Aida 1500 500cp

I received my first 'non-coleman' lantern a few weeks ago. An Aida 1500 500cp.
I will not put any fuel or flame to this until I can trust I know how to use it.

1) The manual in the library without a diagram to identify what part number is being referenced.
Will Petromax information assist me in using this lantern?

2) I have pumped it up, but not read anything on the pressure gauge.
Will the pressure release thumb screw 'unscrew' all the way out? It gets very tight, and I do not want to damage anything by 'unscrewing' it all the way out. I need to remove the thumb screw to disassemble the filler cap & gauge.

3) It does seem to build up pressure, but I see bubbling at the jet threads. I assume the jet leaks, so a bit snugger fit may fix that. When I turn the dial I can feel/see the needle come all the way through the jet, then it retracts.

4) I am unsure of the dial positions to light this lantern.
If I can be sure of the dial positions, then I can pressure test it before adding fuel to the fire, so to speak.

Any tips? Or links?

Thanks,
Ken in NC

 

Bon Giorno Ken,

Congratulations with this find lantern.

1) The general Petromax 500 lantern manual will assist well.
Here is a link: http://petromax.nl/petromax/uk_petromax.pdf

2)Pressure gauges are indicators not measuring devices. So they can point out a certain amount of pressure but also not give any clue at all.
But they only work well (at all) with fuel in the tank. Empty tanks "can't" be pumped with the hand plunger.

3)Theoretical the valve at the bottom of pickup tube should seal off and shutt off any fuel movement into the tube. But practical it mostly doesn't unless you have swapped the valve seal.

4)That is an easy one: it points in the direction of the needle. This is however not fool proof since you can take the knob of and put it on the other way. You should check this with the cleaning needle position. Best practice however mostly used is : it points in the direction of the fuel flow. So up is on and down is off. I know that is not according to the manual.

So that is a leap of text...

Your first pint is the best: get to know your lamp. Also tell your family members how to shutt it off > turn loose the little knob at the gauge.
Which btw doesn't come out (normally)

I always tell people: it is a machine with pressurized flammable liquid inside it and with an open flame at the top. And Murphy will be in the neighbourhood if he can and not is blinded by the light ;-)

If well maintained these are the best designed lanterns ever made to run kerosene.

 

So the correct position of the dial/needle is:
arrow up >> needle up
Arrow down >> needle down

Thank you,
Ken in NC
(I'm a stovie)

 

The dial was 1/2 turn out. the needle was up when the arrow is down, so I adjusted the dial to correct this.

I cleaned the tank with BB's and soap, rinsing many times, then rinsed with denatured alcohol.

I put 2/3 pint kerosene in it, and pumped about 60 times.
It came with a small silk-lite mantle, i put it on, burned it off, and used it.
It really is a BLAST to light the pre-heat torch. If that doesn't get ones adrenaline going, not much will.
I then got the mantle lit, and settled into a slight pulsing. I will light it a few more times, and see if the pulsing stops. Also, it seems the silk-lite is too small for it, so i will dig out some mantles I have for the Coleman 237 I have.

I did learn form the seller, the gauge is broken, but was not noted in the sale ad.

The 288 style globe fits loosely.

Thanks all, more later,
Ken in NC

 

I'm not over-familiar with these lanterns but it's possible the pulsing was because you didn't have enough pressure in the tank due to insufficient fuel and pumping. The rapid pre-heater will very quickly deplete the pressure in the tank and you need to add a few pumpstrokes during priming. That would be my guess, anyway.

The instructions I posted that you linked to say fill to no more than 1/2 " below fuel inlet and maintain pressure at 2 1/4 atmospheres - about 33-34 psi...

 

Thank you David.

Ken in NC

 

If there is a pre heat spirit cup: use this.
It is more relaxing (no pumping) then the rapid pre heater.

You can dismantle the gauge and look why it isn't working.
It is possible that for removing the cap you must remove the screw completely. Which can be done by screwing it through it's "end".

 

Oh good, The thread got really tight when unscrewing it, and didn't feel right. I was afraid of stripping the threads.

"Spirit cup" ... yes there is one the last owner put in. But the torch is so cool (hot).

Thanks,
Ken