Another Coleman Lantern for Preps

**Rick** · 04-22-2010, 11:02 AM

Yeah, yeah, I know. It's a sickness. We're having neighborhood garage sale through the end of the week-end and my neighbor called last night and said he had a Coleman lantern I could have first shot at. He wanted $3 but it's a garage sale so I haggled with him and finally settled on $5. It's a May, 1972 model 200A.

If you pick any of these up here are a couple of tips for you.

1. Tap the tank. If it rings then it's a good empty tank. If it thunks, then it either has rust or fuel in it. Take the cap off. If there's no fuel, put it down and walk away. If you can see that it has slight rust inside then dump 40-60 BBs and a little fuel in it and shake the daylights out of it. The BBs will shine it right up. The hardest part of this is getting the BBs back out.

2. Always check the air intake tube. It's a favorite spot for spiders to build nests and they will choke the airflow right off. I've found about half of the lanterns have them. I use some braided automotive wire, skin about a 1/4 inch or so and bend the wires backwards. I insert it into the fresh air tube and it will clean out any webs inside. If the lantern flares up and won't burn correctly, suspect a spider web.

3. Never store a lantern with gas inside the tank. For some reason it causes moisture and the tank will rust. Always empty the tank and let it dry out before storing it.

Here are some before and after pics of the latest addition to the preps family.

As purchased....

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After about an hour. Completely disassembled, cleaned and reassembled.

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And what it's supposed to do...

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**roar-k** · 04-22-2010, 11:56 AM

Nice post Rick. I have heard about the BB trick but never attempted it myself. Seeing this post reminded me I have two lanterns of my own to clean up. Maybe I will take pictures and post them here as well. It will more than likely be a "What not to do" post. =)

**Alaskan Survivalist** · 04-22-2010, 12:09 PM

I like the BB trick. I have opportunity to use that occasionally and will give it a try.

**roar-k** · 04-22-2010, 12:11 PM

Also here is an excerpt from Coleman regarding cleaning their lanterns:

Care and Cleaning of Coleman® Lanterns
A cleaner Coleman® lantern works better and looks better. The benefits of regular cleanings include better fuel efficiency, flame control and no rust or corrosion.

Although there isn't a set schedule for cleaning your lantern, you should clean it whenever it is dirty before storing your lantern at the end of camping season.

Under most conditions, lanterns can be wiped out with warm water and dishwashing soap and then dried before storing.

After cleaning, proper storage of your Coleman® lantern is also important.
Put it into a plastic bag, sealing with a twist tie to prevent spiders or other insects from crawling in the unit, which can block the fuel and airflow.

With a liquid fuel lantern, transfer as much fuel as possible out of the fuel tank and back into the fuel can to prevent a lacquer buildup on the tank's fuel tube. Keep in mind that storing a liquid fuel appliance with fuel in the tank can eventually cause a buildup on the fuel tube, which restricts fuel flow to the generator and burner.

When it's time to take out your lantern, remember to oil the pump cup on the tank's pump plunger at least twice a year with a light machine oil. This allows the cup to seal against the inside of the pump barrel and insures the pump will work smoothly and push air into the tank properly.

If you want you can check out: http://www.coleman.com/coleman/gearcare.asp it discusses how to take care of all their gear.

**Justin Case** · 04-22-2010, 12:27 PM

Great Post Rick,, Or should I say "Lantern Guru" ,,

**crashdive123** · 04-22-2010, 03:11 PM

Nice restoration.

**Rick** · 04-22-2010, 03:47 PM

I use carburetor cleaner on non-painted surfaces like the aluminum ring between the tank and the globe. Don't use it on painted surfaces of any kind. It will take the paint right off. The brass parts I use a wire wheel in my Dremel tool. The rest is just soap and water and elbow grease. It's amazing what a good scrubbing will do.

**Rick** · 07-30-2010, 07:06 PM

Hi. I'm Rick. I'm a Coleman junk collector.

Hi Rick.

It's so bad....How bad is it?.....It's so bad my daughter called me today and said she was just at a garage sale and they had Coleman stuff. We call people like her an enabler.

Naturally, I went. I'm now the proud owner of a Coleman LP Gas Picnic Stove Model 5409. It's powered by two little 6 oz. canisters (sitting on top) that are no longer made. So I guess I'll have to convert it to more modern connectors. It's made out of aluminum and is really light. I haven't weighed it but it can't be but a couple of pounds. I paid $2.00 for it. I'll get that much fun out of it this week-end even if I never get it working.

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**crashdive123** · 07-30-2010, 07:07 PM

Nice score. Looks like it's in pretty goo shape.

**Rick** · 07-30-2010, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Crash

Looks like it's in pretty goo shape.

Most of the stuff I buy is in goo shape. I won't tell you about the saws the guy had. I thought of you though.

**crashdive123** · 07-30-2010, 07:10 PM

Seems like goo shape is just about right. Ya gotta do some work to make you feel better about your purchase - hence we avoid the good stuff.

**Rick** · 07-30-2010, 07:11 PM

Once you get the goo off then it's in pretty good shape.

**Ken** · 07-30-2010, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Hi. I'm Rick. I'm a Coleman junk collector.

Hi Rick.

It's so bad....How bad is it?.....It's so bad my daughter called me today and said she was just at a garage sale and they had Coleman stuff. We call people like her an enabler.

Naturally, I went. I'm now the proud owner of a Coleman LP Gas Picnic Stove Model 5409. It's powered by two little 6 oz. canisters (sitting on top) that are no longer made. So I guess I'll have to convert it to more modern connectors. It's made out of aluminum and is really light. I haven't weighed it but it can't be but a couple of pounds. I paid $2.00 for it. I'll get that much fun out of it this week-end even if I never get it working.

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Originally Posted by crashdive123

Nice score. Looks like it's in pretty goo shape.

Originally Posted by Rick

Most of the stuff I buy is in goo shape. I won't tell you about the saws the guy had. I thought of you though.

Originally Posted by crashdive123

Seems like goo shape is just about right. Ya gotta do some work to make you feel better about your purchase - hence we avoid the good stuff.

Originally Posted by Rick

Once you get the goo off then it's in pretty good shape.

Rick and Crash, level with us, okay? This script was written in advance, wasn't it? Kinda' like a little skit?

**welderguy** · 07-30-2010, 08:08 PM

I dont know fellas getting the goo off could be a sticky situation.

**Rick** · 07-30-2010, 08:11 PM

Crash and I are like two finely crafted gears in a machine. We laugh alike, they walk alike, at times we even talk alike. You can lose your mind ... when mods are two of a kind! Sorry, I got carried away with a little Patty Duke, there.

**crashdive123** · 07-30-2010, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Crash and I are like two finely crafted gears in a machine. We laugh alike, they walk alike, at times we even talk alike. You can lose your mind ... when mods are two of a kind! Sorry, I got carried away with a little Patty Duke, there.

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