Tilley lamp

hi im about to buy my first tilly lamp local shop has free in for £20 each one has a pre heat thing the other too dont ! can anyone confirm that some dont need the pre heat thing

 

The majority of Paraffin pressure lamps if not all need pre heating, most petrol ones don't, did you take any pictures of them?

 

thanks for the quick reply i dident get a pic but i do no its a paraffin one ill get some pitchers uploaded this week ill get the one with the pre heat thing

 

it looks like a x246b model but im no expert

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Vapalux/Bialaddin lanterns have fitted pre heaters, Tilleys have the clip on type, both not difficult to find, you can also make your own if needed like @ColinG does.

 

The Tilley pre heater is as stated a clip on one, so you can, as I do, use the pre heater on multiple Tilley lamps,
You don't have to have a pre heater for every Tilley.
Having multiple pre heaters just means you can light more Tilley lamps at the same time.
Here is a picture of about 90% that I have and I only use one.

I hope that helps you.

 

Here is the lamp just got it

 

It sure is a Tilley X246B.

 

Does this one need the pre heat thing ?

 

Just tried to get it going but the pump rubber has a split so won’t hold pressure guna pop back and change it for different one she has 3 in there may get one with pre heat thing

 

All Tilley lamps need a pre heater torch.
For 20 pounds I would buy them all, if they don't have any dents or the bottom is popped out like a bulge, it should be flat.
Also the pump leathers will be no good if they have dried out, I use Neatsfoot oil to soften them so they will be usable.
You can get all the seals from the At your service! - The Fettlebox on this site.

 

Thanks very much I’ll keep and update on how it goes

 

Just went in she gave me the other one and said keep both

 

Even better that's fantastic.

 

Where's the third one? start as you mean to go on as they say

As Mr lugs says make sure the bases haven't been over pressurised and buy a couple of service kits, change all the seals etc and all going well you'll have a couple of nice useable lanterns, there is plenty of help on here or search for Broadlander on youtube if you prefer to watch how to service a Tilley.

 

Thanks very much can you buy the cotton stuff that goes in the pre heater mine missing half of it also how come they won’t light with out the pre heater apology’s for all the questions ‍♂️

 

Yes you can buy modern replacements on ebay,

Someone more technical will explain better than i can but Paraffin needs to be heated to turn it into gas/vapour before it will burn properly in a pressure lamp.

 

I see starting to understand how it works I’ve not lit it yet need to get some Turps tomorrow to soak the pre liter

 

The only stuff to use in the pre lighter is methylated spirit , any hardware store sell it plus other places as well.
Regards

 

Thanks I’ll get that instead

 

I prefer to use Bio Ethanol, it doesn't seem to spit as much and smells better imho.

 

Another option thanks very much

 

Home Bargains have the cheapest Meths I know of if you have one close to you.

 

I do have a home bargains shop not far

 

@lee the fisherman the seals from Fettlebox
Tilley Washer Kit
are excellent quality and value for money but the ones for the
pump NRV (non return valve) & control cock won't fit the modern lantern. This is because the older style is a disc stamped out from a sheet which sits in a small brass cup brass cup whereas the ones in your lantern are molded individually and fit directly into the spring.

Old style


New style

One source
pack of 10 TILLEY LAMP CONTROL COCK NRV WASHERS NEW STYLE 155 - square raised


All the other seals are compatible.

The wicks in the older original "preheater torch" were asbestos, the modern ones are fibreglass or Kevlar. They are part number 152 and available here Tilley lamp spares from www.Base-camp.co.uk

This may help How does it work?

Servicing a Tilley Lamp - Part 1 of 2
Servicing A Tilley Lamp - Part 2 of 2

 

That’s fantastic thank you for this info

 

@lee the fisherman

Let me know if you need any of the modern Tilley nrv pips, i've got loads of them!

 

I will do thanks very much mg

 

Got it going guna do another test run tonight in dark had a slite fire ball to start think I didn’t pre heat for long enough