German here! Please make sure that the "Adjusting screw " ist full opened 180° so that the pointer is pointing down. Otherwise the carburetor needle welds itself tightly. The lamp is not intended to be dimmed.😉 What the german name already says :"Starklichtlampe" (strong light lamp) Greetings from germany 🇩🇪 And sorry for my bad wording.
I'm Bulgarian, 1967г. Имахме такав Петромакс "Petromax" ползвахме го само когато влизахме в Пещерата на село Лакатник, "ТЕМНАТА ДУПКА" Лампата е много специална, вътре се закача специално "чорапче" и се запалва, изгаря, И така то "СВЕТИ" Ееее...много приятни спомени 1967г. 💖💖💖
I was seventeen years old when my father teaches me how to a maintain and operate this type of kerosine lantern! Forty five years later I see again the lantern! Emotions and memories wake up!
What an elegant lantern. Firing it up is a lot like starting a "Make and Break", that old school firecracker technology that will just keep on working if you know how to make it work.
I recently bought a Petromax,a real german from 1965. Came with a army metal case and spares parts. I used somes seals from the kit because the ones in the lantern were old,probably never changed until now. Thoses petromax are bright as hell,only downside in my opinion is the pump system,take manys pump to pressurize the tank. The coleman pump/check valve are better. To burn a new mantle with the rapid heater,just turn the heater on 4-5 secs and shut it off,the mantle will burn itself slowly,will take 2-3 mins to burn then lantern is ready to be light as usual. The real german petromax have "Made in germany" on the fount. The chinese one have Petromax germany marked on them but they are in fact made in china.
That looks like a coleman mantle. I just bought one of those lights. I would like an alternate to the original mantles. What mantles are you using? Thank you.
Something is wrong with your pump and you need to burn off the mantle before putting pressure on it. I’ve used two civilian and one military lantern for years. They really generate good and provide a good bright light.
Petromax. That brand was so famous in the 1920s in the Netherlands Indies, that until now in then Indonesia, all lanterns of that type are called Petromax lamps. Even Petromax has been an Indonesian word!
I also have one but im still not sure if you need to keep pumping once it is on. I mean, its pretty inconvenient if you have to right? I've only ignited them a few times. Mostly have it for decoration
You don’t have to “ keep pumping “ continuously. But you do need to keep an eye on it. Generally if it’s pressurised sufficiently it will probably run for about 45/60 min before needing a few more pumps. If you keep an eye on the mantle when it’s lit then you will see it turning from a white bright light to a more yellow less bright light when the pressure is dropping, it’s then time to give it a few pumps. You should not leave one of these lanterns un-attended or let children play with them.
The first time I fired up my new Petromax I had problems! They are fiddley and if you don't like messing with old Morris Minors and Swiss watches at the same time then the Petromax is not for you! I suggest the non DIY people buy a gas or Electric Lantern. There are advantages to owning a petromax but you will need patients it is not as simple as filling it with paraffin and away she goes!
Yes it has to be set up correctly, but a beautiful lantern. I have one but use a Coleman kerosene 639 regularly as it is less fiddley and does what it says on the can. Low maintenance and good light and heat output. Takes the chill off a 12’x12’ room on a chill autumn evening.
Anyone know where I can find replacement parts for this kind of lantern? I just got one that is missing the Schrader Air Valve or screw that goes on the pressure gauge, and I need a new leather pump cup.
Hello. Your lantern looks more like a Chinese made lantern compared to those made in Germany in from early 1900 to the late 60's early 70's. Unless "Made In Germany" is stamped in the tank, its not German.
I've got a cheap Chinese version similar to this, except it has no preheater, only the methylated spirit cup. I think it was made in Hong Kong and the brand is Globe.
I have the same lantern and love it! This definitely has all the traits of a Chinese made lantern. The star has eleven points (German made has 10) and only ”Germany” stamped at the bottom, instead made in Germany. For me, no big deal, great lantern!
