Hi all. I'm new with kerosene presure lamps, so please bear with me. I purchased a NOS Optimus 200p recently. I've replaced the cap gasket, and run two tanks through, and it works great. Tank level indicator and pressure gauge seem to work fine. I expect this to be a user lantern, so what spares should I stock? I've an order for stove parts going into Basecamp shortly, and thought I would add some mantles. What else should I include? Thanks for your help. If this goes well, there is an old Coleman Quick light hanging around that I'd like to fix up. Cheers Tim
I would suggest a keeping a couple of spare nozzles/jets and a few pricker needles around as you never know when you're going to need one. Also, there are some good and cheap mantles to be had on eBay. I have used the green sock type mantles found here and I can confirm that they work well. The round, ball type mantles found here are also very good. I think most people like to have branded premium mantles but it can be very handy to have a a stock of cheaper 'everyday' mantles you don't mind sacrificing if you're trying to sort out a problem. The ball type mantles can also be adapted for use on Tilley, Vapalux and Bialaddin type lamps.
For the sake of completeness, I would add the following too: Pump leather seal Pump non-return valve or viton pip for it Lead seals for the lower vaporiser and pump NRV A piece of graphite sheet for the excenter shaft seal. Two viton seals for the fuel level gauge window. The ceramic burner nozzles for these are becoming hard to find at any reasonable price. Snap one up if you come across it.
Best to just buy a a couple of sheets of Viton varying thicknesses, a few hole punches and then a ton of mantles. You won't have one lantern for long.... Fogas.se are a great source for Swedish lamp parts email in English is ok
Hi @Tim Epp welcome from Queensland Australia. This is a great forum with fantastic people only too willing to share their knowledge and expertise. Enjoy your fettle ....... and don’t resist the urge to buy more lamps, resistance is useless. Cheers Pete
@Matti Kucer But the the fight is worth it and the victory so much the sweeter ....... I hope Cheers Pete
I was already thinking it would be easier just to buy a second one rather than a kit of spares. So...if I stop at two, I'll be ok?
@Tim Epp sorry mate its too late ........ we've all heard the words "I can stop anytime" many times, I uttered them just after receiving my 100th lamp ... now I don't bother. Resistance is useless Just enjoy the ride and the experience. Cheers Pete
Wow, that's alot of lamps. As a complete newbie to the world of kerosene lanterns, what are some of the basic lanterns that would form the foundation of a small collection? I enjoy using my brass pressure stoves on canoe and fishing trips, so maybe will add some lanterns to the rotation. Tim
To me, there is no set coarse of what lamps to chase. It’s all up to your particular likes and dislikes. This is the beauty of our hobby, you can specialise in one make or be totally eclectic. At first I focused on the easier to get types, Tilleys and Colemans, that allowed me to learn how they worked and then to learn and develop where my passions lay. One of the huge benefits of collecting, that’s maybe not apparent when starting out, is the friendships and comradely that develops with like minded people. The friends that I have made, from all over the world, have been both inspirational and enriching. Cheers Pete
Hi Tim, Pete is spot on with his remarks, collect what ever takes your fancy. I started last year with a Petromax, liked it, learnt about it and brought a number of others. As the year has gone on, I have moved via Bialaddin and Vapalux through to Coleman - basically I pick lanterns that I like the look of or are at the right price to learn on/be used in the garden and on camping trips i.e. most of mine are practical lanterns. Whatever you collect - enjoy, there is much enjoyment to be had.
I second what Pete said. Because of my lantern collection and this site I have made truly good friends all over the world and found folk who seem to think like I do. And... as if that wasn't enough, I'm having loads of fun. Like a lot of collectors in the UK I started with Tilleys and quickly moved on to Bialaddins and Vapalux. The Coleman caught my eye so I picked up a cheap Dual Fuel model that was swiftly followed by more. Then a lucky purchase of a good condition Anchor 950 set me collecting Chinese Petromax clones and on and on until I now have just over 50. My only regret is that I didn't start earlier!
