Light Your Trail With a Carbide Lamp

(Page 3 of 3)

September/October 1980
By Harv Howard 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

LOW-COST LIGHTING

RELATED CONTENT

Perhaps the most appealing feature of the miner's lamp, however, is its economic advantage over other lighting systems. Conventional lanterns simply can't hold a candle to the carbide's ultralow cost per hour.

You can find a two-pound can of carbide crystals (containing 16 two-ounce charges) at most camping and outdoor supply stores. Each fuel up of the lantern will keep it shining, at a high light level, for about three or four hours.

And—when the lamp begins to run out of fuel—you can even extend its "life" by a couple of crucial minutes, simply by shaking the device. The agitation will mix up the last bit of dry carbide with the moisture that has settled to the bottom of the lower compartment . . . and produce a final burst of bright light.

A further word on fuel: It's easy to carry an extra supply of carbide crystals with you, since the two ounces needed for a single charge will fit perfectly into a 35mm film can. (You should also be sure, though, to carry several plastic Ziplock-type bags for disposal of the lime residue that will be left in the lamp's lower chamber after the carbide fuel is spent. Clean out the lamp . . . seal the pasty white material in the bags . . . Pack it out with you . . . and dispose of it when you get home.)

WHERE TO GET ONE

You can find the brass lamps at many camping or sporting goods stores, or search online for "carbide lamps." 

No matter what size or model you buy, you'll undoubtedly find the carbide lamp to be a good investment . . . whether you're a hiker, camper, or caver. The ease with which you can carry and fuel the lantern makes it a convenient alternative to the costlier, bulkier sources of illumination most of us are familiar with!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Like any open-flamed device, a carbide lamp should NEVER be used in a confined space. In particular, using a lamp that consumes such a volatile fuel can be very dangerous in a tent.

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 |
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

Add Your Comment

Please note that there is currently a problem with the comments function and your comment may or may not post successfully. We are working to correct the problem and thank you for your patience. 

You can use this comment form to enter your personal experiences or additional information and resources that you'd like to share with Mother Earth News readers. Your helpful advice will be posted on this page.  E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Mother Earth News?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.