So is it the cleaning needle that is the 'bottleneck'? If so, maybe I should try an experiment. I have two Optimus 88 sets, both with 123 stoves. One has the cleaning needle and the older one does not. If I can figure out how to monitor the tempature of both stoves, I could run them both at the same time with equal amounts of water to see who is faster. Any flaws with my idea? Tim
Wodjamean posh? I ain't got the pipe and beard! I usually go on Satdi mornings for the IAM meeting as an observer. Recommend it. Changed my life and riding style. (out come the pipe and beard!)
Zincman try taking out the wick and putting it back,sometimes this helps. It helped me with my 8R. AS far as the flame being lopsited i think it's by design for that particular stove. I had a 123 years ago that had good output but the flame was lopsited,i realized that the head (burner) wasn't perfectly straight,plump with the jet when tightened. It didn't bother me but i ended up selling it to a friend who still uses it to this day.
I sent a copy of the pic to the supplier, he keeps no spares and suggests I contact Optimus UK. Is there such a beast, how do I make contact? After further fiddling I've come to the conclusion that this stove will never run correctly with the nipple as it is. I put a thin spacer shim in under the nipple to move it round a little and the flame pattern followed, lopsided but at due south rather than west. I think I'll order a new nipple from Basecamp and see what difference that makes. It's not that it bothers me that much but, on a small pan, half the heat is lost up the side and you have to take that into account when approaching it to avoid a new scorch!
Hi Zincman, If you've bought this brand new I'd say that's pretty shoddy service from whoever you bought it from. I would have thought that if the stove is not operating correctly then the supplier should replace if for you at no charge to yourself. The stove obviously has a fault and you will be covered by UK consumer law assuming you bought it in the UK.
This stupid boy didn't see the listing on Basecamp's list (in small type at the very bottom) and so thought they were not available in UK. I bought from US and with postage it wasn't much more. Doh! So unless I want to lose postage etc I'm stuck with it. I've ordered a new jet in the hope that that will sort it.
The differences I see are the valve is thinner and more "petite" on the 123. The 123R is a bit thicker beefier valve area construction. The performance is not that much different in good tuned stoves. Got an old beater 123r to day and put a spare spreader plate I had on it. A different cap on it while fixing the old one and ran a bit of fuel through it. Settled in quite well after the green and red flames settled down. If this is any help it looks like this. Still needs a tweak but the wick seems fine and the jet good enough. Have you tried a tighter?looser wick?? Try drilling a small drill into the top of the jet to make a small dish. may help to straighten the fuel flow. Just a bees dick deep!!! good luck Barra
A new jet arrived today and it has made a difference, the flame pattern is now symmetrical and more even. However, it doesn't develop a good blue flame, not like Barabruce's pic. and certainly no prbprbprbprbprbprb helicopter sound like the 123. Could lack of/excess fuel, tight/loose wick cause this or are they all quieter? If I play a flame over the tank it increases pressure and the flame improves but only temporarily. Any further suggestions gladly welcomed.
Hi Try a double prime. I farted about with a 123r for weeks, new wick, lid seal, jet, levered burner plate up and down and decoked the burner. No change. Double prime works mint.
I tried the double prime and yes, a slight improvement, even a whisper of helicopter for about 5 seconds. Then it reverted to yellow half power soft flame. Play the blowlamp over the base and it picks up again slightly. Perhaps the midi-pump is the answer but that leaves me disappointed and I have come to the conclusion that my old 123 is better than the bran new 123R. A pity as I bought it with a view to taking it on a motoring expedition to the Pyrenees for a micro-car rally. Space is at a premium as I need to leave some room for interesting bits I may find in French car-boot sales (and the odd case of wine).....
Hi Zincman, sounds to me like it's losing pressure, possibly from either the filler cap gasket or from the safety release valve. By running the blowtorch over you are temporarily increasing heat which will increase pressure in the tank. Here's what I'd do in this situation. I'd empty the stove of fuel and leave it in a cold place to chill out (maybe outside overnight?). Then fill a sink with hot water (as hot as your hand can stand). Before bringing in from the cold, open and then close the stove filler cap just so pressure is equalised in the tank, and then plunge the stove into the hot water (with the control valve fully shut and the filler cap firmly closed). The hot water will pressurise the tank and if it is losing pressure anywhere you'll see bubbles coming from the offending location.
Thanks for that, I'll give it a try. I did wonder about pressure loss and went all round each vulnerable point with a lit taper looking for a "blow" or even a wisp of flame but nothing showed. I'll boil up a pan of water and stick the stove in the fridge directly!
BBBB, thanks for your advice. I did the cold/hot water test and sure enough, there were leaks. The filler boss on the tank had a couple of dinks in it, where from I know not. I held it flat on a piece of wet&dry on a surface plate and removed them. It still weeps a little through the closed valve but I can live with that as it now fires up very well and give a good flame pattern and roar. Thanks again, a happy bunny!
Hi Zincman, Glad it worked for you. I've had a clone (Pakcook) 123R for some time and it's a great lttle stove. I just received a "proper" SVEA 123R in the post this morning so I'm hoping it works as well as the copy!
Andy, today I went to ASK in Kippax and was seriously impressed by the range of stock, a fantastic place! Unfortunately they don't keep naphtha panel wipe any more, only the water-based stuff at £14.60/ 4 litres. Link Will this do the job? All to do with H&S regs, you can only get cellulose paint/thinners etc for vintage vehicles. This is just in case you get high on the thinners and sue someone! Trouble is the market is so small nobody bothers to make it, end of market. Totally depressing. I'll go for the Aspen.
