SUCCESS!!!!!! I changed the jet and now it burns just like my #99. A compact, powerful blue flame. Really Nice!! I think the fettle on the 123R is near complete. The only thing I'm missing is a single pot support. I actually ordered one but the one I received is too short and lacks the notches on top. Anybody have a spare they want to part with? Now, I'm really new to these stoves so I must ask...after firing up one of these little gems do you sometimes find yourself just staring into the flame? It's beautiful and mesmerizing. I love it! Lonnie
Hey, Lonnie, Sounds like you are making fine progress, Sir! Well done. As to the short throw in the needle adjustment, it has been my experience that many Optimus stoves actually were sent out of the factory with their needles adjusted too high. You can reset the needle down to between 4-5 clicks, and should have much better simmering control. It's simple to do: remove the jet, and raise the needle all the way up; remove the needle using a pair of tweezers, or something similar; with needle removed, close the spindle all the way; replace the needle, remembering to set the teeth cogs in the proper direction; gently press down on the needle, as you slowly open the spindle; count the "clicks" you hear until you get to 4 or 5 clicks (some stoves work great with 4, and other can use 5 clicks); close the spindle, replace the jet, and test your stove. You should see a marked improvement in simmering capability. If need be, go to 5 clicks, and check again. Pretty easy, once you've done it a few times. I hope that helps you, and have fun with this. You're doing a great job! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Here is a link to a video of the 123R and the 99 burning side by side. I am very happy with both. I do note, however, that the 123R burns with much more force than the 99. Toward the end of the video I shut down the 123R and leave the 99 running and it is obvious. Is this normal? I think the design of the 99 takes longer for the heat to reach the tank and get it up to pressure. All in all, I feel like I have two very nice stoves and I'm delighted! Thanks for all the helpful advice...and on to the next one!! [media=youtube]Kv6v3IypGCM[/media] Lonnie
Hi Lonnie, my 99 burns pretty much the same as my 123. Looking at the 123 in your video is there some flames still on the tank below the burner where it screws into the tank? or just a reflection.
Hi Rick! No, there were no flames where the valve screws into the tank. I think the 99 would have started getting stronger as the fuel tank heated up a little more. I also may try to adjust the needle on it. Right now, I can only turn the spindle about 1/4 turn before the needle breaches the hole in the jet. Maybe I'm just not offering it enough fuel.
Time to 're-time' that 99! It should have at least 1/2 turn, lock to lock... It's probably half closed when you think its wide open. Take the needle out and then light it, see if it makes a difference.
Steve, I took out the needle and it did burn maybe slightly more aggressively but, I'm still only getting 1/4 turn out of the spindle. If I loosen the stuffing box I can turn the spindle more but then it leaks at that point. As soon as I snug up the stuffing box I'm back to 1/4 turn. Could I have the wrong spindle in there? Does the 99 have the same spindle as the 123R or is it a bit longer with a longer tip? Something is definitely not right and I'm determined to figure it out...with a lot of help. Lonnie
Hmmm, sounds like you've got no packing left... You could try repacking the spindle. Any Hi temp graphite cord,not the low temp stuff (it melts ) or teflon, cord or twisted tape will work. As far as I know, there is still a rebuild kit that fits the 123R, 8R, AND the 99. Same parts fits all. I'm not home, so I can't check if it comes with a new spindle or not. I do remember it comes with new tank lid seal, graphite packing, needle, and flame spreader. Look on ebay. The spindle for the original 123 is different than the later 123R,8R,99 version,IIRC
MTCamper, I suggest that when adjusting the spindle and cleaning needle, do not tighten first the nut so there is a bit of play on the spindle. Turn the spindle clockwise until it is secure, drop the cleaning needle on to the top and as you turn the spindle counter clockwise, count how many times the needle will jump (we call it clicks) normally 3 - 4 clicks only then if properly seated, turning the spindle clockwise you will see the needle go down and hopefully the point of the spindle closes the hole coming from the tank...its trial and error but that is how I do it. Always make sure the you tighten the nut security the spindle before firing it up. And you do not have to tighten it too much or you will definitely have a hard time turning the spindle to open the gas. The nut does not have to be really tight...just enough that you can turn the spindle without too much effort. As for the graphite packing, if it is still whole as in round, you just have to add one or two turns of graphite tape before you insert the securing nut. Hope this helps. Ron
There are no rebuild kits on ebay right now that I see. But A and H has them for 24.95 "...includes Spindle, Cleaning Needle, Jet, Graphite, Back up Ring, and Packing Nut. The Wick is not included." Link Sounds like you just need some graphite packing. Jeff
I just bought the re-build kit from A&H and installed it a couple of days ago so I have brand new packing. The spindle that is installed is longer with a longer tip than the spindle in my 123R. I have the stuffing box tightened just enough to keep it from leaking and still get only 1/4 turn. I have re-set the needle several times. When I set it down 3 clicks, then open the spindle the 1/4 turn, the needle won't even show above the jet. I'm at a loss....unless I have the wrong spindle installed. Lonnie
Lonnie, without the jet installed and the cleaning needle seated (in closed position), when you turn the spindle counter clockwise, do you see the needle go up? It should right? And with the needle up, gently screw the jet on to the burner and see if it will protrude through the hole just slightly. It may also be that the cleaning needle is short. Only way to tell this is, when the stove is lit and you turn it counter clockwise until it will not go further, does the flame die out? If it does, the cleaning needle is doing its job (blocking the jet hole). If the flame does not die, then the needle is very very short. Right now I could not take out my stove to give you an estimate of how long it should be but my estimate would be 2mm. Ron
OK, here's what I did. I loosened the stuffing box so that the spindle would turn freely. I re-set the needle to 3 clicks, then I tightened the stuffing box while the cleaning needle was protruding from the jet. Then I closed the spindle. I now have between 1/4 & 1/2 turn on the spindle, the needle exits the jet and I fired it up. While burning, the needle will turn the stove off if I turn too far counterclockwise. The stove burns really, really good and when I turn the spindle clockwise to turn the stove off it does go off entirely. I actually think all is well. It just seems like my 123R is slightly more powerful, especially after it has run for a while and really warmed up. Might just be the nature of the beasts. I've been asking a lot of questions here lately and I gotta tell ya I really appreciate all the helpful advice from you guys. I wish you guys were my next door neighbors so you could see these in person. Lonnie
Sounds like you got it! Nice work!!! Someone needs to write a how to fettle one of these beasts! Jeff
Way to go Lonnie! Perserverance pays off! And there is a tutorial, of a sort. internal link It's for a 8R, but most of it applies to a 99 or a 123R
There you go Lonnie now you should feel better that your 123R is working as it should. Feel free to ask any other question. Ron
I was haveing a play with a 123r and radius 42 on the weekend. Initially the radius was going far better than the 123 so I put a litre of water on each which almost confirmed this when the flame suddenly dropped on the Radius At this time the 123 appeared to be pumping out the heat as much as the radius had been before it ran out of fuel. Waited nearly 20 minutes before it was cool enough to refill then it went pretty much the same as the 123. These stoves dont reach full power until all the fuel in the tank is at max temp which Im guessing would be close to 50C or more. If the stove is full this can take several minutes.
Lonnie, as Geeves said, it may be that the tank temperature is low. Let it run for ten to fifteen minutes with a pot on, and feel the tank. I should get a lot hotter. Or, the quick way. When the stove is running, pour a little, not too much, meths over the tank and ignite. This warms things up nicely. I don't suppose this a recomended method, but it gets a 99 up to full power quickly.
very dangerous method. The vapours can ignite and blow back into the bottle. As soon as you put a pot on the stove more heat is reflected back to the tank so it cranks up ok after a few minutes anyway
Yes, I suspect that the 123 is more efficient at heating the fuel tank as the windscreen gets hot and transfers that heat directly to it. On the other hand, the 99 has the heat shield and a less efficient way to heat the fuel. I will try putting a kettle on top and I bet it gets up to speed faster than it is now. It has been fun fettling these two little stoves and I've learned quite a lot in doing it. I wonder what I'll work on next ? I think I'm smelling kerosene......... Lonnie
