US Mil-Spec, 1980, SMP. Interesting to work on. Had a continual problem with threads on the lantern - they don't feel as deeply cut as some I have worked on, so found things cross threading unless fitted with care. The paint on the fount is a plastic type paint, that has come away in patches - I wonder if this was from a previous fettle? It took a couple of strip downs and re-builds to cure a lack of pressure at the tip of the Generator. Working very well now, have enjoyed the challenge. On arrival stripped it down, cleaned it up, replaced used Generator for a new one and added a new generator seat (threads stripped on original). Reassembled, so far so good. On first attempt at lighting, found no pressure (fuel and air) arriving in the mixing chamber, thus no light. Re-stripped to find that the fuel pick up (fuel and air assy) was covered in a green "gunk" (shown below). Cleaned up the fuel pick up. Re-assembled. Long story short, still no pressure at the tip of the Generator. Fount had pressure, none reaching the generator. Partially stripped down the burner assembly, took off the new generator and tested for fuel reaching the generator seat, - this was successful (Fuel leaving top of generator seat under pressure). Re-fitted the new generator, and tried again with no success. Final attempt, having narrowed the fault to the new generator (and a lesson to self here), always keep the parts you have taken off. I still had the original generator, which I re-fitted, and low and behold she sparked in to life: Time for a Mil-Spec Light up (1980 SMP left, 1977 Armstrong Products* right): * 1977 is nicknamed the "Carrot" - it needs another fettle!
@Alex Smith Well done on the fettle and your tenacity on resolving the issues. You have a very nice pair ...... lanterns that is When running, do your MilSpecs roar? Cheers Pete
They certainly do. I thought my Petromax were good on the noise front, but these are hooligans in comparison!
@Alex Smith Yeah, the little tearaways. I love reclining with a cold beverage, medicinal you understand, and watching and listening to their roar as I ponder the world's ills and how, if I was King of the world, I would fix them. Cheers mate Pete
Well fettled, i have fettled 2 of them had similar issues, you get what your given in the mail, old coleman parts helped sort out issues and away they went, once i had done my first trouble shooting was easier on the second, I too do like the roar, probably my most vocal lantern. Your lantern looks very cool, hours of fun Well done Alex
Some new generators have a protective coating over the tip. Check to see if yours is clear. As you've no doubt found out by now these lanterns like starting with a much lower pressure than a standard lantern. Usually in the range of 10-15 pumps versus the 30-35 for a Coleman 220 or similar.
@Reese Williams thank you for the advice, it is appreciated. Re the new generator - I took off the screw base and removed the metal tip cover on the new generator prior to installation, and used the pricker to ensure it was clear during fault finding. The pricking didn't seem to make any difference. The only difference between the new and old generators is that I can see "wading" visible at the base of the old generator, it it very prominent. I cannot see any wading at the base of the new generator., although it may be further up the tube. I need to investigate! Re number of pumps, I do enjoy that my two start at somewhere between 4 and 10 pumps - luckily I picked up this most import point prior to playing with them from the advice on the site here - such a difference from other lanterns. @AussiePete Love the idea of a cold beverage listening to them go, they are super. The more I play with them the more I love them. While I think about the fettle queue, I've my 1944 Coleman 252 to check and light, and I've a Akron Milspec on its way to me as I speak -if all goes to plan they should make a fine orchestra for the summer in the garden! Mine while the search for more Milspec's goes on
