Hello all. What a fab resource site! Have just returned from a shopping trip with a Tilley FL6 in rusty but fair condition. (£70) photos to follow when I can. We are planning on using it in our dining room and as such will hope to sympathetically restore it or leave it with the rusty pattena. Do however need to carefully remove the mantle parts and replace with a bulb socket (therefore ending up with safe daily, instead of occasional use). Has anyone converted an FL6 before and any tips on careful removal of mantle assembly? Hope my restoration doesn't offend, we feel safer with electric rather than pressured fuel. Thanks and any advice much appreciated. Mark
Hi, Pressurised paraffin in a working condition lantern is incredibly safe (when used sensibly). An electric conversion, if not done properly is not. You will need to ensure (if you electrify it which I would highly suggest that you do not!) that all parts of the lantern are earthed correctly, any cable entryway is done in such a manner that the cable cannot chafe or be pulled out or crimped. The lamp holder needs to be one of the correct rating and mounted well. You should then get it tested by a competent electrician. By competent, I don't mean the usual house-bashing cowboy but one that is conversant with the current regs and is properly qualified and experienced (I have seen too many dodgy DIY projects to not put this in!) OR do a REVERSIBLE electrification using a low voltage power supply & and an LED light source so the lantern can be returned to its proper use later!
I have 2 questions:- 1. Why would you want to have an FL6 in your dining room? 2. If you own an FL6 why would you even think about converting it?
The two air intake tubes either side of the burner unscrew from the burner and once removed the burner can be lifted off the vapourising tube.
That was my first reaction too David - I thought I'd attempt to be helpful first though! You know what, I think I'll go and electrify my Primus 1080 that I've just got working... /sarc
Welcome to the world of pressure lamps, but as you can see - electrocution of a lamp amounts to a kind of sacrilege. It is frowned upon as many of these lamps are no longer common and turning them into sitting room talking pieces often destroys the very fragment of a lamp that could be returned to working condition. It's akin to restoring a steam traction engine and replacing the motion with a Datsun engine. Restore it to its original glory - then you will have achieved something special, and doubtless get help from the many enthusiasts on this forum.
Being a collector I too don't like the idea of electric conversion, but on the other hand if you are not a collector and want something practical for daily use it is probably the way to go. It is possible to do but the big issue here is do not damage the original parts. i.e. don't drill holes or cut off brackets etc. By removing some of the original burner parts (and storing them for later restoration) a bulb and wiring can be fitted without too much drama.
My mind is still boggling trying to imagine what sort of ambience an FL6 running on any sort of fuel is going to create in a dining room - suburban submarine-pen, perhaps. I never thought I'd ever hear me say this, but try an Aladdin wickie lamp of some sort, or candles - but never an electrocuted FL6! It would be cheaper and easier (and achieve much the same effect) to go to Lidl and buy one of their 5 million candle-power rechargeable lamps for about £15 and shine it in your eyes whilst enjoying your hors d'oeuvres...
I suppose we should be thankful it is an FL6 we are talking about. At least there are plenty of them about so one more vandalised example won't make much difference. Mind this is one you can convert because once the vaporiser and burner are out there are three nice holes in the reflector to shove a fitting in and the wire can run through the rear of the case. So it can be done without damaging anything. ::Neil::
NOOOO! But if you absolutely must, DO NOT drill holes in it!! Unscrew/remove the air tubes. Lift off the burner. Unscrew the vapouriser. Unscrew the control cock. Manufacture an adapter to go from 1/2BSB to whatever lamp fitting you are using. Some older brass lamp fittings already use 1/2BSB for their thread, its just a case of making a tee-piece then. You can get brass barrel-nipple joiners for these but they are very thin wall. Screw adapter in tank, bulb in holder, cable out the back with an inline switch. DO NOT bastardise that FL6 please! Alec.
Wasn't there someone on eBay once producing a kit that made electrocution of an fl6 easy and with zero damage caused? I seem to remember they came fully wired and ready to go.
Surely the guy is just pulling our legs! He just waited to see our reactions. Only an idiotic moron would electrify an FL6. Nice try greenphotos.
No response as yet from greenphotos though? I was just thinking - perhaps I could drill up through an FS1 column, wire it up, remove the copper bowl and fit an electric bulb holder and shade. That would give me a lamp I could use regularly instead of waiting for a power cut. What do you think?
Perhaps he's watching the thread he originally posted in. It has been moved, though I feel sure a link would have been made.
I'm busting my guts to complete and fettle mine and this poster has got a bargain and a wonderful example of a functional bit of yesteryear and is contemplating WHAT!
Actually, no - the air tube extensions unscrew from the air tubes. I wouldn't be disturbing any threads on the burner itself unless it was absolutely necessary...
If people do going to do this anyway, it might be best to suggest a way it can be done without damaging the lamp. If I were to do this... 1) I would remove the burner and keep it safe. 2) Find an old 5" vapouriser and drill out the jet to the full diameter of the tube. 3) Drill a whole in the side of the vaporiser near its base. 4) Thread some suitable wires up though the vaporiser. 5) Wire into a low voltage socket that takes 12v halogen bulbs and fix this to the top of the vaporiser. 6) Screw this assembly into the floodlight. 7) Run the other end of the wires into the transformer. This could then be dropped in behind the reflector. One safely electrified FL6 that could be restored to it's former glory in seconds! No floodlights were harmed in the making of this post.
