I guess the Tilley X410 must be in the running and my Optimus 930 is quite small, but what is the smallest working pressure lamp? Pictures of the contenders if possible please...
Coleman has a series of really small lanterns. like 222, 226, 229 and those you can see here. I have a 226, and it's much smaller than e.g. the Optimus 930 you mention. But even smaller yet are some lanterns Ditmar has. Check this one.
I must admit I was thinking more of production lamps, but if someone has made a tiny pressure lamp I'd love to see it...
Oops. I remembered it a bit wrong. Actually the Coleman was the smaller one compared to the Ditmar. Not much, but still. Here they are next to an Optimus 930, since that's a lantern you can relate to.
The problem with those little Colemans is they have to be pumped all the time. Must have something to do with the small tank size which makes me wonder if that is why there are not more similar sized lamps.
Here are some of the smaller ones I have. The two outside ones are put there more for reference since they are fairly common and most people know of their size. Coleman 200A, Radius 101, Phoebus 615, Turner 711, Coleman 242K.
And here it is the smallest pressure lantern: a Petromax. It was presented on the first petromax meeting ever held in Menden, Germany (way back) in 2002. It was made in the Altena factory as a special gift. It is said it worked but getting the mantle small enough was the challenge.
Have to agree that the Petromax shown is smaller than a Coleman 226. But I think the 226 is given bad press ((ure?)) Much worse than it deserves If you run a 226 with control valve wide open you need to pump it very frequently - it will die as soon as you turn your back on it. But it will be giving one hell of a lot of light - nearly as much as 2 mantle. Fuel and air are consumed to match. Some would say jet too big - yes maybe so. My efforts to be described here are with a brand new generator tube +jet + wire. I give mine full pressure after lighting and then turn it down to 50% output with the control valve - again it will run away madly or go out you turn your back on it. The Control valve can open or close as it warms up - fact of life. In radio work such things are known as "tweaky" - you just have to ride the controls until everything stabilises. The pressure will stay for ages at reasonable light output. Ride the control valve to keep 50% until everything is good and hot - reset pressure and control valve to maintain - then it will run all the way to the bottom of the fuel tank. For more or less light you will have the pleasure of finding the stability point all over again but it will be there - you just have to find it. Maybe 2.5-3hrs running @50% - no pumping. I have done this - AS
My contribution to the discussion going from big to small. Optimus 550, Optimus 930, Radius 101 The 930 is in good working condition. The other lamps are waiting for some love and care.
@Carlsson Dear Brother How about Petromax Little baby 900 comparing to other Coleman 226. What is the height of Coleman vs 900
To the right on this photo is an example of a Coleman 229. It is really small compared to the Coleman 639 and even the 249 on the same shelve.
Ashok, the Px 900 is a clumsy bastard compared to the slim little Coleman. Oh, well. Perhaps not so bad after all, but it's still much larger and heavier. The 900 is about 28 cm in height where the Coleman only is around 24 cm.
Boy, an Aida 100! What a find! I've been looking for a 214 as long as I can remember! Have to have deep pockets...
