Here is a Prabhat 500cp pressure lantern in a very badly produced quality.I will not try out the lantern.
Hi Claus, I don't know the the age. Maybe 1970th or 80th? I find website wich sells pressurelamps under the name "Prabhat"
I thought the bent and twisted parts was bad enough. But using a coffee can to stamp out the spirit cup... It looks like it was assembled in a backyard operation out of reject parts. Is this the typical sort of quality to expect or is it a rogue?
Hi Neil, this is the quality one can expect! I have a Philips lantern, also made in India (they have nothing to do with the Dutch company that makes electric stuff!) and likewise of rather poor quality. One must bear in mind the people buying these are poor people! A lantern made to Coleman or original Petromax standards would be far to expensive! Best regards, Wim
Would they actually be safe to use if dismantled and re-assembled properly and not over-pumped? The Prahbat in question looked like the 'J' tube was squashed. Would it ever work like that? How many Rupees would you pay for one compared to even a Anchor equivalent. If the available paraffin is poor stuff, then if it lasts a few years before it gets coked up it is not as great a loss I suppose.
It might be a good idea to re-assemble it, using Viton washers and maybe a better J-tube. Basically, thinner material is used (I think my Philips weights half of my P'max... ) so things won't last as long, but as long as there are no stress cracks showing in the fount I don't worry to much.They just need a bit more caring. Best regards, Wim
Lubricate the pump washer and see how much pressure you can raise before dunking it in a bucket of water. Have you done the magnet test on the lantern? Hopefully the tank is not of brass. Maybe you can rebuild it into something that is usable & somewhat safer. This is one lantern where nobody would hate you for electrifying should it be beyond hope of safe rebuilding.
Prabhat lanterns are generally of fair quality. Better than a lot of Indian product for sure. These guys were making stoves and lanterns in the 1930s under licence from Primus and thereafter made their own product. So they had a good start with well designed product and as they have lasted for over 80 years you might suppose they make a good rpoduct for the location. You just treat it like any other make from the Far East and pressure test and check all the seals before use. No reason why it should not work as it is. ::Neil::
