Greetings I have just picked up a kero stove. The tank says OPTIMUS No 1S however looking at pics of others it seems a little different. The burner is what I think is called a silent burner which I thought only came with the No 1. The legs and feet are also attached. The trivet seems to be a pressed steel not cast. Anyway any assistance in advising me if this is the way it came from the factory or whether it has been mongoralised in the past would be most appreciated. I plan to clean it up and get it operational although that said it has compression on the pump so I tried to fire it up and it did however I think the non return valve is a little dodgy as kero came back up the pump under pressure. Oh well can't win them all. I have provided a few pics showing tank markings and burner. Cheers Rob
@Sledgemeister Welcome to the forum! You do indeed have an Optimus No: 1 s which most likely would have been equipped with a “roarer” burner, but has been exchanged (at purchaser request - or subsequently) to a “regulated silent burner”. Not “mongoralised”, but modified… Once you’ve replaced the seal under the tank lid, and the “pip” in the NRV (Non Return Valve) at the bottom of the pump tube, you will need find a method of operating the regulation of the burner too. As you appear to be in TAS @Tony Press may be able to guide you (I’m currently in NT)…
It is often suggested that the cleaning compound used not contain ammonia. It reacts badly with brass pressure vessels.
Yes I reload my own shells and am aware of that. I plan to use a vinegar solution then buff on my polishing wheel - thanks for the heads up though
Welcome to CCS @Sledgemeister Looking at the last photo, there is no spindle shaft protruding from the burner. It appears to be broken off or removed and the hole pluged. As it fired up, the burner isn't in the closed position so it will operate in an unregulated state. A rebuild of the burner will get it operational again. The stove should clean up nicely
G'day Rob. Thanks for the heads up. I wondered about that. I was not aware that this model had one. I guess I will need to procure one now from somewhere. Are they generic fitting part? I found this on ebay https://ebay.io/m/4tbdMc I am hopeful it will fit. Otherwise can you point me to where I can find one? Cheers Rob
@Sledgemeister If you contact T. W. Sands in Melbourne, Bernie or Anne may be able to help… Mon-Wed-Fri 1200-1600 hrs 03 9558 8475 alternatively: Base Camp may have something: Optimus Spares Price List For seals, pump leathers, NRV pips/washers The Fettlebox (site sponsor) will have everything required. Look forward to seeing it up and going…
Has the burner any markings (besides the inner cap)? It could be an Aussie Companion burner. Check it against this one: Companion: Regulated Silent Single Burner Tony
@Tony Press I will have a look tomorrow after I get home from dialysis. It's down in the shed and I have just made pizza for dinner lol. What should I be looking for Would it have companion marked on it somewhere? Rob
@Tony Press I just went down and looked again I must have had my blinkers on the first time because I totally missed it. However there is a companion mark on it. See pic.
Ok! Definitely a Companion. TW Sands should have the parts you need for that burner (control spindle and wheel; outer cap). Cheers Tony
@Tony Press Encouraged by the flame on my primus No 1 I decided I would try out the optimus. I pulled the cap off where the regulator should go but it looked factory? I screwed it back in gave a little bit of metho, sealed off the pressure release and gave it a few pumps. Well it seems I have a flame thrower. The more I pumped the bigger the flame, the kerosene seemed to be in a stream and not vaporise. Starting to think I should just replace the burner all together. I can not to find parts for "companion" assume primus would be interchangeable. Seems to be a few different parts that need to be assembled in order to make it work properly. I like simple. Anyway a couple pics including the flame and the part where the spindle goes, maybe someone here can identify the part. Rob
Sounds like you didn't preheat the burner enough. There is more metal in a regulated burner so it takes longer to preheat. Especially in cold conditions. Try a double prime and exclude any drafts. If that doesn't work check the nipple is tight and none of the seals are leaking. From the last photos the spindle and i presume the cleaning needle rack has been removed. A plug (not original) has been installed.
@ROBBO55 You have a point I may have been a little hastey in trying to light it and it was a tad cool that day. I might get it from the shed again and give it a try. I will give TW sands a call and see if they have the spindle and handle I need to fix it. Thanks for the advice . Rob
