Hurricane season is coming and it gets harder to find kerosene for my lantern. Oh sure I can buy overpriced lamp oil at BigBox or use what I usually use, charcoal lighter fluid but I was wondering if diesel was OK in a kerosene lantern. I'm not worried about smell or a little soot, just brightness.

 

During our ice storm of 98, my son-in-law used a kerosene heater indoors and what a mess. What he should have used was K-1. Today, with all of the LED options, I would consider one of the "wind up" powered lamps. They are ready anytime and will last for many years. Even some sort of solar powered battery arrangement with LED lights inside could be made to work.

I am currently planning an off the grid camp and instead of the traditional gas lights, I will be installing LED's with a solar/battery system. I can sleep easier without the gas.

Bud

 

IMO using #2 diesel instead of K1 is not a good idea. K1 has more parrafin in it that allows for a consistent burn. #2 diesel will burn faster, and probably more soot as you try to turn it down.
I think Bud has hit the nail on the head....why expose yourself to fumes, oxygen depletion, etc. with a smelly heater. Catalytic propane heaters are much more efficient, less costly, and no puke fumes.
I keep those squeeze lights in all the cars, and think they would work in an emergency situation. Seen advertised that crank radio, too. Looking into that as well. I saw one that would play radio and charge your cell phone at the same time. Not sure of the quality, though.
Yeah, you'd better get to hunkerin' down, Ray. It is inevitable. Can you believe the number of tornadoes this year alone???

 

Larry, it's funny that the concept of a "clock works" radio was put together quite some time ago and whether it was patent issues or something else, it has never matured as it could have. Today with the extreme low power requirements of electronics and lights and the extreme longevity of a simple wind up spring, one might think there would be one or more in every home. My last visit to LL Beans I saw lanterns, lights, and chargers as you mentioned. Not Cadillacs, but if Beans carries them, they should be fairly good.

Bud

 

Thanks all. I'll just go with my usual charcoal lighter fluid and already have a crank flashlight. Will check out LL Bean. My main project now though is to adapt a DTV converter to battery for my 2" TV.

 

ray, where is the digital signal going to come from?

Bud

 

I think alcohol might work. So does tiki torch fuel, I use that alot. Heating oil works great outside. Ray, I'm suprised you don't just use a genny. Every gas station carries kerosene in my area.

 

Alcohol, never. It doesn't show flame, and is very dangerous. Ever see a race car driver on fire with alcohol?? He is burning, but you can't see it. Gas stations can't pump kerosene without electricity.