Topic: Fun with kerosene

[eigenvector]

On a lark I bought a surplus Swiss lantern set off MidwayUSA. 

Little did I know that it was
1)  50 lbs - 2 lanterns, two hoods, complete service kit, bulletproof storage box that was 3 cu ft
2)  Untranslated, so the directions are in either - German, French, or Italian

I should have seen the language part coming a mile away - but hey, I'm an engineer I should be able to figure out a kerosene lantern right??  Right?

My plan for today is to get one of them going so that I can rely on the lantern the next time a windstorm knocks out the power.  The biggest challenge so far was even finding kerosene - seems like white gas (naptha) is the fuel of choice these days for lanterns.

But here's a question - do I need alcohol to start the lantern, or can I use kerosene in the preheater cup?

[vfourfreak]

Oooerrrrr em maybe. Well no actually I haven't a clue. But if you scan the French instructions I'll translate them into Irish. Well not Irish. English with a northern accent.

[demon78]

How to go Kev !
Bill the demon

[Lostboy Steve]

Yeah why is kerosene so hard to find? Home Depot sells it but it's ridiculously expensive for a small amount. There are some gas stations around that carry it but they're hard to find.


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[vfourfreak]

How to go Kev !
Bill the demon

I was having a Hank Kimball moment there Bill.

I'm OK now. Well not OK but better.

Kev

[Stev-o]

Yeah why is kerosene so hard to find?

Who uses kerosene any more?? When was the last time you did?

[b52bombardier1]

I use kerosene in the winter to keep my shop warm. Of course, I'm very wary of open sources of gasoline fuel fumes but a kerosene heater goes a long way towards my getting mechanical projects finished when it is cold. I will certainly be using it this winter when I'm working on my El Camino.

Just don't use it when cleaning carbs.

Rick

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[754]

  Jet fuel is Kerosene based..

[b52bombardier1]

  Jet fuel is Kerosene based..

And I shudder to think how many millions of gallons of JP4 and JP8 jet fuel I have consumed.

Rick



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[eigenvector]

I appreciate the offer Kev - I actually found the instructions online for it.  It's a Petromax PX 523/821/250 HK.

But if you're interested here is the instructions uploaded

[Lostboy Steve]

Yeah why is kerosene so hard to find?

Who uses kerosene any more?? When was the last time you did?

I also use it all the time for heating.


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[chewbacca5000]

There is a gas station  that sells kero near my house.  Also contrary to popular belief this stuff is highly  flammable.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Eh, anything is flammable. Kerosene has about the same flash point as diesel.