Hi guys, I did a work trip today out to Gatton, Queensland, and dropped in on someone who was moving on their late father's old collection of lanterns. I knew they had a couple of Tilleys, which is why I dropped in, but in the dingy back shed it became apparent there were a few more pressure lanterns in amongst the collection. I ended up with a couple of Tilleys, an Austramax, a Cougar, a Handi lantern and this Coleman. The Cougar looks like an Austramax rebadged. Handi's and Colemans I have had no experience with. Any info on this particular Coleman you can share would be appreciated. It looks like it is dated April 1965 - am I reading that right - from what I have read up this evening it seems like the date is very late for this model? The fount says made in canada, and the glass says made in the US in red writing. And that strange blue/grey hood seems out of the ordinary - any idea why - is it right for this model? NOTHING moves on this lantern right now, including the handle which is frozen in position! Do you think this one is too far gone for restoration? The month - look for the "4" The year - look for the "65"
Congratulations on the haul. It's always satisfying to find a few lamps together. You are right about the Cougar. As for the Coleman, it should restore alright. It wont be pretty, but it should work well. I have no idea about the colour of the top, so am eager to hear from others.
Yes, that's exactly what I thought - and looking at a Handi that happened to be handy, I still think so...
@Pauly Good haul... Yes, Cougar is a re-badged Austramax, as @JEFF JOHNSON said. The Coleman 242B is a good little lantern. You might be able to get the correct hood (vent) from Old Coleman Parts or ask here or at Coleman Collectors Forum. Cheers Tony
...and from memory, the hood nut looks just like one I have on an Austramax which is hanging around here somewhere...
It is for sure a Canadian 242, most Colemans were continued for decades in Canada after the US variant ended production. It looks real nice as it is right now, but then again it is always satisfying to re-furbish stuff, Regards / Fred
I am sure it is a Coleman hood. As Tony has shown, there are no slots in the rim of the Handi hood. Even the early Handi hood with the smaller diameter top cap do not have slots. The top nut looks correct for a Coleman as well.
Hi all, I’m a new member and while I have a number of Tilley lamps, I have today acquired my first 242B - Nov 1950. I understand this is a petrol lamp (didn’t realize at the time), are there specific instructions to operate this lantern??? Can I use Kerosene?
Thanks Tony, I’ve been busy reading other threads on this issue. Sounds like I need to shop around a little to find some fuel at the right price. Cheers
Looks like the generator is jammed as I can’t get any movement with the needle. Are these readily available??
@Mustlust Is your pricker mechanism turning and the pricker not appearing through the jet, or is your pricker mechanism jammed? Cheers Tony
@Mustlust Sounds like you need to: 1. Take off the packing nut on your pricker control; and 2. Remove the vapouriser (generator). Then you can see why it’s stuck. Tony
It uses the same generator as the 200A. These are quite cheap and commonly available online. The fuel cap seal sits in the brass insert in the fuel cap. The best way to remove the old one is to tighten the cap on the lantern, turn out the screw, remove the cap, put the insert on a brick and heat it up to almost red with a small blow torch, then dump it in water. The rubber seal will burn away and the residue can be gently cleaned out with a wooden tooth pick. New seals and generators are available from e.g. oldcolemanparts.com, ebay or on bidorbuy.co.za . Member @adelcoro in Canada may also be able help you with the parts.
Thanks all for input. I have ordered parts and while I am waiting I guess I have a little polishing to do
Hi All, Received new generator from US today and now have a 242B working on Shellite. However, I’m a little surprised by the amount of light from this lamp. It doesn’t seem to burn anywhere near as brightly as either the Tilley or Aladdin lanterns that run on kerosene. Is this normal??
If you have a big enough mantle on it, equivalent to a Coleman #99 and not a 21A and it has sufficient pressure, it should be about as bright as a Coleman 249 or Tilley, maybe not quite as bright as an Aladdin or Radius 119.
Ok, seems I have the correct mantle, but insufficient pressure. Lots of pumping and little pressure. I read on another post that soaking the valve in lacquer thinner dissolves hoop that could be binding the valve?? Is multipurpose thinner the same as liqueur thinner??
Liqueur thinner? - the very thought of it... If your lantern's suffering from low pressure, you're either not generating it or, you are, but you're losing it. I think you'd probably be better soaking the pump leather in some sort of oil - virtually anything except boiled linseed oil. If that doesn't help, you may need to fit a new pump leather. That's assuming you've already fitted a new filler-cap washer as you mentioned above.
Check if the pump plunger builds sufficient pressure on the down stroke: With the pump valve screwed closed, the pump plunger should be very springy and rise when you ease downward pressure on it. It should not just stay at the bottom. With the pump valve open and the fount under pressure, the plunger should not rise or only very slowly if you keep your finger on the hole. If this is so, the check valve ball is seating and the pump leather is good. If the check valve ball is sticky or leaks, you can pour a bit of shellite or carburettor cleaner into the pump tube (no pressure in fount and fuel cap loose). Let it stand for a while then pump it through. Neatsfoot oil or ordinary engine oil will be best for the pump leather seal. Avoid vegetable oils as they contain oleic acids that rot the leather.
