Petromax 824 ?

Hi.
I came across a Petromax which as far as I can see is either an 824, 824S or 824N.
I left it behind because of the condition and missing parts but decided to go back and get it.
It only has the Petromax logos and the Petromax name on the tank.
Does anyone know more or less what the age is and confirmation on the model.
I have started separating the lantern and non lantern/electrical pieces.

 

Well as far as destroying a rare lantern: we have a winner.
I would keep it for spare parts. Although even the parts are well taken care off.

 

Hi Andrew,

according to my archive, the Petromax No. 824 was introduced in 1927. It can be traced back to 1933.
The Petromax No. 824 N was introduced in 1930 and can be traced back to 1937.
I assume that you have the model 824 N in your collection.

Greetings
Jörg

 

Thank you. I plan on getting it back in working order.
I had a look at the excellent work on one by @Camp numao .

 

@Andrew T
Definitely it is worth trying to save it.
That may be helpful:
Fixing Petromax 823/6 vaporizer

Could you please have a look at the scratches at the bottom and post o picture? Damaged or not there should be a manufacturing date.

good luck,
Piotrek

 

Thank you for the link. I have looked for the scratched date but have not seen it yet. I will have to check with a magnifying glass. @Piotrek

 

@Andrew T You have to clean the tank first. As there is no nickel plating left, I would put the whole tank into the citric acid solution (approx. 1 spoon/1 litre) and boil it for some time - 20 minutes. Then gently remove/polish all dirt/other stuff with fine steel wool or even old kitchen sponge.
When I want to clean only the bottom (to save old nickel plating) then I just turn the tank upside down and fill that space to the rim with the same solution. It can be done several times, because it is getting cold quickly. Numbers are pretty big 1-2cm high, located closer to the tank rim - these are just very delicate and hard to spot. It is easier to search with a flashlight at different angles.
It is always fun to discover when such a lamp was manufactured approx. 100 years ago and to find some hand made scratches that someone from factory made for you
Here you have some example. Once you find scratches, then someone will help to decipher the date.
Petromax 523 March 1940
By the way, generator from that old Petromax 523 above looks similar to the one that you miss. It might be possible/easier to find pre-war 523 for parts.

 

Your lamp is really old so scratches may look more like these:
Petromax 823/6
This is example, as to how hard is to find them. But they are there, unless someone polish the bottom during lamp "improvement" for electricity

 

@Piotrek
The only numbers I can see.

 

Looks like 7 30 = July 1930.
It would be good if @Reinhard could verify me.

 

I think it should be. My 826 has 10 34 on it which is October 1934.

 

I'd say it was supposed to be a Petromax 824N too.
Good luck with the date scratches.
I suppose the original vaporizer, burner assembly and hood are missing.
Do you plan to refurbish and restore it back to its originally-intended function?

 

Yes! They are missing.
I am hoping to get it to back to a working as intended condition.

 

All the missing parts are very different from those of the later or modern Petromax lanterns.
They will be quite difficult to source unless you happen to have luck on your side.
Restoring it to look exactly like the original might be quite a challenge.

 

What does the "N" stand for ?

 

PETROMAX NUMBERS
Scroll a little down and you find the letters used in the old catalogs.

 

The 824N appears in catalogues from 1930 - 1936. It is always shown with that specific kind of preheater and uses paraffin / kerosene as the only fuel (also for the preheater). However, you can't see any reason for the designation "N" from the descriptions, similar as for the "R" at the R826, which had a similar configuration with the extra built in reservoir for meths preheating.

 

The letter 'N' on the 824 will perhaps always remain interesting and mysterious ..
There had been an earlier version, the 824, which might also spot a pressure gauge?
Perhaps it might have a shut off valve too.
It would be quite speculative to assume the model was initially intended as a universal prototype which could be further developed into models with letters 'B'(benzin), 'P'(petroleum), 'S'(spiritus), etc. Not impossible, but that development did not materialize. Perhaps abandoned or written-off. Insufficient info or documentation to verify anything.

In earlier discussions, it has been mentioned that the 824N has that specific preheater feature for kerosene use.

 

Made a small start. Drilled the cut off steel pin out of the brass sleave on the preheater.
Also have a piece of brass to extend a generator to fit.

 

Why?? As stated it is mentioned in the old catalogs with explanations.
I don't see a reason for the confusion.

 

Hello Wim,
why don't you show us such a catalog sheet where the
Type 824 N is explained.
I think that would interest everyone here!

Greetings
Joerg

 

It's on my website.

In the past it was no problem to share detailed pictures until you see you own stuff coming around via the back door.
Then the front door is closed too.
I have even found people who steal my avatar.
So the good suffer under the bad. Sorry for that.

 

Hello Wim,

sorry, but I couldn't find the slightest thing on your homepage!
Where can I find the information you mentioned?
Regards
Joerg

 

You could have a look at the site of Torsten Scherning, where a fettle of an 824N is documented.
Good luck, it will be a piece of hard work and manufacturing lots of parts to get it in the original state. But in any case worth doing it, if you can spend the time for it.

 

@WimVe ,
Perhaps I was not observant earlier.
Is this the section?:

 

Looks like it.

I have to admit that I have to re configure the lettertypes.

 

@WimVe

At this point I would like to ask you to update the 60s date code as well.
The 60s code is valid from 1961 to 1972 and not from 1960 to 1969.
This also applies to the identical pressure lamps of the AIDA brand that were manufactured at the same time by Petromax in Altena, West Germany.

 

The date code is reveiled by Dr. H. Lahde in his book. You may be right he was wrong.
A former employee of the Altena factory told to who was there on the Petromax meeting in Menden that only the petromax 500cp lantern was made there. No other models or brands.

 

There were no other Petromax factories at that time,neither in Germany nor anywhere else.
This former employee could easily have meant something completely different from what you understood.
Please update the incorrectly cemented code of the sixties.
I ask for recognition .

 

Reinhard, the thing is: Dr. Lahdes statement is proven by literature and confirmed by other most reliable persons.

Your idea sounds reasonable may be probable.
But it has not been proven nor has it been confirmed by literature.
Erik.