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I got given a lovely red one of these today.

Problem is - I have no idea how one works - I have been told it is in perfect, total working order, I also have been given two spare mantles with it.

Can anybody give me a complete 'idiot" guide to using, lighting and maintaining one pretty please?

It sure looks lovely unlit , I am very happy - but also sure it would look a lot more pretty lit.

TIA

Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 09/11/2011

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Never used one, but does this help?

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Thanks Bob,

That's what I was having trouble finding

Hi Dozy.

            Like you, someone gave me a Bilalladin 300X pressure lamp about a year ago, it must me around circa 1950's, so I replaced all the seals, and vaporiser tube, it's a wonderfull lamp.

Just this week, I received a new Glass for it, as the original had developed a large crack.

I run it on Paraffin Extra, which is the low odour stuff.

Most times I can get it lit no problem, but every now and again, it will flare at first lighting, not sure why it does that, but it's not a worry, as you just release the pressure, and it blows itself out.

got all my parts from a firm called basecamp, I recon I have spent £50 on that old lamp, well worth it though.

Check out the link, even with a brand new lamp, it can go wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57LkcaKVepM

Failing to light first time is probably because the top end was not hot enough. Try and do the pre heat stage out of any wind, which will cool the top down. Also you get 1 kw of free heat !!!

My Vapalux always lights first time, but in the colder months, my Tilley does not. I double pre heat to solve this problem. 

They are sold as Tilley Stormlights, Bernie.

 Just bought one myself on ebay for when there is no EHU on site - I luv 'em. Never had one before. Fired it up as per the link above - a proper blokes gadget.Needs a little fiddling to get the pressure right. If you think it's losing pressure, twist the black knob anti clockwise quite hard - it activates the 'pricker' which clears the tubes, and the light brightens without giving it another 30pumps.I get about an hour from it without pumping it up again. What a tool - light, heat, and a work-out!

 First evening i used it, my wife was on mornings - I walked into the bedroom holding the lit Tilleylamp at midnight (she had been asleep an hour) to show her how bright it was! Needless to say, she didn't share my enthusiasm and my luck was definately not in. When I first lit it, I thought the hiss would get on my nerves, but it's fine. I can't wait to go camping  and try it out proper.Enjoy!

John,

Do you have a picture of the Coleman next to the Tilley for comparison? I take it from the above pic that the Coleman is much brighter? Is it as noisy as the Tilley?

Regards,

Bob.

Quote: Originally posted by Nicksy on 17/11/2011

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John,

Do you have a picture of the Coleman next to the Tilley for comparison? I take it from the above pic that the Coleman is much brighter? Is it as noisy as the Tilley?

Regards,

Bob.

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