connortn
Newly Enlightened
I fished out my old Dietz copy lantern and cleaned it up last week. I filled it up with some good clean kero I picked up at Lowes on discount. It's a good bit brighter than a table candle (I compared them) but a bit low for reading next to it. I think the yellow flame limits it somewhat for this use. I walked around outside with it and found it works best when holding it as low as possible at arms length. The large bottom of the lamp creates a large shadow around your feet when held higher. The light from it is OK for walking around outside and finding where things are, but I wouldn't want to tear the lawn mower apart and work on it in the dark. It could be done, but it wouldn't be pretty.
I recently picked up a Komos Concierge lamp. It has a wick of about 2.25 inches width that is shaped into a circle, giving off a nice brighter light than the flat wick lanterns. There's a #14 and #15, the difference being that the #15 uses a small disc in the center of the top of the round wick to spread the flame out wider, thus increasing light output and using a little more fuel in the process. The chiminey's are different on the two models. They will interchange but they are specific to the lamps flame and safety. Use the #14 on the #15 and it will very likely shatter from the wider flame and extra heat. Use the #15 on the #14 and it won't shatter, but it will decrease the lamps output effecently. Some say the #15 is a little more problematic due to having to watch the lamp for 10-15 minutes after lighting. As the metal flame spreader gets hotter, the flame increases in size and if set too high to begin with, it can start smoking. Here is what one fellow says about it:
www.endtimesreport.com/kero_lamp_test.html
I personally purchased the #15 with an extra #14 chiminey and round globe (the globe will not fit the #15 chiminey). From what I have learned, the only difference in the two, other than the chiminey, is the flame spreader. Removing it makes your #15 a #14, then put on the approperate chiminey. Using it indoors, it's definately brighter than my normal oil lanterns and Dietz copy. I can acually read by it when it on a table near me. It's not a white light as I understand the Alladin lamps are, more of a pale yellow. Most lights looks yellowish at low lumens, so I suppose this may be some of what I'm seeing. I do know that if you look at it, you'll be seeing dark spots for a few minutes. I would rate it at about the same as a 25 watt soft white light bulb with a light yellowish tint. I haven't tried using the flame spreader yet. It's suppose to increase the output 25% or more.
Here is the place I purchased mine: www.oillampman.com/Page13.html
They are about 2 hrs. drive from home so the wife and I visited them. I will say they are unique if you decide to visit them. Unique, but very helpful.
Hope this helps someone trying to decide on these for lighting. I don't like recomending open flame lighting to people I don't know personally and think they are safety minded enought to use them. I don't know anyone here personally, so choose wisely!
I recently picked up a Komos Concierge lamp. It has a wick of about 2.25 inches width that is shaped into a circle, giving off a nice brighter light than the flat wick lanterns. There's a #14 and #15, the difference being that the #15 uses a small disc in the center of the top of the round wick to spread the flame out wider, thus increasing light output and using a little more fuel in the process. The chiminey's are different on the two models. They will interchange but they are specific to the lamps flame and safety. Use the #14 on the #15 and it will very likely shatter from the wider flame and extra heat. Use the #15 on the #14 and it won't shatter, but it will decrease the lamps output effecently. Some say the #15 is a little more problematic due to having to watch the lamp for 10-15 minutes after lighting. As the metal flame spreader gets hotter, the flame increases in size and if set too high to begin with, it can start smoking. Here is what one fellow says about it:
www.endtimesreport.com/kero_lamp_test.html
I personally purchased the #15 with an extra #14 chiminey and round globe (the globe will not fit the #15 chiminey). From what I have learned, the only difference in the two, other than the chiminey, is the flame spreader. Removing it makes your #15 a #14, then put on the approperate chiminey. Using it indoors, it's definately brighter than my normal oil lanterns and Dietz copy. I can acually read by it when it on a table near me. It's not a white light as I understand the Alladin lamps are, more of a pale yellow. Most lights looks yellowish at low lumens, so I suppose this may be some of what I'm seeing. I do know that if you look at it, you'll be seeing dark spots for a few minutes. I would rate it at about the same as a 25 watt soft white light bulb with a light yellowish tint. I haven't tried using the flame spreader yet. It's suppose to increase the output 25% or more.
Here is the place I purchased mine: www.oillampman.com/Page13.html
They are about 2 hrs. drive from home so the wife and I visited them. I will say they are unique if you decide to visit them. Unique, but very helpful.
Hope this helps someone trying to decide on these for lighting. I don't like recomending open flame lighting to people I don't know personally and think they are safety minded enought to use them. I don't know anyone here personally, so choose wisely!