Hi All, I finally finished the splendid lamp pictured, and eventually got the pictures down sized to add to the gallery here. This was a very interesting lantern to get to know and I was really amazed at its weight on a full tank of fuel ! The only real problem I had, was getting the new pip stop, to close up on the jet burner quick start assy; I had to file off about 2 to 3 mil, from the burners housing support bracket; in doing so forcing or allowing the spring loaded pip stop, fully over the jet nipple,to making it safe during burn time. Apart from that and the waiting for the tank to be finished and honed to perfection, there weren't any real strife problems; only to say that the paddle screw had to be re-tweaked, to lighten the mantles lumens up more, even at that, I think I'd be best trying out an older Petromax or Coleman mantle, as it still glows more orange than bright white. The one on it in the pictures, is a modern one, with all the goodness banished, out from the old school ingredients, ect . . . Enjoy the pic's . . . . Cheers !! Will try to remember to add a brighter night scan of a better mantle, when I have a twiddle with it again but it would be good to hear if any owner of same model lamp, has ever had a problem with their tank being way too hot >? This one really gets to be untouchable, after only an hour or so; this can't be presumed safe, surely ? I only light it outside now. Ok, Cheers then . . . Jon . . . . .ish . . .
Well yes its got a mnantle blasting out around 1.5 Kw of heat just a few inches above the tank top so yes it gets hot. Folk here are too used to Tilley lamps where there is a big air gap and the tanks run cool. These enclosed Petromax and Coleman types with metalwork conducting heat down always have a hot tank. Some hotter than others I guess but the collars are vented so the air intake forces a cool air flow over the top of the tank which to a certain extent regulates the heat. So really don't worry about the hot tank. That is quite normal and in fact designed in so the heat increases the pressure without you having to pump more. It can't explode because there is not enough air in the tank to support a burn and in any case without an ignition source the worst that can happen is the tank gets a bit too hot to hold. The manufacturer has thought of that and provided you with a handle so you don't have to hold it by the tank. ::Neil::
Righto Neil, ta for the reasoning, I just aren't too familiar with these still and even though they're kero lamps; it's that jet burner that seems to raise my worry tolerance threshold ! I'll get used to them no doubt, a bit more pacey than the more simpler standards I'm used too; though it gets super hot and as ya say, this is expected, I found this one to be a very clean burner, it hardly smells at all during a burn ! I'd like another, but it'd be the lower CP rating to look for next. 'vega's 250 cp looks well neat, it'd be good to see how the jet burner's workings match up, given that there's a wheel built into it, over the thumb switch clasp. Thanks then, Jon.
Another fine fettle Jon. Looks like it just left the factory production line. Stunningly nice nickel finish. I particularly like the shaving mirror option on the bottom. Great at the campsite in the morning when you want a close shave I don't remember my Hipolito getting particularly hot. The lantern that I find gets ridiculously hot, almost too hot to handle, is the Optimus 930. But like Neil says, helps keep the need to pump more air into it to a minimum and there is the handle. The Hipolito 502 is hands down my brightest lantern. Dan
Dan, when I run the lantern outside in the night air, the heat build up doesn't raise the eyebrows as much; but the first time I had this one lit, I had it sat at the top of the steps on some wooden floorboards for over 3 hrs, aiming to run a full tank of fuel through it to check for irregular's ect. The base could be touched after it had spent its fuel, but only just, where as with the top shoulders to the tank/ just below the collar; I'd have lost the skin to my fingers if left on any longer ! I understand it's safer than I'd first thought, but when I get back to it I'll be checking the difference between in and outdoor temp's, ect. They'll all have different quirks I expect, but I could only put it down to the new chromium coat and I'd had it sat in one place for far too long without much aeration & the reflector directing heat down wards ; wooden floorboards do soak up heat tremendously, it'll be that for sure, I didn't notice it as hot when I'd it lit again not long since, out back. Oh and 'yes, I'd be able to tickle the whiskers with the base finished as it is, I'd have to have it laid down on a matt though for protection ! I'll not try it as VM's in Brighouse, certainly did an excellent job of the chrome work . . . ! Fortunately at long last, it is just too nice to start stunting about with; it's on to the next one over time now . . . . . . . but i'll sort a better mantle out for it soon, that should clear out the orange glow & with the heat shield in place (when that's re-chromed); this will add an extra bit of 'va va voom' and 'safer usage' promise, security wise. I hope you decide upon one also, right size and all; seems a pity to not furnish your own with one, after all that searching ? Cheers for the praise BTW Jon.
Cheers Dave, glad ya like it ! A 930 or 249/ 247 Coleman's what I'm looking for next, I need to keep the finger in as it's been a bit of a lack lustre year for me personally; a smaller lantern would just be right, time wise now; the diddy Optimus is always too sky high on price though, so I'll keep on for the Coleman or very similar model n.o, displaying the correct digits (£) ect. . . . . . . Jon.
