanterns made with Blue hoods for Rothmans but they had black controls. Never seen a blue control on any Bialaddin or Vapalux. Be interesting to see what is marked on it. If it's Bialaddin then maybe they sold either a lantern in blue. ::Neil::
So, it's months later and I'm finally back from the ship. First job on the list is to get the bowl fire working. It is the middle of Summer but the evenings are cool in Estonia. Had a fuel issue at first but got that sorted. Lighting these things is.....interesting! Fireballs going everywhere. Think I have the knack now and managed to keep one eyebrow. Wife loves it.
@Angus1745 Welcome. You will most likely have to replace the seals and washers if it’s been sitting in the attic for a long while. Service kits are available from The Fettlebox (link from this site). There will be threads here that show the fettling of these excellent little heaters. Cheers Tony
Don't forget this one The pump leather will probably be dry, if it looks to be in reasonably good shape i.e. no splits or tears, it can be rejuvenated by soaking in a light oil e.g. 3 in 1 or something from the kitchen e.g. olive oil. Familiarise yourself with the cleaning needle control, there is only half a turn of free movement, when the first D of Bialaddin is top dead centre, the needle is down and vice versa. Take off the burner and with the needle control fully clockwise, stroke the top of the vapouriser, you should be able to feel the tip of the cleaning needle - it only pokes through about 0.5 mm. and is not easy to see with the naked eye. Even if you can't feel it, it may still be effective so don't order a replacement from www.base-camp.uk just yet. Maximum fuel capacity is 1.75 imperial pints (1 litre) of paraffin / kerosene (some of us use central heating oil). With nedle down and air pressure release screw open, fill the spirit cup (at the bottom of the vapouriser) with methylated spirits / bio-ethanol and light it. It will burn for around four minutes so be patient. When the flame begins to fall away from the burner, close the air release screw and pump in air until the gauze element lights, give it half a minute and give another 60 pump strokes. Job done. Add more pressure as time goes by - around 20 pumps after each hour. Things that can go wrong: 1) A big flare-up when you start. Usual cause is either not enough time for the "vapouriser" to become hot enough to vapourise the cold liquid paraffin or, too much pressure too soon. Slacken the air screw and let some pressure out and start again. There's no need to fill the spirit cup this time, just add enough to get a flame that will reach the element. 2) Poor flame inside the element even with good pressure. Turn needle control 1/2 turn clockwise and back again to clear jet. You will have to do this very quickly or the heater will go out so have matches or a lighter close to hand. OR, vapouriser has become choked with carbon which is restricting the flow of vapourised fuel. Replace with a new one available from various eBay sellers or www.base-camp.uk 3) Big flames even after plenty of preheating. Overfueling caused by a worn/oversized jet (tiny hole at tip of vapouriser). Remedy - new vapouriser. Don't worry if you don't get it right first time, you won't be the only one, practice makes perfect.
