I must say, so far I have not had any problems with mantles, my first van was a 77 monza with gas lights, and in the time I had it, never had to replace a mantle.
I also have an old gas lamp that screws onto a camping gaz bottle (907, or any with the screw valve) the only mantle I have damage on that was one I put the lighter through when I sneezed whilst trying to light it, I think the newer mantles are more robust than the old ones, as I seem to remember my dad, with the same gas light cursing every other day and changing the mantle when we had out old TT.
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Well I have got my gaslight up and running and I must say I love it. Burning the mantle was a bit confusing. But one of my neighbours gave me a gas lantern so I took it to my local camping shop and a really nice gent showed me exactly how to burn it off. So now I have a gas light in the awning aswell.
------------- boozybird1969
home is were you pitch it
I got a no 2 from fleabay cos they have little feet on not sure if you can use the tie on ones cos they have a hole at in the top but these dont. prob a 3 would fit gna try next time and see which is best. It looks really nice and gives off a bit of heat also ideal if no electric hookups available. No batteries lol. Let me know how you get on.
------------- boozybird1969
home is were you pitch it
still havnet orted ours yet its got its original shade just need the mantle and i presume its the same burning it of as it was for our old gas lantern when we firts camped. will sort it one day
------------- Dyslexic not stuped
It's nice to be important but its more important to be nice
hi , i use them all the time in my trailer. i do go through a few mantles as we do cross parts of the sahara and go off road up in the atlas mountains. ..possibly about 6 mantles a year. the veritas mantles are just about impossible to get but the new chinese sunray ones are perfect.
only last week i fitted a gas lamp in my mates ex prison truck conversion . heat ,light and they help keep midges and mosquitos away.
shades can be found on ebay but always ask in caravan shops they usually sell them cheap as they are glad to get rid of them.
they do use a bit of gas though. but great feeling when they are on . every body that visits my truck at night is amazed with them. most have never used or seen gas lights. .. john heeney is the one for mantles tel..01904 655596 just bought 48 off him ,keeps us going for awhile.have fun we do .cheers alan.
I had this very same query as you and what I discovered is: mantels you buy now (soft like silk) are NOT the ones, the old caravan mantels are known as hard.
MOST c-vans take size 2 (there are sizes 1,2 & 3).
Yes you have to burn them with the gas off to harden them when fitted.
The spray referred to to protect them is likely to be hairspray! Many people did this to harden and protect the matel, obviously when its off and cool, hairspray being highly volatile.
Until a few years ago there was still a factory in Malta manufacturing them, it has now closed so it is harder to get them.
But a guy who lights his whole farmhouse still with them is importing them. I've looked but cant find the link for you, however
Item number 130517687176 on Ebay at the moment is I think what you are looking for and are the same price as the man was selling for. Unfortunately you have to buy ten (£35 plus £5 P&P), but that seems common if you can find them.
The main brand is VERITAS.
Found one single one on Ebay its Item number 140541404891. £3.99 plus £1.50 P&P.
hi cloudberry.. i have put his telephone number on the previous post. i,m sure its john you mean. could also be known as ebro fishing or something like that. good mantles . cheers alan.
Guys! I just found this site by pure chance. Alan, I am the guy you bought the mantles from! I'm pleased you like them and thanks for singing their praises!
I do get these mantles regularly and have just placed an order for some more.
Boozybird, The No.2 and No.3 sizes are different. If the No.2 size fit your lamps then don't buy the no.3 size.The number 3 size will will be too big. The soft floppy mantles are no good for you. They don't have the ceramic ring fitting.
cloudberry27, the link to the mantles on ebay is my listing. You are correct.
The gas lights do pop up on ebay. I have bought loads in the past. The going rate was between one and five pound until recently but in the last month or two the price is rising. Maybe due to them getting harder to find now. The shades are the 'coronet shade' for the morco gas lights. Truma in Germany still make the truma gas lights but I don't sell the mantles for these.
john have you got shades for the morco. ?
having said that mine might be veritas.
a friend bought some veritas .they look like mine but i also think the morco are similar , you may know better.
i use mine just about all the time . i go away in winter and every one likes the gas light ambiance.i have left one on all night when high up the mountains and its below freezin .just keeps the chill off enough. best crack a window open a bit though.
on mine the feed pipe is up from the bottom .on his it comes through the wall board turns 90degree and then goes up. mine have no markings but take his shades .
Alan,
I used most of the lights I bought. The guy who lived in it in the past had no electric supply and used candles (Yes - it's true). Getting an electric supply fitted was way too expensive so he didn't bother.He was hardly ever there anyway. Buying gas lights was cheaper than solar panels and batteries. It would take decades for them to pay for themselves and the batteries would need replacing every few years as they wear down and hold less charge. Compared to this a large bottle of gas once or twice a year costs peanuts.
There was a guy on ebay selling the shades. I don't know if he still does. I'll have a look.
Here we go... One for a Truma light (I do not sell the mantles for this) and a few vintage shades of various types.Gas Light Shades
And to think, back in 1972 I helped my Dad, rip out the Gas lamps from his Sprite Musketeer caravan, and install some battery operated lamps, I hang my head down in shame!.