Just bought a used Petromax clone need fettling advise.

This will definitely be a fun Lantern to play with, and it sure is bright.

I have also seen pics of ones that replace the cap/pressure gauge, and retain the gauge. Any cheap suggestions on where to purchase either type of said adapters?

 

Chip.... I just googled EZ pump adapter ... in your neck of the woods in the US of A

https://www.amazon.com/BriteLyt-Petromax-500CP-Lantern-Adapter/dp/B00KKSTNHI
also another one ...

EZ Pump lantern adapter - Fits most 500CP/350CP/250CP pressure lanterns Petromax | eBay

there a few German E bay sites/lamp dealers also who have really good equipment .. you could try them also .. I bought my three EZ P/A's from Germany delivered to me in the UK in days.... brilliant..

Not sure about the guages ...South Korean stuff is available but its just a matter of searching...
I have seen guages for UK Tilley lamps but not for Petromax or Chinese lanterns sorry ... good luck

 

You should in any case replace the pump valve pip and preheater pip (seal).
If they are old and rubber is hard, this is a worrying source of failure. Especially with volatile fuel such as gasoline or alcohol.
Ps. Usually the px lanterns not easily run on alcohol without changes to nozzle or air gap. Lantern will be for sure maximum brite on kerosene.

There are more adaptions around for brightness, noise and reliability .
Regards
Willi

 

All of the rubber looked brand new, and I will be keeping it on Kerosene.

 

These Petromax styled lanterns are ideal if you like tinkering and adjustments.
I've not tried the Schrader valves since I couldn't get them here.
Just make sure you don't run them with gasoline or Coleman Fuel as the lanterns were not designed for these fuels and could not be made safe for such use.
Unless of course you incorporate a positive shut off valve that could safely shut down the lantern without venting the fount's pressure. The nrv end on the pump is immersed in the fuel, unlike a Coleman, which has a 'snorkel' tube up to the air space above the fuel level. Any leakage at the nrv while operating with gasoline means disaster. There' no positive shut off attached to the pump stem like that of a Coleman. The air intake gap for Petromax styled lanterns is also exposed and located at the hot section within the hood. Should the jet/nipple leak or shooting fuel sideways, you're in for an inferno.
On the plus side, these lanterns are usually brighter than most lanterns.
And, you could operate the lantern with diesel in an emergency.(expect the generator to clog up sooner). Not many lanterns could be run on diesel.

 

Looks good !

 

If you have a good pump valve, you don't need a aditional pump adapter or electrical pump.
You are a "lampie", they have burn marks and blisters, wear them with pride !

 

That's a great read and has been invaluable to me in stripping and successfully lighting my Optimus 1550/500 . Thanks for such a clear guide

 

Yes, good tips as you say. I recently fettled an old Optimus 1550G. I'm considering a pump adapter, mantles seem very susceptible to damage. Do you, or any other readers, know if the Petromax adapter fits the Optimus?