StanDahl’s AGM KampKook Model LCS-41 (photo from his post in the Stove Reference Gallery). The origin of the JC Higgins is pretty obvious. I acquired the JC Higgins stove as a non-runner, with a tank mounting boss for the valve that had broken loose, rotating in place. StanDahl’s post of his KampKook equivalent is HERE and in a post in the thread that followed a contributor wrote, So the same problem. Not a pretty solution, with paint surrounding the silbrazed repair burnt off, but it’s now totally sound. The model inscription is here. I have the three-burner version of one of these, featured HERE. The lighting instructions on that are in much better condition. The Higgins decal on the two-burner is undamaged however. Burner construction. Valve/generator and the pump - photo of the 3-burner’s components, but identical. There’s a substantial mass of cast iron in the manifold and fuel/air during priming takes a good while to negotiate the bulbous generator before it emerges from the jet. Users of this stove type speak of a proneness to flooding and consequent flare-ups. The technique I evolved with the 3-burner was to pressurise the tank away from the stove and with the air control (black knob) opened a full turn, partially open the red knob until an aerosol stream of fuel/air emerges from the jet. Red control shut off and after a few more strokes of the pump to replenish the air pressure used in the ‘trial run’ and I reunite the tank/generator assembly with the stove. Black control still opened a turn, the burner quickly lights on opening the red control a fraction. A two-minute prime (a few more strokes of the pump during) and the black air control can be closed. Flame intensity is then controlled with the red knob. John
@presscall Mine takes forever to light...about 30 seconds on my Kampkook LCS-41 to light it - video linked.
Instructions in the Stove Reference Library for a similar model suggests as much. The technique I outlined of setting up the tank/controls/generator to spray a fuel mist out of the gas tip first, away from the stove, results in instant lighting when the tank’s fitted back on the stove. True, it seems to take an age for the fuel mist to materialise at the gas tip but at least I’m not having to apply a light to the burner for that length of time. The instructions refer to 30 pump strokes, but in a tank containing anything up to two pints of fuel it depends on how full the tank is whether that figure is correct. 50 pumps wouldn’t be excessive for a half-full tank I’d suggest and I rely on the measure of resistance to pumping as my guide. Plenty of air pressure works best for me.
@presscall always appreciate your in depth responses! This kampkook was without a manual so I had to come up with my own way of getting it running. This exact stove and a Prentiss wabers was the reason I joined this forum. I actually see the logic on your method and going to give that one a try. With the huge gasoline generator on it I wonder how many people thought something was wrong with it when nothing happened after it hissing for an eternity haha. I know I was frustrated. When I was trying to figure it out I was comparing it with normal everyday Coleman stoves....so having it do nothing for almost 30 seconds had me originally thinking it was plugged up. Nope...as I was holding the tank in my hands I started shooting fuel out (safe direction mind you outside on my patio) At that time was already pleading with it like some bratty girlfriend "oh come on... I've changed all your gaskets... Rinsed out that bad fuel... cleaned up all the spider webs... Come on baby.... Light up you worthless piece of €§¢∆√" haha
Thanks, it’s great to have a conversation about a specific stove with someone who’s experienced its quirks first hand. Very true. A revision of the ‘method’ I’ve proposed, that I’ve just discovered works better. Tank off the stove, outdoors, and well away from flame/hot surfaces, don’t open the air (black) valve at all on the pressurised tank. Open the fuel valve until a jet stream of fuel emerges at the gas tip. Promptly shut the red valve, reunite the tank with the stove, open the air valve a full turn then the fuel valve a quarter-turn and light. This revised way avoids exhausting the pressurised air while the tank’s off the stove.
Caution! The generator contains neat fuel using the preceding method and there’ll be an intial flare-up (a couple of second’s duration) on putting light to the burner. It quickly settles down but it’s obvious why the manufacturer didn’t go down that route when writing the start-up instructions!
I've got the three burner and as you ( @presscall ) mention, but do it on stove. Once I hear fuel, I open air valve. Yes, a moment of excitement. takes forever to shut off as well, a lot of gas can hang in that big tube. Not terribly fond of the legs.
A jet of neat fuel emerging from the gas tip is soundless. Only when air is incorporated by opening the air valve is there an audible hiss, so I’m unsure what you mean.
Perhaps what I hear is the fuel pushing the air that's already in the genny out. Certainly make a noise. Now I gotta go dig it out and take a listen..........
@Majicwrench Sorry to present a conundrum! I guess such quirks make these devices worth the investigation!
Reminds me of the Coleman 425, but Left Hand Drive. When I bought a 413 from a friend [his family legacy] he said, ''I never could figure out what this thing's for...'' ''You mean the Towel Rack? You flip it over and hang your cloth towel behind the windscreen, and the heat dries it off.'' ''All those years, and I never knew that.''
