Hi all , here's my 639b lighting up the night with diesel! I've heard of people doing it and I couldn't resist it. I know it's a bit contraversial but I had to try it on account of the crazy kerosene prices here. I've got a new generator in case it gums up too much. Can't say I noticed any difference in light output or smell of diesel, but it mustn't burn as hot as the bail is only warm to the touch. I'm going to keep at this and see how it goes. I put a couple of squirts of carby cleaner in the tank as well. Cheers
Can't say I've heard of it. We get "household kerosene" or odourless kerosene and neither is cheap and you can't get it at the pump anymore
@Brian Reynolds If you can get Jet A-1 aircraft fuel you can use that. Most of the kerosene in Australia that hasn’t been deodorised is JetA-1. Cheers Tony
It’s turbo jet fuel from major airports or turbo helicopter operations. Difficult to get unless you know an operator. Cheers Tony
I've been experimenting with using diesel in my wick lamps and Swedish POD blue flame kero heater. so far so good. depending upon where you are, Alpine diesel may be better still I will give diesel a go in one of my old Tilley's to see how it goes
I think that the additives in both pump petrol (gasoline) and diesel would not be kind to a Tilley vapouriser over prolonged use. Both Diggers kerosene and Jet-A1 have far fewer additives. The anti-knock additives in petrol are very prone to leaving residue in vapourisers and stove burners. I’m not familiar with diesel, except for having had the gruesome task of cleaning a Heinze Geniol stove burner that had been run on diesel. Cheers Tony
@Tony Press I don't doubt what you say, but being a fairly cheap modern example of a coleman, I thought I'd give it a try. I've got a spare generator here and a new valve assembly and and pick up tube coming but so far so good. The diesel on its own puts out a slightly greenish tinge, but mixed with petrol it's bright white and is about the same viscosity as kero, but yes I wouldn't recommend it on something rare or expensive, as I say it's an experiment, and I usually have at least one burning every night and it gets a bit expensive Cheers
I would like to know where one could buy Jet-A1 fuel/kero. I did hear of an airfield in Victoria that had a jet fuel bowser that is easily accessible and open all night where it could be used. one pays for whats used by a credit/debit card. a bit like some unmanned service stations as far as using petrol in a dual fuel. I have used petrol in an Optimus and Coleman single burner stove for years with no issue. the Coleman in my estimation has consumed at least 200 litres and still burns well. the instruction say the prefernce is Coleman fuel, (petrol without the additives or Shellite) I have only have pulled the vaporiser apart once to give it a clean
Jet-A1 as aviation fuel is only available from airfields, unless you know a turbo jet helicopter company that has its own fuel. [Note: Jet-A1; not Avgas]. Some service stations that still have pump “Home Kerosene” will be using Jet-A1 in their bowsers. Cheers Tony Edit: Stoves are much more forgiving than lanterns (burner construction) and their jets are far larger.
I remember a colleague buying Jet-a1 from lethbridge airport, north of geelong. access is 24 hours. you can drive straight in and just lob up with a jerry or 44 gallon drum, swipe card then fill up.
I'd be careful putting regular unleaded fuel in any pressure device. I've got a Shinabro 170 GR and a British Army no.7 that have blocked fuel lines because they've been run with it. The Shinabro was my fault as I used it from new exclusively with normal petrol (gasoline) but the no.7 was buggered by someone else. They both need their wicks removed and replaced but it's a job I'm not confident in attempting.
