Questions about petromax 829/500CP

Hello,

I just purchased my first petromax lantern and made my first attempt at lighting it tonight!

I’m using petromax 500 mantles and successfully (I think) installed it. I got it lit and running, but the mantle appears to have a fair amount of flame outside the mantle. I checked it for holes or tears and couldn’t see any damaged spots. Is this normal On a kerosene pressure lamp? Just worried I’m doing something wrong and overheating my lamp! I’m also wondering if something is wrong due to the light output. I’ve always heard that petromax lamps are SUPER bright, and while I’m getting decent light, it’s really no brighter than my old propane lantern. Im a complete noob at this, so any suggestions or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Michael

 

Welcome, Michael. Photos, please then we can help you with a more accurate diagnosis.

 

Ah, well - the entire mantle's just a load of holes held together with string!

I'm no expert on Petromax lanterns (or any of the other clones using the same system) but flames outside the mantle would suggest over-fuelling i.e. the fuel/air mixture is too rich. The easiest thing to check is whether anything's taken up residence or built a nest in the air intake pathway. If not that, there are other adjustments to be made but I'll leave it to the experts to tell you what those are and how to optimise them. If the vapouriser's not new then possibly it's coked up and needs cleaning or replacement. Does it run better with out the hood? - give that a try. As Phil says, a photograph will help.

As far as brightness is concerned, if you have a 500cp lantern then that will be retina-searingly bright; 100cp not so much, with the others in between.

Welcome to CPL, by the way...

 

Welcome aboard!
The jet may be enlarged or a part may be loose or both and photographs will help us to assist you.

 

These lanterns have an adjustable air gap and that is the first thing to check. Gap between top of the jet and the bottom of the J tube should be about 13mm if I remember right but slightly larger will be OK. Check the jet is in tight, any leaks there will give you a poor yellowish burn. Probably be a good idea to clean the surface of the jet as well. Just lap it on an oil stone untill you get clean brass across the hole. Just enough mind, the metal there is pretty thin so don't over do this. This cleans the edges of the jet hole and often results in a better shaped gas stream which works more efficiently and gives a better light. ::Neil::

 

What does the manual say?

 

Unfortunately, there is no manual. I purchased the lamp secondhand, and according to the seller, it’s original owner bought it new and never used it.

By the time it made it to me there was no packaging or literature

I’ll take some pictures this evening and see if I can illustrate what’s going on

Michael

 

What would the correct distance be for an 826?

 

Hi Harder
According to the company's own tool, appr. 14,20mm

 

Great - Thank you Bent

I feel a steep learning curve ahead. Have bought my first Petromax 826 and disassembled it to learn how it works and whats inside.

Seems like I might need a tool like that.
All the best

 

If u send me your adress as pm, I can forward you one
Cheers
Bent

 

@Bent Jensen

That is indeed nice of you. But I have just ordered one - right after having seen your posting here

 

Ok, I was able to measure the gap from the jet to the U shaped tube above it. It measures 13.9mm from the top of the jet to the bottom of the tube.

I also noticed that the needle had a noticeable bend to it when the valve was closed and the needle was protruding from the jet. I gently straightened it and it appears to be moving straight up and down now

 

Considering the production caused marks (draw of the sheet metal) and the look of the jet that specimen is most likely not a lantern that was originally produced in Germany. Chinese/asian clones may suffer from several problems, including unsuitable material and large manufacturing tolerances. Please give us some more details, also with pictures of the (whole) lantern. And what in particular are the markings/stampings looking like on the tank (bottom & side), and on the globe cage?
Regards, Martin

 

Hi michael, it's a chinese clone, six digits under the tank !!!
I have the same

 

Production stopped in Germany and was moved to China. There are claims the new Pmax lanterns are still assembled in Germany. The fount says "GERMANY REGD" (short for registered) meaning the name is protected and can only be used by the owner of the name. It says nothing about where they are made/assembled.
Some of the Chinese clones are of good quality, all depends on how much production is allowed to cost. One gets what one pays for. It is all a matter of economics and profit margins.
Finding a "proper" German Pmax and rebuilding it is your best bet!

Best regards,

Wim

 

So what is the consensus as far as being able to use this one? I’m only into it $160 at this point. I’ve lit it and it seems to run now that the gap is adjusted, just wondering if it is safe to use! How does one go about verifying a lamp is a proper German made one?

 

the sun in the logo must have 10 rays on the German made, and 11 on the chinese

 

I was actually just reading about that. It has 11 points, so I don’t doubt it’s chinese. I feel stupid as I thought I was being careful and buying a actual “German” lamp. Back to the drawing board

 

Sellig33,

Do you use your chinese clone? Do you consider it safe to use?

Just trying to decide if I keep this lamp or dump it

Michael

 

Michael,
I use it since yet 14 years, it's safe.
I just check all parts each year before light it.

 

Some of the Chinese production are actually OK. Not perhaps the same quality of the Portuguese or German made lamps but they generally work pretty well. From new they need a careful check over but will be safe to use. ::Neil::

 

Thank you for your help! While I’m somewhat disappointed, I’m reassured that I can use it without risk tonlife and limb! In looking for spares online I noticed there is a heat shield that fits in the bottom of the frame. The listing says it serves to protect the top of the fount from excessive heating and gives a margin of safety should the mantle develop a hole.

Are you familiar with this part? What would you recommend one way or the other?

Again, thank you for your assistance!
Michael

 

Michael, you tell about this piece?
Centre Bottom HK350/500 matt (BW) - Main Parts - Petromax HK/CP350 - Petromax Lamps - Lamps & Lanterns Pelam

 

michael, the additional heat shield was introduced for the Bundewehr as an additional safety gadget.
So the tank would not get that hot and cause the soldering to melt if the mantle breaks or falls off during use.
This is mainly a thing to make the lantern fool-proof... so: No. It is not needed if you know what you are doing and if you do not kick around the burning lantern. It is a nice-to-have item, if you like it.
A Petromax lantern is very dangerous the minutes after you turned it off. The hood is bloody hot and there is no hissing or light to warn you about it. But that issue comes with most pressure lanterns.

Erik

 

500CP and 350CP Heat Shield 126-s | BriteLyt XL next generation

This is the part I was talking about

 

As said by Erik " an additional safety gadget "
I have one, but only on my "Bundewehr"

 

Another new guy question for you!

Would a 500CP and a 350CP use the same mantle? I see parts listed for 150 250 and 500 but no 350

It would be for a 828 / 350 CP