I obtained a Lancaster lantern, burnt out the loop, but was still concerned that I should replace it. Will one from a Nitehawk work on it? Posted pics in the Reference Library under America, other brands. Duane
Duane, it would not surprise me if it is a standard 350/500cp Pmax clone vaporiser. What seems to be the problem with it? That is one monster of a lamp, btw!
No problem I think, but just in case. Heated the loop twice now, had been clear after the first heat up, but wanted to do a bit more. Emailed Pitman Marine thru eBay, but on my tablet dont seem to have attached pics go thru. Rotated the little hood thingy on the top of the genny, was told the opening faces towards the back, that was one thing I suspected.. Duane
Don't be shy to hang a Peerless 111 on it. And you will probably need to use a shade or frosted globe on it to protect your vision
I have some big mantles for it, the Petromax were over driven. Runs smoother now after rotating that little hood thing over the tip, just had to run the pricker up now and then to clear carbon. Clearing out. Need a globe was told what will work with it. Duane
Received a reply from Pitman Marine here in the states, gave me a link to a listing they had on the bay which I had been looking at anyway, just wanted confirmation it would work. Also ordered a globe from them also since it should fit and one of my Coleman lanterns which I had fitted to this lantern to see how it fit. Duane
I added a 290 Coleman cage to one of my Lancaster burners on a CQ fount. These had a vent post brazed to the center of the burner top. I put a 350 tip on one to try to tone it down, as they burn a lotta fuel. I have burned many gallons of whatever fuel I could get thru it, and never missed a beat
I've read where these could have been customized for individuals. The setup with the rod hanger that attaches to the two globe hangers doesnt seem to be that likeable. I have yet to put it together as a couple of the nuts are wrong size (metric or standard) or worn. Waiting now for paint to cure as I had to touch up the fount bottom then had a run down below the fill hole. Almost had it. Duane
Received a new genny, however I believe where the ends of the loop are afixed to the genny, they protrude too far into it, not allowing the pricker rod to be inserted. I've drilled off one the ends, but dont have a drill bit to reach the other one as it has to be hit from the other direction. Hopefully I can locate a proper sized one next trip to town. The old Preston loop is still releasing bits of carbon, so the pricker has to be run up every minute. Duane
Duane, I'm a bit puzzled as to why you haven't seemingly made a concerted effort to clean the inside of the generator. I see you have heated the vapouriser twice to clear it but in subsequent posts you mention carbon and frequent use of the pricker. I would be trying to thoroughly clean the inside of the generator and be done with the constant niggling problems. I would soak the generator in vinegar for a few days then use wire bottle brush to scrub the inside of the vapouriser. Other members more well versed on Preston Loop vapourisers may have other solutions that will rid the vapouriser of carbon.
@Matty, you must not be familiar with a Preston Loop genny. The loop is attached at 90 degree angles to the genny tube at both ends of the loop. I don't have a super flexible brush that will make the bend to push thru the loop. The trouble would be to get it started into the loop. I soaked the old genny again for hours last night in hot vinegar. I worked on modifying the new genny by drilling the ends of the loop that protrude into the genny tube as they prevented the pricker rod from being inserted. I can only reach the upper end as the engineereed area between the two ends of the loop prevent be going beyond the upper end to hit the lower end and I dont have a longer drill bit to reach the lower end. Jets don't swap out nor will the old pricker go thru the opening in the new jet. Genny extension will not fit the new genny either. May have to just run the new genny without the rod. Duane
Hi Duane The easiest solution maybe a replacement parts. With Lancaster Lanterns they have replacement parts for all their stock and that burner is in current production. You can just call them at 717-340-4678 or email them and either way they they can just send you out the part. They are a proper business in operation like any other.
Seems I read they weren't in business or at least not making lanterns. I'll give it a go, thank you. Duane
Looks like Lancaster make their own non-pmax-standard vaporisers, jets etc. Designed for more than 500cp maybe? Some Preston loops are attached at an obtuse angle wrt the bottom and top ends, making access a bit easier. I suppose it is done that way to improve the gas flow.
@Matty, you were right, tons of carbon up the tube. Don't have the proper gun cleaning kit to go with this brush I got years ago. Only need to go up the tube a little more to get the whole length. Duane
Up and running without running the pricker every 30 seconds, flickers quite a bit. Used my compressor to shoot air thru the pipes, using a BB to divert air thru the loop, moving the BB then to the other side to change things up. More dust out then. Duane
Thought the wooden handle went the other way, but did not spend much time rechecking fit of the threaded part that holds the handle in place. Lantern still flickers some, but happy don't have to use the pricker. Fuel stays in the system after shut down, so tonight instead of turning the valve off first, released pressure out of the fount, that way with the valve open, fuel could drain back into the fount, leaving no mess if taking the genny off or other parts. Duane
Duane, have you tried varying the pressure within the fount and hence what pressure the lamp is running at? Perhaps finding the sweet spot of pressure will eliminate the flickering or pulsing.
I tried different pressure, added the globe. Seems running helped more than anything except of course getting all that carbon out. I think it is still carbon I can't reach. May also try sealing around the genny extension some as it isn't perfectly shaped so lets some air around it. I'm pretty pleased, now I know it will run without having to be within sight of it, flicker isn't bad, but still noticeable. Duane
@Mackburner has suggested in another thread cleaning up the face of the nipple/jet with a whetstone in order to make sure the stream of fuel gas goes up straight. This technique has helped reduce flickering on some Pmax clones that I have. Your setup is a little different, what with the thimble on the jet but perhaps that could bear closer inspection/clean-up/polishing. Another possible cause of flickering can be water in the fuel.
The issue could still be carbon dust. No water. What they call the genny extension could be the last issue. I have all new parts ordered. On some of my stoves, working the jet over has helped a few, some others making a dimple helped. Duane
