Hey everyone, Silly question to ask as I haven't been able to find an answer, can I run a 200A lamp with dimmed mantels by turning the tip cleaner up half way or so? We all know if you you light a lamp and turn the tip cleaner the lamp will dim well if I left in in a dimmed state would it hurt the lamp? Thanks in advance for any info on this. Brian
I don't think you can do that, and most don't. What is done is to buy an amber globe. There is one for your 200 for $35 on Amazon.
Thanks Hanzo, I did get the amber lens and it works well. I was just wondering if it could be done as it would use less fuel and lower the light brightness without shutting the lamp all the way down. Thanks again Brian
Coleman does have adjustable lanterns but they are newer models that you simply adjust with the knob, older models like the 200 aren't adjustable. There is no way to adjust the lantern light with the tip cleaner as it has no adjustable position. It is either up and blocking the orifice of the generator or down and not blocking it.
Welcome aboard! Coleman made at least one model of an adjustable twin mantle lantern and this link shows relevant information. They also made at least one model of an adjustable single mantle lantern. adjustable coleman lantern - Google Search
As what others have mentioned. A Coleman 200A lantern isn't designed to have an adjustable output. Doing it with the tip cleaner partially blocking the gas tip's orifice might have an effect on dimming it. However, it is not advisable and not exactly a recommended practice. It does not immediately cause appreciable harm to the lantern but if operated in such a manner over a prolonged period with the usual operating pressure range, there tend to be some accelerated wear on the orifice. That'd be somewhat similar to the way by which high pressure steam escaping from a tiny pin hole leak would further erode the hole, eventually making it bigger. This might not be very apparent but it has something to do with the wear associated with a relatively higher velocity of vaporized fluid/gas at the orifice. In addition, there had also been instances of bulgings or ruptures of the thin generator/vaporizer tubes when the tip cleaner had been adjusted too high up(sometimes completely blocking the orifice) during operation. Anyway as what Pancho suggested, operating the lantern with a lower pressure and tip cleaner at fully down position will give you a dimmer light. Just operate at high enough pressure to avoid any pulsations and back-burning in the burner tube. Otherwise, that's assuming the 200A remains as a 200A on the following conditions: - you're not modifying it to accomodate an adjustable schrader valve. - you are not replacing the gas tip or jet with one having a smaller diameter orifice and a smaller needle to fit (although you still can).
Using the cleaning lever will dim your lantern, but I find running at a lower pressure is much easier to regulate.
Thanks for the all the info guys, I will just run as normal as intended. I just got this lamp rebuilt and so far she runs like a champ for a 60 year old. Brian
Thanks Larry. That looks very interesting. I wonder how exactly that works. Does it come with an R55 generator with tip cleaner?
Hi @Tony Press , no. 323 was the first Coleman torch lite generator lantern with a tip cleaner. . So basically you would be restricting gas flow by partially extending needle. Larry
@coleman54 Did you mean to tag me (above) or Toby? Either way, your posts in this thread are very informative. Cheers Tony
@Tony Press, I apologize the tag was actually meant for @MYN. One of those senior moments evidently ?
Thanks Larry @coleman54 for the valuable information. It is evident that Coleman had actually stated in their brochure/advertisement about dimming or turning down of the lamps using the needle. I wasn't aware of this. My earlier mention about the 200A wasn't designed to have an adjustable output was based on my understanding of those tip cleaners. Part of it mainly stemmed from my understanding of the function and basic construction of similar tip cleaners as described in the various patents by Coleman and other companies or inventors from the first half of the 20th century. I have never come across any of them having a clear description about those tip cleaning designs being meant for adjustments of the fuel flow as well. Similarly, those on the Petromax-styled or other Euro-styled lanterns were also not intended or designed for fuel flow control purposes. However, as many would have already experienced, partial closure of the gas tip or jet orifice can be easily be achieved using the needle. It does meet the fundamental aspects of reducing the effective cross sectional area of the orifice and hence, the amount of fuel being discharged. Therefore, a relatively simple or convenient means of controlling the brightness can be coincidentally realized by such an action. I was only doubtful that this was originally intended by the designers.
Not using the tip cleaner as a permanent way to dim a lantern is to me sound advice Nothing good can come out of operation of a lantern like that, something is going to break. lol Larry's source is advertisement not an impartial source. Ads sell things that's the point , those making ad copy could care less about best practice, science or design they have to tout the product. Its nothing bad to say about Coleman, it is and should be a religion. lol I could go to early 20th century American advertising and find a laxative that cured fever, cancer, bad breath and gout. lol
. ///////////::::::::……….. Number 7 in the list of 14 shows Nulite describing the turn down ability with no. 18 torch lite generator also utilizing tip cleaner device.
Larry, what you are pointing out is valuable, interesting and apparently can be done. But I don't think its best recommended practice for someone with a 200 or 237 etc. to use the tip cleaner as the light dimmer control. I think Myn is right in the earlier post he made about what could go wrong with that in terms of damage to the lantern if made a regular practice of. But of course my " common sense" maybe common and wrong. lol
I have seen quite a bit of discussion on Coleman Collector's Forum regarding running those lamps (and specifically talking about the 200A) dimmed, and the concensus is that while it can be done, it tends to wear on the orfice much faster, so it isn't recommended. I would recommend asking there. ...though in general, unless the instruction manual says so (which I don't remember what the 200A manual says, it's probably available somewhere as a PDF) it usually isn't a good idea to do so.
//////////::::::::::………. I do not disagree with either of you, It is common knowledge by experienced users and even manufacturers back in the day that “Any” usage of a tip cleaner will eventually aid in the enlarging of the tip or even diminish the pricker at some point (both of which are easily replaced). . My intention was to show a few documents for the record that support the action , after statements had been made it was not possible and had no dimming effect. I have researched various user instructions for no. 200a and found no dimming recommendations for this model at this time. If you look at #13 on this list link the action is mentioned, while also recommending referral to model user instructions. The Old Town Coleman Center
Best is, to dim the lantern only by reducing pressure. A well adjusted kero lantern can be dimmed down to 50% A petrol lantern can be dimmed down to 20% approx.
