I'm reading alot about fettling of generators, and I'm a bit confused about it.( I am new to this so there's that!)when is it necessary to remove internals from a generator and why can't I just buy a new one instead?)and at what point do I know if I needed to do this ? Thanks for your time
Hi and welcome! Replacing the generator/vapouriser is a last resort if it doesn’t respond to cleaning or servicing.. the internals can become clogged with hard carbon and other impurities from use. Fault finding can narrow the problem down usually by elimination hope that helps a bit Regards pb
Okay I was reading about the thread on new people and safety and was kind of overwhelmed by everything I was reading including the tank check procedure, so when is that necessary?
Hi @My29cq329 You mean ‘The safety lecture for beginners’ by @Mackburner ? It’s a good read Feel free to post any photos of your lamp if you are not sure about the condition of parts? There are founder members and other folks with a great wealth of experience who are happy to help .. may have to wait a little while i but doesn’t usually take very long edit : parts are available from www.oldcolemanparts.com
Hi and welcome. I think that you first need to understand how pressure lanterns actually work. Then learn the differences between using white gas/coleman fluid/gasoline types and kerosene/paraffin types of fuel. Once you understand these then the need to check tank (font) integrity/seals/generators (vaporisers) becomes apparent. As to generators - often these are no longer available, and even if they are still about keeping one going just by cleaning it is more rewarding than replacing it. As pb says above - lots of people here will offer advice/help on specific issues, and photographs always speed this up.
@My29cq329 My two cents...Ive actually never had a new to me item (lantern or stove) that didnt need some kind of fettling. Never. I have heard it all... "worked the last time we went to yosemite" "fired it up right before you got here, works great" "Like new" "changed gaskets and no leaks" I have had a tank that leaked that was told to me didnt leak, had on/off valves not turn on or turn off, had clean generators clogged when I received them. etc etc etc. You should see my collection of generators for example... In the end...each new item goes through a test procedure of sorts...does it hold air, need a washer for the filler cap, need a generator cleaning or packing...maybe just the jet....does it need gasoline rinsed out of the tank...etc. Each one is a mixed bag of fun...I really enjoy bringing them back to life.
I understand and want to learn and guess when I get time ill have to get pictures uploaded to here and get started. It's not like I need this lamp for light in my house as a life or death situation to keep light on to see with (this is just one of my interests that I will learn how to work on as I go like every one else) Thanks
No, it isn't always necessary. When you're getting the devices new-in-the-box from a reputed manufacturer, fettling should not be expected before anything else. Needless to say, this won't usually be the case at present. The glorious days of such 'GPAs' are long gone and you're more likely to land yourself with an old device. Some would still function without fettling, once you pressurise it up with fuel and light them. Most of them would hardly get going without considerable work. As for this, you'd know soon enough once you're at it and finding something amiss or not working accordingly. In fact it is not an uncommon fact that many experienced, old timers hadn't actually read the instructions before starting out. That's one of the reasons why some would have more experience than others...it is somewhat proportional to both the number of mishaps and ruined equipment.
