Hello ! I'm a Scout Leader who has recently been "converted" to Pressure lamps by a fellow Scouter and avid Tilley Collector. Thanks to him we now have a number of Tilleys up and running and more importantly our scouts have taken an interest! Recently I took a chance bid on a lamp on fleabay and am now the proud owner of a Bialaddin 310 for just over £15 which seems quite reasonable. Having done some research the globe is not the original as it has a ridge as opposed to being completely round.The pump assembly is ok but the cup washer seems to be identical in shape and size to an Tilley X246. Vapourizer and needle are ok. Questions: Is the pump cup washer identical to a tilley X246b or has it been bodged? Is there an exploded diagram around to use as a reference to take the lamp apart and give it a thorough once over? Could a Tilley mantle be used or do i have to get a specific bialaddin one? many thanks for your help in advance -I look forward to finding out more about the wonders of pressure lamps!
Welcome Bill, The pump cup leather of Tilley and Bialaddin lamps are slightly different sizes. I think the Tilley is slightly wider but it might be the other way around. I don't have a parts diagram for the 310 but there is a parts diagram of the Vapalux 320 in the link below. The construction of all the Vapalux and Bialaddin lanterns is basically the same. http://www.base-camp.co.uk/320.htm A pre-tied Tilley mantle may be a bit of a poor fit on a Bialaddin as the burner is a different size and it may fall off. Original Vapalux/Bialaddin mantles are available from base-camp. Personally I buy these mantles from Japan as they are cheap and the ends are untied so they can be tied to fit well on both Tilley and Bialaddin. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371297819943 James.
The Bialaddin burner is bigger than a Tilley and fitting a Tilley mantle can be difficult. Can be done though and they will work but better to buy the real thing. The globe on a 315 does have a step ridge. It was only model 310 and the table lamps that used the rounded shoulder shapeed globe. ::Neil::
I've broken the pre tied Tilley mantles trying to squeeze them onto a Bialaddin burner so it's not really worth the effort - far better to get the right thing. Neither of my 310s have the original glass, but to be honest it's probably only a lamp collector who would notice... The biggest downside to a 310 is that it's all too easy to overfill the meths cup because you are filling it blind. That said I think they are one of the nicest looking of the Bialaddins.
Thank you very much for all your replies - I soaked the pump washer in some olive oil for a while and also put on a tilley mantle just to try out. I used a syringe to apply the meths to the pre heater cup. After heating up I give it a few "strokes" and had that satisfying sound when it "pops" into life. Lovely and bright and I do agree that it is a very nice looking lamp. I had a bit of a problem in that I could have sat for quite a while and basked in its lovely glow but was summoned by she who must be obeyed as I had "apparently" been in my man cave (shed) for a couple of hours - is this the sign of an oncoming addiction? Very much looking forward to visiting the forum on a regular basis!
