I agree with you, my tent is fully lit by a 150 LED 1.2m tube type light, and a couple of 20 LED outside lights, the kitchen tent is fully lit with a 13watt fluoresent inspection type lamp, I did recently restore a Bialaddin 320 (Vapalux) parafin lamp, handed to me by the father in law (83yrs), he picked it up back in the 1950's, it sure gives of a very nice light, far more romantic than LED's, but like you, I can't see the point of taking it camping, although I am tempted to do so!.
I have a coleman powerhouse and wouldn't consider using it the tent - it is far too bright and not really required within the tent.
I would tend to agree with raf48 - there is an aspect of perceived danger. At home I wouldn't bat an eyelid when lighting the gas hob to make a brew. First time I did it with my coleman 424 I must have read the instructions about 15 times. Now I am as used to using the coleman as my domestic hob - I still give the coleman respect though
I have done a bit of reading on the subject of burning liquid fuel, esp. stoves, in tents - a few Norwegian and American researchers have looked at this for people stuck in tents/snow holes. In some of the work, CO levels being observed within the tent and venous within volunteers was above the occupation safe working levels. These observations were for enclosed tents and varied with ventilation, but the recommendations are for continual ventilation - inlet below outlet above - to minimise CO production. In one study occassionally opening the door to ventilate made matters worse. Also important to remember that CO poisoning is cummulative, prolonged exposure to low level CO can result in poisoning.
I am sure that those who use such stoves/lamps in their tents take suitable precautions against fire but CO is a significant consideration.
I would most definately take my Carbon Monoxide alarm with me, I reckon CO is one of the most dangerous gasses, and yet it has no smell, and no taste, and it takes about 48 hours to get any of it out of your system - very, very nasty, and potentially lethal.
Anything that burns can potentially release carbon monoxide, but gas not burning completely is the usual culprit.
I know petrol burning can give it off, but usually only through incomplete combustion - a lamp burns at such a high temperature I would be surprised if a lamp operating correctly did actually give out significant CO levels....
Still, better safe than sorry - epsecially where family is involved!!!
Gail and my self have used our petrol lantern and cookers ( coleman and primus ) in our tents and caravan awning, and i have used my famous 8r stove in snow holes and have never had any incident. Providing one uses a little common, dont light or fill inside there is nothing to fear.
For those who panic and say only battries in our tent I wish I could show them the horrific chemical burns inflicted on one small lad who had tucked his torch in to his sleeping bag with him, he turned it on and nothing, his parents had on what they belived to be good advice reversed one battery to prevent discharge. I have no idea what happened I am no expert in these matters but a battery exploded. I seam to rember that they were ni-cad's but the poor lad suffered terrible burns to his upper body So it just goes to show there is no such thing as gauarrented safety You just have to make Your own choice and follow the instructions. That said I do understand that the considerations for family camping are diffrent, but as a cub scout in 1970's hurricane lamps the thing and never an accident in sight.
Carbon monoxide is not released from anything, it occurs when a flame burns up the oxygen in a confined space.
I'm wondering how many campers have suffered terrible burns from exploding torches, there was me panicing about Campingaz lamps. Better play it safe & grope around in the dark from now on eh?...
Battery lanterns are now so good the only reason for using any light source involving flames is because we like a bit of fire to cheers things up. Its why we sit around the table in the dark with the candles burning. I'll use a torch to light me way to bed tho, I think. I'll just have to risk the batteries exploding.
while we are on a negative re batteries, (no pun intended) there was a thread on here last year, with people having problems with UFO lights shorting out and getting very hot. I now never leave my UFO hanging from the tent, I have it on a sheet of aluminium, pointing upwards. I use the modern rechargeable batteries, and if they short out they do catch fire or expload.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Just the ordinary Tesco Alkaline D batteries work for me, they last a fair time. I just take a couple of battery lamps & a torch. To sit outside on warm nights(this'll be in southern France)I cut the top off a mineral water bottle, a bit of sand in't bottom & a candle completes me table lamp. I don't bother with my old Campingaz lanterns anymore, they cost too much in gas cartriges & they don't arf burn you if you are careless...
I got a coleman northstar and we do use it in out tent and have been doing for several years now. a little common sense is needed like ventilation and olso the northstaris designed so that when it topples it goes out so no risk in burning down.
but we only use it for a short duration to take the chill out of the tent just before we turn in
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Topic: Coleman Petrol lantern - safety?
