Primus or Tilley or Optimus

Hello, newbie here

I am buying pressure lamp, and i could buy just one lamp from one seller.

There are Primus 980, marked AE... it is from 1940
Tilley, newer model if i understand right and Optimus 300... what should i select. All lamps are in same condition: good, but not in working condition.

-Pertsa

 

Welcome to the forum.

Difficult question. The Primus is probably the more desirable lamp of the three but it is easier to get spares for the other two. If the spirit cup is still fitted to the Primus then that is what I would choose. Jets and needles from the Primus 991 can be used as replacements.

 

What kind of spirit cup it should have? (yes i am total noob with these...)
Those lamps are used by Finnish army. If i post pictures you probably can say more about these lights?

 

Here are pics:

 

Buy all three!
If only one is the option, I'd follow Nils´ suggestion.
But the Optimus is also nice, and that model give out a very good light.

 

I would like... problem is that seller probably don't want to sell them all.

I think i buy that Primus... and maybe begging change to buy Optimus

After all, i get one with very cheap price so i had not to complain


-Pekko

ps. probably i post some pictures after cleaning and service.
I think that both need new seals etc. Pressure pump doesn't feel to make anything. Tilley is probably in best working condition.

 

No question the Primus is certainly the best of those three. It looks complete and generally Primus lamps tend to work well. The Tilley is a 1960s to 1970s lantern and they are not so well engineered. The Optimus is a nice collectible lantern but is not complete with the control wheel missing so go Primus. ::Neil::

 

The Tilley does look to be in good condition just dusty, possibly no more than a quick clean required... But then where's the fun in that!

 

Yep, tilley looks to be in ready-to-go condition. But Optimus and Primus have still fuel in tank

 

After seeing the pictures I'd choose the Primus. Everything seems to be there and they work well. If you do get it, be carefull cleaning the nickel on the top. It is very thin and comes off easily.

 

I have Primus now... i got it eventually for free as present

 

Great gift!

 

Now i have to find some spare parts, like new seals and what mesh thing... in Finnish it is called glowsock

 

The Swedish members may be able to help you with parts or let you know where to get them.

A glowsock in English is called a mantle, but in Shetland/Hjaltland it's called a gluidsaek, Jeff.

 

It's the same as "glow sock" in Swedish too: "glödstrumpa".
The lantern is rated 200CP, so a 200 cp mantle would be correct, but it's not crucial. I prefer 250-300 for lanterns this size.
You can find them on many places. Other Finns might chip in and tell where they are to be found In Finland, otherwise you can order them at e.g. Fogas in Sweden or even at Base Camp in the UK.
Or why not Hytta in Germany. Very nice to do business with, and the 200/300HK in the link would probably suit your lantern well.

Regarding seals, unless you not already has confirmed that they are bad, don't assume you need to change them.
They might be working well, and if not it's not so many seals to consider on this type. It's more or less just the tank lid seal to consider, and of course the non return valve at the bottom of the pump tube. The box nut for the cleaning needle spindle is often just in need of a tightening, and otherwise you can use something heat resistant to stuff in it: Rolled together plumbers Teflon tape, the strings from a mantle Gore-Tex braid (I like that one!) etc.
The rubber seal for the tank lid is easily done by yourself, or if not you can always use a suitable o-ring.

Good luck! It looks like the lantern is in pretty decent shape, and I'm sure you'll soon have it going.
Mind you, the jet might be worn out, but it doesn't look like it since the old mantle appears to be well burnt.

 

Congratulations on the lamp. It looks to be in very good condition. The price was right too.

It's quite likely the filler cap washer will need replacing, but they are easy to make yourself if you have some hole punches. They 18mm outside diameter and 8mm inside diameter. I'm pretty sure you can get them from the "Fettle Box". Link in the top right corner of this page. They are in Viton, so top quality.

Anyway, if you have more questions just ask.

 

Yes, don't let the fact that the Fettle box only show British lamps scare you away!
Check the stove section. There are many "Swedish sized" seals.
The inner hole is of course not critical. 10mm as with the 210 stove will also work.
Anyway, it's about time Ross expand his horizon when it comes to seals for lamps and lanterns!

 

I rather like that, maybe we should adopt that name in the UK too...

 

You could as well call it "gloeikous" like we do!

Best regards,

Wim

 

Is there some kind of disassebly quide for primus 980?

Btw. I bought 300-400cp matle... is is ok? Or should i get smaller?

 

I don't know about a disassembly guide, but there are a couple of parts lists in the lamp reference library. You can find parts lists in the 1938 brochure and the 1945 catalogue.

Otherwise it's a case of using common sense and patience.

The mantle might be a bit big, but it should work.

 

I think that mantle will work fine as long as the rest is OK. A size or two larger than nominal is seldom any problem.

Disassembly is pretty straightforward so you don't really need any guide. It's just to start tinkering.
If you think that is necessary, that is. Have you pressure tested it? Perhaps all you need to do is tie a manle and start using it?

 

Ah, we crossed Nils.
One thing, though. Pertsa can't see the stuff in the reference library since he's not a subscriber.

 

I am little confused that pressure pump doesn't seem to do anything... but seal is still ok... should there be some valve?

 

Here are the working parts of your lantern from a 1943 catalogue. ::Neil::

 

Hi Pertsa,

there is no seal in the top nut if that's what you mean. There are 2 important things: first the leather pumpcup that needs to be in good shape, and, very important, needs to be soaked in oil (you can use any mineral oil, or even olive oil). The second thing is the Non Return Valve (short: NRV) at the bottom of the pump tube. It has a rubber pip in it, and it is very important the rubber is still soft, else it won't seal. In early days also cork was used. If the pip is no good, it has to be replaced with a VITON one, as other rubber will swell in the fuel.

Hope this helps,

best regards,

Wim

 

Nitril also work well for the pip so don't be too focused on Viton, even if that's a better quality.
Does the pump respond with a bit of resistance when you push it?
If not, I guess you need to soak it as Wim just described. As long as it is intact, that is!
I just put the leather part (generally still attached to the pump rod) in a jar of mineral oil for a day or more, and after that I wipe it off and spread the leather a bit.
When reinstating it into the pump tube, it shall be a bit "larger", so to speak, meaning that you must help it into place by compressing it with your fingers.

If the NRV is the culprit, it might be worth testing if it helps to clean it out before exchanging it.
Just pour some paraffin into the tube, put in the pumprod and give it a good push.
Sometimes it helps, but generally it doesn't.
Still worth a try though!
Otherwise you'll have to pull the NRV and swap it for a new one.
Or just simply fix the old one. You will see how it work once you have taken it out.
Do you speak Swedish? If not, it's the part called "Pumpventil" in the diagram of Neil above.

 

Thank you for advices, pump doesn't give any resistance, so i believe it needs some repair

I don't speak swedish, but i can read it... (in Finland we all have to study it little )

I try these tomorrow.

 

I repaired today one pressure lamp for that person who given Primus to me... now he allows me to select another... Should i take Petromax 827 super rapid or that optimus... petromax is compelete and easier to get parts, maybe i should take it as "workhorse"

Repaired one, hipolito:

 

Hello Pertsa,

If I had the option I'd choose the 827, I just love a rapid on a lamp. While I love all of my Petromax's I find that the Petromax style pumps are somewhat notorious for taking a lot of effort with little success when pressurizing the tank. The smaller size of the 827 isn't nearly as much work.