Tuesday, Sep 20, 2005 at 17:33
Well, G'day again Chris,
The hole in the end doesn't suck. It's good. That's how the thing works. Coleman have been making and selling these lamps for generations.
Now, when you take your finger off the hole, there should be only a little air come out: the amount that is in the shaft, about 5mm diameter x 75 mm long.
If all the air that you've pumped into the
tank of the Coleman lamp comes out, it will be rushing out of that little hole for a couple of minutes. If that much air comes out there is a malfunction with the valve at the bottom of the pump cylinder.
You will note that the bottom of the plunger extends about three quarters of the way down inside the fuel
tank. If what is coming out of the little hole in the plunger was coming from the
tank, it would be fuel under pressure, squirting you in the eye, so I think you can discount a malfunction of the valve on your Coleman lamp.
Note a previous post about not overfilling the
tank of your Coleman lamp with fuel. This could be the reason you can't get any air in. Drain some fuel out so the level is an inch or so down. That will give some room for some air to be added under pressure. Sounds like you've left so little room for air that as you force the plunger down against the uncompressable fuel, that the air is pushing past the plunger rather than into the
tank.
Just follow the advice: empty out some fuel and follow my previous instructions.
You'll need to accept two things about your Coleman lamp:
1) There is a valve at the bottom of the plunger tube. It works one way when you turn
the knob anti-clockwise to open it and no way when you turn
the knob clockwise to close it.
2) The hole in
the knob is to release only the air in the plunger that hasn't gone through the valve, allowing you to push the plunger in when you move your thumb, so that the plunger doesn't hit you in the eye as you walk past.
Actually, I wouldn't mind a new Coleman lamp myself. Should you decide that the stupid, flamin' thing's no good, parcel it up and send it to me. I'll soon find a use for it.
Regards,
Laurie.
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AnswerID:
131029
Follow Up By: ChrisGU - Wednesday, Sep 21, 2005 at 08:53
Wednesday, Sep 21, 2005 at 08:53
Excellent. Thankyou for your time explaining it properly. The guy at
camping world told me the little puff was all the air comming out so naturally i've been getting frustrated when the little puff comes out.
I'll try tipping some fuel out. I used the funnel that came with it, but will try it with the
tank 1/2 full and see how I go. I must admit when I first used it I only had some fuel in it in case there was a problem didn't want to waste it.
I also notice that sometimes when I open the fuel filler that air pressure is released. I assume this is the pressure that is built up from the pump? and that's a good thing cause it means it's working.
Will have a play tonight. It's a challenge now, and I figure once I get it right that it'll be useful for years to come.
Thanks again for your help. Will let you know how I go.
FollowupID:
385498
Follow Up By: ChrisGU - Friday, Sep 23, 2005 at 17:12
Friday, Sep 23, 2005 at 17:12
OK. I was still having issues, so I went to Rays.
I found that the pump turna almost a full turn without actually opening the pump for air. I was turning it around until it wouldn't go any further, but in actual fact it hadn't reeleased anything yet cause when you get there if you put a but more effort in it goes around further, releasing the pump for use.
My fault, but thought that it didn't go around further. It's much easier now. Made the guy at Rays make it work but didn't notice he turned it around so far, so I had a go and with him watching me he discovered what I was doing wrong. Thanks all for your help.
It's my first fuel toy (not lpg) so don't judge me too harshly.
FollowupID:
385862