Kerosene Lamp info wanted please

[Montag 451]

Ok, know this is a lamp thread, but the subject was raised about unvented flame heating of a living space.
I own several kerosene heaters for emergency use, have used them a lot in the past, and have had training on
proper use, and repair of these heaters. They are perfectly safe when used *as directed*, and with adequate ventilation.
Did a little looking around for online information on the subject, here is a pretty good article on Kerosene heaters use...

http://www.iii.org/article/kerosene-heater-safety

A few excerpts from the article regarding Oxygen depletion and Carbon Monoxide production:

"Kerosene heaters consume oxygen as they burn. If they are operated in a small room or in an inadequately ventilated area, oxygen in the air could be reduced to a dangerous level. Reduced oxygen supply could lead to incomplete combustion of fuel and the production of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which in sufficient concentrations, or if breathed over a period of time, can kill without warning." 

"The real danger is that misuse of kerosene heaters could replace room oxygen with carbon monoxide and lead to death by asphyxiation.
Therefore, it's important to have adequate ventilation to other rooms, and a source of fresh, outside air such as a window or door open at least one inch whenever you're using a kerosene heater."


This information appllies to *ANY* unvented heating device, be it kerosene, natural gas, propane, unvented gas fireplace, buddy heater, etc, etc...

Not trying to scare anyone out of using these appliances, just want everyone to understand how to properly use them. Read the directions that come with
the appliance. Have a working C.O. detector. Keep the appliance in good condition, and use common sense.

I've been in the HVAC buisness for 30+ years, and have been to many, many homes where I found C.O. present for a great variety of reasons.
Thats my 2 cents lol, and best wishes y'all 

 


   



 

[Stwood]

Thanks for the info

[Citizen Zero]

Just looked at the lamp oil that I have and it says Paraffin Lamp Oil. 

Do make sure that the fuel is marked "100% Pure" paraffin. The fuel that I stocked up on way back when (before it being $17/gal) was marked very clearly that it was "100% paraffin". The only downfall is that if it is stored in an outbuilding that it will gel faster than diesel when the temps drop, the easy fix is to bring it into the house for a few hours to re-liquify. We have been using paraffin that has been stored in an outbuilding for more than ten years with no problems whatsoever.

For the Aladdin lamps it is the heat that is produced to excite the mantle to produce light (similar to Coleman propane mantle lanterns), not necessarily the flame itself (flame through mantle is bad!). Traditional wick lamps and mantle lamps are two very different animals.

Yes, I'll have to admit the paraffin is expensive, but it works. A single fill of a Genie III fount will provide almost 24 hours of constant light and heat for a room (turned down to half mast even longer), if set right they also burn very cleanly at the same time in high or low.

If you are going to use something like the Aladdin lamps for your preps, use them in normal life as well to make sure that you have a good feeling when it comes to running them. We regularly use them for ambiance even when the power is not out ;-)

Again, just my $.02 ;-)

[scoob]

Also, be mindful that altitude is a consideration for some lamps to run at their best. We're at 4000 ft so we're running the high altitude chimneys.  They're just taller and help create a better draft as I understand it. Not totally sure of the theory behind it,  but our random sooting issues went away after we put the taller chimneys on.

[DrJohn]

Check out WT Kirkman.  http://www.lanternnet.com/  I have had excellent service from them.

[Bosham]

Just be sure to have plenty of cross ventilation !!!!!

Not long after they came out, Suffolk County banned kerosene heaters that became popular back during the 1970's oil crisis, because people bought into the "clean burning" advertising and thought they could use them safely indoors during cold weather. While those kerosene heaters didn't make visible smoke, they still made plenty of carbon monoxide.

We used Aladdins for cabin lights on the boats, and I collected antique kero lamps for many years. However, I stopped using all my kero lamps with oil. Even with ventilation, I'd get head aches from the fumes, which are the early signs of kerosene/lamp oil poisoning.

Another reason I stopped using them was that most of our power outages here happen in winter when opening windows to get good ventilation wastes heat. And in summer, the oil lamps just made the indoors that much hotter.

[Ralph]

Just a thought, you may want to get a CO detector for safety.  I bought a Big Buddy propane heater a while back.  Using 2 1# cylinders I tested it and no alarm.  When the cylinders were running low the alarm went off..  I do run kero lanterns now and then and the CO alarm has never gone off with those, but that CO alarm is some safety insurance.

[Carver]

I have a dozen lamps and most are filled with lamp oil and it has evaporated in one of them. Why just that one?

[Stwood]

Strange. No idea

[Redman]

I have a dozen lamps and most are filled with lamp oil and it has evaporated in one of them. Why just that one?

Yeah strange. I have several lamps I keep in my garage all filled with oil and several containers of lamp oil. I've never noticed any of them losing oil or getting thick. Are you sure the one had lamp oil in it and not something else?

[Carver]

Same fuel in all. No evaporation smell, but then we only use odorless paraffin. I'll fill it up and watch it. I wouldn't think the wick would be any different than the others. Sort of makes me think I shouldn't keep them filled, but that makes them useless when you need them.

[Carver]

I just checked all my lamps and this particular one now nearly empty, the wick is dangling clear of the fuel. All the others are topped up. The difference between this lamp and the others is that, all are antiques, this one has a smaller diameter bowl, about 3.5 inches but the reservoir goes down the stem to the base. Standard top, very odd, never tipped over. Just a curiosity. Thanks for the replies.

[Stwood]

Does the reservoir smell like the others?

[Carver]

Obviously this isn't a crucial situation; the trivial nature of my post is simply that it was my first post and had nothing definite in mind, just wanted to get onboard. Nevertheless the lamp is an oddity. I have been on this forum previously several years ago and terminated my account as it was taking too much of my time. But I think it was here that I learned about lamp oil, all this time I had been using kerosene in both the outdoor lanterns and the indoor lamps. Wife couldn't allow them for the smell, but now with lamp oil all is good. So, thanks.

[Stwood]

 
Understand the not critical, but it is odd.
We keep a older dietz hanging on the back porch, behind the door on a hook.
I keep it mostly full of lamp oil, and it has a dab of kero also. Often when I come in, I can slightly smell kero. The combination oil/kero seems to creep out of the top by the lower wick portion, just keeping it damp.
Not sure why, as it's not that full, overflowing, nor too full.

I'm wondering if it does get on the outside of a lamp, that it does truly evaporate in time.

[Carver]

Gives me an idea, I should retract the wick out of the fuel and see if that halts the evaporation. Of course that would mean to light it would take some time for the wick to absorb fuel after admitting it back into the fuel.

[Stwood]

Yes. A couple of minutes though?

[Carver]

Well gee whiz, then I have to do all that stuff to light it! All I have to do to get light from my flashlight is to push a button!
I’d have a rough time in the 19th century.

[Redman]

Following along here. Out of curiosity I did a little search and came up with this.

http://www.redhillgeneralstore.com/Oil-Lamp-Parts/Lantern-Oil.htm#Does-Lamp-Oil-Evaporate

Seems lamp oil does evaporate but more slowly than kerosene or paraffin oil. There is a lot of good information in the link. I have on hand two of the approved oils mentioned in Table 2 in the link. One of them I had for 30/40 years, the Lamplight Farm oil and other, the MVP Group Florascense I bought within the last year. Both burn fine and have no apparent evaporation. Also no smell or smoke when burning, they will smoke if you turn the wick up high enough. BTW I leave the lamp wicks in the oil at all times. No special reason, I not heard before of raising them out of the oil when not in use but that might best apply to fuel that evaporate faster than lamp oil.

Also of interest, this place has the best prices on lanterns that I've seen.

Still no clue why Carver's one lamp is losing fuel. Putting this out as an FYI.

[Carver]

Thanks! I will take a photo of it and post it.

[N8TV Whisker Biscuit]

K lamps good idea to have around as back ups or daily. Affordable source. Just like the good ol days.

[Stwood]

Yes. I'm up to 5 now. 

[Stwood]

Thanks! I will take a photo of it and post it.

Did you ever get around to the pic?