LPG Lights

Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 11:20
ThreadID: 30773 Views:4056 Replies:10 FollowUps:6
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Hi is it true about spraying LPG gas mantles with hair spray. If it is true how often do you have to do it?
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Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 11:29

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 11:29
i'll Bite!!!!
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Reply By: Capt. Wrongway - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 11:36

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 11:36
Yes it is true .... it makes them more manageable.

Capt.
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Follow Up By: Gerhardp1 - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 18:21

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 18:21
Just like hair
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Reply By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 11:56

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 11:56
Ray ,
I guess you are referring to the post about those fuel lights . I saw the post too and wondered how well the idea worked .
You would certainly have to do it each time you packed it away , because it would burn off every time you lit it - I think it would be pretty flammable .
Those mantles are a pain in the bum . I used to wrap my glass top section in tissues , then put it in a box and half the time they would still break .
Willie .
AnswerID: 154885

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 12:35

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 12:35
With my old gas lamp I used to spray the mantle before I packed the lamp away in the 4WD - the technique worked well most of the time.

Mike Harding
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Reply By: Member - Jack - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 12:45

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 12:45
Definitely works ... I do it everytime I pack up, and have only had to replace one mantle in almost 3 years. Before that I did a new mantle evertime I went away. I just got hold of a cheap tin of hairspray from the supermarket and still have it.

I have one of those padded boxes for it to live in when not in use, that I bought from the guys at Drifta Kitchens . The box is also handy for storing the spare mantles that I have not used since the hairspray trick.

Jack
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Reply By: The Rambler( W.A.) - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 13:08

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 13:08
I use a duel fuel Northstar Coleman with single mantle, and have had to replace very few mantles even travelling over very rough tracks.I do have it stored in a home made plywood box so it can't nove around, but the most important thing I have found is to use the genuine Coleman mantles and NOT the substitutes.Iwent from Perth to Cape York and changed 2 mantles--these were bought in U.S.A. which obviously seem to last very much longer.
AnswerID: 154895

Follow Up By: Member - Omaroo (NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 13:13

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 13:13
Agreed.

We've had our NorthStar DualFuel for around 3 years, and have had to replace the mantle only twice in that time - and one of these times was due to me accidently touching the exposed mantle when I was cleaning the glass. We used it every weekend for around a year. The most robust system I've ever had the pleasure to use.
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Follow Up By: Alex01 - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 13:54

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 13:54
Having just bought a Northstar Duel Fuel Latern a few days ago and being a month till I use it.....

How much more light do they emit, compared to a standard Gas type? The reason I bought one was because the mate's gas one is quite woeful, not enough light in the immediate vicinity and not enough area either.

How often do you clean the glass and in what manner?

Finally, I was told that Northstar would last 4 - 12 hours, dending on how bright its run? Does this concur with your usage?

Cheers in advance.
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FollowupID: 408882

Follow Up By: Member - Omaroo (NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 15:07

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 15:07
Hey there Alex

There are very bright gas systems out there (twin mantles, etc), but I think that the NorthStar blows most away. I always (even now) get comments like "Wow! That thing's bright!"

I clean the glass every year whether it needs it or not. If your generator (the thing that turns the liquid fuel into vapour) is stoofed, then you will get an inconsistent burn and create a little soot. You may also get this soot if using unleaded petrol all the time. I tend to use a fair bit more Coleman fuel than unleaded these days - running a diesel vehicle and all......

I typically like to crank ours up, and turnedright up I'm getting anywhere between 4 and 7 hours at full tilt. Maybe the altitude has something to do with it in the high country...

Cheers mate
Chris
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Reply By: Member - MrBitchi (QLD) - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 15:29

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 15:29
The thing that breaks mantles most often is storing the lantern on it's side. If it's packed upright the mantel lasts much longer.
AnswerID: 154917

Reply By: darcla - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 20:28

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 20:28
Hi there .
Coleman mantles are the way to go wire ty type. Kookaburra are just crap sometimes dont even last a night & continually brake glass . Also the steel mesh instead of glass is agood idea.
Cheers Bungarra
AnswerID: 154984

Reply By: The Rambler( W.A.) - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 22:57

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006 at 22:57
HI Alex01,
I think Omaroo has answered your questions as I agree with all he has said regarding the Northstar.It can deliver a very bright light and can be adjusted right down for that nice campfire drink.Ieasily get 2 nights out of the tank but like Omaroo I prefer to run the Coleman fuel as it definately burns cleaner.I very seldom have to clean the glass but it is a very simple job.The only thing I would add is that the top cover gets very hot after use so be carefull when storing and keep any kids away----enjoy as it is a great light.
AnswerID: 155038

Reply By: geocacher (djcache) - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 00:54

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 00:54
I have a gas lantern that used to get used regularly when I 2wd camped. Mantles & glasses were the bane of my life at times.

Tidal River Store sure knew how to charge for a Schott glass...

Since taking up 4wding and having dual battery systems and the like it hasn't even left the attic in the last few trips. Can't beat the Versalite for convenience and light output when compared to the run of the mill gas lantern.

No glass to break, no mantle to replace.

On our 4 week trip in October I carted a small gel cell and made a short lead with a set of clips and a socket on it and had portable power for the light. We charged it when we had access to power at Wilpena & a few other spots.

I can't see ever going back to gas lights though they do seem to attract less bugs. Some yellow cellophane around the versalite takes care of that though.

Dave
AnswerID: 155063

Reply By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 09:11

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 09:11
Ray,

Try using the hair spray while the lantern is running. Will increase protection for the mantle and give you a MUCH brighter light. ;-)
AnswerID: 155097

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 18:28

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006 at 18:28
Hair spray (but lighter refill is better) makes a good short range flame thrower if you spray it across a lighter - I suspect a lantern would have a similar effect.

Now... shall we talk explosives...? :) (shaped charges anyone - I'll bet that triggers Echelon :)

Mike Harding
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FollowupID: 409135

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