Vapalux Lamp..

[johnbaz]

Hi

I'm going to buy one of these in excellent condition tomorrow, a price of £17 has been agreed, I think this is a bargainous price (or at least, seems to be according to fleabay prices)..

I watched a couple of vid's on youtube and it would appear that they can be a little hit and miss to light properly

Has anyone owned one or had experience with them??, I want it to tend my trees in a cold greenhouse over winter (dark when I go to work and dark when I get home )..

Also, are matles easy to get a hold of??



Cheers, John

[johnbaz]

Here's a pic of the actual lamp...




John

[Nice65]

Bargain at twice the price. Search out a thread called Vapalux or Petromax (I think), there's loads of info there about mantles and lighting.

Martyn and St Just will be along soon to agree that you've got a good lamp for very little cash.

[Jason_01]

If you dont preheat sufficiently they will flare a bit and throw out some soot, just light them outside until youre confident with the procedure but it wont happen at all as long as you preheat properly. Better to use too much meths than not enough!

I was taking lavender cuttings in the greenhouse the other night by the light of one of mine, nice and cosy in there with the paraffin lamp going and the cat for company. I didnt preheat enough, despite having lit the damn things enough times to know better, just a bit annoying because I sooted up the glass (on the lantern not the greenhouse!) If you do get into a fireball just let the pressure off the tank and it will all calm down quite quickly, then have another go! Very fine lanterns.

Mantles are readily available and quite inexpensive, its a fairly common size so mantles intended for other brands such as Optimus and Primus will also fit. Martyn will suggest a type to seek out, I have quite a variety on the go. A mantle will more than likely last for years if youre not banging the lantern about anyway.

[Saint-Just]

Indeed.

[johnbaz]

I went and bought the lamp.

The chap said that he hadn't fired it up but it has been lit before as there is a small amount of soot in the lid and on the mantel..

The mantel looks damaged but I found some in my garage which may fit, they are made by gaz, there was some more made by EPIgas as well which also look the same..

I cleaned the glass and hood as they were very dusty but the pump doesn't seem to be doing it's job very well, it's quite stiff to pump so I unscrewed it and it's very gummy in there so a good clean out and oil on the cup washer may do the trick..



I'll just have to get some Paraffin, Meths and a tin with the bendy tube to fill the pan with!!


Cheers, John

[Nice65]

When you fill the preheat tray with meths, fill it to the brim and let the wick soak it up. Then top up. If you let that almost burn out before cracking the valve you shouldn't ever get a flare up.

[Saint-Just]

Also your new acquisition, like Rich's, has that little device to lift the tray of meth. Very handy, and not all have it (ask me how I know...)

Mantel-wise, Rich next time you order some with the metal collar can you take a few for me as well? we'll share the postage costs (it's not that I am tight, it's because I am never sure of which to order )

[AndyP]

Practise lighting the lamp without the glass and mantle fitted, once your happy with the timing and amount of meths needed etc fit the mantle and glass, allowing the lamp to cool first. Fill the meths reservoir as you have done previously and light it allowing the meths to burn the mantle into place. Then as before once the meths has almost burned away start pumping (with the valve open of course).!!

HTH

[Nice65]

Mantel-wise, Rich next time you order some with the metal collar can you take a few for me as well? we'll share the postage costs (it's not that I am tight, it's because I am never sure of which to order )

No problem, though I have two spares so it may not be for a while.

I can post one over if you like or if you need a few then you're looking for Tilley 164H mantles. The H is for hoop.

[rik_uk3]

Great lamps although I prefer the older model 300's. Easy to light, fill with meths and let it heat well before closing off the pressure valve and pumping. You will hear a slight 'pop' sound, let it burn for thirty seconds and they give a good 40 or 50 pumps; you can't over pump these so will do no harm.

A nice by product is that they produce about a kilowatt of heat, so great in a bigger (ventilated) tent in winter. Last winter we had two on the go and they kept the tent warm when the woodburner was not lit.

[Gumbob]

Here's a pic of the actual lamp...




John

I seem to remember having one of those in the shed somewhere. Might just hunt it out and have a play

[Nice65]

I seem to remember having one of those in the shed somewhere. Might just hunt it out and have a play

Ian, if you've one hiding somewhere it's well worth digging out. Parts can be got reasonably easily, the light and heat from them is just very pleasing

[jerbal]

My Vapalux needs a new filler cap seal, it ends up standing in a pool of paraffin so I haven't used it for a while. I had a flare up when I first tried to light it and it was quite spectacular but it was outside and I just left it standing on the slabs till it went out as I was wary of going near it to let the pressure off

[johnbaz]

Hi all

Does anyone know whether Coleman mantles fit the Vapalux? as there was a load on sale at half price in an outdoor shop this week in Sheffield



Cheers, John