Equipped To Survive Equipped To Survive® Presents
The Survival Forum
Where do you want to go on ETS?

Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4 >
Topic Options
#88634 - 03/18/07 12:03 AM Lanterns ..
frenchy Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/18/02
Posts: 1320
Loc: France
After reading some real life experiences some of you posted on this forum ("after-disasters reports" ...), I decided to upgrade my medium term preparations.

I already have enough stuff for 72 hours or a bit more, but I'm rather un-prepared in the longer term, let's say one or two weeks.

First concern : light.
I will upgrade my batteries stock to supply my various electric lights (flashlights, head lights, Krill lights, etc...)
But I think non electric lanterns would be good for longer periods of use and for area lighting.

My local Ourdoor/Camping shops offer different types of lantern, from very cheap oil lanterns to expensive white gas Coleman lanterns.

I guess I will choose something in the mid-range (price and power ..) : propane lanterns.
I will certainly buy two or three Campingaz Lumostar M270 lanterns, along with 10 gas cartridges.
My choice is based on comparison with the other lanterns :
- not very expensive
- easy to use
- easily stored gas cartridges, with long shelf-life, which is my main reason for choosing propane.

+ I will also buy one Bleuet 270 Micro stove, using the same gas (a mix of propane and butane (right now, I only have a Tangria stove + a few penny stoves, and some paraffin wax (or stuff like that...) stoves.

So, am I missing something or is this a good choice ? Any inconvenient I forget to think about ?

TIA
_________________________
Alain

Top
#88649 - 03/18/07 01:40 AM Re: Lanterns .. [Re: frenchy]
Flynn Offline
Stranger

Registered: 03/18/06
Posts: 2
I wouldn't forget the simple Coleman Lantern. I have a couple of the Dual Fuel models although I've never used gasoline with them. The Coleman lantern has been around forever, parts are easy to find and its much easier to keep going with liquid fuel then rely on canned gas.

Just my two cents

Top
#88658 - 03/18/07 04:35 AM Re: Lanterns .. [Re: Flynn]
Susan Offline
Geezer

Registered: 01/21/04
Posts: 5163
Loc: W. WA
And I've heard that unopened cans of Coleman fuel will last for years in storage, and then burn just fine.

Sue

Top
#88665 - 03/18/07 10:49 AM Re: Lanterns .. [Re: Susan]
quietmike Offline
Stranger

Registered: 10/06/06
Posts: 17
You might want to take a look at Aladdin lamps also. They give out LOTS of light and aren't pressurized so there is decreased danger and they're quieter than Colemans. Also much less danger of carbon monoxide with Aladdins.

Top
#88667 - 03/18/07 01:01 PM Re: Lanterns .. [Re: quietmike]
Tjin Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 04/08/02
Posts: 1821
well i have bought several types of lanterns:

The "storm" lanterns, which are basically oillamps. They cost very little, verly reliable, but there output is not impressive at all. (mine is rusting away somewhere...)

A pressurised gasoline/petrol (coleman) lantern, which pumps out loads of light and heats. They are expensive and petrol can cause some storage problems, but when rotated not an real issue. They perform very well in the cold, which isn't the case with propane/butane lanterns. The mantles are however more fragile than propane lanterns, because they only hang from one side. ( i sold mine, because of it's size and weight, making it useless for my normal use for a lantern: hanging out in the woods)

A ultralight weight propane/butane lantern, with a metal screen instead of a glass. Very light, not as much light as the gasoline lanterns, but still lots. I use small valved propane/butane cannisters on mine OR i use 190gramm puncturable tanks in a adapter, which allows it to be used as a valved tank.

I personnally prefer stoves and lanterns that uses the "standard" valved propane/butane tanks and buy a adapter which allows you to use puncturable tanks (much cheaper at 95 cents each). They also make a simple adapter to convert a campinggaz tanks in to a standard valved tank. (i haven't seen vise versa)
_________________________


Top
#88678 - 03/18/07 03:29 PM Re: Lanterns .. [Re: frenchy]
Hike4Fun Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 06/01/06
Posts: 80
I have not used kerosene lanterns in years.
Before electricity (Rural Electric Administration)
came to my Uncle's farm, he used kerosene lanterns.
In summer they generate noticeable and unwanted heat.

My Uncle's lanterns were pressurized and very efficient,
but for camping and survival purposes, the wick type
might be better. Lehman's has some good prices.
http://www.lehmans.com/jump.jsp?itemID=6...83&show48=1

It is good to have options. And sometimes the heat that is
generated is an advantage; it could keep valuable equipment
and supplies from freezing. Note that most of the lanterns
will burn at least 8 hours on one filling.

Top
#88683 - 03/18/07 04:44 PM Re: Lanterns .. [Re: Hike4Fun]
frenchy Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/18/02
Posts: 1320
Loc: France
wick lanterns do not seem to output much light, compared to others lanterns.
+ I would need to store liquid fuel (various oils).

OTOH they are simple and very cheap.
+ same oils can be used in nicer and more decorative oil lamps

So, I may be tempted to buy one or two, along with a few liters of paraffin oil, if just for the option provided.
_________________________
Alain

Top
#88685 - 03/18/07 04:52 PM Re: Lanterns .. [Re: quietmike]
frenchy Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/18/02
Posts: 1320
Loc: France
Yes, I had a look at Aladdin's lamps, but I have not found a retailler in France.
_________________________
Alain

Top
#88687 - 03/18/07 05:06 PM Re: Lanterns .. [Re: Flynn]
frenchy Offline
Veteran

Registered: 12/18/02
Posts: 1320
Loc: France
Coleman lanterns and stoves are readily available in France.

Pro's :
* as you say, they have been around for some time and parts are available without hassle.
* For really long term use, unleaded gas might be easier to "obtain" than canned gas (I think Coleman lanterns can use white gas and/or unleaded gas - correct me if I'm wrong)

Cons :
* they are really expensive, compared to other systems ;
* I prefer to store propane/butane canisters, rather than liquid fuel ;
* they seem more complex to operate (pressurisation) and according to other posts, they are somewhat noisy.


So, right now, living in an appartment, in a big town, and preparing for medium duration emergency, I will stick to canned gas appliances.

When (if ?) I'll move to a house in a rural area, I guess I will reconsider the Coleman solution.
_________________________
Alain

Top
#88711 - 03/18/07 09:17 PM Re: Lanterns .. [Re: frenchy]
Hike4Fun Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 06/01/06
Posts: 80
I was trying to show how you could put the
heat generation of the lanterns to good use:
keeping things from freezing.

Those decorative "oil" lamps seem very dangerous:
easy to tip over or break. I do not like glass
or plastic pretty things that sit around where
they can get knocked over or broken, causing fire.
Oil lamps and creative craft candles have caused
a lot of fires in the U.S.; they were fads for a
while.

This reminded me that a metal wicked kerosene
lantern could probably start a fire, if it
were over-turned.

Agreed, pressurized lanterns that burn using a
mantled-wick are super bright, and more efficient;
but they are more complex, and break down more.

For Long-Term Preparedness, kerosene is (would be)
more generally available; special propane cylinders
and batteries may not. I agree that liquid fuel is
messy and dangerous to store (illegal for large amounts).

A few Candles would be a good idea, though they are a real
fire hazard, when in use. Put a 4 inch (10cm) candle on a
large dinner plate or pie pan, and it is somewhat safe.
In the U.S.A, food stores often have a small section
of Jewish food and candles that are quite low-priced.


Top
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4 >



Moderator:  MartinFocazio, Tyber 
March
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Who's Online
0 registered (), 453 Guests and 95 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
GallenR, Jeebo, NicholasMarshall, Yadav, BenFoakes
5367 Registered Users
Newest Posts
What did you do today to prepare?
by dougwalkabout
03/27/24 11:21 PM
Zippo Butane Inserts
by dougwalkabout
03/27/24 11:11 PM
Question about a "Backyard Mutitool"
by Ren
03/17/24 01:00 AM
Problem in my WhatsApp configuration
by Chisel
03/09/24 01:55 PM
New Madrid Seismic Zone
by Jeanette_Isabelle
03/04/24 02:44 PM
EDC Reduction
by EchoingLaugh
03/02/24 04:12 PM
Newest Images
Tiny knife / wrench
Handmade knives
2"x2" Glass Signal Mirror, Retroreflective Mesh
Trade School Tool Kit
My Pocket Kit
Glossary
Test

WARNING & DISCLAIMER: SELECT AND USE OUTDOORS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. Information posted on this forum is not reviewed for accuracy and may not be reliable, use at your own risk. Please review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this site.