Tilley Stormlight advice
- Thread starter tombear
- Start date
-
Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.
Outstanding! I don't think I'll get that bad although they are kind of addictive.
The beams in the Shed ( a genuine weaving shed conveniantly on the top floor of the house ;-{D) are covered in Vintage balsa and tissue flying models insted. 'Just about as flammable come to think of it!
By the by do you drain them for storage?
The wife says the preheater has arrived so tonight I will filter a pint and half of parafin into it and seee if she works!
ATB
Tom
The beams in the Shed ( a genuine weaving shed conveniantly on the top floor of the house ;-{D) are covered in Vintage balsa and tissue flying models insted. 'Just about as flammable come to think of it!
By the by do you drain them for storage?
The wife says the preheater has arrived so tonight I will filter a pint and half of parafin into it and seee if she works!
ATB
Tom
I expect you'll be letting us know how you get on - - -
Just as an aside, I've never drained any of my lamps (or the Scout Groups's ones) although it would probably be a good idea I expect. That said, I'm now wondering whether it's better to keep them fuelled to prevent corrosion in anything with a steel tank. The brass tanks will be ok.
I work on the basis that these are largely emergency lights, so quite like them ready to go at a moments notice. These days their only other purpose is as garden lighting if I'm having a barby or similar, and the occassional use as camping lights.
I've just reminded myself of the secondary benefit of these lights - heat. To put that into context, we did a lot of winter camping using Tilleys and a Gas heater to light and heat a large bungalow type tent which was the communal living area.
One year one of the progressive types arranged to light the tent with flourescent lights running off a battteries and we didnt use the pair of tilley's which normally lit the tent. The loss of heat was so noticable that we had to bring in a second gas heater. The cost of gas and batteries far outweighed the saving in paraffin. And we didn't have that lovely, comforting "hiss".
Another little trick was to run one up the central flag pole to provide area lighting - lots of people learned the hard way that the top gets hot! And will burn thro a halyard!!
I think the quirky nature of these lights just adds to their appeal - certainly the kids used to almost fight over who got to prep and light the lamps each evening - but no one was in the least bit interested in the Gaz lights.
So they create memories as well - people still comment on the evenings spent round a campfire with a line of Tilleys providing the lighting to take them back to the tents through a forrest.
Mike.
Just as an aside, I've never drained any of my lamps (or the Scout Groups's ones) although it would probably be a good idea I expect. That said, I'm now wondering whether it's better to keep them fuelled to prevent corrosion in anything with a steel tank. The brass tanks will be ok.
I work on the basis that these are largely emergency lights, so quite like them ready to go at a moments notice. These days their only other purpose is as garden lighting if I'm having a barby or similar, and the occassional use as camping lights.
I've just reminded myself of the secondary benefit of these lights - heat. To put that into context, we did a lot of winter camping using Tilleys and a Gas heater to light and heat a large bungalow type tent which was the communal living area.
One year one of the progressive types arranged to light the tent with flourescent lights running off a battteries and we didnt use the pair of tilley's which normally lit the tent. The loss of heat was so noticable that we had to bring in a second gas heater. The cost of gas and batteries far outweighed the saving in paraffin. And we didn't have that lovely, comforting "hiss".
Another little trick was to run one up the central flag pole to provide area lighting - lots of people learned the hard way that the top gets hot! And will burn thro a halyard!!
I think the quirky nature of these lights just adds to their appeal - certainly the kids used to almost fight over who got to prep and light the lamps each evening - but no one was in the least bit interested in the Gaz lights.
So they create memories as well - people still comment on the evenings spent round a campfire with a line of Tilleys providing the lighting to take them back to the tents through a forrest.
Mike.
Famous last words... You'll be in a junk shop and there will be one for a couple of quid and you'll think well it's not that expensive......
No I leave em full. In fact some of them arrive in the post with full tanks I had a MSR Model G shipped from the States to me with a full bottle of fuel.
Mike_B you are right they do create memories... I think some market research was done with Coleman and Coleman was assocated entirely with good time for folk camping etc it's the sort of Holy Grail of Product recognition and branding...
For the most part My 'collecting' has stopped as you chase down the rarer stuff the cost goes up which for me at least take a bit of the fun out of it...
Getting old stuff working is good fun though...
Cheers
John
Same as John here, I don't collect anymore but will go for a stove that grabs me; the others I've got.
Tilley lamps? The older ones are better quality than the newer, and Vapalux seem to have just maintained a great standard throughout its history so for me the better choice.
Vapalux or Bialaddin go for not much coin on eBay, don't worry if they look a little rough, a service will put them right easy enough. Remember that a Tilley or Vapalux give off around 1Kw of heat so will help warm a well ventilated tent in cold weather (at your own risk).
All this talk of paraffin/kerosene lanterns ignores Coleman lanterns, but don't, use clean fuel and they are also great to use (Coleman do make paraffin lanterns).
Great thread and good to see it here.
Lamp and Lantern fans look at
http://www.be-back-later.com/forums/
Dutch site, English is the used language, free to join and a great bunch of people over there happy to answer your questions.
Enjoy the light.
Tilley lamps? The older ones are better quality than the newer, and Vapalux seem to have just maintained a great standard throughout its history so for me the better choice.
Vapalux or Bialaddin go for not much coin on eBay, don't worry if they look a little rough, a service will put them right easy enough. Remember that a Tilley or Vapalux give off around 1Kw of heat so will help warm a well ventilated tent in cold weather (at your own risk).
All this talk of paraffin/kerosene lanterns ignores Coleman lanterns, but don't, use clean fuel and they are also great to use (Coleman do make paraffin lanterns).
Great thread and good to see it here.
Lamp and Lantern fans look at
http://www.be-back-later.com/forums/
Dutch site, English is the used language, free to join and a great bunch of people over there happy to answer your questions.
Enjoy the light.
:-{D)
Ok theres some rips in the mantle so since I have spares i will fit a new one tomorrow. It gives off a good steady light (the pic doesnot do it justice) and I'm chuffed to bits with it!
Cheers! Tom
Well done it looks like it's going well.
You might want to invest in a bug guard to stop moths etc getting into the globe and wahcking the mantle when you fire it up in the summer....
You might want to invest in a bug guard to stop moths etc getting into the globe and wahcking the mantle when you fire it up in the summer....
Aye, I think a moth guard would be a good idea.
I couldn't resist fiddling so as soon as it had cooled I fitted a new mantle and fired it up again. It coughed alarmingly for a minute or so but settled down and the amount of light given off increased dramatically. It's now hissing away merrily to itself.
ATB
Tom
I couldn't resist fiddling so as soon as it had cooled I fitted a new mantle and fired it up again. It coughed alarmingly for a minute or so but settled down and the amount of light given off increased dramatically. It's now hissing away merrily to itself.
ATB
Tom
Excellent! Kinda satisfying isn't it!
I'm now getting worried as I'm finding myself web-hunting for things Tilley! This however is interesting - http://www.lampguild.org/QandApage/archives/Q0001143.htm - it deals with the pulsing (or "hunting") problem and one suggestion involves using carb cleaner in the tube (which would be a good idea indeed), but also adding a capful of carb cleaner additive about every fourth filling to the fuel.
Given that vap tubes are £20, this sounds like a good idea to try. People are even selling used vap tubes on eBay!
I'm now getting worried as I'm finding myself web-hunting for things Tilley! This however is interesting - http://www.lampguild.org/QandApage/archives/Q0001143.htm - it deals with the pulsing (or "hunting") problem and one suggestion involves using carb cleaner in the tube (which would be a good idea indeed), but also adding a capful of carb cleaner additive about every fourth filling to the fuel.
Given that vap tubes are £20, this sounds like a good idea to try. People are even selling used vap tubes on eBay!
Last edited:
Just building on the debate about brightness and variations between individual lamps.
I've just bought a spare vap. tube to replace the brand new one I used to get one of my lamps back into service. Wanting to check the new tube (which hadn't come in a branded pack), I swaped it over with what I knew to be a brand new, genuine Tilley vap.tube which had been used once.
There's a noticable difference in the performance of the lamp depending on which tube is fitted.
Stange beasts. Mike.
I've just bought a spare vap. tube to replace the brand new one I used to get one of my lamps back into service. Wanting to check the new tube (which hadn't come in a branded pack), I swaped it over with what I knew to be a brand new, genuine Tilley vap.tube which had been used once.
There's a noticable difference in the performance of the lamp depending on which tube is fitted.
Stange beasts. Mike.
My brother has got "the family Tilley lamp" we used when camping 50 years ago. He uses it to go beach fishing in the winter. I've just treated myself to a nice looking secondhand Vapalux off ebid as it came out some £10 cheaper than a similar item on evilbay.
Nigel.
Nigel.
To anyone coming along now requiring Tilley parts...
Some members here have stated eBay, can I offer a word of caution because I have been looking and can see the prices on the Tilley website and the various pressure lantern parts suppliers online are cheaper on the whole than eBay.
Example, a Spirit Jar (for the meths) and pre-heater torch (used) sold for £18.95 when from elsewhere (not eBay) £14 brand new.
So in terms of buying parts... Shop around.
Some members here have stated eBay, can I offer a word of caution because I have been looking and can see the prices on the Tilley website and the various pressure lantern parts suppliers online are cheaper on the whole than eBay.
Example, a Spirit Jar (for the meths) and pre-heater torch (used) sold for £18.95 when from elsewhere (not eBay) £14 brand new.
So in terms of buying parts... Shop around.
Top advice Covert System...
Im after a pre heater for mine. Will have a look
Cheers, Mark
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Hi
I bought a couple of Tilleys a few weeks ago as 'do-er uppers!', the glasses were missing and mantles shot..
I'm not sure if anything else is missing though
I also have a couple of Vapalux too, i'll have to get around to firing up the good one!!
Cheers, John
I bought a couple of Tilleys a few weeks ago as 'do-er uppers!', the glasses were missing and mantles shot..
I'm not sure if anything else is missing though
I also have a couple of Vapalux too, i'll have to get around to firing up the good one!!
Cheers, John
http://www.base-camp.co.uk/tilley.html Great people to deal with, very friendly and if you phone they will offer great advice. Meths jar and lighter is £11 and bit.
Hi everyone,
I'd like to get my dad's old Tilley X246B working again - it's been in the loft in its box for probably around 20 years. It looks to be in reasonable condition, except there's a lot of gunged-up paraffin around the pump, what appears to be gold paint is flaking off the whole base, and it's generally dirty.
I wonder what to do about the base - can I use paint remover to remove all the gold paint? What's underneath? Could whatever is there be cleaned and polished up, or should I re-paint it. What should I use to clean the paraffin gunge off, and should I somehow clean the tank inside also?
Any help appreciated!
Andrew
I'd like to get my dad's old Tilley X246B working again - it's been in the loft in its box for probably around 20 years. It looks to be in reasonable condition, except there's a lot of gunged-up paraffin around the pump, what appears to be gold paint is flaking off the whole base, and it's generally dirty.
I wonder what to do about the base - can I use paint remover to remove all the gold paint? What's underneath? Could whatever is there be cleaned and polished up, or should I re-paint it. What should I use to clean the paraffin gunge off, and should I somehow clean the tank inside also?
Any help appreciated!
Andrew
I'd use petrol or possibly acetone for the cleaning of the outside, and to flush the tank. Lube the pump washer - it's leather - any light oil is fine. Fill tank with fresh paraffin and see it it lights. I assume you know how to light a Tilley?
If it doesn't light - or doesn't light very well, then you have loads of opportunity to obtain advice and waste (sorry - invest) time fiddling with it.
As to the tank, it may be brass but I'm not 100% sure. Certainly this one is, but it's earlier than yours : http://metal-polishing-supplies-forum.2302969.n4.nabble.com/Tilley-Lamp-td3928000.html
To date it, see : http://tgmarsh.faculty.noctrl.edu/tilleylant.html
Other useful source of all knowledge on things pressure lampy : http://www.classicpressurelamps.com/forum/index.php? - they can supply bits via the "Fettle Box".
All bits and pieces can be got from Basecamp: http://www.base-camp.co.uk/tilley.html
Lovely bits of kit though - - pictures and updates on progress please! Mike.
If it doesn't light - or doesn't light very well, then you have loads of opportunity to obtain advice and waste (sorry - invest) time fiddling with it.
As to the tank, it may be brass but I'm not 100% sure. Certainly this one is, but it's earlier than yours : http://metal-polishing-supplies-forum.2302969.n4.nabble.com/Tilley-Lamp-td3928000.html
To date it, see : http://tgmarsh.faculty.noctrl.edu/tilleylant.html
Other useful source of all knowledge on things pressure lampy : http://www.classicpressurelamps.com/forum/index.php? - they can supply bits via the "Fettle Box".
All bits and pieces can be got from Basecamp: http://www.base-camp.co.uk/tilley.html
Lovely bits of kit though - - pictures and updates on progress please! Mike.
Hi, thanks for this.
I'll need to strip the gold paint off anyway, whatever's underneath, so I think I'll use nitro mors for that. I'll ask Tilley what the tank's made of. If it's brass then it'll polish up a treat. I've got some Autosol for that, and for the steel bits, and the black top.
Hm. Can't attach pictures here - only hyperlink. Shame.
Could I use paraffin to clean the tank, inside and out? Seems risky using petrol, I'd have to get all the petrol out/off before I used it.
Andrew
I'll need to strip the gold paint off anyway, whatever's underneath, so I think I'll use nitro mors for that. I'll ask Tilley what the tank's made of. If it's brass then it'll polish up a treat. I've got some Autosol for that, and for the steel bits, and the black top.
Hm. Can't attach pictures here - only hyperlink. Shame.
Could I use paraffin to clean the tank, inside and out? Seems risky using petrol, I'd have to get all the petrol out/off before I used it.
Andrew
I suspect it's brass - but as I mentioned, not sure 100% - which was in part why I linked to the specialist sites where I'm sure a query will get a definitive answer! Then again, why not just scrape off some paint and see?
Yes, I guess you could use paraffin. And yes, petrol will of course carry a higher risk. But - both acetone and petrol are going to be somewhat more effective if the thing really is that dirty, hence the suggestion.
As to getting it out / off, again, yes, but left in the open for a few hours will deal with that and were there any residual left in the tank then it would be such a small amount as to be of no consequence. You could of course use hot soapy water - and make absolutely certain it is 100% dry inside after cleaning.
Yes, I guess you could use paraffin. And yes, petrol will of course carry a higher risk. But - both acetone and petrol are going to be somewhat more effective if the thing really is that dirty, hence the suggestion.
As to getting it out / off, again, yes, but left in the open for a few hours will deal with that and were there any residual left in the tank then it would be such a small amount as to be of no consequence. You could of course use hot soapy water - and make absolutely certain it is 100% dry inside after cleaning.
