In this era, many advanced gadgets are designed to increase our comfort while spending time in the great outdoors. Among these tools are GPS devices that are very accurate and highly efficient in performance. The research and development departments of major brands have covered everything related to GPS devices.
Some still rely on old school techniques as they resist the tide of competition from the new kids in the building, the Lantern Mantles.
In this article, you will learn about the ins and outs of the lantern mantle, what are its benefits, and how to compare it to other light sources.
What is a Lantern Mantle?
A lantern mantle is a device used to generate white light, which is bright when heated by a flame. You can also browse for any shots of sepia camping sites used by mountain-goers in the past and you are sure to see one.
Many people prefer to use this device in remote campsites, where it is making a comeback thanks to an increasing number of emerging neighbourhood supporters who are discovering its usefulness as a low-cost, low-maintenance, highly effective and lightweight tool.
The difference between the Lantern mantles and the mantels is that the use of the term Lantern mantles is random on the Internet, as it refers to both the lamp located at the top of the fuel source, which is a gas can. The scarf is a mantles sock or lamp that is placed inside the lamp. Thus, you will get a bright white lantern light when burning occurs.
Production Data
There is not a lot of quantitative information that is about the content of thorium in the lantern mantle. There are the type NUREG-1717, which is considered among the typical mantle, it contains 250 mg or 0.027 international units to calculate its dose, and there are some who refer to some of the lantern mantle that contain at 400 mg, Luetzelschwab and Googins measured a total of 0.065 uCi in two mantle.
About 65% of thorium was used in 1952 when it was produced in the United States and was used in lantern covers. Some estimates indicate that the annual sales of the lantern mantle in the United States reached 20 million in 1974 and reached 25 million in 1981 in 2000. The Coleman Company replaced the existing thorium with the lantern mantle. The yttrium mantle produces 20% less light and is long-lasting, according to NUREG-1717. About half of the 50 million mantles were sold in The United States in 2000 contains thorium.
Do I Need One?
Anyone can use the lantern mantle, whether it’s camping on nights in the wilderness or camping in the car to benefit from adding the lantern mantle to their kit, while there are some modern devices such as headlights or battery-powered electric lamps that do the same The job is basically as those who fill the Lantern mantle do so because of several features that are present in the Lantern mantle.
Types of Lantern
There are many types that you do in lighting your camping site, and each of these types has many advantages and disadvantages. There are three main types of lanterns:
- Fuel-burning lanterns.
- Battery operated lanterns.
- Candle lanterns.
Fuel-Burning Lantern Mantles
You can use traditional fuel-burning lantern covers that work with three types of fuel, namely liquid fuel, propane, or butane. These sources of fuel are used with scarf socks or with clips, and they are sometimes called lamps, where they are attached directly to the nozzle of the lantern.
Most lantern covers are made of glass or a steel mesh that surrounds the lantern in order to reduce the risk of combustion or fire.
Advantages of a fuel-burning lantern:
- This lantern has a much higher lumen output than candle lanterns that use batteries.
- It works to save fuel consumption.
- It is easier to measure the remaining fuel supply than batteries.
- It gives a dim light, so it is comfortable and ideal for camping in the car, as its weight is not a problem.
- It is considered very wonderful, as through it you can gain great fame among camping companions.
Disadvantages of a fuel-burning lantern:
- You cannot use it in confined spaces or enclosed spaces, as it needs good ventilation.
- Not considered a great option when moving from one place to another.
- It may be annoying at times.
- May expose you to the risk of combustion or may lead to a fire.
- Its weight is heavy.
- Gas condensation may occur in butane systems in cold conditions. Therefore, no combustion occurs and is also not a suitable option for people who like to have coffee in the morning.
Battery-Powered Electric Lanterns
Battery-powered lanterns are lightweight and simple with their development and use of LED technologies. It gives great and powerful lighting, as well as a competitive operating time.
Advantages of battery-operated electric lanterns:
- Easy to use.
- It does not make any sound.
- They do not have any flame, and therefore there is no fire or combustion, and they are less susceptible to breakage compared to lanterns that are covered with glass.
- Its battery lasts for a long time.
Disadvantages of battery-operated electric lanterns:
- Its light is very high and unnatural and therefore annoying.
- You need a large number of spare batteries, especially while you are going on a camping trip, which may take several days.
- Battery weight and disposal.
- It gives fewer lumens than fuel-operated lanterns.
Candle Lanterns
Candle lanterns use one or more candles to provide soft, dim light, such as lanterns that use lantern covers that have a glass cover in order to reduce the risk posed by flames. You can also use optional reflectors to enhance the limited light.
Advantages of candle lanterns:
- Cheap.
- No sound is made.
- It gives a soft and natural light.
- It has a silver lining and it produces so weak light that it will not obstruct your vision while looking at the stars.
Disadvantages of candle lanterns:
- It may expose you to burn or a fire may occur.
- It produces very limited light, about 12.5 lumens, without the use of reflectors.
How to Replace a Mantle
There is great difficulty in installing the scarf stockings or lamp and this is not considered necessary because installing or replacing this small and somewhat flimsy accessory is as easy as replacing the batteries in a light bulb or an electronic lantern and we will explain the steps of installing the scarf stockings step by step which are:
- You should purchase the appropriate shape and size for your lantern mantle, where you can compare a few frustrations while descending in the middle of the night in an unknown place in order to discover the useless source of light proposed to you.
- If you find the mantle of the lantern is broken, torn or burned, you must remove it carefully and very carefully when it cools, by cutting or removing the accessory, where you must first make sure that you turn off the fuel source.
Note: Torn covers are dangerous, even if they are slightly torn, because this spot may be a concentrated thermal spot, and therefore it will lead to the shattering of the glass cover.
- If you are using a tied mantles, cut or tie a new scarf to the nozzle of the lantern, and then cut off the excess thread.
- Tighten the material that is at the bottom of the scarf stockings in order to open the fabric so that its shape resembles the shape of a lamp.
- Before you light the lantern, use a long match or use a lighter and then burn the scarf until it is reduced to a white ash bulb where it is half its original size.
- Return the glass cover to your lantern without touching the sock or the scarf bulb, as it is very fragile.
- Run the fuel supply at low output.
- Light the lantern using a long match or with an on-off switch by pressing a button if you have one.
Safety Concerns: Are Lantern Mantles a Health Hazard?
Many articles have been published on the Internet warning of the health risks resulting from using the Lantern mantles while camping, while these articles actually raise an issue worthy of attention and therefore we will emphasize some points that indicate that the fears and any accidents are caused by The mantles of the famous was the result of the misuse of this lantern, and therefore you should avoid it.
The big and common problem with the use of the lantern mantle is that it emits carbon monoxide, and this gas is considered lethal. This problem is great when users fail to provide enough space for ventilation while using devices that operate on the fuel-burning system and thus expose themselves to poisoning with monoxide gas. Carbon to reduce these risks, you must:
- You must open all ventilation openings and doors while you are using the lantern inside the balcony of your tent or in the vicinity of it.
- It must be at a safe distance from the entrances to the tent and then close the doors while using the lantern.
Many users are postponed due to the presence of risks, including fire or burns caused by open flames, and therefore the temperature will rise in the glass casing, as the risks of these violations are mitigated by knowing all the risks that you must eliminate, from While you are taking some simple safety measures:
- To keep the lantern away from flammable materials.
- You should know all the people who are with you that the glass cover of the lantern may get hotter the longer it is used.
Appropriate Safety Measures
- Do not use a fuel-powered lantern while you are in a tent or in a mobile home that does not have adequate ventilation.
- While you turn off the lantern and when it cools, there are constant emissions of carbon monoxide from the lantern cover, so you should leave it outside or on a balcony that is separate from your bedroom.
- You must place the lantern mantle away from materials that are flammable, such as clothes or tent fabrics, even if they have a glass cover.
- You must be careful while installing the sash before you ignite the fuel source because the sash material will emit highly concentrated fumes.
- You must inform your friends who are with you in the camp that your lantern will be hot, and you must keep it away from the hands of children to avoid burns.
- Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, nausea, dizziness, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, stomach pain and shortness of breath.
Read More: