Tilly Lamp

[Little Dorrit]

Any suggestions on why I am not getting a bright white light on my recently refurbished Tilly Lamp.

When I lit it I did not get the 'pop' I was expecting, although its been about 35 Years since I last saw one I do seem to remember a pop and a much brighter white light.

here

 

[Giblets]

From memory the pump needs a minimum of 40 strokes (ooo, err, missus) before lighting. How old is the paraffin?

 

[Little Dorrit]

The paraffin is new. There does not seem to be a great deal of resistance when I pump which suggests the pressure may not be great although I have replaced the leather pump valve.

I think I only pumped it about 20 times.

 

[Giblets]

Did you soak the leather pump valve in oil before fitting? I ended up replacing the whole pump unit when I had the same trouble with mine. Sorted.

 

[Little Dorrit]

No I assumed the paraffin would act to swell the leather and also help as a lubricant.

I am pretty hopeful that the pump is in good order and was thinking it may be the leather valve is not acting properly. You have perhaps hit the mark...what kind of oil would be suitable?

 

[BERT T]

Looking at your video, the light is orange in colour, should be nearly white. I think lack of pressure is your problem.

 

[VicS]

Tilley Lamp

Yes they usually light with a little bit of a pop and burn with a distinct hiss.

I can only think yours must be partly blocked somewhere, not pressurising or the tap not opening. It appears to be gently burning inside the mantle rather than on the surface

 

[Little Dorrit]

Looking at your video, the light is orange in colour, should be nearly white. I think lack of pressure is your problem.

I am going to soak the leather pump washer in oil and see if that helps the pressure.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I use Tilley lamps all the time for lighting in my house as it has no electricity. Reasons for not working properly...

Not enough pressure - not pumping enough, leather washer poor condition, non return valve leaking, seal round the pump where it screws in to the tank perished and leaking (common one this) or seal at the top of the tank where it goes into the tube leaking.

Blockage in the burner tube - try pricking it, remove it and pull the pricker out to get carbon off the pricker wire (another common problem) or just replace the tube which can be bought from the Tilley website

Blockage in the vapouriser - you generally have to sacrifice a mantle to clean out the vapouriser. I clean it out when I replace a mantle but have never found much gunk in there.


If the lamp has not been used for a while I would guess that it's a perished seal or a gunked up burner tube.

 

[Little Dorrit]

I can see this is going to really test my patience.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I can see this is going to really test my patience.

If you get fed up with it I'll take it off you.

 

[Giblets]

I can see this is going to really test my patience.

No, no, 'tiz a Rite of Passage! Every sailor has to play with a Tilley lamp at least once in his lifetime!

 

[Mudisox]

I'd suggest putting the lid on the meths bottle before lighting the wick= Known to have caused fires! Or burnt hands, and an RNLI call out - Just don't ask.

 

[Slinky Spring]

Are you 'opening' the pump before you pump it ie turning the knob anti clockwise and putting your thumb over the hole before pumping.

 

[VicS]

Are you 'opening' the pump before you pump it ie turning the knob anti clockwise and putting your thumb over the hole before pumping.

?????

Mine works like the one in the video.

Pump does not open or close and there's no hole to put a thumb over.

When the meths is nearly all gone. Open the valve on the burner and gently pump a few times. When alight pump some more as it warms up.

 

[V1701]

I have a Vapalux & had a wee struggle with it at first, replaced the pump leather when I needn't have done, also got a servicing kit with all the washers, etc. On the Vapalux the pump leather feels surprisingly (to me) loose inside the tube it sits in. All it was was I just wasn't pumping long & hard enough...

BTW spares I got from these people, really nice folk to deal with:

http://www.base-camp.co.uk/

 

[VO5]

The idea of keeping the pump closed tight is not a good idea because as barometric pressure changes fuel is driven up into the jet making for a sticky chimney. The best thing to do is to open the pump a crack for storage. Then when igniting first tighten pump and open tap very slightly then just pump fast to start and the mantle ignites immediately. Pump 40 times to get a bright light. To turn off, open the pump to let pressurised air out. Let it cool before you store it. The tap should only be opened and closed a small fraction to avoid wastage of fuel and a smoky glass.