I've recently bought an Optimus 81 Trapper via Ebay. I looks a useful bit of kit for two people, but a bit heavy for one. It also seems to be a lot more controllable than a Trangia. There seems to be a problem with the fitting of the 'safefill' device. When the device is inserted into the burner tube, the bottom section and 'O' ring locates and abuts a shoulder, before the top 'O' ring enters the top of the tube - almost as if the safefill device is too long for the burner tube. This means that because the sealing is imperfect, fuel can be lost in transit through leakage or evaporation. I suspect the problem may be that the burner tube has been pushed down, effectively reducing its length. The length of the top, protruding section of my burner tube is 27mm. I've tried pulling it to see if it's loose, but it seems to be quite secure. I would be gratefull if anyone with a Trapper check theirs and post the result for comparison. Jim Ford
Maybe one for Rik - I'm sure he's got one. I've never had one long enough to get real familiar with it. I much prefer the reliabilty of a Trangia!
I asked the same question a while back and even tried to push down the filler to no avail. But it seems that as long as the O rings are snug in the tube it is OK. I tested it by putting fuel in there and leave it for 2 months and it will still light and burn. There is no way to gauge if there is any fuel loss but I would believe that it is minimal.
Hello ! Are we talking about this ? |imgRemoved| This is how it looks on mine: [/img]|imgRemoved| I hope it can help.
Your safefill enters much further into the burner tube than mine. Could you posssibly measure the amount the burner tube sticks out of the top of the fuel reservoir for me, please? Jim Ford
The burner tube sticks 3 cm (1,18 inch) out of the fuel reservoir. The safefill is 7,5 cm (3 inches).
Thanks - the burner tube on mine is 3mm shorter, so it looks like it's been forced down in the past. Jim Ford
Hey, Jim, I love the Optimus Trapper 81, and have half a dozen of them. All of them have the same problem as does yours, and actually, I've found it's not really a problem, at all. The o-rings have to be lubed by something in order for the "safe-fill" device to fit all the way down into the tube. I use spit, but you can use some grease, or whatever else is at hand. Once they are generously lubed, they will slip right into place, and should work well for you. All of mine have worked this way, so I figured it was just par for the course. Hope you like yours as well as we like ours. One of the very best of the meths stoves, in my opinion. Burns hot, simmers perfectly, and packs up great. If you use one pot, instead of the both of them, you cut down on your weight. But, either way, if you just weight the stove and windscreen, without the pots and lid, it's not that heavy afterall. I'll talk to you when we've returned from our work trip, at the end of this month. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
Hey, Alan, I hope not!!! Do I "kill you" because of how many Optimus 81's I have? I may have stretched it a bit, if that's the case. I gave some thought to it, and can only remember buying 4, or maybe 5 of them, over the years. So, I probably DON'Thave six of them, as I wrote. Still, I think they are outstanding stoves, and in past years, have bought every single one that I've found for sale. I bought at least three of them, brand spanking new, and as they weren't that popular, got them for a pretty good price, too. I have only one Optimus 77 Storm Stove, the 81's predecessor. But, it's a pretty neat little stove, too. Though I think that the 81 is THE meths stove, the 77, and the Trangias are also nice. I've used my 81's on many trips, and wouldn't hesitate to take one on even the most stringent adventure. Wind? Rain? Snow? Sleet? BRING IT ON!! The 81 can handle the absolute worst weather, and seems to work even better, as the weather worsens. Anyway, those are my thoughts on the Optimus Trapper 81. Sorry if I stretched it a bit when saying how many of them I own!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
Just think how much fun it is going to be to visit Doc when he gets home. Gosh Alan ,i can't let you leave here empty handed, which of my stove would you like to take with you?" Awwww geee Doc, that's a tough choice, do you have any one off's?" "No, but i have a half dozen or so of most every one." #-o BY this time alan or doc or both are rolling on the floor laughing. lance
