Humphrey Gas Lighting

[DirtyLittleSecret]

Been looking at the Humphrey gas lighting systems.  Anyone have any experience with these?  Seems like a nice/rustic/effective solution for off-grid lighting.

link: http://www.globaltowne.com/manuals/gaslight-manual.pdf
installation: http://www.globaltowne.com/manuals/gaslight-manual.pdf

[MountainDon]

I've never used those, but have used propane burning lanterns in the cabin during construction. My main criticism of gas lights for indoor use is the heat produced.

My second lesser concern is that they burn a fossil fuel. I have to haul all my fuels up the mountain.

My third concern contains a question; do they make noise, hiss, like a portable gas lantern?

With all that said I've been using a propane fueled gas light in the gazebo since we built it a couple years ago. But as soon as the PV system is up and running I'm running a power cable to the gazebo.

Just my take on it, OMMV.

[pagan]

I know a guy who uses these and he says they hiss. Not as loud as the Coleman lanterns but if you're in a quiet place, which if you're looking at these you probably are, the sound will seem loud.

[Source_to_Sea]

They hiss a bit, but far less than a Coleman propane lantern. We're probably putting up a couple for backup lighting when we build, but you could just as well us anyone of the rechargable lanterns for about the same light output. I'm guessing they're about a 40-watt equivalent or so.

[tc-vt]

Gas lights are a good backup in case the off-grid electric has a problem.  I am putting in DC circuits as well as AC, in case the inverter takes an unplanned vacation. 

I have been using Paulin gas lights.  The noise is almost imperceptible and only heard when you are very close to the light - no louder than a gas stovetop - in fact, a bit quieter.  I agree with the estimate of the light output being equivalent to a 40w light bulb.  The mantles are brighter when they are new, closer to a 60w bulb and dim down in the first 10-20 hours of use and then remain constant at the 40w equivalent output.  The light is a steady light with only an occasional flicker to it which will never be enough to be annoying.  They burn very cleanly but it would be wise to have carbon monoxide detectors if you are using gas lights or any other type of fuel combustion including wood.

The mantles can last at least a year or more under normal use as long as they are not abused.  They are easily damaged.  It is recommended that the fixture not be on a wall with a door as the vibration from the closing of the door can damage the mantle.  The mantles can be removed and reinstalled if they are handled very gently.

The mantles come as either preformed (nine dollars each?), tie-on or clip-on.  The tie-ons are cheaper (one dollar or less each?) and can be purchased anywhere including (yikes!) Wal-Mart.  The lamps usually come from the manufacturer with a preformed mantle.  If you look at the pictures on the Kansas Wind Power site, they have different burner noses, one for preformed mantles and one for tie-on mantles.  The ceramic piece to which the preformed mantle is attached (and comes as part of the mantle) can be saved if the preformed mantle breaks.  There is a groove on it in which a tie-on mantle can be tied.  I have done this and it worked well so you don't really need to change to the tie-on burner nose to use the tie-on mantles.

Kansas Wind Power http://www.kansaswindpower.net/gas_lights.htm  --   a good source for lights, accessories and parts at good prices.

Tom

[Source_to_Sea]

A couple of things I forgot to add. There's going to be some heat output to these things, as with any fossil fueled lighting. Nice in the winter, notsomuch in summer   I know one guy that uses one in his pumphouse to keep the edge off when it gets really cold.

I think these are far safer than Aladin lamps, even if the light output is a bit less. I never trusted those things after a couple of flareups, and we just went back to using flatwick lamps for general "hanging out" purposes. I've seen Paulin and Humpreys a bunch in Amish buildings up in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and setting these things up are a snap with 1/4" soft copper line.