Northstar Dual Fuel Lantern

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 12:08
ThreadID: 43983 Views:7995 Replies:6 FollowUps:14
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G'Day all,

Well the latest in my camping career has been the aquisition of a Coleman Northstar Dual Fuel Lantern, which was to be an expected development after the recent powerhouse stove.

So I'm now totally gas free, and very happy with things so far. (if somewhat skint!)

It took me a few goes to master the art of getting the stove on without too much yellow flame but I'm happy there now, and get it on quickly and I have a nice blue flame within about a minute, which is very good.

The lantern is a bit different, whilst it is excellent when running, I cant seem to start it without getting flames coming out the top for about 20secs!

I'm following instructions exactly, is this normal???

Dont get me wrong its superb once running, and like a flood light super bright, I'm just a bit concerned about these flames, no wonder it states do not use indoors!

If this is the norm, I will just accept it and get on with it, but asking incase others have found a better starting/lighting routine.

Rgds

Ron
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Reply By: rihearn - Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 12:48

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 12:48
Hi

I have a Coleman twin mantle dual fuel (Not the Northstar) and have had the same flare most times I switch it on. Once the mantle heats up and begins to glow properly the flaring dies down.
AnswerID: 231619

Follow Up By: Ron173 - Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 13:42

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 13:42
Thats good, thanks for that, seems quite normal then, now I know that i will just accept it.

Doesnt flare at all once going, and is VERY bright. Well pleased with it.

Rgds

Ron
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Reply By: Robin - Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 12:49

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 12:49
Ron , as a test next time get in warm first (maybe leave in car in sun ) and I think it will light up faster.

I believe the base issue is lack of vapourization due to a combination of low pressure and or temp.

Don't think is possible with lantern , but with stoves you could get a warming compound to get em started cold.

Robin Miller
Robin Miller

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AnswerID: 231620

Follow Up By: Ron173 - Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 13:47

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 13:47
Thanks Robin,

Its not a problem lighting it, it starts easily with electronic ignition, was just concerned about the flare until warm but as pointed out above it seems to be the norm until it heats up, which is pretty quick, so i can live with that.

I would definetly NOT recommend anyone attempt lighting one of these indoors, and never a tent. it does say that on the instructions but sometimes we dont always read them thoroughly enough.

I think I recall reading Mike Harding bought one while back, if reading Mike, hows yours travelling?

Cheers Robin

Ron
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Follow Up By: Robin - Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 13:55

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 13:55
See how times change Ron - when a child in one house all we had for indoor lighting was a single pressure lamp.

Robin Miller
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Follow Up By: greydemon - Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 15:35

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 15:35
'ouse ? Yer 'ad an 'ouse?! Luxury!
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Reply By: The Rambler( W.A.) - Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 15:51

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 15:51
Hi Ron,
I have two of the Northstar duel fuel and both do exactly that at light up stage so no need to worry as it only lasts for a short while and as you said then you have a great light which can be adjusted for brightness.A good tip is to hang it away from your camp and you will find that all the bugs and moths will go to the light and it should leave you with enough light around the camp.You will find it burns a bit better with the coleman fuel as against unleaded but that is your choice.
AnswerID: 231643

Reply By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 19:07

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 19:07
Hi Ron
Yep we have a North Star too. We just run it on unleaded, and yes our's tends to flare a bit too!. Great lantern. However we had some problems with it recently and took it back to Snowies SA, the piece in the centre of the lantern(in the middle of the mantle had come loose amd there was no way to tighten it, it kept breaking mantles when in transit. They replaced it when it could not be fixed, FREE OF CHARGE, IT WAS 5 YEARS OLD!!!!!!
NOT BAD SERVICE FROM COLEMAN.
REGARDS LYNDON
Now is the only time you own
Decide now what you will,
Place faith not in tomorrow
For the clock may then be still

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AnswerID: 231677

Reply By: warfer69 - Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 19:37

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2007 at 19:37
Hi Ron

Just be AWARE that they dont explode but can create a hell of a bang...I was warned about it before i bought it and too get into the habit of lighting it on the ground,Great advice too..Cannot fall any further!

"Because your undies will catch the crap but the arms will fail too when their in the air going what the hell was that " !

apart from that my northstar is great only ran shellite though,just bought the light holder from rays,(coleman make a multipurpose lantern stand to hold the light up high and have peg points at the base (cant find the part number) and do they throw the light)

AnswerID: 231681

Reply By: Ron173 - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 08:00

Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 08:00
Thanks for all the input.

I am now happy its perfectly normal.

Looking forward to the weekend.

Rgds

Ron
AnswerID: 231744

Follow Up By: Outbacktourer - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 15:12

Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 15:12
Ron, I found I could reduce the flair by not having too much pressure in it at start up (20 or so pumps) and by being really quick and fine with adjusting the knob to keep it "just alight" until the heat built up and it started vapourising better. Once it's up and going, crank up the volume and pump it up to full pressure.

Great lamp though.

OT
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FollowupID: 492793

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 15:33

Thursday, Apr 05, 2007 at 15:33
Yep, I'll go with that too. I have the single mantle and I minimise flaring by turning the control knob to "just running" once it's alight. Once it's heated up the atomiser tube it's fine and turn the control to full. Great lights.

Before travelling in the 4WD spray the mantle with hair spray - it help prevent them breaking - and makes them smell nice :)

Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: warfer69 - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 01:20

Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 01:20
Arrrgh I hope you have a missus and its HER hairspray Mike ! I couldnt find any info about broken fan belts and you advised them to use fishnet stockings..

So i'll assume your ok lol

Have a good easter !
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FollowupID: 492871

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 10:48

Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 10:48
>Arrrgh I hope you have a missus and its HER hairspray Mike !

I dunno... women seem to come and go and leave things behind - so far I've accumulated lipstick, hair spray, shampoo, a razor and a few other things a gentleman does not mention :)

As for the fishnet stockings... I maintain they are for yabbie fishing in the Murray and I'm sticking to that story! Explaining the suspender belt is a bit more of a challenge though :)

A good Easter to you too Warfer and everyone else too - I'm spending five days bumming around doing as little as possible :)

Mike Harding
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FollowupID: 492898

Follow Up By: Ron173 - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 15:13

Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 15:13
I followed the advice from outbacktourer seconded by Mike about not having too much pressure in it and not opening fuel vv fully, and it started a treat with hardly any flaring or yellow.

Top advice. I shall adopt it as standard.

Dont know how I struggled without one before, so bright and runs on a sniff of fuel, wouldnt have a trip without it now.

Rgds

Ron
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FollowupID: 492919

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 15:36

Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 15:36
Excellent stuff Ron – glad you have it sorted.

Like many of us: they can be a little temperamental but have good hearts at the end of the day :)

Mike Harding
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FollowupID: 492923

Follow Up By: Ron173 - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 16:24

Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 16:24
Thanks Mike,

check this out

Site Link

looks like a bargain for someone there!

Rgds

Ron
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FollowupID: 492929

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 16:33

Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 16:33
Thanks Ron - I might even go for it but, I suspect, the price will increase somewhat as the close date nears? :)
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Follow Up By: Ron173 - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 16:40

Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 16:40
I dont doubt that it will go up,

but it'd need to go a fair bit to even get close to retail, would be a steal if you were in the market for one.

I'm just jealous it wasnt there 2 weeks ago!!!

Ron
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Follow Up By: Ron173 - Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 16:52

Friday, Apr 06, 2007 at 16:52
hmmm same bloke has another one (look under sellers other items) and its on buy it now at $160, even that is still a good price.

I paid $240 for mine but that included the case, and he threw in 6 mantles as a freebie.

Ron
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FollowupID: 492933

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