Hello, In an Optimus 1200 I have, the cleaning wire was missing from its brass fitting. I ordered a needle for a Petromax 250HK. It fits in every way, except that it's a few mm longer than the original. The needle tops out against the orifice before the main fuel valve seats closed... about a half turn. Should I use the lantern this way? Or should I do one of the following: -use the original needle fitting without the needle -keep looking for an actual Optimus part Any help here will be greatly appreciated.
Have you looked at the lower part of the cleaning needle rod? The total length of the complete thing is adjustable where it is screwed together with the lower brass piece (which rides on the taper of the valve). If you back that square shaped lock nut a bit, and then screw the rod a bit deeper into the lower block, the actual needle will of course sit lower too. Don't forget to lock it all with the square nut, and more important: don't position the spring in the wrong direction. It shall be as in the picture below. On my 1200's I can feel the needle just protruding when it's about one quarter remaining of the valve turn before fully closed. I don't know if this is by the book, but it's how they came, and I've kept that adjustment when changing anything.
Not a great pic, but voila! I got this old thing at a great price in an antique shop, but missing some parts. I ordered the globe and needle from Germany, and got various other things from the forums. You can see the handle is too long... I got that from another collector so at least I can use the lantern while I look for the correct one.
Nice. These little lanterns give out a very good light. The too long handle isn't really a disadvantage. But you could of course cut the handle on both sides and make two new loops where it attach to each hood screw if you want it in the correct length.
