Hi everyone, obviously new here. I recently purchased a house and found this lantern in the basement. I know little about it aside from what I've read here. I'm open for discussion and learning! I could not find the match holder in previous searches of the house so I'm sure it was lost long ago.
Welcome aboard! That is a very lucky find especially with those spares, the link below shows the instructions, but the library is only open to subscribers. https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/aladdin-pl1.800/
That is a very lucky find indeed; the black around the glass is more than likely caused by either the wrong fuel or a haphazard attempt at lighting. Be very careful when cleaning the glass globe. That’s a treasure trove of of spare parts and it even has the wrench, amazing.
Welcome @YooperGuy from Queensland Australia. What a treasure trove along with a nice lantern. Enjoy Pete
Thanks guys! Does anyone have any history on this model? Is there a reason why other manufacturers never made an instant light lantern?
Great find my friend! I wish I could find one like that! Lots of other manufacturers made instant light lanterns, Coleman, Preway, Agm, Turner, Thermos. That's just a few of the American ones I can think of, there's more out there.
Thanks for the clarification! I had read somewhere that this was the only instant. Did seem odd that nobody would follow suit. There were other lamps with it as well. Coleman's, a200 and a 242c as well as a pressure stove that I think is a coleman as well.
It's the only instant light paraffin/kerosene lantern, all of the other instant light lanterns use Coleman fuel or an equivalent.
Take a look at this thread on the Coleman Collector's Forum. Aladdin PL-1,Preway L-13 and Coleman 220 comparison - The Coleman Collectors Forum The PL-1 valve is a bit different and there is an extra pip hidden inside. If you don't replace that one (yours is surely dry and hard by now) if will flame up of lighting. I light my Pl-1s with the vent and globe off. Be very careful with that piece of glass, next to impossible to find a replacement and it will cost nearly as much as an entire working lantern.
Has anyone here successfully refurbished a pl-1 generator? Reading that comparison link, they look to be quite complicated.
Because of the small diameter of the PL-1 generator I think refurbishment would be difficult. However, you have a lifetime supply of new generators so nothing lost by trying to refurbish the used on on your lantern. I would not assume that the generator needs it though until I had replaced all the pips and gaskets to make sure everything else is working correctly. The pump gasket, nrv pip, fuel cap gasket and the pip in the end of the valve stem should all be replaced. Then start with running it on Coleman Fuel. that will be an easier light up than kerosene until you become familiar with the lantern. Light it with the globe and vent off. That skinny generator heats up quickly so no need of a globe to retain heat. Set the globe somewhere very safe while it's off the lantern. If you break the mantle that's on it while working on it, don't use any of your spare mantles. Just take the metal mounting piece from the old mantle, tie an inexpensive Coleman or other brand mantle to it and mount that back on the lantern. I've found 500CP Petromax mantles are a good match in size and shape to the originals. If you need, PM me your snail mail address and I'll send you a couple.
The fuel cap gasket looks to be in good condition. The pump gasket could definitely use replacement though. The tank holds pressure well but building it up is an exercise in patience. I've not checked the pips but I'm assuming the worst. I had the vent and globe off the other day to clean them up a bit and took the pump out at the same time to check the condition but that's as far as I've gone with it. Maybe I'll get a little more adventurous with it today.
