Hello everyone, I recently prlurchased an old Aida Express 1500 500CP Kerosene lantern. Cleaned up, restored and used some spare parts made by petromax where needed, like the lead washers, and seal kits etc. Got it running the other night and it does run really well and bright. However, it only burns for a couple minutes before the pressure drops and you would have to keep pumping or it shuts off. I made sure to fill it leaving enough space for pressure in the font. I am used to my coleman white fuel lantern where it just stays running for a good long time but am unsure of these and what is normal or not. Any feedback is appreciated.
So, I think I answered my own question. I have found if using the rapid pre heater, it drains pressure rapidly. Or rapidly in my point of view. If it is lit without using the pre heater (the unit is shut off and font is re pressurized and is lit without the heater while still warm) it will run and run and run. Yay! But anyone who could seem to help confirm this would be awesome. For now I am very happy with the operation of the lantern for how old it is and how few parts I needed to restore aside from completely re plating it leaving slightly dull for a neat appearance.
Congratulations with this Aida lamp, your 'fix' and a welcome to this site! Pictures are always a good way to present any lamp in any condition on here, so feel free to add! You mention re-plating, and with that you will find this is an ongoing discussion here. Have a look around, and make up your mind about such expensive and irreversable processes with an unsure outcome. Alright, I've said enough and get my coat.... Regards, Mike
Could it be too many pixels in your file (photo)? I cannot recall any such message when uploading piccies. I have uploaded a photo of my last - and now sold- Aida. For clarity, it is usually better to opt for Full Image, and place the picture with your cursor. Otherwise you get a small picture that cou ld appear in the wrong place. Good luck!
Aha, that did the trick! You opted for the 'thumbnail' then, but I can see that nice side reflector, a gizmo I never had to experiment with. It seems your lamp has the desired patina, at least for me. There is a reason why I sold the above......
Yea, I like this patina, going to leave it this way. The side reflector is a Chinese replacement I got from Lehmans. I also have the hood for hanging. I didn't mind they were aftermarket as I thought the concept was cool. When shopping on eBay I saw some with either the original reflector or hood (not both) but the lanterns were in much worse shape and were missing the globe.
Your diagnosis is correct. Because of the size and strength of the flame, it is often thought these rapid preheaters are heavy on fuel but this is not the case, it's air that they use most of. Simply pump in more air while the preheater is burning and when the lantern is lit, add air until the needle reaches the red mark on the pressure gauge.
