Hi can anyone tell me anything about this lamp and in your opinion are they any good I know its a Solar 500cp but that's all I know
Yes the tale is a whole container load or two of those was imported to the UK during the 3 day week and power cuts. Aparently they arived just after it was all over and they sat in a warehouse for years. Generally they need a clean because some of the parts got gummed up from sitting for 30 years but they are a reasonably well made powerful lantern. ::Neil::
Thanks for the reply Neil, I have searched the net to try and find out more about these but there doesn't seem to be anything I can find? does anyone know more about them? ie age? cost to buy one? etc
They are early 1970s and cost around £30 then. At one time there were hundreds on sale here and most people like me have one which cost around £25 I think. There are actually some variations in them and there was also a 250 cp version sold at the same time. I have no idea what one would cost now but I suspect not much more because there should be plenty of them out there and mostly folk won't pay big bucks for Chinese lanterns. ::Neil::
Yes, a couple of characters hereabouts discovered a load of these in a warehouse 'somewhere' and knocked them out cheaply about 10 years ago. I think I've got a couple of the 250cp ones around here. I've never lit them - never felt the need to - but I suppose they're typical Far Eastern P'max clones. No doubt if I tried to use them they'd get black mantle disease in very short order... Anyway, apparently the warehouse roof was leaking and half the lanterns had been ruined. These were left and could still be there for all I know... (Edit - just found one. The box is marked 500cp but overstamped 200cp. However, the instruction sheet with it refers only to 250cp, 350cp and 500cp lanterns. Who knows... )
I had three running some years ago and they seem to be pretty good to me. Better than some anyway. All brass construction and easy enough to fettle. The only problem I recall was the glass is bigger than a standard Petromax so is not an easy replacement. ::Neil::
Yes, mine's got 'Spitfire' stamped on the box lid. Unfortunate choice of name for a lantern, perhaps - although arguably more appropriate to the dear old Veritas Superb...
Well thank you folks for all this info its been very enlightening. You have helped me make my mind up on 1 of these I've seen for sale that is in new condition and as I'm still new to all this I'm trying to collect as many types as I can because I am fascinated by these lamps it looks as though I've been bitten by the pressure lamp bug Anyway If I do manage to buy it I will post a picture of it on here. Thank you again
...and if you don't, just make me a half-way decent offer for mine and it can be winging (geddit? ) it's way to Shropshire...
There was also a copy of a Tilley R1 which was sold under the Solar brand. One sold on Ebay a few years ago and i think that it went to mainland Europe. Perhaps someone has photos of it?
Sorry........ I don't understand. Spreadsheet? I've just acquired solar 500 cp. It has broken glass. That's about all I know about it. I wouldn't even have a clue how to light it. What fuel etc...... I was hoping someone on here could possibly help
Welcome Bev. The question about info in a spreadsheet was aimed at member ColinG who has compiled a list of glasses with their dimensions and the make & model of the lanterns they fit. Globe/Glass Size Chart You'll need one of these Detailseite: Glas für Hasag, Mewa, Radius - 122x122 mm - hytta.de Don't worry if you don't speak German, the staff at Stuga-Cabaña are fluent in English
Hi @Bev Knight ... if you follow the link above, you'll find a spreadsheet I (with the help of others) created to help people find glass globes that were missing. The Solar 500 has a globe that is 12cm x 12cm (diameter x height) which is the same as or very similar to: Veritas 350 and P9955 Aladdin A1 Corona SX and SX2 Primus 1019, 1020, 1080, 1081, 1320, 1325 Radius 115, 116, 118, 119, 120 and some gas lanterns such as the CampingGaz Belvedere, but these are generally frosted. Some of these globes are harder to find than others and you'll have to haunt eBay and whatever other sites you use. I have seen clear globes for the Belvedere gas lantern but they are getting harder to find. Anyway, hope this helps Regards Colin
Your Solar lantern is similar to and works in exactly the same way as, a Petromax lantern. This page should help you get to know part names, terminology and perhaps most importantly, methodology. http://www.eschaefer.de/hobbys/starkl/px-rest.pdf
Anyone know of a source of spares for Solar? I need a needle for a 200cp and an NRV for a 500 cp. I might be able to swap parts between them to get one good lamp, -could Petromax parts interchange?
That's a brilliant useful guide for Petromax Henry, Ta. I wonder if the parts are interchangeable with Solar, I also need pump cups.
I'm confident the majority of Petromax parts are compatible with Solar parts, certainly the pump cup, jet and needle are a straight swap, I can't remember if the complete N.R.V. is or not but the pip inside will be. One thing to watch is the needle, a 250cp needle may not go through a 200cp jet. Try it gently by hand before installing, it may need reducing with some fine emery paper.
