I collect Coleman lanterns, I have at the moment around 90 of them and I also own a Petromax HK 500 with an Amish conversion that involves replacing the collar, burner frame and bail to accept a larger Coleman bulge globe. I absolutely LOVE this beautiful lantern. You were spot on when you said they are like a living thing, my lanterns are like my children, each one being different. I have never sold any of my lanterns, however I did give one away to my best friend to enjoy.
I have one of these lanterns. I find on mine that I have to keep a continuous flame to the fast pre heat to keep it burning otherwise it goes out. I was told to reduce the pressure and that kinda works a bit better but still have to re light the fast pre heat. I prefer to use the soft start. It is a beautiful lantern. I also have a 1973 639 kerosene Coleman that although doesn’t look as good the petromax is less finicky . I bought both from an antique shop and paid €70 each. The Coleman was full of fuel ( probably from 1973 ) I just put a mantle on it and it fired right up. They’re both great in their own way but if I had to pick one for reliability then it would be the Coleman. Id like to see a video on the petromax stove you mentioned that fits on top of the lantern, just to see how efficient it is.
Thanks for the comments. I will do a video with the stove attachment on. That's something I haven't got around to doing yet. You seem to be having trouble keeping it alight. I haven't had any of your problems. Once lit, if it has fuel and pressure it will stay happy for 8 hours. I'll make a point of it in the video with the stove attachment.
So basically a fiddly version of the tried, true, trusty Coleman white gas lantern but costs 3x more??? Don't get me wrong...as a Steampunk fan I sorta love the brass/gas/glass/pressure gauge vibe of this thing but.......
The Petromax high pressure lamps are a lot of trouble. You will spend a lot time fiddling around with it. Most users have it on the shelf. If not everything is perfectly aligned you will get a nasty flame on and around the top. Keep your children away. Pumping it up takes a long time (200 times pumping) and the knob is too small for an adult hand; it will snap your finger. A normal lighter will not work to start the pre burner and you will have to start the pre burner quite often. A normal lighter will blow out because of the jet of fuel mist that comes out. and while the pre burner is going you will have too keep on the rod to keep the pressure up - that is a work out. Hold the lamp firmly and push hard and fast. Sounds easy - but you will have to do so several times. The light will not burn normally the first few tries. You will need to have it cool of. Fiddle around with and again, and again. Than maybe, after replacing several socks it will burn - maybe good but at least some light will come of - sometimes. So, after you spend 200 euros on the lamp, 50 more on spare parts you might wonder the third time you are trying to get it to lit up.... should i just put it on the shelf and get a regular decent oil lamp - or ten of them! of still save money. Don't buy it unless you are willing and prepared to spend more time on adjusting and messing around with it than it will actually burn and work
I agree there certainly IS a learning curve with these type of Kerosene pressure lanterns but after you get it figured out they run very well. I have the Britelyt version and its the best lantern I own. I have a Coleman 639C which is boringly easy to use but is also a good lantern. Take your lantern off the shelf, give it another try !! It, like any mechanism, will malfunction if there is a bad part in there, but get it replaced a they run great !
Am I right in thinking you have a choice between using the lamp's own pressurised paraffin as a preheat and using alcohol for soft preheat or have i misunderstood something?
That is correct. I use the lamps own paraffin pre heater. But there is also a small tray that you can fill with methylated spirit and use that as a sift pre heater. That process needs to be done twice and its not so easy filling the tray with methylated spirit.
Yes. The light output is dependent on pressure. Pump to high pressure for bright light. Releasing pressure reduces light output. There is a very usable light even at the lowest working pressure. There can be some carbon build-up at very low pressure.
@@serhatceylan1784 is it still available, and how much do you want to sell it for? What is the condition of the lantern and is it still working? Thanks.
