After reading the many posts on this site lauding the performance of kerosene I decided to de-fuel one of my OP 111s, drop in the restrictor tube, fill with kerosene and fire her up. The results with this stove were fantastic and out paced regular meths on all characteristics. This was performing so well it whistled as it was burning and sounded like my VW does with the wing windows open on a summer day. I am definitely satisfied with kero and now a "believer" in this underrated performer, at least for my multi fuel stoves that is. This photo shows my surplus Sportsman’s Guide (SG) OP 111. -One of three.-
My thoughts were that the restrictor tube was for meths fuel only. I guess it could be use also on kero. Ron
Great avatar picture. "will fettle for food" I don't know some people might not know what fettle means... Great work on the hinge. Ron is right you don't need the restrictor tube with kerosene. The manual says you need it for alcohol or gasoline. I find mine don't need it for anything. Here is a Link to the manual Cheers, Jeff
Chef BC, Pull the restrictor out and make sure that you are using the "M" jet or unmarked jet. The "A" is for alcohol. I am concerned about the whistling sound that you describe. A soft whisper or hiss is normal but anything else could indicate burning under the silent cap(under burn). Under burn can cause serious damage to the burner assembly. These stoves will kick out a very respectable amount of heat when properly tuned. They will also last for years giving reliable service. One last thing to check. Make sure that the inner burner cap isn't rusted through and that the outer fits snug against the burner. Either of these conditions can lead to irregular flame. Looks like you are well on the way to a good fettle. Velcomen to the Kero Krowd, AR
Ron, Jeff, AR, I took the restrictor tube out and this stove burned with the same aggressiveness as it had the day before, absent was the whistle and the green tint to the flame “peaks” from yesterdays firing. My theory is that these stoves were created for kero. I had wrongly thought the restrictor tube was for burning kero, it just may be for alcohol. The nipple (can I write that?) in this stove is neither stamped or identified for what type of fuel it is for. Jeff, thanks for the link to the manual, I had not had specific instructions on how to use these stoves. AR, the inner cap is in good shape except for a small amount of soot, it rests in place with close tolerances and does not appear to be defective. The hinge was scavenged from a file card box, the hinge opens and rests on itself at nearly the same angle as the Optimus lid. This stove arrived from SG with a broken hinge but since I cannot weld, I had to use pop-rivets. I have a second and a third 111 T that I will convert over to the Kero Kult. I purchased a drum of “K-1” this evening which is the top quality fuel and is undyed which was for tax purposes. Again thank you all for your help and suggeations, “Fire it up!” //signed // Harold, (KTCM) P.S. Here is a photo of a Coleman Multi fuel stove that I used in California this summer.
Nice one, Chef! If you like that noise, you SO need basic roarer burner to retrofit to one of your 111's. The noise has been described as 'F4 Phantom taking off on after burner', never seen a live Phantom but it does remind me of an early Boeing 737 (the non-PC ones) as it rotates. Roarer burners generally are fun, but the kero ones sound like raw horsepower
The manuals for the 111's may be seen/downloaded here: http://tinyurl.com/36ykh9t The jet is made in 3 sizes, The unmarked, (or k or m marked)works on your with all fuels. The B marked is for gasoline, The S or A marked with huge hole is for alcohol. The restrictor tubes may be used for gasoline, or for alcohol, part no varies, and some burners works best with, and some without. Confusing? As far as you don't use the alcohol jet, it works. And you are right, this burner is designed for kero, and may run on other fuels. A litle oil on the leather cup every year, and removing the regulator wheel when pumping, the stove may last for years with no more maintenance. dsk
Thanks for all the replies, I am just getting back to following up on this topic. At anirolfe's suggestion I removed the restrictor and the stove fires just fine. Yes the noise is exciting but just isn't necessary. The nipples are unmarked. I was lucky to obtain a leather pump cup for one of my stoves and have replaced the O ring pump. Am still undecided if I am a leather p/c purist yet. I get the thrill of the jet turbine noise and the smell of JP-8 from where I work. (More goosebumbs!) dsk, Thanks for the link for the 111 manuals!
Well, now I think I will replace the tube/jet with the Kero that came with my stove. Thing is, now I have to prime it unlike coleman fuel . Nope, stay as Coleman fuel for the mean time. Hard to prime those kind of stove designs. Ron
