How to replace a mantle on a Petromax Lamp

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9 жыл бұрын

There didn't seem to be anything on how to change a mantle on a Petromax (in English) so I thought I would do one myself to companion my how to light an ancient Tilley. They say a picture tells a thousands words, I recon a video can tell a thousand more, so I've kept my 'rabbit' to a minimum! Just a word of caution: these lamps are designed to run on paraffin, you can use diesel but whatever you do don't use PETROL unless you want to blow yourself up! There is a special carburettor you can buy for petrol, but should your lamp leak anywhere, look out!!! I would never use petrol its far too dangerous!
Using diesel takes a little more effort to heat up but surprisingly, once lit, there is less odour than paraffin and of course at the moment diesel is cheaper and easier to get than paraffin.
My next video will be on an annual service on one of these lamps so watch this space.

Пікірлер: 17

@rishanranatunga4851 5 жыл бұрын

This gives me a golden memories around 1977 .thank you for posting!

@dickdastardly5534 Жыл бұрын

I have just bought a Petromax and cannot get it to light apart from having flames pouring out of the top - people say there is a knack to it and obviously they ain’t kidding. I will persist and won’t give up as this beauty was not cheap. Thanks for sharing its a pity you don’t live in Wales as I am doing something wrong and could do with an experienced hand - cheers buddy 👍🏻

@padraiglogue3568 6 ай бұрын

Did you figure it out?

@johnfdcc 6 жыл бұрын

Another little tip I have just discovered: you know how quickly the top hat gets tarnished after cleaning and polishing it? If before you fire your lamp up you spray the top hat with ultra high temp clear gloss lacquer it will help to keep the tarnish away but it must be ultra high temp lacquer (the type used for car engine exhaust manifolds). Hey! do follow the instructions for using the lacquer before you use as it, otherwise your results will be rubbish, and it is highly flammable before it is dry, so do be sensible, I know it’s not a man thing to do, but read those instructions!! Ezee pump device! How brilliant are they! Yes, yes, I know they defer from the original, but the convenience is mind blowing especially after having spent years of having to manually pump every time you light up. I got me one of those hand held battery powered pumps (they look just like a battery powered drill), total outlay is quite a lot something like £20 for the device and £50 for the pump, a 3 or 4 second burst though and you are up to pressure! Do be aware that it is 3 or 4 seconds or you will blow your tank just an eye on the manometer!

@seamanjive 4 жыл бұрын

Great vid, good tips. Can you say a bit more about running diesel on these lamps?

@machtechnoscience8989 3 жыл бұрын

That's the best demo

@ernstlessau8208 6 жыл бұрын

Minute 7:37 : '' if you tie the knot on the mantle close to the carburettor the mantle will blossom towards the carburettor '' Translated for only GERMAN understanding viewers that very important hint : '' Wenn Sie den Knoten am Mantel in der Nähe des Vergasers befestigen, wird der Mantel zum Vergaser aufblühen '' .

@DoctorBrodski 7 жыл бұрын

Very informative! I watched because I'm restoring a Hong Kong-made Petromax clone called Globe Brand 350cp.

@johnfdcc 7 жыл бұрын

Chockarblock , thank you for your comment, I use diesel outside because a, it is cheaper and I can pick it up when filling my car with fuel b, it produces a more yellow light as sometimes it's nice to have a little less light c, to show that there is an alternative to paraffin d, downside it takes 2 kidney bowls of meth to fire up rather than one with paraffin (I never bother to use the 'Rapid' device it uses too much fuel, so I don't know if that will work with diesel) hopefully I will get around to doing my full maintenance video this year!

@mickyboy1955 7 жыл бұрын

If you use diesel rather than paraffin in either lamps or heaters,as diesel is ''stickier'' than paraffin,you may get a gumming up of some parts. A good tip is to mix a little Isopropyl Alcohol into the diesel fuel which apparently helps prevent this.I've never tried it myself as I have a fair bit of paraffin to use up but I've been told it's effective.Also,i don't see why the rapid preheat shouldn't work with diesel,it just may take a little longer than when using paraffin......

@johnfdcc 7 жыл бұрын

micky rooney . I will give the isopropanol trick a try, I would imagine we are talking about only a little mixed in with the diesel, any recommendations? I've also found that you can reduce the light output by fitting 350 nipples and needles to a 500 to reduce the light unfortunately less light means less heat and less heat means more carbon deposits and its more of a job to fit them, instead of just changing fuel, so that's another trade off again, still that's not so bad in the summertime. I personally hate that rapid lighter, all that extra pumping and fuel wastage, especially when you want one fill of fuel to last all evening, besides, for me lighting with meth is all part of my ritual, although, I have to admit lighting with the rapid is very dramatic to watch for those that haven't seen it before. As I have two Tilleys as well as my two Petromaxes I use the Petromaxes to give me light along side my barbecue when cooking and the Tilleys for table lighting. Nice to see that Tilley is now back in production.

@mickyboy1955 7 жыл бұрын

The ratio is not exact but I believe it's between 60 and 100 ml per gallon.I use my old Hipolito and Sea Anchor for sea fishing at night and I need as much light as possible,so i'll stick with the original fittings.They've given me many years of good service....

@ernstlessau8208 6 жыл бұрын

. #mickyRooney vor #9# Monaten ... '' _A good tip is to mix a little Isopropyl Alcohol into the diesel fuel_ '' *:* _______________________________________________ Yes, a right idea , because when burning _diesel_ , the lamp needs more oxygen but don't get it : less light ( = more ' Yellow ') and more quickly carbon could occur in the mantle - The chemical reason is : Isopropyl Alcohol needs l e s s oxygen for burning , and therefore that's a good compromise to mix both together, and thus is good miscible , because Isop. A. is nearly 99 % pure . ( Alcohol containing water is not any more mixable with diesel , or petrol ... ) . 2018-01-11