I aquired this Primus No5 recently and with it came a "Burner Pre Heater Wick". Whats it do and where does it go?
You've got it in the right place. It has a wick inside and is designed to produce a small flame at the top for a couple of seconds after the spirit in the spirit cup has burned out. It saves using a second match to light the silent burner after pre-heating. On some stoves there is a hole in the burner so that the little flame is closer to the silent cap, like this on a Valor 55: Terry
Hi Hemlock, I have not heard of them referred to as a 'Burner pre-heater wick'. They are more commonly named 'pilot light' and many Swedish (and other) kerosene stoves had them as options. They make them in various sizes (shorter tube for camping stove models) and shapes (angles, etc). There was another device that was shaped like a wide thin clamp that held wicking/heat resistant but absorbent material. It would go around the burner, one side of each clamp pressing against the vaprorizing tube above the spirit dish. It would absorb the alcohol and when lit would help heat (pre-heat) the burner tubes. Wind would be much less of a factor compared to the usual priming of spirit dish - the clamp helps keep the flame/heat right where it belongs to maximum affect. I've seen it in one or two of the catalogues on this sight + the odd stove for sale came with them. My internet connection is tediously slow at the moment so when it returns to 'normal' I'll post the link(s).
I've been using these stoves for 50 years and not seen one before. Still use the one my dad used to brew up on the roadside when I was a kid. So its a pilot light. Now I know just had to have a go with it and it works! Blimey a goer. Usually pump her up a tad before the meths has run out and not relight the top anyway but this works really well. Thanks
I have fitted one of these Primus pilot light tubes to my 111T burner - and it's a great little addition!!! It sends a small but concentrated pilot flame up between the windscreen and the burner edge for a few seconds after the spirit have burned out in the pre-heater bowl, just enough so it's easy and convenient to open the regulator valve and let the gasified kerosene ignite without any extra match or lighter use. A highly recommended addition!
Here's the picture I forgot to include yesterday: Having seen the version above where it penetrates the burner through a hole I think I'll make something similar to mine...