Hello All, I have been persuaded by my 10 year old to go camping. So, I have acquired camping equipment and on my travels picked up this fantastic looking Lantern. What I do know is it is Vapalux and its ex Army. I have had a long look online for a guide on how to use but I want to be certain of what I am doing before I attempt to use. Can anyone help? I will upload a picture ASAP
Try here:- Vapalux lamp instructions (base-camp.co.uk) Chances are what you have is either a Vapalux 320 - see pic on the link above - or an earlier military 'bitza', both of which are very common. You could look in the Lamp Reference Gallery and try to identify it yourself. Otherwise, as you say, post a pic and someone will jump in soon and tell you what it is...
Hello and welcome @Gary Palmer You could also have a look here and familiarise yourself with the various bits and pieces which make up your lantern. https://www.base-camp.co.uk/320.htm Depending on which model you have some parts may look different but they still have the same name.
@Gary Palmer Hi Gary and welcome to the forum. David and Henry have pointed you in the right direction. Good luck with getting your lamp fettled, a good science lesson for a ten year old too! Stevie
@Gary Palmer Welcome from Queensland Australia. A good lantern to take camping. I would suggest after your camping adventure, you may want to find a mate for your lantern, then, watch them multiply into a collection ....... Enjoy Cheers Pete
Guys and maybe girls, quick question. I have another that i want to gift a friend but i don't want to fit the mantle test and then have to pack and the mantle and it gets damaged. Is there any way I can assess if the lantern is working without actually lighting it?
Hi Gary and welcome. The 320's are excellent as You will find. I have seen people test lamps without the mantle, but thats something I've not tried (yet). You may have to take a chance, and include a spare mantle in the box just in case.
I can't say I've ever done it but you can spray a used mantle with hair lacquer to stiffen it and give it a better chance of surviving the postal system. It just burns off the next time the lamp is lit...
You could also test it using the ventilator from your own 320, being careful not to knock the mantle whilst swapping over.
