Hello all found in a "vide grenier" this morning, this Coleman instant lite. i need some advice to know and repair this lamp, please. On the bottom of the lamp is stamped "Coleman instant lite, made in USA,lamp & stove Co Wichita Kas" and 2 numbers "8 and 11" what does it means ? the lamp seems to be complet except for the filler cap. Do you have a picture of this filler cap ? I have some modern spares that could perhaps fit on. there is some rust on the screws of the burner's fixing, but I believe it is possible to unscrew it What kind of shade will fit ? what burner is fitted on ? many thanks Michel
8-11 is October 1928 and the lamp is model 118 with the slant burner. The generator would originally probably have been a T88 but might have been replaced with a Q77. The shade is an opal glass type and just about any will do. Here is an image of the filler cap. ::Neil::
Thanks Neil So i am now looking for thid kind of filler cap If somebody have such a cap, please mail me
I believe you can assemble a fairly close copy of the T88 generator by using a surplus Iron generator. I'm not sure if it is exact, because I've never seen a real T88. The Iron generator is a 289-XXX (I don't know) and you need a gas tip from a quicklite (Q77 or Q99) I'm not positive on the part numbers, Perhaps Neil knows. I do know you need the threaded hole in the end of the valve wheel-which it looks like yours may have. Anyways-just for information. That's the extent of my knowledge-let the experts take it from here. Dan
Ok I went and double checked the part number, and good thing. The previous ones were way wrong. Sorry! To make a T88 (or somewhat close) generator per my friend Steve R. in california, use a 603-299 generator for instant light irons #3 and 4. Use a gas tip from a Q99. I didn't trim mine, the pricker wire may be a little long. I know this is common knowledge to a few of you old timers, but it's new to me and seems to work. VBW Dan MacPherson out west
You can for sure make a T88 like that but it is hardly worth the trouble unless you absolutely have to have the original configuration. These burners used three generators over the three years or so they were being made. T88 Q77 and R55. I would just bung an R55 on and use it like that. ::Neil::
Understood. But that is what a restoration is to some folks. I like to use mine too-most of them. Dan
Hi Michel, did you get a filler cap for the Coleman 118 as I see your ad is still in the wanted section. From the wanted ad photo your filler cap looks OK, and if it screws onto the filler tube threads correctly just needs the center screw and brass plate with seal. Respond here if you still need the repair pieces. Cheers, Ken
Hi Michel, If you decide to go the T88 generator route, first check the top of the control valve and make sure you have a hole there for the screw-in cleaning wire of the T88. There were two versions of control valve and only the first version had the hole and those came in lamps made in mid 1928 through early 1929. Later versions were designed for the Q77 (no pricker) and the R55. Your valve looks like the second version even though your lamp is dated 1928 and will probably not have the threaded hole. Let us know what you find. It's very important to make sure the filter at the end of the fuel tube in the font is clean, if it's at all clogged, the lamp will run poorly or not at all, as too much (or only) air will enter the system. When you do get this lamp ready to light, do not use the typical instant light method of lighting a match and then cracking the valve open a bit. This will result in a rather large flare up. Instead, light the match and immediately open the valve at least two full turns or all the way. This first generation instant light system works very well if you do it right. Dan
