Got around to lighting Optimus 111 I bought earlier this week. Troubles aplenty for a stove that had never been lit. Mostly revolves around the O-ring on the pump,,, must have shrunk some over the last 30 years, ‘cause it certain sure wouldn’t pump up the tank... I put the pump stem from an Optimus 96 on it,,, perfect fit by the way,,, and it pumped up, and it lit straight away. Now, the search begins to find a new correct size O-ring to replace the old one.
Hi @Haggis I am not able to access this stove to check measurements, but the photos give an idea of the relative size of the O-ring and associated metal washers: From this thread: Optimus No.00L "Camper". Made in Sweden, Early 1990's. Un-used. Check that any O-ring that you are offered is fuel-resistant ( Viton or similar) Best Regards, Kerophile.
Thank you,,, Interesting,,, must have been an overall change at the time. I’m probably going to hunter around at local auto parts stores,,, I might get lucky. Meanwhile, and for the hopefully short term, just for using, I don’t mind borrowing a pump off another stove.
May get lucky at your flaps or hardware store. I have a 360 piece $8 O-Ring assortment kit from Harbor Fright and have use them many times for stove and lantern needs. Stay safe HOT SoCal
Harbor Freight! There’s one of those just an hour south of here, in Duluth. I pass there often,,, I’ll be swinging in to have a look.
I'm not overly crazy about the o-ring pumps. I think the leather cup works much better. With the o-ring pumps, it seems like you have to keep it very straight, and deliberate while pumping, to get a good result. The leather is more forgiving, in my opinion. I believe there's a seller on ePrey that sells the leather pump for them. Seems they were pricey though. Not just the cup, the whole pump.
@Haggis I converted my O-ring pump to a leather pump cup, using the same pump rod and a “star” washer. See here: Optimus 111T pump The leather pump cup is much more satisfactory. Tony
Thanks Tony... I received a Care Package from the Fettle Box just today, and there were a bunch of leather pump cups in it. I was comparing and eyeballing, but didn’t pursue it. I think now maybe I’m inspired to give it a go...
Good Morning, @Haggis , Like Arch, I've not been too much of a fan for o-rings in pump rod duty, and MUCH prefer to use leather pump cups! Several of our members used to make and sell a retro setup for changing such o-ring sets, to use the leather pump cups. But, alas, none of them are still offering them, as far as I know. Still, it's a fairly easy retro-fit. Check out Tony's link, to see how you can accomplish that task. I've done that on almost all of my o-ring pump sets, and do NOT miss them on bit! The leather is far superior, IMHO. Good luck, and great stove, by the way! The 111T is a special favorite of mine, and Sweet Bride's!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
@Staffan Rönn - that seem to be the metric translation of the dimension posted by @The Warrior and the only standard O-ring I found that could fit in the 111 pump tube.
@Doc Mark One of the members here has offered to send me a 111 leather cup sort of pump rod to replace the O-rind sort I have now. Most likely too I’ll try my hand at retro-fixing the original as well... I’ve used the 111 a few of times now, with a borrowed Optimus 96 pump rod, for my back porch breakfasts and midmorning teas,,, just a delightful and quiet stove. This weekend coming, the stove will be going into the BWCA canoe camping with me,,, something perhaps a little more in line with its intended purpose than back porches... Thank you.
@Haggis , The BWCAW!! WOW!! We'll meet you up at Sawbill Lake!! I remember that Cliff Jacobson thought highly of the 111 models of stoves, and featured them in several of the books he wrote on canoeing. What area in the Boundary Waters will you be visiting? Stay safe, and have a fantastic time!! I hope you take and share some photos of your trip, so we can enjoy it vicariously! Take care, and God Bless! Doc
Actually going to Sawbill Lake, paddling up the lake, and portaging over toward Baker Lake. Some unfinished lake snooping from a couple of years ago when I paddled from Baker Lake up to Cherokee Lake, and down to Sawbill Lake. Most years I get several trips into the BWCA,,, September and October this year promise a few trips...
Haggis, That's great! We camped at Sawbill Lake, using our tent, stove, and canoe, and Sweet Bride's Mom and Step Dad, who were visiting us in MPLS, drove their motor home up there, and camped in the campground. It was a great trip, and we loved the paddling, portaging, and fishing. Also, LOVED the Loons calling to each other in the evening! ARe the remnants of that fishing cabin still there, near Sawbill Lake? We fished off the old dock there, and caught some Walleye and Perch. We'd go back in a heartbeat!! Have a grand time, and God Bless! Doc
