I’ve been a long time lurker and into this hobby off and on over the last couple of years. I have a funny story to share about my optimus 111 that I recently listed on eBay. I got several questions about it not including the restrictor tubes and thought why don’t I just fire it up and take pictures so folks can see how it runs without them installed. I bought this stove 2 years ago on Etsy, fired it up once and put it on a shelf of projects I’d like to complete one day. Well I couldn’t get the damn thing to light to save my arse. The tank would pressurize but no fuel was making it out of the nozzle even though I could see the needle moving while tuning the knob I took the whole thing apart and was able to get about 1/2 cup of sandy gravel out of the tank. There was even sand in the filter screen. I should have taken pictures. I’ve fettled about 8 stoves so far, and I have never seen that. I think this may have been buried in someone’s garden for a while. To the optimus’ credit, after a good cleaning she fired up nicely and I’ve decided to keep this one. Here’s a picture of the flame without a restrictor tube. Sorry for the quality. My home gets a lot of sun in the early afternoon. Is this about what to expect? I have 8Rs and Phoebus stoves, but this is my only 111 currently
Howdy, Jesse, Fun story about your 111. But, I have to say, your flame pattern is weak, and has too much orange in it. Your outer cap holes should all be burning a strong blue color, if your stove is running correctly. Do you have both inner and outer caps in place? And, for a proper burn, you should make sure you have the correct jet installed, and it’s proper restrictor. So, you need to check your jet, to make sure it’s the proper one for whatever fuel you are using. Also, if your 111T has one of those pump rods with a O-ring pump gasket, I’d suggest you look around here at CCS to find the posts that show you have to replace that rubber O-ring with a leather pump bucket, instead. There are plenty of photos posted here on CCS, showing Optimus 111T stoves burning strong and blue, and that is what you are shooting for with your own stove. I can assure you, it’s worth your time, and effort! I once found a junker 111T in Colorado, which was in a very sorry state. I got it home, and found out that, at some time in it’s past, someone had filled the fuel tank with small sticks, and lots of Cedar bark! Took a huge amount of time to finally clean out all that detritus!! Runs like a champ, after a complete clean-out, and fettling! Good luck, and thanks for sharing. God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Thanks Doc! I’m glad to see someone else has a story about some negligent stove owners. This 111 did have the oring and I replaced it with a leather. It holds pressure well and the relief valve actually works which is a huge suprise. I don’t have the inner burner cap installed but I have an aftermarket on order. I will pull the jet to check it out. From eye, it looks to be about what my Phoebus naphtha jets are and I’m running naphtha. But I can’t argue they your suggestion is not w good one.
Hey, Jesse, You are most welcome. Yeah, finding a bunch of “lumber” inside the fuel tank of that 111T was a pisser, and also was hilarious, both at the same time. Once you get your inner cap, your stove should run much better. But, further tuning, will bring it up to it’s true potential. Those stoves originally came with two jets. One was a Multifuel jet, for Coleman fuel (Naptha), and Kerosene, and the other jet was for Meths (alcohol), and there was a restrictor to add when burning alcohol. Later, Optimus created a better restrictor for Meths, and the original restrictor was then used for Naptha. I scored a bunch of Optimus kerosene jets, and proper Coleman fuel jets, which I found bring that stove up to it’s full potential! And, I found that restrictors from the older Homestrand stoves, which used SVEA M1915 burners and restictors, work MUCH better for burning Meths than the one from Optimus! If you do a search for “Meths restrictors”, by me (Doc Mark), you should find an article that I wrote, with photos and measurements on how to create your own Meths jet, if you can’t find a proper old Homestrand stove, or don’t wish to have to buy one. By the way, that SVEA restrictor also works a treat with the Optimus 199, too! Using it in either the 111T, or 199, with the proper Meths jet, finally makes burner Meths in those stoves a winning proposition! I have written, many times, that, if forced to only have ONE stove, I would very probably choose a good 111T! It’s that good, IF you do some homework, and use the proper and best combination of parts to fulfill it’s potential! Again, good luck, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Hi @Doc Mark is this the link you mentioned? Three types of Meths restrictors. Best Regards, Kerophile.
Howdy, @kerophile , George, yes, that’s the one to which I was referring! I thought I’d included photos, too, but guess not. Still, hopefully that will allow Jesse to see the possibilities, if he wishes to do a bit of work. I’m having to use my iPad right now, as SB has a class going in our work studio. Otherwise, I’d have sought out and copied that link for the OP to see. Thanks for saving my bacon on that one George!! As usual, you have a strong memory for that sort of stuff, and have access to tons of great info here! I’ve always appreciated that about you, my friend! Thanks, again, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Thanks Doc. Your posts are legendary to me since I’ve been lurking here for a while and Learning a lot from your posts. I have some brass tube on order to attempt to make a restrictor. Thanks @kerophile. I’ll attempt to not ask questions that have been answered before.
So I made my own restrictor (style C from @Doc Mark’s post). I think there is noticeable improvement. See the pic Below. Thanks for your help friends!
Not to mention, I feel that without this forum, there would be a lot of knowledge lost. While these are mechanically simplistic devices, everyone’s shared experience is proving invaluable to me.
Howdy, @Jesse , Thank you, very much, for your kind words, and I'm glad my rambling posts have helped you in some way. I have a question: What fuel are you burning, with the restrictor in place? If it's Meths (alcohol), then the restrictor is proper. But, if you are burning any other fuel, with that type C restrictor, then it should not burn properly. In your photo, the flames look better, and it's possible that the orange you see is from cleaning residues that remain in the tank, fuel line, and/or burner. Something to consider. Getting stoves up and running is part of the fun, but it can sometimes be very frustrating, and very time demanding. All part and parcel to being a good Stovie! Congrats on your progress, and keep it up! God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
I’m burning naptha. The brass was relatively inexpensive and easy to cut and drill so can tweak it as necessary. I’ll make the type A restrictor to see if that helps. I’m also still missing the inner burner cap. being the stove was jammed with gravel and grime, I disassembled and flushed the tank with water and the burner with carb cleaner followed with water then baked everythng out at 100C overnight. It cleaned up pretty well
Lastly, this effort all started with me deciding to sell of my collection for good and checking out my stoves to sell. This experience has urged me to cancel those plans and I’ve picked up a few stoves since.
Jesse, Until you install the missing inner cap, your stove will never run as it should! Gotta have both caps, installed in place, to expect to see positive results. Otherwise, you're chasing your own tail, trying to make your stove burn well, without all the parts in place. If it was mine, I'd stop messing with it, until your inner cap arrives, and is installed in place. You will finally see how the stove is supposed to burn. Then, and only then, should you move on to trying other things. Patience is the key in all this. Have a good evening, and God Bless! - Doc
Thanks @Doc Mark . I like your deterministic approach. I have the inner burner cap l on order from China. I wish I could find a legitimate brass one. Regardless function is king for this particilar stove. I have enough brass tube to tweak the restrictor a few times to narrow in on the perfect design.
Here’s where it ended up with the inner burner installed and a windscreen. I’m pretty happy with the result.
Hello! Mr. Jesse, I like to read your post here, may I ask you are still using any restictor in this photo? Imo you don't need to attach any restrictor with Kero or sort of Gasoline. Of course the inner cap is the mandatory. Take care! Yun
Yun, I did make a restrictor based on kerophile’s measurements. A snapshot of the dimensions is attached. It improved the flame without an inner cap so it’s going to stay in there for me. What works for one of us may not work for all, and thanks for sharing your experience
