Okay, a very simple question here but I still need to ask. We have a Cal 44 and I want to hang a lantern in the salon. I did get some chain and hung it from a screw eye. I lit the lantern the other night and the chain and screw eye get REALLY hot! Is there any danger in that? If this isn't right how should I be hanging the lantern from the "ceiling"? Thanks!
hanging lantern
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Chain too short...
Your chain is too short or your lamp to large. If the eye your hanging from is getting hot so is your cabin top. Add a Y to the chain and put a deflector over the top of the lamp to help diffuse the heat. Don't forget to have a method to prevent the lamp from swinging in sudden swells or wake. Trim the wick until no smoke appears, if using smokeless oil, keep the wick short enough that the flame doesn't flicker heavily. Or switch to a smaller lamp that won't produce as much heat. I've had great luck below decks and above with old fashioned Dietz solid brass lamps from China. I like the newer chimney design but either work well and last forever. I've had three onboard for the last 10 years with no problems. SS
Your chain is too short or your lamp to large. If the eye your hanging from is getting hot so is your cabin top. Add a Y to the chain and put a deflector over the top of the lamp to help diffuse the heat. Don't forget to have a method to prevent the lamp from swinging in sudden swells or wake. Trim the wick until no smoke appears, if using smokeless oil, keep the wick short enough that the flame doesn't flicker heavily. Or switch to a smaller lamp that won't produce as much heat. I've had great luck below decks and above with old fashioned Dietz solid brass lamps from China. I like the newer chimney design but either work well and last forever. I've had three onboard for the last 10 years with no problems. SS
WHAT I HAVE DONE
IS MOUNT ABOVE THE LANTERN A THIN PIECE OF BRASS JUST LARGE ENOUGH TO COVER THE AREA OF THE CIELING THAT WOULD GET HOT. I FOUND THE BRASS AT ACE HARDWARE AND MOUNTED IT WITH FOUR WOOD SCREWS, ONE IN EACH CORNER. ON THE SCREWS BETWEEN THE BRASS AND THE CIELING ARE ABOUT 5 SMALL BRASS WASHERS USED AS SPACERS. THEY HOLD THE BRASS ABOUT 1/8" FROM CIELING. IT IS AMAZING HOW COOL THE CIELING STAYS AND HOW HOT THE BRASS PLATE GETS. THE AIR IN BETWEEN IS GOOD INSULATION. WHEN DECIDING HOW LARGE THE BRASS PLATE SHOULD BE YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER WEATHER IT WILL ALSO ACT AS A SMOKE BELL. I HAVE FOUND THE HARD WAY NOT TO TURN UP THE WICK TOO MUCH! WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE IT WORKS WELL AND LOOKS PRETTY NAUTY. HOPE THIS HELPS.
IS MOUNT ABOVE THE LANTERN A THIN PIECE OF BRASS JUST LARGE ENOUGH TO COVER THE AREA OF THE CIELING THAT WOULD GET HOT. I FOUND THE BRASS AT ACE HARDWARE AND MOUNTED IT WITH FOUR WOOD SCREWS, ONE IN EACH CORNER. ON THE SCREWS BETWEEN THE BRASS AND THE CIELING ARE ABOUT 5 SMALL BRASS WASHERS USED AS SPACERS. THEY HOLD THE BRASS ABOUT 1/8" FROM CIELING. IT IS AMAZING HOW COOL THE CIELING STAYS AND HOW HOT THE BRASS PLATE GETS. THE AIR IN BETWEEN IS GOOD INSULATION. WHEN DECIDING HOW LARGE THE BRASS PLATE SHOULD BE YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER WEATHER IT WILL ALSO ACT AS A SMOKE BELL. I HAVE FOUND THE HARD WAY NOT TO TURN UP THE WICK TOO MUCH! WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE IT WORKS WELL AND LOOKS PRETTY NAUTY. HOPE THIS HELPS.
Don't mean to be argumentative...
But you have one of about 14 hulls of one of most beautiful designs built by Jensen marine...please don't burn it up! If it is too hot to hold, it is too hot to have near flammable materials. Older marine oil lamp designs often had a small brass disc located a couple of inches above the chimney to catch the soot and deflect the heat from the cabin overhead. Make sure your lamp is marine rated for hanging. Fair winds!
But you have one of about 14 hulls of one of most beautiful designs built by Jensen marine...please don't burn it up! If it is too hot to hold, it is too hot to have near flammable materials. Older marine oil lamp designs often had a small brass disc located a couple of inches above the chimney to catch the soot and deflect the heat from the cabin overhead. Make sure your lamp is marine rated for hanging. Fair winds!
I use a short Bungee (yes, another use!)
The metal hooks on the bungee dissapate the heat enough to keep everything safe. I put both hooks on the lantern & run the soft cord through whatever will hold it safely (like a handhold). Ususally there are several places near your cabintop you can hook the bungee to get light in different places. I don't like to drill holes in my boat if I don't have to...
The metal hooks on the bungee dissapate the heat enough to keep everything safe. I put both hooks on the lantern & run the soft cord through whatever will hold it safely (like a handhold). Ususally there are several places near your cabintop you can hook the bungee to get light in different places. I don't like to drill holes in my boat if I don't have to...
you're right
...........there weren't many Cal 44's made - it's a Lapworth design and it is beautiful! The lantern we have is a Jr. Trawler (I think) and is a marine lantern. It has a smoke bell built into the top. Will have to experiment I guess with the other suggestions and see what works.
...........there weren't many Cal 44's made - it's a Lapworth design and it is beautiful! The lantern we have is a Jr. Trawler (I think) and is a marine lantern. It has a smoke bell built into the top. Will have to experiment I guess with the other suggestions and see what works.
Contact Den Haan
Den Haan has been making marine lamps for generations. I'd suggest contacting their customer service folks. I'd bet they have a solution.
Den Haan has been making marine lamps for generations. I'd suggest contacting their customer service folks. I'd bet they have a solution.
Ann, we use Dietz lanterns. The ones that were
common about the time we were kids. Now they sell them as antiques. We just fine a hook in a convenient place and hang the bail on the hook. Use them in the cabin and as an anchor lantern. If they are kept trimmed and adjusted they don't smoke. Some folk used to call them barn lanterns, the globes get hot as does the top but you can carry them in a bare hand with no discomfort.
common about the time we were kids. Now they sell them as antiques. We just fine a hook in a convenient place and hang the bail on the hook. Use them in the cabin and as an anchor lantern. If they are kept trimmed and adjusted they don't smoke. Some folk used to call them barn lanterns, the globes get hot as does the top but you can carry them in a bare hand with no discomfort.
Concern About Products of Combustion
Used a Den Haan trawler lamp for a couple years and got concerned about the products of combustion - namely the black stuff. Since diesel exhaust is hazardous to your health, the kerosene the lamp burns generates some soot and I got concerned about breathing this stuff in an enclosed environment. Have since quit using the lamp (stored in the garage) and have switched back to electric lights and increased battery capacity. It was a shame, too, because the lamp made a good little heater when it was cold, at least provided quite a few BTUs, but now have forced air heat. Just wanted to mention this as something to consider.
Used a Den Haan trawler lamp for a couple years and got concerned about the products of combustion - namely the black stuff. Since diesel exhaust is hazardous to your health, the kerosene the lamp burns generates some soot and I got concerned about breathing this stuff in an enclosed environment. Have since quit using the lamp (stored in the garage) and have switched back to electric lights and increased battery capacity. It was a shame, too, because the lamp made a good little heater when it was cold, at least provided quite a few BTUs, but now have forced air heat. Just wanted to mention this as something to consider.
All kerosene is not the same
There is cheaper, and more soot prone kerosene, and there is more expensive and less soot prone kerosene. Also I second on keeping your wick trimmed; you should be trimming it a lot, more than most people are aware they should do it. Always have a second wick to go, even though you might not need it until two years from now; psychologically it frees you up to trim away on your first wick. Don't be afraid to trim it every second through fourth time of use. Use one of those knives with a razor blade type cutting surface.
There is cheaper, and more soot prone kerosene, and there is more expensive and less soot prone kerosene. Also I second on keeping your wick trimmed; you should be trimming it a lot, more than most people are aware they should do it. Always have a second wick to go, even though you might not need it until two years from now; psychologically it frees you up to trim away on your first wick. Don't be afraid to trim it every second through fourth time of use. Use one of those knives with a razor blade type cutting surface.
I Use
the lamp in Warren's pic. The Fresnel lens, used in lighthouses for a century, concentrates the light into a ring of illumination that is thrown out perpendicular to the lamp body (rather like the ring around Jupiter), so is much better suited as an anchor light than a saloon light. One of those Dietz lamps sure looks like a barn lamp, and not very nautical, but would probably throw off a more desirable omni-directional light throughought the saloon. In your saloon, the ceiling is referred to as the deckhead.
the lamp in Warren's pic. The Fresnel lens, used in lighthouses for a century, concentrates the light into a ring of illumination that is thrown out perpendicular to the lamp body (rather like the ring around Jupiter), so is much better suited as an anchor light than a saloon light. One of those Dietz lamps sure looks like a barn lamp, and not very nautical, but would probably throw off a more desirable omni-directional light throughought the saloon. In your saloon, the ceiling is referred to as the deckhead.
FWIW Follow-up
Just thought I'd add to my post below that I use the best grade of 100% paraffin oil in my lantern. A bit more expensive than regular lamp oil, but it burns very clean, leaves no soot or residue, and smells decent. It's worth it, to me.
Just thought I'd add to my post below that I use the best grade of 100% paraffin oil in my lantern. A bit more expensive than regular lamp oil, but it burns very clean, leaves no soot or residue, and smells decent. It's worth it, to me.
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