Good evening A first post, after lurking for some while. I have just got my hands on a Coleman 290A700 Powerhouse that looks as though it’s never been fired it is dated 8 88. Am I correct in thinking that this runs on Unleaded or Coleman fuel? There is no marking to tell me, and I’m aware that Coleman make/made both paraffin and petrol/naphtha fuelled lanterns. I don’t want to make a big mistake here! Many thanks David
Welcome, @Greencricketer Well, I’m assuming that it runs on naphtha/Coleman fuel as the 290A-700T “Powerhouse” is a gasoline lantern. Even if it is called “dual fuel” it’s best to stay away from ULP. Do you have a photo of the model number? Cheers Tony
Thanks for the reply Tony. I’ve added two photos which may help. I suspect that I’m confusing myself, as the only paraffin Coleman’s I’ve seen photos of had green bodies and the unleaded and duel fuel ‘powerhouses had grey bodies! I wondered if the colour had anything to do with it!
Thank you I’ve lurked for some while, since being given an old 246 Tilley and a Tilley R1 a couple of years ago, but getting a couple of Coleman has confused me a little! Helpfully, one of them has unleaded written on the badge, but this one doesn’t!
Even if it says “unleaded” it’s best to use naphtha/Coleman fuel as unleaded gasoline will end up clogging the generator. Cheers Tony
Hi and welcome. I'm pretty sure it runs on Coleman fuel or unleaded 'as a last resort' but it's best to avoid petrol if at all possible. The additives in forecourt petrol 2ill block the generator which will then need cleaning (a royal paining the a$$ and not always successful) or a complete replacement which can be expensive. There are cheaper alternatives though. If you search eBay or Amazon for Holt's Brake Cleaner in 5l time it'll work perfectly in your Coleman 290 and other Coleman lanterns that use their fuel. You need to make sure it's the petroleum spirit based brake cleaner and not the water based one. Another alternative fuel is called panel wipe that is used to clean car body panels prior to spray painting. Again, there are two (maybe more?) types and you need the spirit based version. I've used both and they work perfectly and you don't need to worry about the generator blocking up with gunk. I'll try to post some links.
Thank you Colin. I was reading about something called Aspen4T and going to source that but, I’ll give the brake cleaner a go. David
I don't think you want Aspen 4T because I've a feeling that is two-stroke fuel and has oil already added. It'll do your vapouriser no good at all. The normal Aspen is OK - if very expensive. I've always used panel wipe and found it fine. Shop around and you'll probably find motor factors are the cheapest source...
Good to ask as there are two: https://aspenfuel.co.uk/products/ 4=4stroke, 2=2stroke (with premix oil)
Thank you David I assumed the 2T was the two stroke and the 4T was the 4stroke. I’ll do some more reading! Nothing is ever simple!
Hum.. Carparts4less are doing a 5ltr tin for £11.42.. free delivery.. solvent based ...no need to make J.Bezos any richer...
