G’day, I recently picked up this Coleman CQ lantern in Victoria. No date stamp. My problem is whilst getting the Burner cap off one of the Burner tubes I sheered the thread off (I know what you are thinking “heavy handed bastard”). The burner tube is 1/2" brass with 1/2" BSB threads. Anyway my options are 1. Make a new burner tube. 2. Rethread the existing tubes and shorten the good one approx 4mm (5/32” ). I would prefer to shorten the existing tubes but would this have an effect on the fuel mixture? Any thoughts or comments welcome at this stage. Thanks
Martin, from what I can see on OCP, the early lamps had 2-1/2" tubes and the later lamps and lanterns 2-7/8" tubes. I don't think shortening them by 1/4" would make a difference to the the mixture. Certainly worth a try before you get a replacement set. Just my 2c worth.
@phaedrus42 Thanks Phil, I didn't know they had different lengths. Mine are 2 7/8" long so their could be length to experiment with.
Tube length won't affect the mixture at all. You can probably buy new tubes from OCP but making a slightly shorter set from what you have will work fine. ::Neil::
Thanks again gentlemen, I shortened the burner tube 5mm (from original) and cut new thread using 1/2" BSB. I then cleaned up the other existing threads on the burner tubes and re tapped the corresponding threads in the mixing block and burner caps. All the components now fit nicely together.
Lighting isn't far off now. There was one more repair required. The shade holder is rather thin and rusted. At one point it has cracked half way through. The repair isn't my neatest work but it is strong.
OK it's assembled and running. I don't have a proper Coleman shade but this one fits and will do for now. It's not as bright as it looks in the picture so there is still a little bit of tweaking to do. Tomorrow I'll fit a new R55 generator and see what affect that has. But I'm happy with it and Carol, my wife likes it. (that's a real bonus).
Well saved! I'm sure the performance will be on par with a new R55. A nice bonus with the white gas lamps is that you can get away with using glass shades with slightly narrower necks. In my unfortunate experience the narrow neck shades are prone to cracking from the heat of a kero lamp.
@ROBBO55 Hi Martin, in respect of the original R55 generator; have you considered "rejuvenating" it by using the method described in the first post of this topic ? Restoring Q99's & safe starting procedure for Quick-Lites If you're successful, you'll have a good working spare or future projects. Henry.
Thanks gentlemen. Henry, thanks for the link. I intend to try rejuvenating the old generator. A spare in the box is always welcome.
@Graham P G'day Graham, I'd like the insect screens but I would love the shade more. @Sellig33 G’day Gilles, Here is the shade I am using now. I don’t believe it is a Coleman original but more likely off a wickie or Aladdin Incandescent lamp. Height – 177 mm Diameter at max - 272 mm (including the dimples) Diameter at top 110 mm Minimum diameter in top throat - 82 mm (fits the original Coleman shade holder).
Great, thanks Martin. I find a white blue shade, 297x180 height, top diameter 135mm and minimum diameter 85mm. Abat jour en opaline bleutée It's on the road
