You can always tell if the lamp was sold with a T88 generator. If you pull the control spindle the needle valve tip is drilled and tapped to take the cleaning needle rod of the T88. Later lamps were fitted with a Q77 generator and the R55. You can use either Q77, Q99 or R55 with this lamp. The cleaning needle rod would have to be removed if the generator was replaced with a Quick-Lite type since they won't accomodate the rod but the needle valve will still work OK. ::Neil::
One thing I have found, and others who have experience agree, is that these slant type lamps like to have a full or nearly full fount to start and run. It may have something to do with the early type of fuel air circuit. on some light ups they tend to just flame up with a small amount of fuel in them at the start up. Just my experience.
These lamps are a true Instant-Lite but they don't have a system to shut off the air after lighting. On start up the system delivers a fuel/air mix which will instant light and then the fuel flow will gradually increase in ratio and the light will improve. I have known this to take nearly half and hour as the fuel gradually takes over. Having a full tank will accelerate this process so the advice above is good but it still takes a while for one of these to get going well. ::Neil::
If this is March 1926, it seems a bit too early for a slant generator lantern. I thought they started around 1927/28?
The earliest advert or flyer I have for model 228 is from 1928. If the lamps were first made for the 1928 season then you might expect some are dated in late 1927. However from the shipping record the earliest shipped was 423 in May 1928. There are none listed in 1927. ::Neil::
Two numbers below and each side of the Coleman logo on the side of the tank. OR two numbers in the base plate. I can't remember which location will be on a 228. Should be year and month. For instance for a 1928 lamp they will be 8 6 for June 1928 ::Neil::
March 1928. Has to be one of the very first batches. A date mark about two months before the first shipment recorded. It will have been originally been fitted with a T88 Generator which may have been replaced with a quick-lite type > ::Neil::
