I sit here this chilly evening in the glow of my two Coleman lanterns. The 201 kerosene burner was treated to a new generator, and new gas cap gasket, and has now settled down to a reliable lantern. Loud, but very pleasing. The 295 was a battle. The dual fuel powerhouse was a non starter when I received it. I still don’t know what was done to it but a new fount, new generator and a heat shield…and it starts easily and burns nicely. I hope to add a few more Coleman’s to my collection, as I am really enjoying them now. thank you to all who have helped me ‘fettle’ and get these two running Les
Update The 295 dual mantle, dual fuel powerhouse lantern was getting low on Shellie fuel, which is very expensive here in Adelaide. $54 for 4 litres. So I wanted to try it on ULP gasoline. Lighting was ‘energetic’. Then the brilliant white light from the glowing mantles…a very much increased brightness. 15 pumps to pressurise before lighting…then 30 pumps for extended run time…and it is quite a big improvement. Brighter. A definite roar now too. I am having a moment of real reflection about Coleman lanterns. Great light output. Runs on gasoline. It is the cheapest bang for buck in my collection. I will be looking to add to my Coleman gasoline lanterns. I am new to the hobby, but I am really enjoying g the gasoline burners. two pics for comparison….30 minutes apart. The 295 on the left has gasoline now, instead of Shellite. ‘it may be less obvious, but the gasoline has produced a much brighter light. I’m looking at the pics and it is indeed not very noticeable…but it is very much brighter with the gasoline than the Shellite in real life. I apologise for the picture quality…they have not shown what I can see with my eyes. edit…. The top pic shows the bright ULP burning. Les
Hi @LesRiekie, an alternative you might also want to consider is Naptha, which is very close to 'white gas' /Coleman Fuel. You might want to see if fast acting panel wipe ( I use UPOL 2005) or Holts brake cleaner are available in your area, my petrol stoves and lanterns run very well on either. Below are my Coleman 22J and 228J, with my Tilley X246B and VapaluxM1, both running well as you can see:- Tim
@Tim Read & @LesRiekie The most easily available naphtha in Australia is Shellite, which is also sold in bulk as Recosol 55. [Coleman fuel, of course, is naphtha]. Other forms of naphtha such as Holts, sold in the UK, is available here but much more expensive than bulk Shellite/Recosol. I buy Shellite/Recosol in 200 litres with a small group and split it. Or if pushed, in 20 litres through a big hardware store. Pump gasoline will be ok for the dual fuel as the generator is large enough to deal with inevitable residues of additives in ULP. But the generator won’t last as long as if the lantern was run on Shellite/Recosol/naphtha. Les, There should be no reason for Shellite to be less bright than ULP in any given lamp. Shellite/Naphtha is gasoline without additives. You may have managed to clear some crud somewhere in your working. Your lamps are burning well. Tony
@Tony Press thanks Tony for the update on what's available in your area. Here in the UK we also have Aspen4, pure unleaded petrol, which is very expensive, however can get 2 gallons of Holts brake cleaner for the cost of a gallon of Aspen4, and the same for panel wipe. Tim
Tony and Tim, thanks for the information and replies. The first Couple of runs with the rebuilt 295 were not great…yellowish glow from both mantles despite regular tip cleaning and ample pressure. Then it just got bright on the next two runs…once with Shellite, and then ULP. So it is likely as you suggest Tony, probably gunk cleaning out of the new pickup or valve tip…something like that. I now have a spare generator for the 295. I notice it has a flat washer on the lower end, inside the brass tube. Can anyone explain 1. What is the internal part made of? Spring? Cardboard? 2. Is it possible, and necessary to remove the internals to clean/renew this type of generator?
