"New" Optimus 111B

Just got the Optimus 111B in. Thanks to snwcmpr letting me know about the 111B, I have a NRV tool, and NRV/gasket replacement kit ordered.

I put some fuel in it, primed it up, and it fired with no problem. There are some issues though. For one, the cup seal needs replaced on the pump, it sometimes catches air, but not on every stroke. Also, I noticed, when you turn the flame up, it indeed goes up, but when you turn the knob too high, the flame extinguishes. Is this normal on the 111B? And, good call snwcmpr, the pip/seal is definitely leaking. Fuel coming out around the pump handle. Not shooting, but is surely wet.

 

@The Warrior

If you’ve got it running on gasoline and the fuel is leaking into the pump tube, STOP!

The Primus-type NRV must be working properly to avoid a conflagration with gasoline.

Turning the control wheel fully to right shuts off the fuel; turning it full to the left sets the pricker into the jet and may extinguish the flame.


Cheers

Tony

 

EDIT - Tony beat me to the explanation of the Jet pricker

Hi @The Warrior
1) make sure the stove is cold
2) Unscrew the tank lid in order to remove any pressure.
3) Give it full throttle and you should see a tiny needle protruding from the jet - maybe just a tiny millimeter.

Thats why it tends to go out when you give it full throttle - the last 20% of the throttle makes the jet pricker clean the jet.

You should be careful about the NRV on a 111B - Those fumes near the open flame can be “a non-desireable experience”. Apart from that - Its a great a powerfull stove!
New seals all around and you should be good!

all the best
Harder

 

Here’s the result of running a 111 with a faulty NRV on gasoline:



From this thread:

Running a kero in white gas (shellite)

Cheers

Tony

 

Thanks guys, I just fired it up long enough to take a photo of the flame. I've been instructed about the dangers. I won't fire the ol' girl up again until I get the replacement parts installed.

 

I wondered about the pricker going up and blocking it.

 

Are there silent burners for the 111B? Recommended, if so?

 

Much of the value of the 111 series of stoves is in the burner. Getting just the burner could be a difficult hunt and it makes more sense to seek out the whole stove.

A silent burner from a 111T would substitute for the ‘B’ burner but swapping to kerosene as the fuel. The control spindle for a 111C burner is on the opposite side of the case to that of the 111, 111B or 111T.

 

Thanks for the heads up, appreciate it. Lots of great info on this forum, glad I joined up.

 

If stoves ......
You Are in The Right Place.

 

Is there a way to date this stove?

 

Soft music, dim the lights. Just be yourself.

 

Haha.

 

Lemme rephrase. Is there a date printed on this stove anywhere, or any way to tell what the date is?

 

@The Warrior

Optimus did not date stamp their stoves.

If you use the Reference Gallery, you should find stoves that look like yours, and be able to find an approximate date or date range.

There are also threads here on CCS that discuss the differences among the various 111s over time.

Tony

 

Thank you sir.

 

Seems to be an early 70's model, perhaps 72 or 73.

 

And chocolate. Definitely bring chocolate.

 

I work at a candy factory, no problemo.

 

I was reading about the 111B, and noticed some had pump leathers, but some had an o-ring instead. Looked at mine, and it has an o-ring. Anyone know what size it is? The kit I ordered has a pump leather cup, is there a way to use it instead?