Beginner pressure lamps?

Hello everyone. Recently I inherited a bunch of old Coleman lanterns and such and I think that they’re really interesting and so I’ve been fixing them and using them for fishing, But I want other ones that I can easily work on with basically no skill. So does anybody know of good lanterns for beginner collectors?
Thank you

 

Try a Tilley - there should be a few to be had in the US. They're easy to fettle, spare parts are easily available and so on.

As for no skill, I found that reading, understanding and following the instructions gets you 90% of the way to success. We all had to start somewhere...

 

Why thank you. But, are they compatible with a fairly low budget hobbyist?

 

No idea - we might not see "low budget' the same way. With Tilley, the most expensive part will probably be a replacement vapouriser (= generator) should you need one. It's best to buy one that's complete and you can see running well.

A couple of caveats - all Tilley stuff (bar one example you're probably never, ever going to encounter) run on kerosene ONLY - do not attempt to use gasoline/Coleman fuel/naphtha. Be aware that kerosene lanterns are not 'Quiklite / Instant-Lite' or anything remotely like that. They take 2-3 minutes to prime (pre-heat) using methylated spirit before lighting...

 

I’m glad you say the thing about the kerosene because I also got an Optimus 1200 that I shined up real nice and I’m waiting on parts for. I was just going to light it like I do the Coleman lantern so thanks for the tip.

 

I don't know about the Optimus 1200 specifically but any lantern designed for kerosene i.e. with rubber seals, should not be run on gasoline etc. They will run using those fuels but they will not run SAFELY. Sooner or later, one of the seals will harden and leak volatile fuel near to a naked flame. Can you out-run an advancing gasoline flame-front? - what Americans call a BLEVE - boiling liquid, expanding vapo(u)r explosion - no, I didn't think so...

 

Well the Optimus 200 has a torch thing that spits fire (pretty insane from some YouTube videos I’ve seen), but the Optimus 1200 is upgraded (as far as I can tell) by only the addition of a pan for spirits. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Anyway, I think it’s be easier to just use the torch thing.

 

By the way, I meant low budget as in preferably below 150 usd

 

I just found this decent Coleman 228f for 18 bucks. I assume that that’s a good deal right

 

@Levi Tomey

hi Levi, that's a nice coleman and yes a really good deal I think. I have one coleman lamp, a late 2 mantle powerhouse. great lamp too, its my everyday working lamp. (also have mainly kero lamps, or paraffin over here, tilleys and vapalux.)

The kero lamps can be use indoors (as long as you have ventilation) and running right they have no smell unlike the gasoline lamps, and are much safer because of the fuel used as it is not explosive in normal use, a bit like diesel

They are MUCH easier to fix up as they are so simple. I am sure you could find tilley lamps in the USA, and when you do there are many spare parts and repro parts you can get on Ebay.

You will find a lot of advice on here to how to fix them up.

You will find many lamps on auction sites for well under 100 dollars.

All the best with your new hobby... be warned though, one lamp is never enough !!!!

 

Ahhhh yes. Never enough. But I didn’t have to be left with I think eight total pressure lamps. And why is only one a kero lamp. All of the others are Coleman’s and have so far been a pain in the rear.

 

Well, from over the pond, it seems to me like Americans want to do everything as quickly as they can, even 5 seconds ago if possible - hence Quik-Lite and as if that wasn't quick enough, Instant-Lite! Over here, we seem to take life a little more slowly and don't mind waiting a couple of minutes for a lamp to light. So, generally, the USA is mainly Coleman fuel / gasoline with a few kerosene lamps. Over here, we're just not used to lighting petrol with a naked flame, especially when it's under pressure - so we have mainly kerosene (we call it paraffin) lamps and a small number of petrol-fuelled lamps for the brave-hearted.

Generalisations? - yes - but probably not too far wide of the mark...

 

It must be noted, Coleman also made kerosene lanterns! Now I am not sure but all my kerosene Colemans are made in Canada, all my gasoline ones are USA made (not that I have that many!). As Canada was one of the last (lost?) British colonies this might have something to do with it. Who knows? The Canadian factory also made gasoline ones but I would have to check if I have one of these (don't think so).

 

Coleman Canada made a huge selection of naphtha and kerosene models (lamps, lanterns, irons, stoves) beginning back in the 20's, and on up until almost their closure in the 80's. Coleman USA also made kerosene models but not in as great a variety. William Coleman actually encouraged the Canadian arm of the company to develop and market their own lines, perhaps recognizing they'd have a better read on the export markets.
327K--export to UK
427K Mountie (highly prized)
242K
238B (highly prized)
247
249
237
639
to name a few.

Coleman used the Preston loop generator in the Col-Max line of lanterns and I think that's it. In the remainder of kero lanterns, it was the simple straight tube-style of generator that clogs eventually (sometimes quickly), but is easily disassembled for cleaning. Not an ideal design for kerosene, so the naphtha models were typically more popular. The variety of gasoline instant lighting designs allow a leaner mixture for lighting, using air in the fount along with fuel, and then once the generator is hot, open the valve fully which shuts off the air leaning circuit and only feeds fuel. If you follow the instructions, lighting a Coleman is not a dramatic event. And obviously, no preheat alcohol to carry.

The gasoline design is safe with the check valve also using a stem inside the pump plunger to positively seal the check valve.

Being in Canada, I see 99% Coleman, but I have a selection of Tilleys, Bialladin, Vapalux, Petromax, Aida, and to be honest I love the ritual of preheating and the clean start of kerosene--regardless of maker.

Levi--your newest 228 acquisition is a good addition. Oil the pump leather with neatsfoot oil or even straight SAE 30 motor oil, make sure the cap gasket is sealing (pump it up and stick the fount s in a sink of water and look for bubbles) and if that seems good, go for ignition. Pump it up and crack the fuel valve and you should here hissing and then a spitting noise. Close the valve. Light your match, stick it in the lighting hole, open the valve a 1/4 turn and it should ignite in short order. Let burn for a bit to warm the generator, open the fuel valve completely, and put a bunch more pumps in the tank for maximum brightness. Enjoy!

If it runs a bit and then out, you might have a bit of crud blocking the generator orifice. Spin the cleaning lever 4 or 5 times and try again. If it does it again, clean the generator as a piece of gunk is floating around clogging the generator as it flows to it. It's a used lantern so you'll need to correct some of its misspent youth!

Mike.

 

Yes, there is a slight risk with these gas lanterns. however, put yourself into a real situation when say the power goes out or something happens on a camping trip. You don’t really want to wait for your lantern to preheat.

 

Then buy an LED torch for pitty sake lol...3 minutes when the lamp is going to be lit for 4 - 5 hours is nothing Levi and your eyebrows and face will thank you for making that choice..

Martin

 

Hold on. I have a story that I think you pressure lamp guys will enjoy. So, yesterday was the first time I ever lit a pressure lamp. I had absolutely zero idea what I was doing and I was just winging it. So I take the lantern that’s probably sitting in my grandfather’s cluttered garage for 15 some odd years, and I pump it up full of that old fuel. I think I pumped it WAY too much from what I’m seeing on actual instructions. Then, I crank the main valve thing all the way up. I was holding the lantern by the hat or the top (huge mistake). I was fumbling with the lighter because I knew I had to be quick. What I lit that sucker there was a huge flame ball that burnt all of the hair off of my wrist and hand. The lantern did stay lit all night.

 

I really didn’t think about LEDs. But I’ll use a lantern any chance I get because they’re cooler than an LED.

 

Well I am shocked but not at all surprised Levi, Kerosene is much more forgiving although I would point out that even kero lamps can flare up if not sufficiently pre-heated.
I don't really want you to use LED's ...we all love pressure lamps on this forum but in the fist instance I would say a torch is a necessity.. or just time your light-ups well so you still have a little illumination to start the lamps by.

Martin

 

Yes, I think I mentioned that I had an Optimus 1200 earlier in this thread, and everybody is talking about preheating. When I got my parts, I was about to just fire it like a Coleman so who knows what would’ve happened.

 

As for your original question. It is difficult to know what brands you have readily available stateside and what lamps are in that 'budget' category. Here in the UK perhaps the most affordable and useable models that have some 'build quality' are the Tilley Guardsman and Vapalux range but the M320 in particular for its ease of lighting. Good useable Tilley Guardsman's can be picked up for less than £40 ($55) Vapalux M320's a bit more expensive £45 - £65 ($60 - $90) I've no idea how accurate my exchange rate is lol. I suppose, given your budget, it wouldn't be inconceivable to buy a couple of decent Guardsman's from the UK and have them shipped.

Martin

 

Try to find an early Tilley like the Gaurdsman or a Bialaddin/Vapalux 300X , both these lamps are practically bulletproof and are nice looking. The hardest thing then follows when you want more and more. I believe there's plenty stateside but prices may vary.

 

I'd go for an American lamp if I lived in USA myself.
There you will find the cheapest, but also some of the most easy to get going lamps there is and with many spares readily available.
But if you absolutely want a lantern from overseas, I'd go for a Primus 1020. There are not many lamps that are so easy to fix and get running.

 

Sounds like the best thing to buy at this point are instructions and a fire extinguisher.

Mike.

 

Perfect

 

BLEVE is a term used for boiling liquid evaporating vapourus explosion.

 

Ahhhhhh, so peaceful

 

My favourite Coleman kero lanterns are the 201, 639 and the 339. The 639 is a big, bright beast of a lantern that will run for hours and the nickel plated version is gorgeous!

If you want a Tilley, look out for a Guardsman X246. Don't confuse it with an X246b. These were made to a budget and it definitely shows!

For a Bialaddin, I would look out for a 300X or a 305 but my personal favourite is the 315.

Petromax and their clones can be cost effective and pack a big punch in brightness terms. There are too many models to list here but stick to a German made model. My advice would be to forget the rapid heating torch and use de-natured alcohol in the pre-heater cup. It makes for a gentler start and won't punch holes in mantles like the rapid heating torch sometimes does.

 

Other than LEDs or any type of battery powered lamps, the next lower budget lantern which requires almost no skill to operate could be a propane one. You don't need to worry about the liquid fuel leaking and wetting the surrounding stuffs, which means there'll be little chance of sustained flames to start off a fire.
We don't fancy either of the above here anyway.
For liquid-fuel lamterns, the naphtha/white gas types are usually the easiest and quickest to light up. The Coleman units for these had been designed, built and time-tested to be as safe as a lantern would get. But unlike most kerosene-fuel types, there's no compromise for any slight leaks.
The kerosene ones are usually somewhat brighter and pack a higher specific energy per unit volume of the fuel. With perhaps some exceptions, the Petromax-styled and clones, in my opinion, are usually the brightest of the bunch. They might not be very quiet though.
I think some of Swedish ones like the Primus are among the most acoustically pleasing to the ear.
Of course, the merits of Tilley as had been mentioned earlier.
Personally, I don't really have a particular favourite but I do like the ruggedness of the somewhat abuse-tolerant milpecs. Its one of the very few that had actually been designed to operate with any fuel that would pass off as gasoline (including leaded gasoline).

 

@MYN That's true but if you read all the instructions they still recommended using white gas for best results.