Optimus Svea 123 - The World's First Ultralight Stove

http://chrisonhiking.com Short demonstration of priming and lighting the Optimus Svea 123 white gas stove.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Hiking
• Outdoors
• Ultralight
• Stoves
• Optimus
• Svea 123
• White gas stove

[terriblehondo]

Hi I just got this stove when I bought a backpack. I see lots of great reviews about it. I am now trying to light it but I am failing. When I turn it over fuel leaks from the center of the filler cap. I assume that is not supposed to happen or how would the tank pressurize. I am doing something wrong? Can something be wrong with the cap or is it just because it is old?

[chrisschg]

@terriblehondo Actually, I am not sure. Isn't that a little valve in there–necessary if there is too much pressure in the tank? Did you get it new or used? If I get a chance, I'll have a look at mine and see if mine leaks too when upside down. Will let you know.

[rmstudio]

@gershonbenfranja Yep.. gershonebenfranja is right the more you learn about your stove and use it the faster and more efficient you get at priming it. Be sure to not store your stove for longer than 3 months with fuel in it as it will ruin the cotton wick inside the tank. Always use white gas as car gas can dirty your stove and clogg the jet with time. Check your tank cap seal or gasket for leaks from time to time. But these are the best stoves I tell you.

[rmstudio]

@terriblehondo It can be a number of things how the stove pressurizes is from heating the primer bowl at the base of the burner. If you stove is leaking fuel out the jet it may be due to a badly adjusted cleaning needle inside the jet hole. These stoves are pretty tough and its rare one is broken beyond repair or adjustment. I would suggest going to spiritburner website and learning how to operate and adjust your stove.

[rainbowhiker]

Love this little stove, but for now, it's way too heavy for me except for some nostalgia camping. Thanks.

[larrylynn123]

Cool demo.

[larrylynn123]

@terriblehondo Sounds like it's not building up any pressure in tank due to faulty pressure valve in cap....try replacing the cap.

[gershonbenfranja]

The more one uses these, the better they get at it. First, I'd suggest refilling it to the same level each time so it behaves the same way. I do it maybe 1/4 inch below the filler.

I've found cigarette lighter fluid works best for priming. Just fill the spirit cup. My second choice is fire paste. After it primes a bit, turn the key 90 degrees from either off positon.

I posted a video reply, but I don't see it.

[RJBURG]

sounds like the safety valve is stuck open. take of cap push up on the spring to see if will seat back if not needs rebuild or new cap.see my video how to run a 123 svea at [ rjburg ]

[terriblehondo]

I got it used when I bought a backpack. I do not think it has been used in quite a while. I tried lighting it per your video but the gas does not feed up.