King of all Lanterns. the NEW BriteLyt XL

Wandering slightly off topic (but still on safety), I've seen comments about using the Coleman 501 for target practice (at the CCF), but not seen such comments with respect to the 500.

Here is a link to the Coleman Collectors Forum about the problem with the 500:

Inherent Dangers of the Coleman 501 Stove - Coleman Collectors Forum

Cheers

Tony

 

In fact the company rep also died. At the time the company was a non incorporated partnership owned by WC Coleman and WB Covalt.

On the 27th February 1906 a lamp being operated by company agent John Jamison in the Lawton County Jail Oklahoma exploded killing John and Andrew K Fitzwater who was a 16 year old prisoner. Andrew’s father then sued the partnership for $10,000 damages in the form of an attachment and the Lawton Sheriff took possession of the companies assets in Lawton. The partners were then summoned by publication which meant a notice of the summons was published in local newspapers with a default date after which the petition would be taken as true. I assume this happened and in default the company assets were sold at auction on the 10th August 1906. The sale included 73 mostly new lamps and other supplies. I suspect this sale probably raised about $2,000 but would have effectively ended any Coleman sales in Oklahoma for some time and badly damaged the company reputation.

The Hydro-Carbon Light Company applied for a charter of incorporation May 3rd 1906. I am sure this corporation was only established because of the deaths in Oklahoma and the subsequent action for damages on 12 April which is 3 weeks before this application and it was an interim measure to protect the company because W.C. Coleman and W.B. Covalt were disassociated from the company. It was so soon after start of litigation that it had to be a quick family rescue headed by George Coleman who was Uncle to W.C, and father in law of W.B. Covalt. It is perhaps significant that neither of the two proprietors are listed as company officers but their wives are and the Company is headed up by George who was an experienced businessman and presumably concerned to help a family business in some difficulty. ::Neil::

 

@Mackburner

Neil,

Not only was it Lawton where the Hydro-Carbon Light Co's property was seized but also in Garfield, Comanche, Blaine, Greer, Lincoln, Noble, Pawneey, Kingfisher, Canadian, Logan, Caddo, Kiawa and Cleveland.

 

I didn't know that. They really did take a hit then. ::Neil::

 

Guys, very interesting but the initial topic was about the "King of all lanterns"

 

@WimVe

Sorry for hijacking your topic. It never takes me long to upset someone, somehow when posting on this forum.

@Neil @Tony Press

Here is some info as I depart this forum - again.

Coleman and Sunshine Products Co took another hit in the early 30's when they settled @$100,000 for burns suffered by a toddler.

 

@Matty

I think this thread was wandering well before you came in.

Cheers

Tony

 

Tony is correct.
The topic took a different path well before you entered, so I can't see why you think you have upset anyone Matty.
Anyway, it's just natural for a topic to wander in different directions after a while. Nothing to be alarmed about, and if the OP, or anyone else, think it has strayed too far, he can always steer it all back on track again like Wim did.

@Matty

 

Has there ever been a thread with more than a few replies, either here or over at CCS, that stayed on-topic throughout its entire course? If there has been, someone let me know and I'll eat this keyboard!

As long as the initial question has been covered, I think thread drift is a wonderful thing and leads to much worthwhile knowledge being brought to light and transferred, such as has happened here. Serendipity - ya gotta love it...

 

Yes we got a little off the thread here but someone mentioned Britelyt and that always leads to talk about the sanity and morals of this particular retailer. Certainly not your fault Matt just the rest of us can't resist expressing our outrage again. ::Neil::

 

The BL debate. . . Multi fuel. . . The former; who cares? If u like it, buy it. U don't, don't. The latter; Pressurised paraffin, ok-ay. Pressurised petrol, NO! Way too volatile, sorry. An there's far more important things to get worked up about. Putin, Trump, alAssad? Cheers, people.

 

There are two simple add-ons that will make this safe for gas. One is the WorkHorse valve assembly which has a positive shutoff valve, and two, add a valve stem to the pump tube.
Both of those items will eliminate the problems you are discussing, ability to shut it off with the valve and a tire valve at the top of the pump tube should the check valve fail.
I have also adapted a Coleman external hand pump fuel cap to the pump tube which allows for pressure to be added that way as well as offering two more safeties, another check valve and a thumb screw to close it off.
Unfortunately both mods require an external pump of one of two types.

 

Most Petromax-styled lanterns would be able to operate or run with a variety of fuels like those claimed in the BriteLyt.
Only thing is that, it wouldn't be safe with the more volatile ones like gasoline, alcohol, light naphtha, etc.
It'd even run with diesel but it'd coke up sooner.
The Workhorse would be similar to a Petromax but has positive shut off valve. I'm not sure if has the snorkel tube after the pump or the pump stem shut off like a Coleman.
Gasoline-fueled lanterns should not rely on the rubber pip type nrv for safe shut off. Elastomers will harden or degrade eventually under prolonged immersion in gasoline. Gasoline is more aggressive to rubbers and elastomers than kerosene. Viton or Kalrez might fare better than other rubbers/elastomers in terms of fuel-resistance.

 

The pump tube is the same design and the Pmax.
I would never recommend using gas, but in a pinch, the two Work Horse lanterns I have is what I would use. The Schrader valve pump cap and the positive shutoff. With the shutoff, I usually only have it open like half a turn with kerosene, but if something drastic were to happen, good luck getting to that valve. I know it has probably happened to most of us, the lantern up and decides to stop vaporizing the fuel, at which point raw gas is introduced to the flame. With kerosene it can be a real bad ordeal, with gas, even worse.
Always have a fire extinguisher handy and a good place to throw the lamp if all else fails.