Dears, Below is a picture of the very old Petromax bottom. Reportedly its center tauches the table surface when lantern is standing. Anybody please can advice if bottom replacement will be required? Right now I have no more pics and have to decide about purachase of that lamp. Thanks for help and all the best. Piotrek
Well it looks like it has been that way for while, based on the scuffing on the high point. I personally would not trust it - but if it is a rare one - get it on the basis that another tank may turn up one day ?
Thank you @Fireexit1 Tough decision. I might have to learn how to replace the bottom eventually We will see.
I have one with a similarly bulged bottom. When standing upright, it'd be rocking a little. It doesn't have any leaks. I had tried in the past to knock the protruding portion back in a little. It was only temporary as it would eventually re-bulged when fully pressurized. Therefore, I left it the way it is. I believe some soldered sections within the bottom rim had peeled or gave way. The bottom rim has a folded lip. which, I wouldn't want to fiddle with. Since I don't have anything to reform the fold, I'd reckon any of my attempts would turn out to be pretty ugly and messy . So...forget it. The bottom plate can only be removed if you unfold the rim's lip. The soldered section is internal. If you have the necessary tools or equipment, it might be possible to remove the bottom plate and redo the soldering. Some folks had actually replaced fount bottoms with some success.
It's possible and these images of a Tilley tank with very bulging base plate show what it looks like when the bottom plate has come away from the side wall of the tank. As you can see, the plate is still held in place by the folded lip.
@Henry Plews , @Fireexit1 , @MYN Wow, now I know what is going on there. Thanks a lot guys. These picks are just awesome Henry. Hope you did not have to sacrifice that Tilley only to explain me the situation So that bulging bottom plate requires different approach then the long round crack from the link below? Petromax 823/6 It seems that the bulging problem is even more serious (if progressing) then a crack, because cracked part can be cut and new plate soldered to remains of the old one, right? Piotrek
A bulge like that in a Tilley is always a scrap tank. A common failing with all post 1957 Tilley lanterns. ::Neil::
Don't think so. Both compromise the strength of the pressure vessel. Issue is that due to the pressure the bottom will move, not a problem, but when you have repaired it, it may become weaker.
Thank you all for info. Ok, so that is gonna be yet another interesting piece of old scrap in my collection... Someone has to love them, let it be me Maybe another 823/6 will have a good tank. It seems that Petromax had problems with their earliest tanks quality/durability. I will leave these tanks as they are and fire LED if light is needed. all the best, Piotrek
Not necessarily. It can be any random piece of any age. Mine happens to a 1961 Petromax 826. Despite the problem, I'm still pumping it up to the higher pressure range: estimated between 2-3bar. It isn't leaking or showing further signs that it'd give way. Since the fuel is kerosene, the most you'd get if it really does give way would be a messy flood of non-volatile liquid. It is not that likely to catch fire or create a fireball.
Thanks @MYN I will get that 823/6 with bulged bottom in a week or two and then will be able to verify the condition. It is just strange that my both 823/6 have problems with bottom plates and this one as well: Petromax 823/6 - 1920's? | Classic Pressure Lamps & Heaters Maybe these long handle railway lanterns were just treated rough at work and this is the reason for those problems... Just like any company car is the best all terrain vehicle? Piotrek
It is hard to imagine if any rough handling would actually cause the internally soldered joint to come apart. The affected location is not in the way of any mechanical impacts, etc. I can only figure that the main contributors could possibly be a combination of:- 1. Soldering work prepation, quality or consistency. 2. Base material stiffness or thickness. Usually, these samples have relatively thin metal which is quite soft and prone to deformation. 3. Overzealous pumping to increase brightness, etc.
@MYN That is why I mentioned earlier, some potential technical tank problems with the earliest PX lanterns. Most of presented here 823/6 have cracked/bulged tank issue. These are from approx. 1927. Of course it might be a coincidence as well. Interesting anyway. Piotrek
@Piotrek I can't be sure if the Petromax lanterns from the later 1920s typically have such problems or it is just coincidental. Perhaps other members could testify that. Ehrich and Graetz had just begun introducing these style of lanterns in the 1920s.
I think that design wise the idea that these lanterns would last 100years was not included in the specs. So fabrication methods, type of solder and usage would maybe not the choice of today's engineers.
@Piotrek This topic was very helpful. When I have my Petromax 824, the bottom does not come out of the rim when it is not pressurized, but when I apply pressure to light it, it gradually swells. After reading other topics, I understand that the swelling occurs because the solder is coming off, but I still want to light it, so I will continue to use it carefully. If any leakage occurs, I will post and share the information. @MYN According to your comment, you are still using this lantern even after experiencing the swelling of the tank, but have you had any leaks since then? I would be grateful if you could let me know. Of course, even if your lantern doesn't leak, there is a good chance that mine will, so I would like to add that I am responsible for anything that happens with my lantern.
@Camp numao Glad to help you, or at least provoke others to provide all that info. I do not use it often, but here it is, just from today - The Rocking Lantern Might be a cripple, but still alive!
@Piotrek I'm relieved to hear that your petromax is doing well. My 824 is doing well so far too! Let's enjoy our lanterns, but be careful not to damage them.
