Hello everyone, I bought this lantern on ebay a few weeks ago. I removed the green paint from the brass parts that somebody painted on and changed the washers in the fuel cap and air release screw so far. I must change the washers now in the control cock and vapouriser/control cock/ tank connections too as I had a leak last night. Here are some photos of before and after. Thanks to all for your help and support and kindness. I am trying to get the original globe with a hole and the original brass spirit cup. Have a lovely weekend, Thank you all very much for your support,generosity,help and welcome. Fiona
Hello Fiona, I do notice an original Pyrex glass on this lamp. I believe many Vapalux 300's were delivered with the multi-slotted waist as on your lamp but with the new glass without a hole. In other words, this combination could very well be as you lamp was delivered. The speculum plated dish-like preheater is not standard, but should give excellent service in combination with the 'new' glass. With all the major parts so readilly interchanged, is the tank made of steel or is it brass? Regards, Mike
Hello Mike and all, Thank you.I am not sure if the tank is brass or steel. It is a beautiful lamp but not bright enough for my kitchen. I am using my Petromax and a Bialaddin lamp at the moment. I only use a paraffin lamp or a candle. I took the paint off my Bialaddin lamp yesterday and have posted 3 petromax lamps to Mike in basecamp. Kind regards, Fiona
Fiona, For the tank, a simple magnet (like those thingsies on a fridge' door) should tell you whether the tank is made from steel or brass. The difference in brightness between the Vapa and Bia seems not a pressing concern, but they should perform equally with same fuel and mantle. There is a possible difference in performance between the two vapourisers, but again, perhaps only an academic point. For an inside lamp I find pressure lamps usually too bright (and too noisy) considering ventilation requirements are met. Either way, stay safe, Mike
Hello Mike, Sorry for the delay in replying.I am a very busy lady. Thanks very much for the advise. I use my lamps inside and outside.I don't mind the noise of them. I am waiting for my 3 lamps to come back from England. It is a strange time in the world for sure. Kind regards, Fiona
Thank you for the note - and picture - Fiona. Living off the grid and in the country easily makes for a busy day, every day. I got a taste of that many years ago in Canada, so I do not look at such a life with rose-coloured glasses. Yet I loved it, and I am heading for much of that again in France. Not sure how you fill in these 'strange times' but I admit to a certain uneasiness about a future in very rich but overpopulated Holland which is part of my motivation to seek space and quiet elsewhere. But with (some) electricity, mind, even if generated on the spot when needed. To my mind you are a remarkable member on this forum because you appear to live the life for which these lamps were designed and build so many years ago. Not many of us can claim such use, with me scratching for reasons to light a lamp on my allotment. I find your picture presenting much of what I have in mind: the centre of daily life in a roomy kitchen. And did I not see an AGA furnace on wood in some other thread? The heart of the house! But stay aware of any pressure lamp burning indoors; it is not so much a fire hazard as it can be a silent killer through pollution, especially if your place is well insulated. Good luck, stay safe and enjoy the good moments out there! Kind regards, Mike
If one isn't already fitted, a frosted globe will make the light far more useful and much easier on the eyes. My cleaner would have a fit...
Thank you very much Mike. Yes it is a busy life I lead and I do not live off grid but try to use very little electricity and only my lamps for light. I am settling in to life with my old irish goats and hens and rooster and lighting my lamps in the morning and evening too. It is very mild for the time of year and yes I have an anthracite burning aga cooker and a solid fuel rayburn cooker. The aga just cooks but the rayburn heats the water and radiators. I am building two sheds at the moment too..slowly. I have some Dutch friends and one friend is coming to visit at Christmas please God. Best wishes with your move to France and slower pace of life. Kind regards, Fiona
Thank you Wim,I have 3 petromax lamps coming back from Mike in basecamp and I am posting him two soon as well. I hope all is well with you? How do you fit a reflector? I use only paraffin lamps..a Tilley at the moment while my other lamps need a service. Kind regards, Fiona
Thanks David,a good idea. A neighbour who minded my goats and animals has a friend who wants to buy a Tilley lamp. I gave him the link to this website and Mike at basecamp also. Hope all is good with you? Kind regards, Fiona
Reflectors just slide down over the handle and rest on the hood and as well as reflecting the light downwards, they greatly reduce the shadow underneath the lantern but because different manufacturers used different diameter hoods, they are usually lantern specific, a Vapalux / Bialaddin shade will fit all models of Vapalux / Bialaddin lanterns irrespective of the style of hood. The hole in a Tilley reflector is too big for a Vapalux lantern and although it will go on a Petromax, it doesn't sit right.
