Thread: Coleman Dual Fuel Lantern Issues

Originally Posted by stevo68

G'day All,

I have had my trusty dual fuel lantern for around 4 yrs...never a problem. Trip last weekend....for whatever reason it came apart...but with some help...got it all back together. Now whether this is related or not but 2 things have become apparent.

1. When I light the mantle's...instead of going to a "white" colour....they seem to remain burnt looking.

2. When I set it alight.......it just flames from the top and the mantle isn't glowing like it normally does.

My thoughts are that it isnt back together correctly...but it seems to be. The fuel I used........though have always used unleaded......does age of the fuel matter. Any advice/ thoughts would be great as heading out on a 3 nighter in a few weeks and that thing rocks when it comes to putting out light.....thanks,

Regards

Stevo

Hi its possible you have reassembled it wrong, but highly likely the fuel has gone off, unleaded petrol does that. I would suggest tip out anything in the lamp and try running shellite or the genuine coleman fuel through it!

I usually empty any remaining fuel in all of my coleman stuff if its going to be stored for any more than a few weeks and refill with freash fuel next trip.

The other possibility is the generator needs replacing, not too expensive and most of the large camping stores sell them. If you have trouble finding the bits try googling T W Sands & Co they have all the knowledge and the bits to get it working again.

Hi Stevo,

Is the flaming around the mantle? Like a flaming halo around it? Or is it flaming out of the ventilator/hood at the top?

Generally with most pressure lanterns (kerosene and shellite) flaming around the mantle can be a caused by a blockage or problem with the jet/nipple, or a problem with the air fuel regulating screw. It's also normal to see a flame ring around the mantle when it's just been started.

Flaming out the top of the ventilator indicates that the liquid fuel hasn't been vaporised properly.

WRT to your coleman - it's worth checking that the air intake pipe is not blocked, sometimes spider webs have been known to block the tube. The vaporisers often become blocked after a few years use, especially when used with unleaded petrol. The vaporiser and nipple are one piece, not serviceable so best to just replace it (under $20 or so). Using shellite, or adding a tiny bit (like 5mLs or so!!) of injector cleaner to every third or fourth tank can help.

If the mantles have black spots on them when the lamp is off, they need replacing. If they blacken up when it's running, it is for certain the jet.

Hi,
8<-----------------

Never use genuine petrol in a stove. The refinery adds a number of quite nasty things to it to make cars run better: these are not good for your health. Things like lead (brain damage), benzene (serious carcinogen) and other more esoteric things.

8<------------------------

from Roger Caffin's page here

I used to run petrol, but it kept clogging and carbonising in the burner of the stove.
It is best to use the Coleman fuel.

cheers

Originally Posted by B92 8NW

Hi Stevo,

Is the flaming around the mantle? Like a flaming halo around it? Or is it flaming out of the ventilator/hood at the top?

Generally with most pressure lanterns (kerosene and shellite) flaming around the mantle can be a caused by a blockage or problem with the jet/nipple, or a problem with the air fuel regulating screw. It's also normal to see a flame ring around the mantle when it's just been started.

Flaming out the top of the ventilator indicates that the liquid fuel hasn't been vaporised properly.

WRT to your coleman - it's worth checking that the air intake pipe is not blocked, sometimes spider webs have been known to block the tube. The vaporisers often become blocked after a few years use, especially when used with unleaded petrol. The vaporiser and nipple are one piece, not serviceable so best to just replace it (under $20 or so). Using shellite, or adding a tiny bit (like 5mLs or so!!) of injector cleaner to every third or fourth tank can help.

If the mantles have black spots on them when the lamp is off, they need replacing. If they blacken up when it's running, it is for certain the jet.

Bingo...bolded parts is what is happening. I have used petrol with no worries for 4+ yrs with both lantern and cooker with no probs. Might empty fuel and put fresh styff in and see if it makes a diff and go from there. Thanks all for the input,

Regards

Stevo