I spend a lot of time in a converted horsebox (in a wood) with no electricity - the hardest thing being lack of light. Candles, hurricane and oil lamps are lovely but hopeless for reading or sewing or carving....and when it is 7 hours till bedtime, in a dark cabin, the brightness of lamps is of immense interest. I suppose I could always look at LEDs but I would rather have something as bright as my camping Gaz lamps without buying lots of little metal canisters. What would be your recommendation for a bright and hopefully economical lamp?
An Aladdin mantle lamp might be ok. Not as bright as a pressure lamp but silent and economical. First I would get your Tilley going and see how it works out.
Hi Campanula and wellcome. Campanula is "Bell-flower" in Danish The Hipolito 502 and Petromax 829 is awesome lightbringers and the spareparts is so small you can have them send by letter from ex. the german Company StugaCabana on the web. Also mantles. Jet and needle fills only the half of a fingernail. These lamps are stabile and gives out 500 cp. They turn night in to day. It is also possible to get a alcohol-setup for them so you wont have the smell all kerosene-lamps produce, but then it gets more expensive. Unless you can grow your own alcohol These lamps can normally be bought for around 40 pund in perfect shape + shipmentcosts. Claus C
I spend time to time some time in my relative's summer cottage and there is no electricity. Pressure lamps are good option to get lots of light. I have two Tilleys on veranda and Optimus 350 cp lantern inside of the cottage. They are giving as much light as electrical lamps would give. I got reflectors to my lamps. They help to direct normally up going light to area where light is needed. Fuel consumption of those lamps is very low so usage of them is not costing too much.
If you do go for a wick lamp, fit it with a smoke bell/smoke-eater on top of the chimney. The hot air blast can start a fire a meter above the chimney. A top shade on any hanging lamp/lantern can make for very good light over your shoulder rather than in your eyes.
Yes, I regularly use mine in the winter months, mostly at weekends. They are also more than ample heaters in a small room... In fact when my wife and I have the house to ourselves we often light the entire house with them plus a few candles and other wick lamps. You do need an outer shade in my opinion otherwise the light is too harsh. The light fills the room better with a shade too.
Hi Campanula, As Afterburner said: Any pressure lamp will give a lot light, so I think you cannot go wrong with any good working light. The brightests will be a 500 cp lamp, but a 300 of 350 cp gives a lot of light as well. What I would do is: 1) See which lamps/brands you can get your hands on easily. 2) Any old lamp will need some fettling to get going, so do an internet search to see if parts are easily obtainable (prior to getting the lamp ... ). As discussed on earlier posts here on CCS, brands and availability of used lamps differ per country. Overhere in the Netherlands a good used Petromax can be found for 20 to 50 Euro and parts are easily ordered online. In the US you'll probably find a Coleman easily, in the UK you'll find a Tilley and in the Nordics you'll find an Optimus or Primus. Or spend some serious money and buy a brand new lamp Cheers, Peter
Here in the U.K there are plenty to chose from in the second hand market, but I would say that the Tilley is on the bottom of my own list. Take whatever come along first, if it fits your pocket, then start to be a bit more choosey
829 Petromax. These things are seriously bright. They are 500hk, however if you find them like I did too bright, they can be used with a 350hk jet and needle thus reducing the power. These lamps can also be used as cookers and heaters. A serious bit of engineering. Try and locate an ex German Heer model, they tend to come in an over engineered metal case that is of top quality. I have three of these lamps.
The trouble is it's not just the brightness, it's like having a naked lightbulb in a room. The light is harsh and not at all cosey in my opinion... It doesn't seem to matter outdoors but in a room/cabin I think it does. If not an Aladdin, how about a Pressure Table Lamp like this fine example of Steve's from the gallery. Remember whatever you choose, make sure there is adequate ventilation!
A lamp that has three roles is better than one. Light, cook and heat. Also frosted glass can be got for the 500 to take the glare from the light
Hi Campanula A new shade for the Petromax is still to be bought here: http://www.conrad.de/ce/de/product/672416/Petromax-Lampenschirm-Reflektor-chrom-Top-5c-Reflektorschirm It is possible to find them cheaper used and some even enameled which makes the Petromax looks quiet spiffy. Claus C
So this is the light that a Petromax gives in a living room. This is without a shade: This is with a shade: The shade directs the light downwards, so there is no dark spot underneath the lamp. This is good if the lamp is hanging from the ceiling and you want to light the area beneath it. This is a close-up of the lamp. It's a dirty old Petromax 826 fitted with a 550 cp jet, an Anchor mantle and a fugly (as in f****** ugly .. )Butterfly shade. It works like a champ though The shiny lamp in this picture is a Petromax 828 / 350cp with a frosted glass. The frosted glass makes the light less harsh as Gneiss mentions. I'm going to give this lamp to a friend. He saw it, liked it and wants a good lamp to read a book outdoors
Hi. You are not all that far from me in Hertfordshire and I have a lot of spare lamps here looking for a good home. I will PM you. ::Neil::
