Thanks, Neil, for the feedback. Sorry for any confusion. Gasoline is commonly called "gas." And "Coleman fuel" was once called "white gas." And "white gas" (unleaded gasoline) did power low-compression automobile engines back in the day (Model T Fords, for example). And then there's American English and British English. Are we having fun yet?

Hi Don. Thanks for the praise. Regarding your Wenzel Petromax, I would first look at the hook on the end of the rod and make sure it was not bent into an open position that could never be hooked (think of bending open a paperclip). Next I would check the size of the hole the hook is supposed to go into (to be sure it wasn't smushed into a too-small diameter hole). If those things appear to be OK, I would seek a Petromax dealer and/or repair-person. Ask at a sporting goods store or where they sell camping gear. Ask online. It's really tough, if not impossible, to give meaningful advice sight unseen. But thanks for your interest. I appreciate it.

Thanks, Dalton. And the best part is . . . . . . it really works! 😊

Hi GoldenGlow LADore. Thank you! Hope the info is of use!

Hi D D. Thanks for your interest. Yes, you nailed it. It is a matter of heat output. I'm not sure what rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) is diluted with but probably just water. Water and alcohol mix perfectly. So a 90% alcohol mix would be 10% water. An 80% alcohol mix would be 20% water. A 70% mix would be 30% water. And a 70/30 mix will not burn hot enough to incandesce a mantle. But that's isopropyl (rubbing alcohol). Methanol (used to start cars in winter) and denatured alcohol (used as shellac thinner and as fuel in marine stoves) can also be used. BUT NOT IN THE CONVERSION SHOWN IN THIS VIDEO. If you're into ALCOHOL as a lamp or lantern fuel, check out "Alcohol Mantle Lamps" (Book 8 of the Non-Electric Lighting Series).

@@ronbrown8606 I followed your steps to a T, and it just wouldnt light, it was a runner on naptha so ill presume my 70% , which was all I can get in Canada if Im lucky enough to find it (covid and all) so Ill try methanol if I can find some at my local automotive store. Thanks again, Ill post a picture once I get it fired up 👍

@@DD-tw2zo What kind of mantle are you using? The fuel (isopropyl, methanol, etc.) is only half the equation. The mantle (Coleman Silk-Lite #21, Petrmax 150 CP, etc.) is the other half. Then there's the third half. What kind of lamp or lantern are you using?

@@ronbrown8606 a silk lite 21.and its a 200 a. same as yours 🤷

There's a danger here as well. The 200A was designed for Coleman fuel. Kerosene has a higher flash point than Coleman fuel (making it more difficult to light but also, in a sense, making it safer). Alcohol, however, has a lower flash point than Coleman fuel. Alcohol is very easy to ignite compared to Coleman fuel. Perhaps too easy. Please be careful in your experimenting. Read up on it before bringing out your matches. You really are coloring outside the lines here. Safety first. PLEASE!

Hi MadWorldUSA. Thanks for your interest. Unfortunately, I’m not certain as to your question. You might be asking, “Will the conversion shown in this video allow you to run alcohol in the converted lantern?” And the answer to that one is, “No.” Or you might be asking, “Is it possible to convert a gas lantern to run on alcohol?” And the answer to that one is, “Yes. But not the lantern used in this video.” Or you might be asking, “Which type of alcohol can be used in a conversion (methanol, ethanol, or iso)?” And the answer to that is, “All three. Although 91% isopropyl generally gives the best results.” “Alcohol Mantle Lamps” is Book 8 of the Non-Electric Lighting Series. It discusses European mantle lamps (expensive antiques today) that burn alcohol, plus a couple of Coleman models that can be modified to burn alcohol, plus Petromax. Plus various mantle brands and sizes. Plus alcohol types. Admittedly, the combinations and permutations can get a bit complicated but I did my best to keep it simple. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A0ANNI0/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 Not sure if this answers your question but I hope it helps.

Thanks, Pete Williams. Hope you find what you need. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Thanks for your interest, Jeremiah’s Grotto. You ask an excellent question. I have a book for sale (“Book 6, Kerosene Pressure Lanterns” available on Amazon) which you may find useful. There are several other Coleman models that burn kero (or can be converted to burn kero) detailed in the book. As regards the 200A, a Silk-Lite mantle is required for kerosene; today’s #21 yttrium mantles will not work. HOWEVER, there’s a chance that they will work if you preheat the lantern for 2 minutes with a propane torch (and not just a preheat cup of alcohol). See page 46 of the book. You’ll only know if you try. Peerless? Same answer. You’ll only know if you try. Couple of tips. (1) Buy stuff (on eBay) only where you can FOR SURE return it. (2) Look into Petromax. Coleman is not the only game in town. (3) Stock up on Silk-Lite mantles even if you don’t have a lantern that requires them. I expect they’ll make a good investment over the next few years plus being a premo barter item. Here’s wishing you Happy Holidays and the best of luck.

Here's a link to the book I mentioned. Should have shown it on the previous post. Duh. www.amazon.com/Book-Kerosene-Pressure-Lanterns-Non-Electric-ebook/dp/B015VLUDM2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1444750620&sr=1-1&keywords=book+6+kerosene+pressure+lanterns

@@ronbrown8606 Yea, I'm pushing 70, and always had lanterns around. I had 4 220's and a 228, and 2 of the century mini propane's but willed them all to my son when I moved a couple years ago. I used to get a lot of use out of mantles if I could keep everyone else away from the lanterns. In replacing them I was going to try something different by going with some kerosene burners this time. Bought a couple 228's big tops too to replace my others, a 1955, a 53, and a 62. for old time sake Plus I have 2 of the 639C's I'm waiting on the 200A to arrive any day now and I'll convert it to Kerosene I'm about lantern poor now Worse than getting the Gold bug.

Hi Earl. Thanks for your interest. Regarding paperbacks, ordering from amazon.ca (the Canadian branch of Amazon) is the way to go. Most of my paperbacks are $6.99 USD if ordered from Amazon USA. If ordered from Amazon USA and shipped to Canada, the book would be $6.99 USD and the shipping $8.79 USD. That totals about $16 USD and $20 CAD (+ sales tax). If ordered from amazon.ca, the book price is $9.15 CAD and the shipping is $4.98 CAD. That totals about $14 CAD (+ sales tax). A $6 savings. From my point of view, it’s the U.S. Post Office who is the bad guy. They raised overseas shipping prices (a lot) a couple of years ago and my foreign paperback sales simply died. Most of my paperbacks are $6.99 USD whereas, today, the shipping cost to any foreign country is $8.79 USD (more than the price of the book). Regarding Kindle, your remark about $170 per year puzzles me. In the states, you can download a free Kindle app for your laptop or tablet or cell phone. Then, if you buy a Kindle ebook from Amazon, it’s stored (free) somewhere in the cloud and you can read it any time on your device, no charge. That’s how it works in the states. I just got off the phone with a friend in Toronto and he assures me that it’s the same in Canada. Hope this helps, Ron Brown

To Mark Zimmerman: Thanks for your interest. You ask a good question: Why bother? Answer: It’s a matter of brightness. For reference, an electric 7.5 watt nightlight (using what, in days gone by, was a small Christmas-tree bulb) produces 9 candlepower. I Googled for “hurricane lantern candlepower.” The very first entry was an ad that said, “Dietz [brand] Blizzard Lantern . . . With an average of 12-14 candlepower (maximum 20 candlepower) . . . blah, blah, blah.” Note that these lanterns are not pressurized. The light comes from a burning wick (like a candle). The fuel used is kerosene. Or deodorized kerosene. A Coleman Model 237 (no longer made) also burned kerosene. It was a pressurized lantern with a mantle. You pumped in pressure with your thumb using a built-in pump. The burning kerosene heated a mantle and made it glow. The lantern’s light came from the glowing mantle, not the flame. Coleman rated the Model 237 at 500 candlepower. You would need 25 hurricane lanterns all running full blast to equal that.

@@ronbrown8606 Thank you, usually I personally don't need more light for instance in a power outage .but I have gas and propane lanterns also, kerosene would be inexpensive though, it should burn lamp oil also which can be obtained in an unscented variety, although that would probably be more expensive. Do those burn more efficiently ? So the fumes of the kerosene is less offensive.it would be interesting to know about the efficiency of white gas as opposed to kerosene and even propane.

@@markzimmerman7279 Mark, thanks for the questions. Smell. If you light a kerosene pressure lantern outside, then bring it inside to use, and lastly take it back outside to extinguish, occupants of the house will never be aware that kerosene was being burned. Not so with wick-type “hurricane” lanterns. Efficiency. An easy question to ask but difficult to answer. What is “efficiency”? Are we talking about gallons per hour? Or lumens per hour? Or dollars per lumen? Some “hurricane lanterns” use one-inch-wide wicks. Others use half-inch. Some pressure lanterns have one mantle. Others have two. Mantles are made in a variety of sizes. And Coleman brand mantles perform differently than Petromax brand. And today’s Coleman mantles (made with yttrium) produce less light than yesterday’s Coleman mantles (made with thorium). Some mantles are tough and last a long time. Others are very fragile - which can do bad things to your cost effectiveness. And on and on and on. From a prepping point of view, my best advice is to have as wide a variety of lanterns (and flashlights) as you can afford. Flashlights, for example, that run on different kinds of batteries (D-cells, C-cells, AA, AAA, etc.). And lanterns that run on all kinds of fuel - Coleman fuel, kerosene, propane, 91% rubbing alcohol, etc. Hope this helps.

It takes more heat to vaporize kerosene than it does Coleman fuel. The old-time Silk-Lite mantles were thorium (slightly radioactive) but burned hotter than today's yttrium mantles. Today's #11 yttrium mantles are larger, and therefore hotter, than today's #21 yttrium mantles. The smaller #21's are used for Coleman fuel and the #11's for kerosene. But here we are CONVERTING a gas lantern to kero. Coloring outside the lines. No guarantees. And there are many variables (tip size, generator diameter, number of mantles, etc.). If something works, it works. And if it doesn't, it doesn't. I put in my video what I know WORKS from first-hand experience. If you find something else, super! But speculation (saying, "It seems like . . .") is not enough. You never REALLY know something works until you test it. I do agree that "a special mantle may not be available when you need it." So why not find what works and then stockpile some today? Mantles don't take up much space. For sure today's price will be better than tomorrow's. And mantles should be excellent barter items in a SHTF scenario. No matter what the item, are you really planning to wait until you need some before looking to buy?

JR M, thanks for your interest. Converting your 200A should be no problem. Not so sure about the 288. I believe that, originally, 288’s had a design flaw. The eccentric block was plastic and was known to soften in the heat. One “fix” that Coleman introduced was a heat shield; another was a metal eccentric block to replace the plastic. You can buy both of these parts and use either one or both. Mantle-wise, for kerosene, I’m sure a thorium Silk-Lite mantle would work but I’m also sure it will generate extra heat. And that might cause a problem with a plastic eccentric block. Would a cooler-running #21A mantle (yttrium) work with kero on a 288? The only way to know for certain is to try it. Please let us know how you make out, OK?

@@ronbrown8606 MEA CULPA ! Yes, exactly right -- parts are now installed awaiting mantles. THANK YOU !!!! (P.S. - let me know if you'd like me to edit my post, or delete it altogether). Love your work !

@@ronbrown8606 Yes to all those things -- except, I don't yet have the mantles -- those are inbound. And will let you know. If anything isn't working -- it'll be my mistake(s). Learn through living.

Hi Happy Home. Thanks for your interest. Can you convert a dual-mantle lantern to kerosene? The answer is some yes and some no. Can you make your own generator by swapping internals? Yes . . . if you know what you're doing (but it's not always necessary). The questions you're asking have answers but are far too big to go into here. I suggest you look at Book 6 of The Non-Electric Lighting Series. It's entitled "Kerosene Pressure Lanterns" and is available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback format. It gives the details to convert ten different lantern models.

@@ronbrown8606 Sold. Thank you. :-)

Super! Seeing as how you're converting a Model 220F (and not a 200A as shown in this video), I assume you'll be following the directions in Book 6, "Kerosene Pressure Lanterns." At least I hope so. The mods to the generator and the spring inside the generator are different in the 220F as compared to the 200A. Let us know how you make out, OK?

@@ronbrown8606 Excellent, I will grab the book! I will keep you updated. This is so much fun and keeps us connecting to the past!

Update. I bought Book 6 and it was a joy to read. Who would have thought! This coming from a Lord of the Rings reader! I learned a lot and I now have a 220F that runs on kerosene. I was not able to get the 201a5891 generator because they are not made any more. At least that is what the Coleman supply store employee said. I bought the 201b5891 and made the modification as in the book. My only advice is to make certain the bolt that secures the generator is very snug. I had a small leak but it was easily fixed and now I have a fully functional kerosene burner. Thanks so much for all the information.

@@mtbse789 Great! Thanks for the feedback. I'm really glad it worked for you. Now let's hope that the grid doesn't fail and your 220F becomes your only source of light LOL.

Hi Frank. Thanks for your interest.There was a recent Windows upgrade. If you can't now hear the video, you need to locate the "Sound Mixer" on your computer (in the bottom toolbar, right-hand side) and then adjust Speakers, System Sounds, Skype, and Google Chrome all up to 100%. I just now checked out my wife's laptop and, like you say, the volume was barely audible. Google Chrome turned out to be the villain. I raised the slider and the problem was solved. Hope this helps.

Thanks, David S. The 222 is a Coleman lantern designed to run on Coleman fuel so, yes, theoretically, you should be able to convert it to kerosene given a preheat cup, the right mantle, the right generator, and the right-size tip orifice. I don't have ready answers on the 222 generator and tip size. Book 6 of The Non-Electric Lighting Series, entitled "Kerosene Pressure Lanterns," gives directions for converting 8 different Coleman models to kero (200A, 275, 242, 220, 228, 236, 635, and 335). The 222 is not on the list but a review of those 8 other models would be a good starting point OR it might make you think, "Oh dear. This is more than I want to get into." Whatever you do, stay safe. And as my boss used to say, "When all else fails, read the directions." LOL. www.amazon.com/Book-Kerosene-Pressure-Lanterns-Non-Electric-ebook/dp/B015VLUDM2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1444750620&sr=1-1&keywords=book+6+kerosene+pressure+lanterns

You're very welcome. Glad I could be of help.

Hi Noname. Thanks for your interest. What I’m using in the video is a plastic flask or “spirit bottle” that came with a Petromax (brand) kero lantern. (“Spirits” = alcohol.) Lacking that, I believe a plastic catsup bottle with a spout would work well. Let us know how you make out.

Thanks Dave. Glad you liked it. Hope it helps. I'll try and answer any questions you may have. Please note I have a couple of books on Coleman lanterns that should also help: COLEMAN GAS LANTERNS www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WAZRSZI/ref=series_rw_dp_sw KEROSENE PRESSURE LANTERNS www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015VLUDM2/ref=series_rw_dp_sw

John, thanks for your interest. The Coleman 200A lantern was designed to run on Coleman fuel ($13 per gallon at Walmart). The generic name for Coleman fuel is white gas. Crown (brand) "white gas camp fuel" is $9 per gallon at Walmart and is the same stuff as Coleman fuel. I hope this answers your question. The internet is positively alive with bad information about lamp fuels. Some of that info is just stupid and harmless but some is deadly. I strongly recommend Book 3 from the Non-Electric Lighting Series entitled "Lamp Fuels" (written by yours truly). It's available in Kindle format as well as paperback. Here's a link you can click on: www.amazon.com/Book-Lamp-Fuels-Non-Electric-Lighting-ebook/dp/B00KVUVNDW/ref=pd_sim_351_3/137-6644303-1931305?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00KVUVNDW&pd_rd_r=be5fd2dc-eb22-4a24-8c7a-3d42669f65d8&pd_rd_w=VrR4U&pd_rd_wg=89mjy&pf_rd_p=90485860-83e9-4fd9-b838-b28a9b7fda30&pf_rd_r=ZC5YFQSF4CYES68MNZQD&psc=1&refRID=ZC5YFQSF4CYES68MNZQD

Thanks!

Not in the foreseeable future . . . too many other projects . . . but thanks for your interest. Much appreciated!

Thanks, totallyfrozen, for the praise. I just did some poking around and it appears the Coleman website is a lot different (and less user-friendly) that it used to be. Sorry 'bout that.

Thank you.

Thank you Mr. Brown.

I somehow missed this comment, now nearly a year old, and never responded to it. Unleaded gas without additives (a.k.a. Coleman fuel a.k.a. white gas) is 50 octane. The 87-octane gas you put in your car today no longer contains lead but it does contain many other additives. Although your lantern might operate just fine on 87-octane unleaded gas, it will be putting out many combustion byproducts from the burning additives. I'll say it again. For a living, breathing human being, methyl tertiary butyl ether does not a good substitute for oxygen make. The lantern might run fine; the human being, not so much.

You're welcome. Glad I could help.

Gear Whine

Jonneil, there’s more to it than generator length. The 200A was a gas generator and contains an asbestos cylinder (filter) inside. The 201 was a kerosene generator and has no filter. Generators have different guts, different tip sizes, different diameters, different lengths, and different jamb nuts. Here’s a place to start: light.papo-art.com/tech-n-info/Coleman_technical/ColemanGenerators/Generator%20List%20Lanterns%20Feb%2020%202009.htm

yes perfect now i can cross ref my part to a kero version or mix and match if its possable

Thanks for your interest. The newer Coleman “dual-fuel” lanterns are designed for (1) Coleman fuel or white gas and (2) automobile gas. In the World War II era, Coleman dual-fuel lamps and lanterns burned (1) white gas and (2) kerosene. They didn’t burn automobile gas because it was leaded and inhaling lead particles wasn’t good for you. Some of the newer Coleman dual-fuel lanterns can be converted to kerosene. Others can’t because no generator of the correct size exists. “Book 6: Kerosene Pressure Lanterns” (available from Amazon and linked in the above description) gives the specifics for 9 different gas-to-kero Coleman conversions. That’s really the best source of info I can provide. If some guy finds an old lantern in his garage and puts it for sale on eBay and you ask him if it can be converted to kerosene, the chances are 99% that he doesn’t know. He’s not being evasive. He simply doesn’t know (any more than you do). “Book 6: Kerosene Pressure Lanterns” is probably your best source of info.

ok mr brown i have a new coleman 295 twinmantle it came today now i need to get experamenting in a safe manner regards

You will find some info on the 290 Powerhouse series at this link: tgmarsh.faculty.noctrl.edu/coleuslant8100.html. It was basically a commemorative edition. Do you understand the difference between gasoline and keosene? Using gasoline in a wick-type lantern (a Dietz kerosene barn lantern, for example) is dangerous because gasoline evaporates at room temperature. That means flammable fumes will be wafting about in the open air and can be ignited by the lantern's own flame. Gasoline is safe in a Coleman-type lantern because it's in a sealed system; there are no random vapors floating around. Coleman Fuel is 50-octane gasoline. It’s what powered Model “T” Fords back in the day. Today’s automobile gas is 87-octane. The higher octane rating comes from additives. IMHO you should never burn auto gas in a lantern even if the lantern runs OK on it. You’ll be inhaling the by-products of combustion. Methyl tertiary-butyl ether is a typical gasoline additive. MTBE does not a good substitute for oxygen make. Check out "Book 3: Lamp Fuels" by yours truly on Amazon (www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KVUVNDW/ref=series_rw_dp_sw). I think you'll find it a good investment. Internet forums seem to be dominated by people who failed high school chemistry.

Thank You! So only use coleman fuel? lol

Thank you! I will only use coleman fuel and was wondering what these lanterns are worth?

As we speak, there is a Coleman Powerhouse 290A700 dated 1988 for sale on eBay. It looks to be in excellent shape if not mint. It is being offered "Buy it Now" (no bidding necessary) for $45 + $12 shipping. Whenever I wonder what something may be worth, eBay is my first stop.

Ron Brown thank you sir, so special edition doesnt change anything? im not selling just wondering

Your question, if I understand it correctly, is, "How do I locate the source of an air leak in a portable kerosene camp stove (or lantern)?" In answer, pump some pressure into the stove (or lantern) and immerse it underwater. A leak will provide a tell-tale stream of bubbles from its source. You might be able to use a 5-gallon pail to hold the water. Or a laundry sink. Or a bathtub. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Hi Piotr. Thanks for your interest. The Coleman 220 series was designed for white gas (a.k.a. Coleman fuel) and not kerosene. Let me add a word of caution. Although automobile gas might work in a 220, and although the Coleman Duel Fuel line-up (which came after the 220) was actually designed to burn auto gas, I personally think it is a bad idea to burn auto gas in ANY lantern. The problem is not in getting the lantern to burn. The problem is in the additives. In the old days, auto gas contained lead . . . not good for a human being to breathe. Today, lead has been replaced with other additives like MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether). IMHO, today's unpronounceable additives are also not safe to breathe.

Ron Brown HI Ron Thanks for response. Well, I did not look for any information on lamp itself so I tried K1. :) it was hard to light it up and it was going puffy. I took it apart to check if there is any dirt. I found your video and I tried to use regular gas. It started to work immediately. Ron, I read your information. I deeply appreciate knowledge of people like you, who know what and why. Will try to use Coleman fuel as suggested. Regards. and thank you for your video. God bless you.

Book 6 of The Non-Electric Lighting Series, "Kerosene Pressure Lanterns," for sale on Amazon as both a Kindle ebook and as a paperback (written by yours truly), describes how to convert a Colemen 220 to kerosene. (It will also burn diesel fuel.) Personally, from a self-sufficiency point of view, I like the ability to burn a variety of fuels. Coleman fuel is nice but not always available.

thanks Ron . Best regards.

I Googled for "Coleman Parts" and went to the official Coleman Replacement Parts page. It indicated that the replacement generator for the Premium Powerhouse Dual Fuel lantern is part # 285-5891. If so, you should be able to replace the 285 generator with a 214 generator and burn kerosene. HOWEVER, you will almost certainly need a 2-minute preheat with a propane torch. A simple cup of alcohol does not provide enough preheat with Dual Fuel lanterns. That means you'll light the lantern with the glass and the ventilator cap removed. You then replace the glass and the ventilator with the lantern running full blast. If you're not comfortable with doing that, then don't. There are no guarantees here. You are coloring outside the lines.

Ron Brown thanks so much - I think I'll stick to inside the lines with the high potential pain factor of things go wrong - I appreciate your taking time to respond.

Thanks for your interest. To restate, you are asking why a Model 201 kerosene lantern with a #21 YTTRIUM mantle will burn kerosene but a Model 200A converted to kerosene (with a 201 generator) will not (thereby requiring a THORIUM Silk-Lite No. 21A mantle). An excellent question but, in answer, I do not know. I own and have personally tested a 201 lantern and it will run kero just fine with a #21 yttrium mantle. I performed several tests with several 200A conversions trying to determine what mantle(s) worked. Granted, the 200A's came close to running kero on yttrium mantles but I found they were extremely touchy or carboned up or flared up . . . not something I'd want in my dining room during a blackout. Why does the 201 work and the 200A not work? No idea. But I stand by my observations: the 200A conversion described in this video requires a thorium mantle to safely burn kerosene.

Very interesting, and somehow puzzling!!... I'm about to convert a Canadian 200 to kero and consider experimenting with VHT flameproof paint as a thermal barrier on the burner frame, so the frame will not act as much as a heat sink and thus dissipate less heat out of the lantern. Just an idea that came to mind; maybe a not-so-good one. One last question and then, I'll get out of your hair - I promise: Since kerosene is about middle-of-the road in between diesel and gas when it comes to volatility and flashpoint, would a 50-50 mix of diesel and gasoline (or white gas) be a good substitute to kerosene? Thank you again.

FYI, there is an “Amish mix” (sometimes used by the Amish, surprise, surprise) of 33% white gas and 67% kero. Why would the Amish do this? I'm speculating here, but probably because what is sold under the heading of “kerosene" varies from region to region and from season to season. The Coleman Model 214 was a “modern” kero lantern but has been discontinued. I tried pure diesel in a 214 and the mantle carboned up. But a blend of 33% white gas and 67% diesel (with a #21 yttrium mantle) produced 150 watts-worth of light on the diesel/gas blend -- the same as what it produced using pure kerosene. With a Silk-Lite No. 21A thorium mantle, the 214 burned pure diesel, producing 250 watts-worth of light (compared to an electric bulb). It gave the same result (250 watts) on the diesel/gas blend. So it’s “fuel + lantern + mantle” combinations that you must consider. You can keep dreaming up combos forever that might (or might not) work. The only way to know is to try them, up close and personal. With a fire extinguisher close at hand, of course. There are no guarantees. You're coloring outside the lines here.

+steve young You can go to Amazon, type in my name --"Ron Brown" -- under either BOOKS or KINDLE STORE and see all 8 books in The Non-Electric Lighting Series. They are all available in both paperback and ebook format. For "Book 6: Kerosene Pressure Lanterns," specifically, there's a link in the write-up at the beginning of this RU-vid page . . . where you are right now . . . in the paragraph under the heading: "Published on Nov 9, 2012." The link works. I just now tried it.

Ron Brown Thanks Ron, I ordered the book. I have one question, I picked up a 200a lantern year 1983 from a yard sale for $12, the generator in it has a filter, coil spring, and a cleaning rod. but my other 200a has just a filter and cleaning rod. I read in your book, it says white gas generators have a filter and cleaning rod, and kero has the coil and cleaning rod. why this 200a have the coil in it?

+steve young The problem is not with the 200A generator that has a coil in it; the problem is with the other generator, the one missing the coil. A 200A gas generator, factory issue, has an outer barrel and tip, a spring (coil), a cleaning rod/pricker, and an asbestos cylinder (filter). See the illustration on page 5 of "Book 6: Kerosene Pressure Lanterns." If a 200A generator does not have all these parts, then somebody has removed them. Of course, with secondhand goods, anything is possible. And not only secondhand. 200A's were made as far back as 1952, 64 years ago. Factory-issue GAS generators have cylindrical filters in them while KERO generators do not. But they BOTH have springs/coils. I don't know what your intention is with the 200A's . . . if you plan to convert them to kero or not. If you DO, then I recommend you first test the lantern on Coleman fuel (and be sure it runs properly on the fuel it was designed for) before attempting a conversion.

Ron Brown Thank you, yes this one I got for $12 fired right up, and I run a full tank thur it of white gas with no problems. so I want to convert it to kerosene now.

Ron Brown Hi Ron, I have to questions, first one is, in your book #5 on page 36 and 37. you have a picture with two lanterns in it, you say the one is 326 and 242c and on page 37 you talk about a 327 lantern, and about half way down the page you mention it to be a 237, is this a typo? you meant to say 236 and the 237 lanterns? not 326 and 327. second question, I converted my 200a to kerosene just like you did in your video. she runs good, it lite easy, and burns a long time, but I don't think she is as bright as 200a on Coleman fuel, is this normal?

+steve young Can you use a 214 generator in a 295 lantern? I don't think so. The 285 generator is 285-5891. The 295 generator is 295-5891. You can see images of both, mounted on their respective cardboard cards, at Old Coleman Parts as well as eBay. The 295 generator looks to be quite a bit longer than the 285. What CAN you use to convert a 295 lantern to kero? Not sure. The 201 and 214 generators are both for kero but are relatively small. The 237 and 639 are also for kero and are larger. Those are your choices. There's the diameter/threads on the jamb nut to consider as well as the generator's length. Hope this helps. Thanks for your interest. If you find something that works, let us know, OK?

Ron Brown Thank you, and I will let you know if I find something that works.

+Ima Oregonbum You ask, “Would these parts work. . .?” I don’t think so. (Neither time nor budget has allowed me to try every combination of everything.) The 214 generator fits the 285 Dual-Fuel but I believe the 295 Dual-Fuel generator is larger in diameter than the 285. I have read that the 639 (kerosene) generator will fit the 295 Dual-Fuel so that’s where I’d start. Both the 295 generator and the 639 generator have a .009" diameter tip. Kerosene generators (214 and 639) do not have a filter inside. A filter would gradually plug up on kerosene.

I'll look at it, Thanks!

+Harley Rider The Coleman 285 Dual-Fuel will run on kerosene if you use a 214 generator and preheat the generator for 2 minutes with a propane torch. Simply preheating with a cup of alcohol (standard operating procedure for most kerosene pressure lanterns) just isn't enough preheat.

Ron Brown Thank you for your response. For preheating, what exactly would I aim the blow torch at? How long? I looked up 214 Generator, but found 214B5891... is this the correct one sir?

+Harley Rider There is a 214A5891 generator and a 214B5891 generator. Either one will work. You aim the propane torch at the generator. Play the flame up and down the length of the generator. Don’t hold the flame in one spot and risk melting a hole in the generator. For how long? Two minutes (as stated previously). A BernzOmatic propane torch, incidentally is not a “blow torch.” Blow torches are something different. Blow torches hail from the World War II era and earlier. To burn kerosene in a Coleman 285 Dual-Fuel, you must preheat and light the lantern with the glass and ventilator cap and ball nut removed. Then (with the lantern having been lit and running full blast), you install the glass and the ventilator and the ball nut. It’s not for the faint of heart. If you are not sure what you are doing, then I recommend you don’t attempt it. Pressure lanterns are not toys. You are coloring outside the lines and there are no guarantees - not from me, not from Coleman, not from your kerosene supplier.

+Ron Brown thank you.

+melanie Harris “Silk-Lite” is merely a Coleman brand name. Silk-Lite mantles (discontinued years ago but still available today on eBay) were treated with thorium rather than the yttrium which is now used. Thorium mantles are slightly radioactive (making thorium mantles a hot-button issue). Thorium mantles burn hotter and brighter than today's yttrium mantles. Because they burn hotter, thorium mantles often work in situations (to burn kerosene, for example) where yttrium mantles do not work. In the specific 200A conversion described in this video, yttrium mantles do not work; thorium mantles are required. Several books in The Non-Electric Lighting Series (written by me) explain this in more detail. All the books in this series are available on Amazon as both Kindle ebooks and as paperbacks. Most of the Kindle books are 99 cents. If I may editorialize, it might be worth a buck or two to understand what it is you’re doing BEFORE you start playing with fire. Pressure lanterns are not toys.

+Ron Brown I understand about silk lite. My question is are there any other mantels that will work with kerosene since there are newer kerosene models of lanterns. What about a higher cp (candle power) mantel? what happened when you use a regular mantel when trying to light a kero conversion lantern?

+Melanie Harris In general terms, no-one can answer the question you are asking. For example, if you keep track of mantles for sale on eBay for a couple of years, you’ll discover there are hundreds of brands - both “new-old stock” and brand new. And if you buy a new lantern (not second-hand), it will come with a couple of new mantles in the box. Often, today, those mantles will be unmarked, without any brand name. Mantles, in the past, were made all over the world (USA, England, Malta, Brazil, etc.). Today there are only 2 or 3 companies in the whole world that still manufacture mantles. One in the Philippines, at least one in China, maybe one in Indonesia. All of today's brands come from those same few factories. And those companies will produce a mantle with your name stamped on it if you wish. So the long and short of it is this. If you have a mantle and you wonder if it will work on kerosene, try it. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I’ve done my share of experimenting and I can assure you that there’s no other answer. Maybe it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s the real story. I know that Silk-Lite mantles work well on kerosene (on Petromax lanterns as well as Coleman). Beyond that I will not venture. Although I can tell you that higher candle-power mantles are not the answer. They will simply blacken. But try it yourself. Do your homework. Just remember that 10 minutes of successful running does not guarantee of 10 hours of successful running.

+Blue River Crossing Something “still on the market” means you want new rather than used. Within the U.S., your choice would be Coleman; they dominate the U.S. market. Outside the U.S., I’d recommend Petromax (or a high-quality Petromax clone). These you can find on eBay if not in a local brick-and-mortar store. This is really too big a topic to go into on this forum. Allow me to recommend two books from The Non-Electric Lighting Series (written by me). Amazon carries them in Kindle ebook format as well as paperback -- “Book 3: Lamp Fuels” ($.99 in Kindle) and “Book 6: Kerosene Pressure Lanterns” ($2.99 in Kindle). I’m pretty sure you’ll get your money’s worth plus it’s always nice to know what you’re doing when playing with fire……… Oops! Propane is another possibility. You might try "Book 7: Propane for Preppers" ($1.99 in Kindle). Thanks for your interest, Ron

+Ron Brown Thank you so much Ron for your answer. I really like the Petromax option. In your opinion, is there a Coleman that would be as good as a Petromax?

+Blue River Crossing All of the new lanterns today, of whatever brand, are manufactured to the highest Made-in-China standards. So my best advice on new lanterns is this. Buy a lantern where you can FOR SURE return it. If you like it, keep it. If you don’t, take it back (or send it back) for a refund. Repeat, repeat, repeat until you find a lantern you like. Then keep it. Walmart will let you return just about anything for just about any reason. Amazon is also very liberal and helpful with returns, especially if you buy with an Amazon credit card. On eBay, buy only from a seller with a 100% satisfaction rating; he will do handstands to preserve that rating. With new lanterns, DESIGN is not the issue. QUALITY (poor quality) is the issue.

+Joe Waldner The 621B is somewhat on the rare side. I think it may have been made in Canada, not sure. The 621B glass globe is tapered like the model 275 BUT will 275 glass fit? Don't know. (FYI, glass for the 275 is $22 on eBay as we speak.) The 275 will burn kero given a 201 generator, preheat cup, and Silk-Lite 21A mantles. I've no way of knowing if that combo of modifications would work on a 621B but it's where I would start. Hope this helps.