I contacted BriteLyte to ask a few questions regarding using a Petromax Lantern indoors. I was concerned about oxygen use, carbon monoxide, and heat generation, since it puts out the equivalent of 400 watts of light. Here's the information that Diana Clifton, the company's president, provided:

"In response to your questions.....first...I apologize for the delay in response, but have been really, really busy. (WHEW!!)

Second.....YES...you can use the lanterns indoors;however, (Call me over-protective, paranoid, etc.), I ALWAYS stress safety first. Just as you would, when using a fireplace or space heater, always leave a little bit of ventilation available, so as not to deplete your oxygen level or emit any type of carbon monoxide. I use these indoors, myself, and with ventilation, I have had had no problems. I basically tell everyone to use either lamp oils (scented/unscented) or ultrapure (can get it at Wal-Mart or Michael's Craft Stores). There's no scent, and works just as well as kerosene. Most folks prefer the two, when using the lantern indoors.

The burn time on the lantern can range from 8 - 12 hours (sometimes more) on one tank of fuel (approx. 1-quart tank). The lanterns can heat up a 20'X 20' area, when needed. I also have to use these in the dead of summer (when the power goes down, during storm season), and with the windows raised, you really aren't aware of the extra heat. It gets really HOT, here in Florida, too.

Hope this gives you an idea of the usage of these lanterns, but please do not hesitate to contact us, if you have further questions."

They are very good to work with. They can be contacted at this link if you are interested:

www.petromax.com

I hope this information helps anyone considering a Petromax.

David

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), February 18, 1999

Answers

I apologize for that link. Let's try that again . . .

www.petromax.com

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), February 18, 1999.

Does this mean that lamp oil and ultrapure cause fewer fumes than k1 kerosene?

-- mabel (mabel_louise@yahoo.com), February 18, 1999.

Mine arrived yesterday and I tested it last night with plain old bulk K1 (from the hardware store bulk tank bought over a year ago for ye old 'torpedo heater' in the garage). I followed the dialog style instructions provided with unit. So I fired it up outside. (I'll guess that set was written by Diana and her staff - they accurately anticipated my reaction to the preheater ignition - whoa!) I followed the recommended sequence untill it was at full power. WOW! Once I was convinced that the lantern wasn't going to blast off or blow up, I brought it inside and let it run for just over an hour. (If you've never used one of these before, believe me that first time can be unnerving.)

The amount of heat produced was impressive as the light. I had the chimney damper open (but no fire in the fireplace)and both the plugin and battery CO detectors on. Neither gave a peep. The house did smell like grandma's used to - she had a kerosene stove. So even though I wasn't thrilled by the smell, it did bring back some long forgotten memories. (Wonder if I can recreate grandma's hamburg soup...)

Got light and cooincidently got heat. Life is good.

jh

-- john hebert (jt_hebert@hotmail.com), February 18, 1999.

Mabel, that's my understanding. Fewer fumes, odor and a longer shelf life. The trade off is that Kerosene is much cheaper.

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), February 18, 1999.

David thanks for the info. I gave in and ordered a Petromax lantern last night :-) Can't wait for it.

I ordered an extra glass globe and a dozen mantles. How long should a mantle last?

-- Chris (catsy@pond.com), February 18, 1999.

Chris,

From what I've read, mantles are a tricky thing to predict. Apparently, how long they last is not necessarily based on the number of hours used or the type of fuel burned. It may be based more on how fragile they are. They break very easily, or so I'm told. One article I read mentioned personal experiences with mantles and having them last anywhere from 1 day to over a year including a three day stint on a white water rafting expedition without breaking. Like you, I purchased an extra globe along with the package of a dozen mantles just in case.

David

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), February 18, 1999.

John,

From your test, it sounds like the lantern is pretty loud, even apart from the start-up. Is that true? I'm a little concerned because I have two little ones at home. The last thing I need during a power-out situation is to ADD to their fears. Maybe I'll need to gradually condition them to it . . . play camping and that sort of thing. What do you think?

David

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), February 18, 1999.

Does anyone know the shelf-life of lamp oil and/or kerosine? It's inexpensive enough, but I'm hesitant to stock up on anything that won't last another 10 months or so. Thanks in advance.

-- now where (are@those.matches), February 18, 1999.

David,

Loud is relative (and with all the relatives I'm anticipating we won't even hear it...) Seriously, with just the wife and I, any unusual noise is distracting. Our cat (a furball with major attitude) wouldn't come into the the family room for the 1st half hour, after that the cat came in but kept a 20 foot distance - the lantern was one end on the fireplace mantle and she took two steps into the room, crouched, and waited on alert. Yes, we turned up the news a little but the TV wasn't that loud in the first plasce. I guess I'd say that the noise wasn't so overtly loud but rather something we weren't used to. Kind of a dull wooshing roar. Its a far cry from the silent operation of inexpensive wick style oil lamps or the quiet hiss of the coleman propane lantern. Maybe like a muted 'torpedo heater' would sound. It won't drown out conversation or anything like that, you don't need ear protection - but a light source making noise is something you may not be used to. I sure as heck wasn't.

By the way, you will probably want to keep this well away from drapes or non masonry walls - I first placed it on a stand about 18 inches from a wood panelled wall. I wasn't comfortable with how warm the panelling had become after only 15 minutes. (The instructions warn you that a damaged mantel should be replaced immediately because the intense heat could damage the lantern itself - it kicks out plenty of heat.)

As far the children go, sounds to me like you got that down. They adapt. But are you prepared for the question: Dad, why does the light make noise?

Hope that helps clarify.

jh

-- john hebert (jt_hebert@hotmail.com), February 18, 1999.

John,

Indeed it does help! Thanks so much for the detailed report. It makes me wonder where to put the lantern so as to be out of reach of children and animals (though it sounds like your cat's gonna leave that thing alone :-). Perhaps if I rig a temporary hanging hook from my ceiling fans (securely of course) using a coat hanger, I could hang the lantern up high, keeping it safely away from children, animals and preventing it from overheating the plaster walls. Just thinking out loud :-) Again, thanks John!

David

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), February 18, 1999.

Oh and Now Where . . .

I've been trying to find the answer to those questions myself. I've read that ultra-pura liquid parafin has an unlimited shelf life. Also, I understanding that regular lamp oil will last for several years (based on experiences friends have in the Pocono Mountains). But Kerosene?? Not sure. I know it lasts at least a year. But I haven't heard if it can go further than that or if something can be added to it to extend it's shelf life. Any fuel experts out there???

David

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), February 18, 1999.

Hi David,

K1 will start to deposit varnish after about 12 to 18 months, but I don't know what that means as far as how burnable the remaining fuel might be.

My lantern was delivered Tuesday and is currently waiting for a weekend day so I can take it over to a friend's back yard to try it out.

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), February 18, 1999.

This lantern sounds very much like the one my uncle had in his hunting camp in Canada. It was dark green, it lit the whole camp brightly, made a background wooshing sound (not at all scaring me as a 6-7 year old), and had a "whick" (I guess that's the mantle?) that was cottony when new, but then turned to dust as soon as it was lit the first time, and remained dust but reusable. I thought this was a camping Coleman? Are petromax just like that but only better, able to use any fuel?

-- Chris (catsy@pond.com), February 18, 1999.

Chris, just clipped this off the BriteLyte site:

"From their efforts arose the most powerful & reliable lanterns in the world. Petromax lanterns run on a variety of fuels . . . .kerosene, alcohol-based fuels, mineral spirits, citronella oil, gasoline, diesel oil, & almost every flammable fuel available on the market."

-- David Bowerman (David@BankPacman.com), February 18, 1999.

Had to respond to this. K-1 kero doesn't produce varnish after a year storage - your thinking gasoline, which will gum up injectors and carbs if its real old. Water will settle out of crummy kerosene and stuff can start growing, but as long as its not mixed around it will be OK for years and years. I know because I have sold tens of thousdands off gallons of the stuff over the years. Don't know where you got the info your repeating, but its not true.

Oilman said that

-- Oilman (kero@dealer.com), February 18, 1999.

Oilman,

If water does settle out, does it rise to the top and can simply be poured off until pure kero flows? Is there anything that can or should be mixed with K-1 Kerosene to absorb any potential water? Or is that even necessary? I know for gasoline there are additives that remove water to keep fuel lines from freezing. Good to have the expert input. Thanks!

David

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), February 18, 1999.

You only get water in lower grades of kerosene so if you make sure your getting K-1 Clear, or Water White as some call it it won't have any water in it. It settles to the bottom of the tank. if all you have is the poor stuff you can pour off the top layer which is all kerosene into another barrel, and then just pour out the water left behind. It will probably smell in use and look yellow like diesel if its low grade so be sure to get the K-1 only.

Oilman

-- Oilman (kero@dealer.com), February 18, 1999.

Thanks Oilman! First time I've heard definite answers on kerosene.

David

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), February 18, 1999.

David,

I had same idea on hanging from ceiling fan. Only problem is my ceiling fan isn't high enough. The bottom of Lantern when hanging from its handle will dropped to eye level. It's extended lenght (handle tip to bottom of base has to be over 2 feet. Hang that at 7 and guess where it is...

So I'll stick a screw a hook into the ceiling if necessary.

jh

-- john hebert (jt_hebert@hotmail.com), February 19, 1999.

John,

Didn't think of that. Got small white hook. Will keep it installed for all power out conditions. We're cool here. Thanks for the idea!

David

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), February 19, 1999.