Tilly lamps/gas lamps etc

tim_n

Full Member
Feb 8, 2010
1,730
130
Essex
Stupid question I can probably answer, but all these "specialist" mantles that only fit x or y lamp - does it actually matter much?

My Colman Dual Fuel 295 shiny new mantles got broken within 5 minutes of being fitted on site - big hole due to stupidity. As the local shop in Dolgellau didn't have a suitable mantle, I bought the cheapest there - a gas lantern mantle.

I cut the string, fitted a bit of wire akin to the twist tie you get from a pack of sandwich bags sans plastic/paper wrapping and lit it up. Worked fine, though noticeably a few lux dimmer than the specialist mantle.

Is this the only negative for this technique? If so, I'd rather get a 10 piece set and a bunch of twist ties for £3 from amazon and have a little less dazzling light from my lamp. It is after all referred to by all who camp with me as "the portable sun".
 

Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
6,890
3,304
W.Sussex
According to the knowledgeable bloke who runs The Base Camp, it matters a great deal. While I was there his wife came out with melted over vaporiser tube and said she’d put it in the box of them they keep to illustrate the error. So, mantle size is relative to heat output and bore diameter of the vaporiser tube.
 

tim_n

Full Member
Feb 8, 2010
1,730
130
Essex
Thanks Nice65 - it worked in a pinch, there wasn't a massive difference in size if any.

There's a set of 10 I've seen for £3 with strings which might be compatible. I'll report back.
 

Wayland

Hárbarðr
Alternatively, do the worlds night vision a favour and save some money in the process by just buying one of these.
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Wayland-with-Hurricane-Lantern.jpg
 
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