I recently bought a couple of ex army issue Vapalux M320 lanterns recently and have been very impressed with the one that works properly. It certainly puts my Tilley to shame on ease of use and output.
The Vapalux must kick out near to 60 watts equivalent, whereas the Tilley is probably around 35-40W. After servicing the Tilley by stripping it all down and blowing the vapouriser out with WD-40 it probably stepped up to 45W and doesn't pulse anymore.
The problem I have with one of my new M320's is that one is really quite dull, about 10W on full power but it sounds like a jet engine and gives off more heat than light!
It lights easily and the mantle begins to glow white all over after the initial 12 strokes to get it up to full temperature after the preheat is done. Right now it's burning at about 20W power.
After waiting another 30 secs I put another 15-20 strokes into the lamp to bring it up to full pressure, what happens is that the lamp drops in light out put a little and the glowing white mantle begins to glow red (as the temp drops) instead and the whole mantle is engulfed in a clean,bluey red, fire ball as the fire inside the mantle seeps outside.
This goes right up into the burner and would boil a pint of water in 2 mins!
I have tried everything, I have been through 3 mantles to the same effect. Tried different pressure combinations to no avail.
The lamp works perfectly with only 10 pumps, albeit very dull....but the moment I put more pressure in it just turns into an afterburner!
I was kind of hoping that wouldn't be the case considering it's brand new! I've taken a few of the vaporisers apart to clean and it seems like there is nothing to go wrong with them, being a metal tube with a metal needle inside!
I'll take it apart and give it a clean and see if that improves anything.
You've got 2 great lanterns there with the Vapalux 320, even if one is giving you some bother.
Try posting your original question on Be-Back Later including a photo of the problem if you can. You're sure to get help from the folks there.
Although I too use a Vapalux 320, I've not come across the problem you describe, sorry.
I do know that vapourisers can and do become knackered .. even new ones, (have a duff, new Tilley one that must be replaced), so you may well be looking at this as an option.
Whatever, when you eventually get it sorted you'll need to wear shades when burning both lanterns.
Enjoy! And best of luck in sorting out the problem.
I must admit after getting the Tilley I was beginning to wonder what all the fuss was about pressure lanterns. It was so dull, but after the clean up it stopped pulsing (as much) and was quite bright.
The the M320 arrived and literally blinded me! A brilliant bit of engineering, even better after i've stripped the green paint off. I was a bit disappointed with my second M320 acting up, but i'm sure i'll get it going soon. I'll order a new vaporiser and see what happens since the clean didn't help.
I'll post some snaps over at be-back-later as well.
I posted it on songofthepaddle.co.uk and got the same good advise that I got here - bad vaporiser! I have included some snaps of my lanterns and the issue I was having:
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Topic: Vapalux M320 Lantern Help
