Coleman White Gas Lantern conversion?

[benh]

I've got an old Coleman white gas lantern. It's got to be 20 years old, and still works perfectly, of course. These guys were built to last.

I'm interested in converting it to either dual fuel (white gas, unleaded) or propane use, while maintaining the ability to put it back to stock.

Anyone have any idea what's involved in a dual fuel conversion? I know it'll need a different generator, but other than that...

[turbodog]

It'll run duel fuel right now. The generator will clog more often, but it'll run just fine.

[BIGIRON]

What T'Dog said.

I think there is a propane conversion avialable(I know there's one for the stoves) but it's probably more expensive than one of the screwon propane lights.

[luminiferous]

I've got an old Coleman white gas lantern. It's got to be 20 years old, and still works perfectly, of course. These guys were built to last.

I'm interested in converting it to either dual fuel (white gas, unleaded) or propane use, while maintaining the ability to put it back to stock.

Anyone have any idea what's involved in a dual fuel conversion? I know it'll need a different generator, but other than that...

Love my Coleman gas lantern. So reliable. From my understanding, conversion is not really feasible, but you're not likely to enjoy using unleaded fuel. I've heard that unleaded gas has a somewhat foul smell when burning in the Dual Fuel lanterns. In addition to a different generator, the Dual Fuel lanterns have steel tanks for unleaded gasoline. More and more unleaded gasoline has detergents and other additives in them these days. Here in Canada, the additives they put in the fuel make it impossible to use in Dual Fuel lanterns without damage, so they're not even sold here. It's not the same as the days where "White Gas" was simply gas without lead in it. I personally wouldn't want to be near a lantern burning today's unleaded fuels. It's bad enough that we have to have it pouring from car exhaust.

I realize that even with today's Fuel costs, unleaded is still cheaper than Coleman fuel, but for the amount of time that most of us use our Coleman gas lanterns, the Coleman fuel is not that expensive and it's really clean burning.

If you really want a Dual Fuel lantern or a propane lantern, CPF members have been offered a discount from Coleman's lighting product manager (to be used within reasonable limits) as a way to try out Coleman lanterns and products. You can order from the Coleman Friends and Family Store by going to the Coleman Web Store, then click the link for Family Store and enter the password FAMILY in the box at the bottom of the page.

For lot's of info on gas lanterns, here's two great sites to explore...

http://www.be-back-later.com/forums/

http://www.oldtownyucca.com/coleman/

On the Old Town Yucca site, check out the "Technical Assistance" link for a wealth of information and "The Virtual Museum" link for more Coleman Gas Lanterns than you've ever seen in your life.

[benh]

Thanks for all the info, especially those links to the lantern sites.

My main intent in conversion is to have more flexibility in the event that I can't get/run out of Coleman fuel. I've got a nice dual burner white gas stove, along with a propane conversion for that stove (along with my backpacking stove), so I was looking for something similar for the lantern.

Looks like I'll just not worry about it and if I have to throw some unleaded in there, I'll just do it.

[HEY HEY ITS HENDO]

have you tried white spirit?
ok it takes a few more seconds heat up but believe me it burns fantastic, as good as white gas ....
its loads cheaper, easy to get hold of and absolutely NO residue to clog parts ...... try it

[Bushman5]

is'nt white spirit and white coleman gas the same?

[BIGIRON]

I don't know "white spirits" but pretty sure Coleman fuel is naptha.

[HEY HEY ITS HENDO]

Hey BIGIRON, White spirit?..... maybe you guys call it turpentine/turps
white spirit is a petroleum based equivalent, used for thinning oil based paint, cleaning brushes etc.
will evaporate easy and leave no residue

have you tried white spirit?
ok it takes a few more seconds heat up but believe me it burns fantastic, as good as white gas ....
its loads cheaper, easy to get hold of and absolutely NO residue to clog parts ...... try it

[BIGIRON]

Kinda what I thought. Might also be called "mineral spirits" here.

Hendo, check your PM. Want to know what bike is in your avatar.