Kerosene Lanterns Vs. Battery

[alaskabushman]

I did a search for a thread on this but didn't find anything recent, so here goes.

When I was a little guy, my parents lived off-grid in Eastern Washington, we had a large collection of Kerosene/oil lamps and lanterns. Several of these were Aladdin Lamps, a couple old lanterns, and some cheap oil lamps. We used these daily and I do not remember a single battery powered option.

Battery technology (and LED technology) has come a long way since then and I own several battery lanterns along with 5 or 6 kerosene options. I really like the battery lights, they are easy enough for the kids to use, don't smell, safer, and cheap to run. I recently bought 5 gallons of lamp grade kerosene, but ouch! almost $90 for 5 gallons. I can buy 100 AA batteries on Amazon for about $25.

So my question is this, excluding a TEOTWAWKI scenario, what major advantages do oil lamps have over battery lamps? Many of the battery options now are rechargeable. An example I own is the GoalZero lighthouse 250, it can be plugged into a USB port to recharge, has a hand crank (that actually works) and can be set to use only half the LED bulbs if the lantern is set against a wall. I also have a couple cheaper Coleman battery lamps that are nice but nowhere near the quality of the GoalZero. Streamlight and Princeton Tec have some good looking options as well.

So why bother with kerosene? How about propane lanterns?

[kyratshooter]

If you are using Alladin pressure lamps you might need the filtered fuel but if you are using regular wick type lanterns they will burn anything down to #2 diesel at $2.50 a gallon and work fine. I do not even notice the smell others complain about but you might.

I have both oil and electric options and they are just that, options. You are also leaving out the third and probably best option, which is propane and a Coleman type lantern.

If you are out of power for several days the solar backup might not keep up with your battery recharge demands, especially on sunless days like the one I am having today, and there are places where an oil lamp is convenient for constant lighting.

I used to hang a lantern on the door of the outhouse at certain campsites and left it burning all night to guide folks down the little path with less stumbling and cursing. One of the Wallmart lanterns will burn all night on a few ounces of whatever fuel you pour in.

One thing about modern LED technology is that many of the lanterns have two settings, and the low setting will give enough light to get around without eating up your batteries. I am talking 100+ hours of battery life, which is a full week of nighttime lighting, more if you are only lighting 5-6 hours a night.

My main standby system is propane. I have a distribution tree somewhere around here that fits a 20# tank and a double mantle lantern that puts out 100W of light. That was what I used part of the time when I was living off grid. It also puts out a huge amount of heat which was handy in cold weather. Not so good in the 100 degree temps of TN in summer. Then I used electric.

What I used before converting to propane was the Coleman duel fuel lanterns burning regular unleaded gasoline and that was back when gas was $1 a gallon. I could not keep them running and I do not have the lantern skills like Rick does! So propane was the best option for me.

But I am not doing away with my electric lanterns and lights, or the oil lamps. Each has it place and usefulness.

[hunter63]

We keep several "bottles" of lamp oil (gal-1/2)....no, not the fancy smelling stuff just plain lamp oil......
That would run our 2 lamps at the city house for a while.
This not a primary ...just an option
At "The Place" the cabin....maybe the same amount.... we have several lamps, plus 3 lanterns...

Propane is very useful as well....a do use them a lot as well as the stove and Mr. Buddy heater. They are the camping trailer staple and house back up.....Need spare mantles.

Also use candle lanterns one for each room.....and a lot of spares candle....quick easy to light, no messing with wicks or cleaning glass.
These are from out Rondy days....

But that said....If starting from nothing... I would goes with battery powered units.

I really could use a few battery lanterns and lamps....and the rechargeable batteries.
Do have a small solar charger...and a cheapo solar array that is still in the box.

All these are short term and portable....
For long term and portable, would really like several Muli-fuel Britelyt lanterns.......

http://www.britelyt.com/lanterns/fue...uidelines.html
Kinda pricey ....
These will burn most everything
https://shop.britelyt.com/lantern-packages/
If I was moving to a remote location for long term....it would be these.

For real long term would be the 12 or 24vdc lights and appliances.....with the solar charger and high end batteries and inverter.

[Rick]

A kerosene lantern will still warm the outhouse and give light. You can't do that with a battery powered light.

[crashdive123]

I prefer the light that an oil/kerosene lamp throws for just sitting around and relaxing. When I'm working I prefer the battery operated lamp because of the amount of light it throws to illuminate my work.

[randyt]

I wonder about the longevity and durability of a battery lantern. I have dietz oil lanterns that were made in the 1920s that are still going strong.

[kyratshooter]

I had never used headlamps until a few years ago when Harbor Freight gave them away as free gifts.

The next time I had to do work on something in the dark I thought I had invented fire!

Both hands free and light exactly where you want it, how can you beat that!

I have headlamps and cap lights everywhere now, in tool boxes, in the vehicles, in the kitchen drawers.

They are great for reading and not just for work applications.

Randy the life span on LED stuff is practically unlimited. Bulb life is measured in thousands of hours. As long as you can keep live batteries in them they will last practically forever.

I do have one old florescent tube battery light that I bought back in 2001. I used it for general lighting in the cabin and off and on for camping. It is still going strong.

As for the life span of the Dietz lanterns?? Who knows, I guess they would rust out eventually.

As long as you have some kind of oil, a glass jar with a lid and some cotton string, or a clam shell and twist of cordage you can always make an oil lamp. Oil lamps are some of the oldest artifacts found in historic record.

[randyt]

headlamps are awesome. I've been wanting to get a 6 volt coonhunters light.

[Wise Old Owl]

A kerosene lantern will still warm the outhouse and give light. You can't do that with a battery powered light.

and might or maybe consume the oxygen.

[alaskabushman]

A kerosene lantern will still warm the outhouse and give light. You can't do that with a battery powered light.

I thought that might be part of it. I think there is a Dietz lantern you can even cook on. LED's don't put off much heat.

As far as headlamps go I love them. Having been active in the Caving community for several years doing surveying and cartography, I learned headlamps are very important. I have several hanging by the door, which comes in handy this time of year with our 6 hours of daylight.

As far as durability goes there isn't much to go wrong short of a discharged battery. They may not be made of metal but LED bulbs are virtually unbreakable, so your main enemies will be dead batteries or maybe corrosion of wires if water somehow (most quality ones are waterproof) gets inside the battery compartment. One of my daughters accidentally knocked my GoalZero light off the table and it didn't miss a beat. I don't like the thought of dropping a lit oil lamp.

I don't have any intention of getting rid of my oil lamps. Having more than one option in any emergency is just good sense.

[Wise Old Owl]

I wonder about the longevity and durability of a battery lantern. I have dietz oil lanterns that were made in the 1920s that are still going strong.

Well in the past I would have shared your sentiment- there is a ton of junk out there. Now there are very well made cob LEDS at 30 watts. Projects on AA are to be avoided. Lithium and chargers are better qualified to deliver longer lasting power. Or use a AA litium rechargeable in a pinch.

CLICK Here is a starter unit.

[randyt]

have any recommended brand names?

[Wise Old Owl]

This is better if you can afford it - lithium and true cobb LED.

CLICK

Cheaper and two ...

https://www.amazon.com/HeroBeam-LED-...+lantern&psc=1

[randyt]

This is better if you can afford it - lithium and true cobb LED.

CLICK

thanks, that looks like a good one

[Wise Old Owl]

have any recommended brand names?

No Nothing is made here anymore.... not even a BMW. It's all from CHiannnna!

You may think I am kidding, And all puns intended are there because I do care, and Name brands are a hoax, as they apply the label and make it more expensive. For example for 20+ years all Sony TV was made in Japan... Then we had 10 years of mass production in Mexico. There are now twenty+ companies in car manufacture in Mexico.

[kyratshooter]

I did not know there were 20 companies making cars!

The entire car manufacturing industry of the world must be in Mexico.

[Rick]

and might or maybe consume the oxygen.

I suppose if you intend to linger for a while then you might have a problem. But if you need a lantern to heat the outhouse then it's too cold to linger. A lantern in the outhouse was pretty standard fair until indoor plumbing. The famous crescent moon (or other cutouts in the door) are there for venting and lighting.

[finallyME]

I don't have any intention of getting rid of my oil lamps. Having more than one option in any emergency is just good sense.

This really is the answer to your question. The more options the better. Why do we need to choose? Putting a bottle of Kerosene and a couple lanterns on the shelf don't hurt much. Don't forget candle lanterns as well.

[hunter63]

I suppose if you intend to linger for a while then you might have a problem. But if you need a lantern to heat the outhouse then it's too cold to linger. A lantern in the outhouse was pretty standard fair until indoor plumbing. The famous crescent moon (or other cutouts in the door) are there for venting and lighting. [/COLOR]

LOL.....This brings to mind a particularly cold deer season like -10 or so......in our 16 ft Shasta travel trailer....and a "A" frame camping trailer for sleeping and such.

We were using a Port-s-potty in the shed...as the was 4 people in camp...tried to keep the porty-a potty and the shed warm....had a small electric heater.
Wasn't keeping up.
Added a Quartz Radiant Heater to help out.....That heats "objects"....not "the air".....trained it on the potty
http://www.newair.com/articles/conve...diant-heating/

O-Dark thirty headed out for a visit.....was real cold, so turned up the radiant heater to high.......gave it another 15 min.
Now it's getting "important" cold or not....went in still cold...hauled trou....sat down....the potty was so hot... it about stuck to my posterior.
Replace it with a bigger electric convection heater.

God bless all those that came before and are still using that little house ...with a lantern.

[Wildthang]

I have oil lanterns for in the house, kerosene for in the shop, and candles and LED lanterns for backup, doesn't hurt to have them all! Also have a large stockpile of batteries. Duracell batteries have a shelf life of 10 years so stockpiling batteries works well now that they have the extended shelf life!
Also have 2 generators as well!