Can I Use Lighter Fuel?
Douglas Blackmore wanted to know if he could use lighter fluid. He has a Protector Lamp and Lighting Co' Type 6 M & Q, Safety Lamp - Eccles. (I think this is often called a Deputy's Lamp).
| Brian Robinson Replies: -Yes lighter fuel that you purchase in shops will be more than adequate for demonstration; it just cost a lot to do it that way. A colleague in the Forest of Dean, the "deputy gaveller" opr government man that looks after the small mines, runs his Protector re-lighter on Ronson lighter fuel. If a government man can do it, surely it should be good enough for us mere mortals!!! |
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DO NOT USE PETROL
Paraffin can be used BUT only in imitation or ornamental lamps that are designed for it, they normally have no gauzes and it should say on the bottom of these lamps that they are only to be run on paraffin.
Paraffin is obviously more available, but gives a less luminous flame, and can be smoky (unless you use Esso Blue, remember the old TV ad?).
On a full vessel, a lamp should last around 10 hours on a medium flame, or maybe 20 hours on a low flame.
For a Protector lamp Colzaline is the official stuff, more timely they use a solvent based stuff, called Sovent 40. I will try to get more details to you later, but you should be able to order through your local oil central heating supplier, you should get a gallon (lasts long, long time) for about £25. A gallon in small lighter fuel tins = £150 or more.
Lighter fuel is very similar to lamp spirit, that's why countless miners used to fill their cigarette lighters in the lamproom!!! (It must have cost the colliery a fortune).
Southern Refining were the manufacturers of the Solvent 20 modern equivalent, at the time they were supplying small mines in Wales.
I was kind of an unofficial dealer for them about 5 years ago, but not many folk want lamp oil now.
Colzaline is a slightly heavier oil than the solvent, and as such could be a little more difficult to light with re-lighter.
On a gallon tin, the label is;
SAFSOL 2 (contains heptane)
UN 1206
EC 205 - 563 - 8
There is always the chance they may have closed down but if not Protectors phone & fax numbers are 0161 789 3013 fax, 787 8257, ask for David Mather, I was kind of an unofficial dealer for them about 5 years ago, but not many folk want lamps now.
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