Playing with the idea of having a recently made lantern which is safe to operate on gasoline I learned about the Coleman 295 Powerhouse. It appears to have all the required safety features (positive shutoff valve, pump assembly that cannot leak fuel out of the lamp even if NRV fails) BUT it's made out steel, including the tank. A quick ebay search revealed that most of the used pieces show at least some degree of rust. So I'm wondering if some company made a similar lantern out of brass? Given the purpose, it should be something with widely available spares. Thanks a lot for your suggestions
Locating a Coleman 295 that's not rusted shouldn't be difficult as many thousands were made. However, Coleman advertises the 295 as Dual Fuel and running anything but white gas (Coleman or Crown brand as it's called here in the states) will eventually clog the generator and make a mess of the lantern generally. And i don't believe 295 generators can be disassembled. As far as other modern lanterns similar to the 295 made from brass, that i do not know. Coleman 220/228 models from the 30's and 40's era have brass founts and parts are easily sourced.
Ah, don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's not that hard to find it in good condition - was just mentioning the condition of most used pieces seen on ebay as it seems to prove that the lantern is prone to rust damage. Thanks for the suggestion about the 220/228. Are those capable to run on unleaded on long term use?
In my opinion, there are no lanterns out there that are truly suitable for long-term operations with unleaded gasoline. My definition of long-term in this sense is that the generator should not require frequent clean-outs of carbon, residues and gunk.
The closest match for intended gasoline operation would be the Milspecs(Coleman 252, etc). These were said to be intended for leaded gasoline as well. The generators are supposed to be disposable items, not meant for clean outs or service.
I think its wrong to judge a lantern model by what's offered on ebay currently. Because the prices of lanterns are up so much even the junkiest of lanterns are making there way onto ebay because they might be worth a couple of bucks. Four years ago you didn't see rusted 295's on ebay only NOS or once used were sold for $45 or so. I have no problems with the one I have and if I found a cheap one would buy another, they make good camping lanterns.
The 295 does not in fact have positive shut-off on the fuel valve. It uses a schrader valve, also used in car tyre valves, which relies on a spring loaded rubber seal and these are well known to fail over time. My experience with the designed-for-gasoline Colemans has been that the generators clog up after less than a hundred hours of use. (YMMV) Provided you have spare generators at hand this is not really a problem. The clogged generators can be cleaned even though the needle is trapped in the generator tube. Nevertheless, the gasoline lanterns always seem to become grubby, oily, sooty and smelly inside after just a few light-ups. Also, fuel spills not cleaned up immediately tend to lift the paint. And then they rust.
Well, liquid fueled lanterns are really items and ideas from a bygone era. If you're looking for a brass equivalent of a duel-fuel lantern that is still being made and without the difficulty in obtaining new spare parts, I'd say chances are slim. For a lot of manufacturers, steel has almost completely replaced brass. There's a lot more aluminium and plastics too. The only brand I could think of now is the Amish's HC lanterns. The Amish is about the only guys around who might still use these as workhorses.
"The only brand I could think of now is the Amish's HC lanterns. The Amish is about the only guys around who might still use these as workhorses." True Myn, the steel founts on the Amish lanterns is very heavy gauge steel , they seem more heavily constructed than other lantern founts , steel or brass. You'd need a hammer to put a dent in one. Last time I checked the price of a HC was $330, generators gas or kero run under $10.
Do these lamp have all-brass founts or steel base plates? I thought most Colemans had steel base plates.
I'd think steel base. I do have a 1938 or 39 Coleman 237(Canada) with a brass fount but the base is magnetic, most likely plated steel.
Coleman Canada stuck with brass founts with steel bases up to 1970-ish on models like the 220E, even earlier to all steel on the 200 (1967ish?). Coleman US went to all steel founts in the 50's and during the Second World War. Probably steel base plates for both countries to prevent bowing out like you see with Tilleys that are over-pressured? It's too bad, because as you say above Adrian, the bases pinhole if the fuel and fount aren't kept clean and fresh. Nothing like cleaning a PQ chandelier or 247 CPR, only to see a little puddle form on your bench when you fill them. Waaaaah... Mike.
I think that makes a lot of sense. I'd say production cost or material scarcities have nothing to do with this. On the other hand, it might, during the war years and later.
please don’t remember me this. I’ve just bought a 333 Colmax and was very impressed how well cleaned up to see a small pinhole in the bottom (sad)
A pinhole is bad, but it could be worse...unless you want to tackle the repair yourself......Coleman 236.
That's a great repair. Pin holes shouldn't be too difficult to fix. Unless of course, if the whole bottom's rusting through at various points.
@Blueflame that’s an amazing repair! Probably mine will end in Bruce Kuda hands because it has a small stress crack on the side.
