Coleman 200A conversion to a 201

I just got the parts in to convert one 6/65 200A into a kerosene burning 201. The lamp doesn't really lend itself to a pre-heater cup since getting the spirits in is going to be a challenge, but what the heck!

Pleasant surprise that the parts were cheaper to order directly from Coleman than anyone else. (I did take advantage of a running discount program they still have out there.)

Here's a question: I'll get a 201 label to indicate that it's a kerosene lantern, but would you paint it another color (blue?) to make it obvious?

 

My 201 is green, but if you re-sprayed it that colour, maybe it would look like one of those 'Christmas tree' Coleman 200s...

It's an excellent lantern and one of my current users. As you say, priming is a bit of a chore - I have to remove the handle, hood and globe to get methylated spirit into the preheater. It's no big deal I suppose, and the generator is usually pre-heated sufficiently by the time I've re-assembled it. Only my Handi Keropet is quicker at priming and I daresay there's very little in it.

I presume Coleman supplied a swan-neck spirit bottle with the 201 originally, and all it's other kero lanterns. Anyone got one I could have a picture of so I can cobble something up to suit..?

 

I thought that painting the fount blue would not only indicate that it was a kerosene lantern (we use blue for kerosene fuel cans over here), but it would then be wearing our U.S. team colors. Corny, I know, but it would stand out!

I'll see if I can find a photo of the spirit bottle over on the Coleman collectors site.

 

Video showing bottle and a fix for a common problem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8a2eSrbyYE

 

Thanks - what's RTV..?

 

Room Temperature Vulcanizing rubber. Typically silicone, but there are latex variants available also.

 

Here's someone's red, white, and blue themed conversion:

http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a477/johndmorris1953/Coleman20011-66.jpg

I'm just wondering how to make a new color stick to the enameled top. Any pointers other than sanding, priming, and praying?

 

RTV - I wonder what brand names I'd be looking for over here? Still, I need a bottle first..!

 

The two leaders in RTV here are GE (General Electric) and DAP. You can get a bottle from one of these sources:

http://www.oldcolemanparts.com/product.php?productid=68&cat=0&page=1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Coleman-Kerosene-Lantern-Alcohol-Pre-Heater-Cup-Fill-Bottle-/270879835109?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f11b243e5

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00442NWOQ/ref=sr_1_16_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1325206393&sr=8-16&condition=new

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40G-CLEAR-SILICONE-INSTANT-GASKET-RTV-SEALANT-/140565596435?pt=UK_Body_Shop_Supplies_Paint&hash=item20ba5cc913

Both look like they would do the job. I have the same bottle, so I think that I'll do this soon before problem manifest.

 

Done! (I think I may have been... )

 

I use one of those Coleman meths bottles and it does the job well.

In the video glue is used but I would not use glue, I would fit a rubber washer to make the seal, so that the pipe can still be moved as some lanterns are wider than others, Jeff.

 

I have not had the problem described in the video. I like the ability to move the tube up and down as the level of meths in the bottle changes.

The only modification I did was to bend the tube downward. It's much easier to get the meths where you want it, especially since you usually squeeze the bottle. With the original set up, with the bottle at an angle, the tube is parallel to the cup, requiring a bit of control to not over shoot it. (or maybe I'm just a klutz )

If you decide to do this mod, be sure to temporarily stick a wire in the tube first, otherwise it will crease when bent.

Picture includes some other examples of meths bottles.



Dan

 

All of this is probably nothing new to you folks, but here are some more photos of the work in progress. Replacing the generator and installing the spirit cup was remarkably easy. It was so easy that I never so much as cracked the mantle that was installed!

I've also included a photo of the guts of the Coleman fuel and kerosene generators. The CF generator has a paper liner, and the kerosene generator has a thicker spring. I understand that the kerosene jet is a smaller diameter...

 

Coleman don't ship overseas so the easiest way for me was to buy both a 200 and a 201. They're both excellent little lanterns and the 201 is my current 'user' lantern.

I'd use the 200 more if panel wipe (CF equivalent over here) was cheaper - and I could find it!

 

The 201 generator and the spirit cup cost me $18 delivered to me here in PA.

Let me say that I'd be glad to trans-ship over there for cost + shipping.

You might try http://www.oldcolemanparts.com/home.php He is a tad more expensive than Coleman, but he might ship direct to you.

I would invoice via PayPal...

 

Al:

I've converted a Coleman 242 with the 201 generator and a 249 priming cup. As you said, a very easy, and inexpenswive conversion.

Paul

 

Hello AL, I have had a look at your photos and I do not see the clip which holds the meths cup in place.

That clip is needed in case the lantern is knocked over, if that happens without the clip being fitted the meths cup will move and destroy the mantle.

A metal cable clip will do the job, just clip it onto the the air pipe and shove it down to hold the meths cup in place, Jeff.

 

Jeff, THANKS!

I just went back to the 201 part diagram and now I see it there. I'll do what you suggest to make sure that it can't move.

Happy New Year!

Al

 

Good point, Jeff - I've used a twist of copper wire in the past, rescued from a short length of old electrical cable...

 

One thing you should do to a 200 to convert to kero is replace the fuel/air pick up with a plain tube. Not perhaps essential but without this you have to open fully to shut off the air feed. ::Neil::

 

Thanks for the advice. I always open all the way, so not really a problem. I'll see what it takes to remove and replace the tube...

 

Hello David, yes, any twisted bit of wire will do, there is no need to spend money! Jeff.

 

There is a preheat cup with a 1/4" (inch) ID hole to fit that 201 generator. Or you could make a bushing for it, if you have access to a small lathe.
Also a direction disc for the valve wheel with kerosene instructions (open after preheating generator) would be a nice touch. I may have one laying around.

Dan MacPherson

 

It always amazes me that people will go to the bother of converting a 200 to a 201. Why didn't they just buy a 201 to start with..?

I'm in the UK and it wasn't a particular problem to get both. It's got to be so much easier in the US, surely...

 

Based on what I have heard the 201 does not seem to be that common in the US.

 

IMHO, for what it is worth, Coleman kerosene lanterns are a compromise. They are based on a gasoline design, rather than the superior Preston loop design which European lanterns use (most of them).

The problem is that the generators become clogged with carbon in a very short time, and if not cleaned, will simply become unserviceable. Attempts to rotate the tip cleaner lever will bend the eccentric block, so that when a new generator is finally installed the tip cleaner does not work well, causing the lantern to burn poorly until the problem is corrected. And of course the generator cannot be disassembled in this condition.

Having bought a lot of Coleman Kerosene lanterns (237, 249, 247, 234 etc.) I can say 95% of them fail for this reason.

My own theory (feel free to disagree) is that the mantle heat is too hot or too close to the generator.

One of the guys over here is trying to convert Coleman generators to the loop design. He is having some success with it.

Last time I brought this up it initiated quite a lively discussion.

Dan MacPherson

 

The Coleman 201 is not that common, and a quick check of ebay.com results in generators and baseball cards.

If you want a 201, you convert a 200...

 

Hi David,
I agree with you to a point, but strangely I believe that the 201 is more common in the UK as opposed to the midwest of the USA where I live. A friend of mine in the UK has several 201's that he found local and after years of looking I have never found a 201 in the wild here. If one does find a 201 in the USA it will most likely be on ebay where the price reaches +/- $100 compared to a $25 200A that can be converted for about $10. The 200 is very common and is extremely popular among the Amish and was also very popular with campers back in the day before profane so they are readily available and reasonably priced. I would eventually like to find a 201, but until then I guess my 200A kero conversion will have to suffice. For excellent kerosene use, I'll grab my Hipolito, Petromax, Vapalux or Optimus any day over a 200A conversion though. I think Dan M hit it right on the head with his post .
Have a good weekend!!!
Dan

 

The Canadian 247 is essentially a 201 in a 242 frame. I think the old TK66 Generator became the 201 generator. The 249 is essentially the same but the diameter of the generator is larger. I see no difference in performance.

Th 247 is quite common on ebay, and when in good (clean) condition, they burn quite bright, and quite clean. Hot too. They will crack the porcelain right off the ventilator

The 247 is identical in performance to the old 242K, but much, much cheaper.

Dan MacPherson
California, USA