Tilley SL1 (circa 1943)

Discussion in 'SL1-SL3-SL20-SP1' started by Tony Press, Sep 16, 2021.

  1. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    This is a Tilley SL1 searchlight.

    The glass reflector is dated 1943. The glass reflector is fixed (not adjustable). The light was found in Australia. It is a companion to this SL1:

    Tilley SL1 (circa 1942)


    There is a thread about repairing this light here:

    “Crusty”, the Tilley SL1



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    Note that the air button tube is too long. The light did not have any air buttons, and these are new old stock for an AL21. I'm pondering manufacturing shorter ones. See *Note below.
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    After testing, I fitted a new old stock Tilley 169 vapouriser.

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    Lighting up with the new vapouriser.
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    Excellent!
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    This light is working very well and the output is impressive.


    * Note on the air (silencer) buttons.

    The light came without air/silencer buttons for the burner air tubes. It did have a fitting attached to one air tube that acted to hold the burner in the correct position by extending the air tube through the hole in the barrel. I've not seen this type of fitting before, but it it the correct thread for the Tilley burner. It is 25mm long and 14mm in diameter.

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    I ran the lantern with this fitting, and with two other "straight through" tubes. The light worked well, but worked even better if I blocked one air tube off with my finger. :-k:-k:-k

    I then fitted two AL21 air buttons to the light. This gave the best performance. I'm now contemplating making new air buttons for this SL1.



    Cheers

    Tony
     
  2. Buggerlugs

    Buggerlugs Australia Subscriber

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    Looks like you have done an excellent mate, well done.
     
  3. Sedgman

    Sedgman Subscriber

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    It has worked out very well and I guess now you will have lots of free time! Do they come in any other colours? ;)
     
  4. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    That question I’ll pass to @Anthony. He knows about colour and industrial Tilley lights…

    Tony
     
  5. BigStevie

    BigStevie United Kingdom Subscriber

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    @Tony Press

    A stunning lamp and very informative, thanks Tony for sharing.
     
  6. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

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    An excellent addition to your collection!:thumbup::thumbup:
     
  7. Walkop Australia

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    Will be handy for fox shooting. :lol:
     
  8. ROBBO55

    ROBBO55 Subscriber

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    Well done, Tony :thumbup:
     
  9. Anthony

    Anthony Australia Subscriber

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    “Any colour you want, as long as it’s black”
    As Henry Ford said.
     
  10. Buggerlugs

    Buggerlugs Australia Subscriber

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    @Anthony
    Great answer mate love it.
     

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