A piece of advice needed

Hello

This is my first posting here.

I have decided to buy my wife a nice lantern to have and use in her greenhouse as she likes to sit in it and read sometimes.
Personnaly I think, I am still the beholder of the local scout record of burning lantern socks to white ashes while lightning the lanterns as a kid. So I haven’t touched any of these lanterns the last 40 years. (Still traumatized )
Which lantern can you recommend that I buy for this scenario:
The lantern will be “a user” in an outside greenhouse.
It must be easy to light and adjust.
It shall not be stronger than 200-300 CP.
I have my eyes on the smaller Primus and the Optimus 200 - 300 (P?) and also the smaller Petromax.
Would be happy for advice and maybe also what to look for at these models, before buying then.
(Have a small collection of various old stoves and like to fettle with these in my shed)
Thank you in advance

Harder

 

A gas lantern with piezo ignition is easy to light.
And less noisy than the small petromaxes.

Can't. Comment on optimus or primus.

 

@bp4willi
Thanks - I forgot to mention, that I would like it to run on Kerosene or Petrol/benzin/Coleman fuel with as little noise as obtainable, as I really like the design of these old lanterns/lamps.
(I agree with the gaslight)

 

Nohhhh - simply get an ex-army Bialaddin / Vapalux lantern and save yourself a whole load of bother...

 

Primus 991 or 1020.

 

For simplicity the Coleman 200 with a igniter, for silence and simplicity the Radius 119. The most silent lantern i know about is the Primus 980/981 but those are not as common as the other two, and the Radius 119 comes close.

 

To get a lantern that is straightforward to maintain or fix, I'd go with Eiremax suggestion.
Not many lanterns are as easy to fettle and get going as the Primus 1020.
Easy to find spares too.
Not the most silent lantern, though.

Shall you buy locally, I would expect that it is easiest to get s Swedish lantern, or a Petromax.
If you intend to use eBay, I think a Coleman could be a nice alternative, e.g. 200, as already mentioned. Or a simple 220; cheap and abundant.
Or a 242! Small and pretty silent, and also one of the best looking lanterns there is.

 

Welcome, Harder!

If silence and simplicity are most important, it would be hard to beat a Bialaddin or Vapalux. Replacement parts like globes and vapourisers are quite expensive and far away from you.
Simplicity and extreme reliablility would be a Primus 1020. Only noisy when you pump it really hard. Commonly available and reasonably priced in your area. Shares pump parts with your stoves...
It is getting hard/expensive to find upper vapourisers and ceramic burner nozzles for the small Optimus and Petromax lanterns, although they are a joy to use.

 

Hi Harder @Harder Sorensen ! Welcome on board!

The most silent solution would be a...... wick lantern! (someone will shoot me now ).
As David said, Vapalux lanterns are very good, a NOS will last for many years. But spares can be expensive.
The small (single mantle white gas) Coleman lanterns are very good, reliable, good re spares and not to loud.
Besides, the hissing can be very calming and will not really be noticed after a while.
The smallest Pmaxes I have are 350cp, can't speak for the smaller ones. In fact, never came across one in Belgium.

All the best,

Wim

 

Welcome to the forum.

I can see you are from Denmark, so the obvious choice would be an Optimus 200 (P) or a Petromax 821. Not the most silent options, but fairly simple to use. Of course the Primus 991 is even simpler, but not as plentiful.

If you need any 'local' help, send me a PT. Just click on my name and choose 'start a conversation'.

 

Is the Danish military Primus 1060 easy to get hold of in Denmark?
E.g. in surplus stores?
If so, I assume that would have been an interesting object

 

The chances of finding a 1060, even in Denmark, are very remote. As far as I am aware, the last ones were sold out nearly 10 years ago. Considering what Harder wants to use it for, I would think it is too bright and noisy.

 

Hi all,
And why not a Tilley 246 ? Easy ignition and use, it's my opinion.

 

I'm with Sellig33, a Tilley guardsman would be perfect. They are relatively cheap (here in the UK at least), easy to light, they run on kerosene and are pretty robust.

 

And easier to light than a Petromax and identical lamps.

 

And that is the main point. I was thinking of what would be easiest to find in Denmark. Tilleys were used by the civil defence here, but they are not that easy to find. Personally I find the Px style lamps easy enough to light.

 

To add to the choices a table or wall lamp (Tilley or other) might be alternatives.

 

What a great forum - Thank you all for chipping in so far.
I have just returned from a business trip this week, and the End-user requirements (aka what Commander House wants) have changed a bit, after I showed her most of your suggestions mentioned above.
Steel/nickel/Chrome are great - brass is not (*sigh*)
I might end up buying a shiny old brass one for my self!
It should not be stronger than 300 (maybe 350 If it dimms well). This (sadly) rules out some of the Danish Defence Heritage and likewise from other countries unless its low on CP.
Right now the
Optimus 200/300/830 and Radius 119 together with maybe a Guardsman are good candidates.
Petromax in the smaller versions could also be on the list - when I know more about the models.
Again - Thank you for helping me out here

 

Well, you talk about dimming the light... Most paraffin lamps don't really allow that, even if you to some extent can lower the light a bit by using lower pressure.
If adjusting the output is important, many Coleman lanterns has that option (gasoline lamps).
So, if you not intend to buy locally anyway, I'd go for a cheap Coleman with possibility to adjust the output.
Then you will get all you need; easy to light, dimmable and not too bright if right size is chosen.
Cheap and readily accessible spares is another advantage.

 

@Carlsson
Thank you - I am still open for options. Have looked at one selling a complete (OK looking) Petromax Super 826 and a 826 without glass - Both together for like 35 USD.

Would you happen to know of any steel/chrome/nickel etc. Colemans with little/no painted parts which you might recommend?

 

The Coleman 242 I mentioned above is a real favourite! Mainly nickelplated except for the hood.
I have a 242B (Seen here), and it work really well.
They are not dimmable, though, but not too bright anyway. I'm not sure, but I think they are 200CP.
Bulgy globes are soo nice! And it's small and very solid.
Austramax from Australia has similar, small good looking lanterns too.

 

Welcome aboard!

 

@Harder Sorensen

I see you are moonlighting over here, Mr Sorensen. Welcome.

Cheers

Tony

 

Hello all

Thank you for all your great advice.
I picked up a Petromax 826 in OK looking condition for 34 Euro not far from where I live. Wife likes the “used” look of it - it seems to have been idle for quite some years.
Might install a 250 jet, needle and mantel in order to brighten it down a bit.
I have no idea of build year?

Again
- Thank you all

 

That's a good quality lantern and happy fettling!

 

Others are more knowledgeable on these then me, but the "E" inside the "G" is missing so post WW2, early 1950s is my guess.
They are a fine lantern, yours does not have the pre-heat torch, but I don't like these anyway. They are easy to start with a spirit pre-heat tray and you don't really need a pressure gauge. They go bust all to easy as well. KISS rules!

Best regards,

Wim

@Harder Sorensen

 

@Harder Sorensen

You will never escape from here now...

Cheers

Tony

 

A fine lantern. Look at the bottom of the tank. There should be a 4 digit code, from that the approximate date of manufacturer can be determined. This will run at 250HK no problem. My advice is to first use 500HK furniture to burn in the mantle, then swap over to 250HK and readjust your air gaps. Runs a lot quieter and less thirsty. Petromax Helox mantels are excellent btw.

 

@eiremax
You’re right - It is stamped 4133 under the bottom of the tank?

 

Week 41 (41) of 1963 (3) om the 3rd day (3)! Good luck with it and keep us updated