%$#'n Lanterns!

[jasonk]

Will someone please invent a lantern with glass that won't break and mantles that last more than 1 bump? I am considering putting battery lights in my portable, but then I have to lug around a heavy battery.

[Ice Hole]

No Kidding!!!!! I have gone through 2 globes this year already! I would pay 10 prices for a globe that won't break under tempurature differnces and minor bumps. I think they make em thin and fragile so WE have to keep buying them, lining THEIR pockets...but...what can a guy do?! ARARRHHHG! I can't use that mesh thingy either because I have that tiny dual fuel critter. I love the thing, but the globes are so very easily breakable. i think we should all email them (coleman whoever) and tell them to make a heavy duty globe.....seriously

[Twitter]

I use a soft-sided Coleman case for my Coleman lantern and have never had a problem. I think I've only replaced 3 or 4 mantles in more than 5 years and never broken the globe. Of course I try to treat it with a little more respect than my spud bar when it comes to loading it in my sled.

[Duffman]

IceHole....
They make a foam wrap for the peak 1 and other smaller coleman lamps. Its a chunk of foam that wraps around the globe and uses velcro. You have to wait until the lantern cools a bit before attaching. I use this in conjuction with a soft stuff sack and have never broke a globe in transport, in fact my mantle has held up for about a year now. I would check with stores that have a better supply of camping gear such as REI or Galyans.

[Dave]

I have the small Peak1 lantern. I use the red plastic case for it and haven't had any problems.

[curt quesnell]

I broke a globe every time I went fishing.
Once i destroyed the whole darn lantern and
threw it away.

Then I got the Coleman Northstar and a
softsided carry case. (dont get ahead of
me). I havent had any trouble after about
a dozen trips because i dont toss it into
the sled. I keep it in the truck and if
we hop on snowmobiles or atvs I carry it
on my lap.

I also carry a small 12 volt light that
clips on the frame poles on my otter. Hook
it up to the battery on the Vexilar and
I have plenty of light.

Curt Quesnell

[Guest]

Why don't you just use the battery powered lanterns? Saves on all that stuff going wrong. Guess I don't understand what is so bad about battery powered lights.

Basstracker

[Guest]

You do have to be a little careful with fuel lanterns so you don't break globes or mantles. I have a hard case for my coleman and haven't had any trouble with it. Only had to replace 1 globe in the last 10 yrs. and replace mantles less than once a year. I have a friend who uses a 12 volt light in his fish trap which works pretty well. If you have one of those sled-type shantys where you can leave the battery in the sled, a 12 volt light seems like a good alternative. They're Quiet too.

[This message has been edited by jacobm (edited 01-08-2002).]

[Matt D]

I'm with you. I cracked a globe six years ago but it has stayed in one piece all this time. Finally got around to replacing it last week and wouldn't ya know it ... broke the new one the first time out (my hard case merely TIPPED OVER! Sadly, I threw the cracked one out. Man, I'd give anything to have it back!

[Guest]

They make porcelain mantels now that are a more expensive but last along time. I got sick of littering my garage last year with 1 pound tanks so I put a 12 volt light in my shack. I like it much better than the lantern. Less carbon and more floor space.

[Polar Bear]

Broke a globe again just tonight. I've had enough, I'm going with a 12 v. battery and an LED array. Gonna try to use the flasher battery to see if that works.

My gear should fit my lifestyle, anything that doesn't hold up to reasonable use doesn't have a place in my life whether its in my business or my hobbies. Coleman just lost a fuel customer.

PolarBear

[fish]

I have the same frustrations. Why cant they use pyrex glass? I have used a screen globe made by Century but it is much dirtier.

[huntnfish]

Stick with the coleman. I have never had any problems.(knock on wood) I carry mine in a carry case and the mantles and the globe always hold up, even with a few bumps. If you use one of the red cases for the lantern that are made it, try wrapping it in some foam after it cools down to keep it from banging on the sides of the case.

[Walleye One]

Coleman also makes a lantern that uses tube mantles which seems to last a little longer because they are connected to the top and the bottom, so it has a little bit more support and not just dangling there.

[jasonk]

I am careful with my lantern and still have trouble. Those of you that use battery lights, do you carry a deep cycle full size battery with you? or do you use your vex battery? What type of lights have you had the best luck with? Anyone like LED lights? I have a Frabil XLT and it does not pull very easily so I would like to avoid carrying a full size battery. Thanks for any info.

[kooba]

For those of you that think the 12 v. lights are going to work better may want to think about it for awhile. I tried the same thing and I went back to my lantern. I used a small battery such as the vexilar battery and used topper lights in my fish trap guide. They went dim fairly soon. In about 1- 2 hours. After the first hour you can see the difference. Mayber the topper lights are to big. I don't know. I like my lantern and haven't had any problems with mantels breaking or the glass breaking. Kooba.

[Bryon]

I have a Fish Trap I pull around and use a 12V deep cycle battery, It's a smaller size battery, if you look at places like Walmart, you should be able to find something rather small, and I use lights that I got from a camper place, clip them to the frame over each hole, and there's plenty of light.

[TUMBLEWEED]

I'd try Batteries Plus. Explain what you want to run;lights etc. Then tell them you want a lighter weight,and smaller size package. I've
had very good results there,from cell phone,
cameras,deep cycle,and auto batteries.They may have a smallish unit that would fit your
request. How bout a wheelchair style battery
they are very small,yet have a large reserve
capacity????

[Johnny B]

I have experienced similar problems with globes and mantles. The lantern that burns the white gas has a heavier globe so only the mantles are damaged. On the lantern that takes the disposable, one lbs tanks, I have replaced five globes!
I finally e-mailed Coleman regarding the problem. They told two things:
1. Never use damaged mantles. A small hole can act like a blow torch and weaken, if not break the glass.
2. Do not tighten the nut on top of your lantern securely. The globe should be able to move slightly and therefore withstand a light shock.
Furthermore, Coleman did send me a free globe because of the problems. I have tried their suggestions but have not had much success.
I guess this is the price we pay for being in a hurry combined with increased mobility. For me the lantern is the last thing to be thrown in the sled and off I go to the next spot.
If anyone out there invents something better, I will be the first in line!

<)))><

[SportFishin']

jasonk,

I used to used the old Coleman lanterns as well till a few years ago.In my permant 8x12 shack I run two 12v RV porch lights off of a deep cycle battery. But in my Clam Junior portable I purchased a flourecent twin bulbed
lantern run off of 8 D batteries with a switch that allows you to used one or both bulbs it is light weight all plastic and the batteries last for a good 40+ Hrs on the Ice. The only down side to flourecents is when they are cold they pulse or strobe, but after the shack heats up or they are not out of the truck to long in the cold they put off some really good light & a very compact light weight unit for the portable with a handle that folds inot the unit to hang it by. Also use it when going from the permanant shack to chase tip-ups in the dark.

Good luck & hope this helps? If I remember correctly I got it at either Target or Walmart.

SportFishin'

[Dave]

Bringing this topic back up.
I experimented with some 12volt lights and the Vexilar battery.
While running a 50 watt, 12volt screw-in bulb type, the Vex battery only lasted one hour. The 50W bulb draws almost 3.5 amps of current. OK, nix that idea.

Next, I have one of those flashlights with a regular bulb on the top end, a 7-inch flourescent bulb on one side, and a orange "blinker" on the top of the other side. This flashlight also has a built in power cord, for plugging it into a cigarette lighter outlet.

Using a fully charged Vex battery, the 7-inch flourescent bulb drew .44 amps and was pretty bright in our 5'x8' dark laundry room. I thought this was going to be the ticket for using in the Otter.
That brightness lasted about two hours. At aound 2.5 hours, the flourescent bulb current draw went down to .28 amps. That equalled about half the brightness as when starting with a fresh charged battery.

If I need to haul a bigger battery than the Vexilar one, I'd just as well carry a lantern, I guess. Haven't experimented with any LED lights.

[smashingpike]

I've been using one of those Coleman lanterns with the single tube attaching at the top and bottom for the last couple years and have had no problems. It runs on Coleman fuel or unleaded gas and it has a cage around the globe. I don't treat this thing well at all, and niether the mantle nor the globe have gone on me. It's electric start as well. It costs more, but it's better than dickin' with it all the time.

[The Chemist]

I don't know if this will help but I have a plastic suit cast style house and I use flashlights over the holes. 1 flashlight per hole. Each one has a rubber cord on the end so I wrap it around the poles to fix it over the hole. They run on 2 double A batteries and last along time. And to change a battery I just keep the extras in my pocket.

[WarrenA]

I use a single mantle propane lantern and have had no problems with mantles only change it 1 a year. I used to have a problem with the nut that held the top to the body would always come loose so the last time I tightened it up andtook a little RTV silicone that mechanics use to make gaskets and put a nice bead around the base, let it dry for 24 hrs before you use it. Has been behaving itself since.

[kslipsinker]

I used to have problems with my Coleman lantern. I found a perforated steel screen that replaces the glass. It sounds crazy, but it works! I was very apprehensive when I bought it. I have had it for 2 or 3 years now, and have not had to replace a single mantle yet. The lantern takes a beating in my truck and in my portables. I can't remember if it is a Coleman product or some aftermarket thing. It would solve most of your glass and mantle problems.