ladywendolyn
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1964 Golden Falcon
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Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 13, 2014 21:55:15 GMT -8
I have been wondering about whether to hunt down a replacement gas light for my camper. I can see the space where it used to be, but I have a few questions. 1. Are they safe to use? What about the fumes? 2. Is there a thread here that tells how to connect it.. I don't know yet whether I will find the old gas line in there or not. 3. Is there a preferred one to find? Here is a photo of the gas light in only other Glendale trailer I can find. The glass is broken, but maybe someone recognizes the style?  Thanks Lady W |
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Post by vikx on Mar 13, 2014 22:22:24 GMT -8
They are relatively safe, if you light them when the gas is turned on.. Keep the original lamp if at all possible. They are connected via a copper gas tubing, usually, 1/4".
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Post by bigbill on Mar 14, 2014 3:03:58 GMT -8
Gas lights are safe if used properly. They do burn up O2 and the give off a small amount of fumes and heat. I usually crack open a window to offset. The place where most people get in trouble with a gas light is not understanding the mantle. You want to have clean hands when you tie it on, then burn it completely before lighting, but the most important thing to remember is don't light it if there is a hole in the mantle this will usually result in a broken globe. Back in the days when almost no campgrounds had electric gas lights were all that we used.
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pathfinder3081
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1971 Shasta Loflyte
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Mar 14, 2014 6:43:10 GMT -8
BBill... A hole in the mantel? I never knew that it could bust the globe. I'll have to remember that. I have used them w/ a itty bitty hole in field lanterns and have noticed how the flame kinda jets out of the hole when you shut it down. They make a "Pop" sound every so often while they are running as well. I have only used the one inside the camper twice, and I don't want to crack the globe on that baby. Thanks for the info..
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 14, 2014 9:06:57 GMT -8
Thanks for the info… I think I am going to find one to put in, for the authenticity factor. We are going to have a couple of 12 volt batteries to run a couple of 12 volt vintage look, LED bulb lights in case we camp without hook up. But it is good to know that they are ok to use. We have an outdoor lantern with a mantle that we use regularly … we learned the hard way (explosion, canopy caught on fire) about 20 years ago to be REALLY CAREFUL when lighting them.. I can smile now.. but what a lesson !
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Mar 14, 2014 9:12:22 GMT -8
I like to have an "original gas light" in my trailer's, for the vintage look. I make them fully functional. Yes, they are safe to use, if operated correctly. IMO, you should have a burning match/lighter under the mantle, "before you turn the propane light valve to ON".
I do not usually use them for three reasons. #1) I usually hit my head on the globe when sitting down or getting up from the table and break the mantle. #2) If I don't break the mantle, then it breaks when towing down the rough roads. #3) We usually camp in mild climates and they through off "too much" heat.
VTS has "Hard and Soft" mantles. The difference is the Hard Mantle comes with a ceramic three finger ring as they sometimes get broken. They fit the Humphrey lights.
Coleman Mantles work "in a pinch", but actual Propane Mantles have a far better light brightness on propane, and seem to be more resistant to breakage when towing. It's just my observation, not proven.
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Mar 14, 2014 11:56:57 GMT -8
Someone ( I think it was illustrated on the old Vintage Shasta forum) wired the propane light to run 12-volt lights...kept the lamp, not the LP.
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 14, 2014 12:21:06 GMT -8
Someone ( I think it was illustrated on the old Vintage Shasta forum) wired the propane light to run 12-volt lights...kept the lamp, not the LP. Now that is clever… food for thought.. |
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Post by bigbill on Mar 14, 2014 12:46:29 GMT -8
I always carried spare mantles but a few times lit one with a very small hole in it but on two different occasions I have caused a globe to break by lighting a mantle with too large a hole, the flame shoots out like a torch and that is when you get to buy a new globe, back when they were a couple of bucks and you could buy them every where it wasn't quite as big a deal as it is today. Experience is a wonderful teacher.  |
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Post by vikx on Mar 14, 2014 20:26:55 GMT -8
I've electrified two gas lights; one 12 volt, the other 110. The lamp has to have a fairly open tube from the back to the globe to run the wiring. The old Veritas lamps don't accept wire very well.
My trailers usually have the gas line in place, even if the light is not installed. Some people would rather not have it, especially those with little hands turning knobs.
Also, there is a gas light on my living room wall! It really comes in handy when the power fails.
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ladywendolyn
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1964 Golden Falcon
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Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 15, 2014 9:47:02 GMT -8
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Mar 15, 2014 12:09:29 GMT -8
Looks fine. Just make sure the (very small) gas jet is not plugged up with cob webs from sitting.
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Mar 15, 2014 13:21:05 GMT -8
And don't leave them burning unattended. The mantles can fall apart and then you get a REAL jet of flame. Happened in a friend's island cottage (everyone uses gas everything out there, even streetlights).
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Mar 15, 2014 21:53:53 GMT -8
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 16, 2014 6:37:17 GMT -8
Awesome.. Thanks... I don't know if they pulled out the old line, but that will give me a starting place. |
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