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Hi folks,

Just back from a great weekend in North Yorkshire however one disapointment was when I tried to use my new dual fuel lantern. I followed the instructions, fitted the mantle, primed it with fuel pumping about 35 times and when it eventually lit the mantle went up in flames. Naturally I quickly turned it off as flames were licking out of the top of the lantern.

When I enquired at the local camp shop he did not know much about the lantern but said he had 3 seperate people come in and complain of this problem.

I suspect maybe I fitted the mantle wrong? But I did look ok and the same as on the instructions. Perhaps I have a faulty lantern?

Has anyone had the same problem or does anyone have any idea what I did wron?

Cheers

Duncan

New mantles can look a bit "interesting" when first lit. What's happening is that the excess material of the mantle is burning off, and it is also shrinking. After it has shrunk, it forms a bag to contain the vapourised fuel. Before the bag is formed, fuel vapours are all over the show, and that's why you can get a bit of a worrying fire. If the mantle is still on, chances are you've fitted it correctly.

My advice now would be to try it again, somewhere extra safe, with a fire blanket standing by, and your fastest trainers on. Try not pumping the pressure as high as usual, and give it another go. Be patient and give it, say, 30 seconds of wildfire, afterwhich it should settle down, and you can then give it some more pumps. If not,  turn off, throw the blanket on and leg it..

TT

Thanks TT

Unfortunately after my initial experience I drained the fuel out and took the mantle off, in fact the mantle disintergrated in my hand when I touched it, is this normal? It did stay white around the main body of the mantle with the green ends turning black where they attach to the lantern.

Yes, once the mantle has burned at all you can expect it to become brittle, and hence disintegrate if touched or removed.

Still think you should give it another go; shame to retire a good lantern.

I guess unless you've another spare, you'll be off to buy yet another mantle. Maybe ask where you buy it for further advice if you're still concerned.

TT.

Hi

Did you "burn" the mantle first? I have this lantern and once the new mantle is fitted I believe you are supposed to burn it - by putting a match under and around it, before the fuel is switched on. Once the mantle is burnt (it will shrink to form a ball around the valve) you can switch on the fuel. You may find a few flames initially (until the fuel pipe has heated up ensuring the fuel is vaporised when it enters the mantle) but this should soon die down.

Also be careful not to touch the match on the mantle - I did this and created a large hole and needed to replace the mantle.

Good point Darth. That's by the book. My method is cavalier, if more spectacular.

TT.

I am interested to read that your lamp still lights like a flame thrower.  We bought a Campingaz Lumostar M270 - followed the instructions i.e. burning the mantle etc.  However, everytime we light it (its has one of those piezo self ignite buttons), it takes a few clicks before the whole thing bursts into flame!  Settles down after a while but we very wary and always light it outdoors.  Sometimes when you carry it back into the tent, it has another little flare up!  Are we doing something wrong?