I got a SVEA123R for myself as a Christmas stocking stuffer for the Holidays a fews months back. I plan on using Naptha in it primarily. I was just wondering, if was in pinch and all I had was paraffin/kerosene, would it adequately and safely burn? Has anyone tried this and what was your results? I’m sorry if this seems like another can I burn Kero in this thread, but I thought I would asked if guys with experience would happen to know. Unfortunately the search option for me did not turn up much. Cheers, David
Interesting question, it would likely require a serious pre-heat to get it going. Further, don't kerosene stoves require a pump? The installed jet orifice is far too large for kerosene derivatives, and it would undoubtedly burn extremely rich in terms of the air/fuel ratio even if it did run. Achieving a nice blue flame may be impossible. I've no doubt someone has tried it, what might be interesting or more relevant, is what happens when a suitable kerosene or "K" jet is installed? There may be some safety related reasons where trying this might be a very bad idea. I don't know.
I think it a good idea to try. Will the tank pressure push the fuel up? Proper jet. Proper preheat. And I would think, Do Not Try To Simmer.
Thinking about this. I have a Coleman 425 that runs on kerosene quite well once the generator is heated up. I use a torch.
Self-pressurisation of the markedly less volatile fuel would hardly be possible, but a mini-pump and appropriate fuel cap would resolve that issue. True Ed, but there’s a pickup tube conducting the fuel from the tank and not a wick, which would probably make all the difference. As Fettler has said, the jet would stymie combustion and the 123R’s priming cup would have too small a capacity to pre-heat sufficiently for kerosene. Twice, three times priming - more? The jet’s the real problem and an Optimus 111 (kero) jet intended for a burner larger than the Svea’s would be no smaller than the stock 0.32mm jet. The massive overfuelling that would result wouldn’t just produce yellow flames, it would result in the cessation of vapourisation, even if the pre-heat had been sufficient to achieve it in the first place. I don’t know of a source for Svea 123R jets with a smaller orifice, say 0.23mm, but to optimise the use of kero in one of my Novas I reduced the jet orifice with a hypodermic needle insert in a spare jet. I was fortunate that the ‘magnetic’ jet pricker still cleared the jet. This of course gets away from the concept of using kero as a back-up fuel unless a spare jet with the reduced orifice were packed with the stove. John
I would think it would run well on Amish Blend or Amish mix, part kero and part CF or VM&P naptha. I'll mix them 75/25 for my Coleman 502, 520, 530, M1950 and M1942 single burner stoves, works a treat! Since the 123R self pressurizes, I'd go with 66/33 mix, build up a better head of pressure that way, IMO. Nothing unsafe, in any event. Murph
As far as the narrow issue of the priming cup is concerned, I've never been able to confine the alcohol or the naptha to that little thing, anyway. But then, I always use it with the Sigg, with the lower windshield in place. Alcohol pretty much everywhere, often. But it insures a good prime!
@Ed Winskill I can certainly recommend a ring of Carbon Felt where your priming fuel goes - It gives a much better preheat and you don’t have that mess you described (be happy to send you a piece)
Wow, a very good discussion with some very good assessments and suggestions. I forgot the SVEA had wicks to help with drawing up fuel and vaporization of gasoline. As pointed out kerosene/paraffin requires a much higher temp for vaporization. If there is not a swoppable jet to accommodate the kero then as Presscall stated an over burn will result. There are re-manufactured mini pumps but I have no idea if they would work with the SVEA’s fuel cap. Not a simple solution for a camping situation.
@Fettler, major component is kerosene Mind you, my stoves are Coleman with pumps, for a self pressurized stove, I'd look at 50/50 for a usable mix. YMMV. Murph
