Yesterday we lighted up 6 different lanterns just to make some comparsion. Results from left to right: 1. Original german made Petromax 829/500 from 60's. Nothing to fettle out, works like a charm and easily reaches 500CP. Very very bright!! Long Helox mantle. I'm using this as a referece. 2 & 3. Tilley x246B and Tilley x246 guardsman. Not much difference, reliable and both works very well. I would say these are putting around 150-200CP. 4. Petromax 829/500, later chinese made. This was the dimmest of all petromax clones. Not much brighter than Tilleys. I have fettled this a lot with no success. There is all new seals, new generator, new needle and jet, new mantle holder, new foot valve. adjusted to specs. No matter what I do, it just wont go brighter and is also quite silent compared to original german petromax which is the loudest. Like something is restricting the flow but cannot find any reason for that. Tested with Helox and Luxor 400/600 mantles. 5. Tower branded petromax 500 clone. Works pretty well using Tilley 246's thorium mantle. Puts out 350CP or so. 6. Primus 1082. Similar to Tower in performance. New "non radioactive" mantle, cannot remember the brand tho.. 300-350CP it gives. Now the confusion: We had some new Petromax 350/500 ceramic mantle holders but they are around 3mm smaller in diameter than Petromax 500 original mantle holder? Is there actually two different sizes for 350 and 500 even tho the seller said these should fit 500HK too. One more comparsion closeup. Chinese and german Petromax 500HK's. What a difference there is We were running these lanterns all night long. Only 3 survived without any issues and they were german made Petromax and both tilleys. All the others had different kinds of problems through the night.. Primus had bad leak in pump valve. Chinese petromax required some repressuring now and then propably small leak in preheater torch. Tower branded clone suffered from mantle failure caused by cracked mantle holder. Flame out. Full five stars for original german Petromax. Quality is way much better compared to any chinese clones. Flawless lantern it is. Just ignite it and enjoy! Tilleys are pretty reliable too if well serviced.
Thanks. It was a bit pain in the a** to get desperately all lamps working at the same time but indeed we had lots of fun! Best mental therapy as days are getting shorter and darker Just bought german original Petromax 523/500CP..oh well
Moin, there is an old and a new thread version. Unfortunately not compatible. t The old thread is a bit bigger. Either convert the thread holder to the new dimension, or get NOS parts from the old version.
Thank you Dieselross! I think I'll go for NOS version. I believe the bigger is better there. My Petromax (chinese version) atually has larger diameter mixing cup/nozzle holder so it is propably early chinese Petromax..
That's an interesting lamp competition. The ceramic burners for Px 350 and 500 are of the same size, but the actually sold burners are a bit smaller and won't fit your 60s Px. In case of a change an actual mixing chamber is necessary. This is really totally unsatisfying, but is a fact. Further informations see here Original Petromax Ersatzteile für Ihre Starklichtlampe Spares Matthias
