Ho people, can you give me some pointers on year for this vapalux please? Writing is well worn. I can see vapalux Halifax eng. And a bunch of numbers beneath ending in 3922 I think. Its knackered in appearance and it will stay that way. Have replaced washers with a tilley kit (sorry) but had to fashion my own for the oversized filler cap. That was just to get a test fire. It lights up but really poor, yellow flame, lots of soot so burning liquid maybe? I'm no expert but want to get it going proper. Have cleaned everything I can ie airways etc but still yellow. Do I have a burner issue??? Tia, nicky boy
Vapalux 300, I would say from 1942 / 3 ish…given the hood marking, slotted frame and filler cap markings. I’m sure I’ll be put right if I’m wrong. Have a look in the lamp reference gallery. I have restored a few of these, 1943 Vapalux 300 Hope this helps Gary
Hello and welcome @nicky boy, you have a Vapalux 300 from around 1942 to 1945. For how long are you preheating it ? How do I light Vapalux & Bialaddin Lamps? If done correctly, there's no need to preheat more than once. Yellow sooty flames are a sign that the fuel/air mixture is too rich, usual causes are a) insufficient preheating, b) blocked/restricted air tubes, c) enlarged orifice at the working end of the vaporiser. If you've taken care of a) & b), you could try peining the end of the vapouriser which will reduce the orifice. Remove the cleaning wire then from a height of around 5" (125/130mm), drop the vapouriser vertically nose first onto something hard and flat e.g. a vice. Do this a couple of times, check that the cleaning needle still pokes through orifice, reinstall and try it. You may have to repeat this procedure but be aware it's not guaranteed to work. If it does, you've saved yourself £30+, if it doesn't you'll need a replacement (V40) available here Vapalux,& Bialaddin Lantern Spares
Thanks all for the welcome. Have been on sister classic camp stoves site for a while. I know any questions will be answered one way or another!!
Chap, I've taken the generator/ vapouriser apart and the hole was pretty much blocked so I'm amazed I could get any flame out of it at all. Anyway the cleaner rod has a scant 2mm of pricker wire extending from the top. Based on my experience of coleman and tilley prickers, am I to assume that this part is past it's best and the wire has snapped? Am I looking at a whole new gennie or are the internals available without the tube? Thanks,
The pricker tip on the Bialaddin is quite small: Willis and Bates Vapouriser (No. 129-6557; NOS) Tony
Thanks Tony, very useful. Mine is about the same length so looks to be intact. Am stripping it all down now and ordering service pack to replace washers.
With the needle raised, you should just be able to feel the tip poking through the tip of the vapouriser. Replacement wires (#V49) are available from www.base-camp.co.uk
