Hi everyone, I was wondering if Aida ever put enamel hoods on their lanterns. I have a very nice Aida 1500 but I can't help thinking the hood in red enamel is not original. It looks the part, I must say; but I want to know. Does anyone know? Thank you all for this wonderfull website and all the lively discussions and inspiration! Arend
Yes, Aida did make some of them with red enamel tops! The ones I've seen are usually "dual fuel" lanterns. I refer to these as "suicide lanterns". In my opinion you can't burn Gasoline in a lantern with no positive shut-off valve!
@george i agree with you and I love your term of “suicide lantern”. From now on I’m gunna call them the same. Cheers mate Pete
Could you present us with some pictures or further descriptions George? To my mind the german AIDA brand disappeared quietly from the market in the 60's with some aftersales of old stock in the 70's. That does not jive with 'dual fuel' which is a more modern claim. As for ending ones life, I doubt that abusing a lantern with gasoline, closing-off valve or not, is an efficient method. Nor am I a fan of dramatic exclaims, especially if they are based on imagination. Correct me if I am wrong. Instead I am a supporter of safety based on facts and knowledge, without the fearmongering. Mike
@M.Meijer I'm sorry, Mike but any Petromax-type design like the one we are discussing here are not safe to burn gasoline in. They do not have a positive shut off valve. If, for any reason the NRV fails on one of these you could have atomized gasoline gushing up the pump barrel, and I would not want to be near that lantern if that happened. Neil has a very informative write up about the Petromax design. I think it's here on the site somewhere. I've seen several eBay listings for Aida lanterns, usually the 1500 model, that have a label on the tank, "dual fuel". They all, at least the ones I saw, had orange tops. Based on the rapid lighter configuration and the four digit numbers stamped on the tank bottom they were later models. I'm not very big on keeping track of literature on the lanterns but I'll check and see if I have anything on Aida dealing with dual fuel.
@M.Meijer Mike, check this out: Google Image Result for https://i.etsystatic.com/14704186/r/il/5e17c1/2135951642/il_570xN.2135951642_j5ur.jpg I found this on Etsy, a site similar to eBay. It shows a later Aida 1500, orange top, and dual fuel label for sale. Hope this helps.
Thank you George for your extensive reply and link. As for the fuel(s) I am well aware what lantern can be used reasonably safe with petrol, and what lamp better not. That said, I have received over the years ample lanterns and stoves with pure petrol in it, or white gas, panelwipe, you name it. Not seldom with the assurance how stove or lamp was used as such for years. While I think the Dual Fuel label is irresponsible, technically spoken it is right, and with it, likely aimed at a broad (north american) market. No idea how this will be in conflict with local laws, and I feel it should be forbidden. I have not known this quality of renovation made to these lamps, that look like new. The orange top is a nice touch with the original 'house colour' of AIDA, but originally they were all chrome or nickle plated. The price, if paid, seems worth all this trouble: I even see an original logo'ed glass. Again, I find 'suicide lamp' not right, an over-the-top moniker. I find it the sort of drama that should not permeate on a site where many folks get their (first) information new to lamps. That information should be clear and correct and possibly illustrated with experience shared with all of us. I do not believe 'killing capacity' should be part of all that. Regards, Mike
Whatever floats your boat. I'm not an expert, for sure... All I know is I would never put anything in one like this but kerosene. I should have said, "these become suicide lanterns when anything but kerosene is used in them". The lantern itself is a very good lantern, and I own a few, as long as you use kerosene.
