Hi, Well, I hate to admit it, but I think I've fallen off the wagon and am searching for another Coleman single burner. I have a 501 (unused after safety warnings), a couple of 502s and a 442. Having read glowing reports for several years about the brown 400s with the second adjusting lever, I've started looking for one of those that's reasonably priced and in really nice condition. My search reveals two types of the black handled adjusting lever: if I read correctly from the pictures I've seen, one is marked, from left to right, "Clean-Lo-Light" and the other is "Lo-Light". Is there an advantage or preference between these two I should consider? Thanks! Rick C
It's the same generator on the 400 and 400A. My 400 just says lo-hi on the flame control. The main gas valve is off-light-run. The cleaning needle at the end of the generator is what is controlling the flame. With the control all the way left the cleaning needle blocks the jet and with it all the way right it's out of the way allowing maximum vapor passage. To start the stove you want the cleaning needle out of the way. The tank may be marked differently on different production years but it's the same generator and works clean-lo-hi. Ray
this here is the generator from the 2 lever models I find them easier to use which means they are extremely easy to use - the single lever models being easy to use
The red knob on the black 400A has two positions: off and run. On the brown 400 there are three: off, light, and run. I find them about equal in ease to use. They are a bit more cold blooded than your 502. You need to keep pumping slowly as the generator warms up. I have had no luck cleaning an old generator on these. I just replaced them when I was fettling them. Like many Coleman stoves, they start much better when the tank is full, meaning about 3/4 of the tank volume. They don't start very well when they are getting toward empty. They were meant for light or backpack camping, so don't use too large a pan or pot. They are real powerhouse stoves and put out more heat than the small pans can take. Their simmer is unparalleled. They are quiet burners. By modern ultra light standards they are heavy, but I would guess most of us here at CCS like to actually eat real food when we camp. Great little stoves.
@BradB Did you mean to say " On the Brown 400-499 and the Black 400A the "Red Knob" has 2 positions on/off and the flame adjuster/regulator has 3 positions. The Black 400B only has the Red Knob for flame adjustments. Mike
No, I was speaking only of the brown 400 and black 400A, which both have the second flame adjuster. The black 400B has only the single red knob and uses a different generator. Both the 400 and 400A have the red knob for "off and on" and in the case of the 400 also for lighting. Flame control for both is the black lever after they have been started. Hope that is more clear.
Thanks for posting Rick, Re: model 400, specifically the Flame Adjust Lever (Black) and if there is a difference between "Clean-Lo-Light" vs "Lo-Light" ( ? ). I'm known to recommend model 400 & 400A (see note 1). 400 / 400A flame control is functionally equivalent AFIK, so that is somewhat of an answer re 400, 400A (regardless of label), no difference w/flame control AFIK. I will now add some relevant detail from what I gather (Like Mike.. and Brad, I post in hopes it helps to clarify). Note 1 recommend model 400 & 400A with 2 lever burner. I note that because "I think" there is one labeled "400 feather" <-- that is a 400B, 1 lever ... the 2 lever is what to seek, imo. Re: Coleman 1 burners, all collectors should note the 2 lever burners (discontinued) were better. 2 levers being: Red lever was Fuel Lever (fuel on, off). Black lever, discontinued, was Flame adjustment and jet clean. For some collectors, for the 400, 400A & 400B (400B aka 400 feather), the following examples may be of interest re: lever positions / tank labeling: About the 400/400A as far as I know they use same gen and flame control is the same. The early 400 has a copper fuel tube, later changed to a composite, so there may be fuel tube/valve PN changes that coincide with 400/400A label changes? --- Re: one lever I myself, have just 1 relevant example SO note 400B detail, a lot not here: 89 – 94 & after 95. Please note too: there are many such 1 & 2 lever models, above detail is limited to 400, 400A, 400B. You guys are great, the 2 lever 1 burners are great too! Credit Coleman Toronto. thx omc
You're onto something Rickybob, I mentioned "... there may be fuel tube/valve PN changes that coincide with 400/400A label changes?" Off top of my head, say on '79 400: fuel tube is brass & schraeder is brass/SS, at some point that changed. I am quite sure the '89 400A fuel tube & schraeder differ from early 400s. BTW note the collar that receives the fuel tube differs on your 400 vs on your 400A. at some point coleman made tank change(s) as well. so yes, some plumbing differs (PNs may or may not reflect this) that said functionally / performance / dependability is same 400 & 400A AFIK. thx omc
There are more differences than the label. The design of the fuel pickup is different. The older 400 still used the red control knob to block most of the fuel at the bottom upon starting. After the generator warmed up and was capable of fully vaporizing the gas, the red knob was turned to run, opening the fuel at the bottom and closing off the air at the top. The 400A changed to their more modern design where the fuel pickup does not require the user to do anything. The newer one is plastic instead of brass.
There is a difference in function for the regulator/pickup tube. On stoves without the second lever there is a cleaning wire in the generator that is captured and is controlled by the fuel regulator "Red Knob". The second lever controls the cleaning needle and the regulator only moves up and down to control fuel flow through the shrader or spring loaded valve.
can confirm the pickup tube is different - def no Schrader valve in there not easy to extract either - I had to remove the pump handle and stick a steel tube down the pump bore to get enough leverage - but this is a scrapper and I need to know getting on for bedtime so tomorrow I will strip out the valve and pickup - but it does appear to be a superior arrangement to the later versions the valve seems to shut off the flow but also switch from liquid to vapour and air for priming
Rick C.: In you collection of Coleman single burners do you have a Model 500? It's one of my favorites. Introduced in 1938 by Canadian Coleman, and 1940(?) by the American division, It has a pre-war industrial look. It could be backpacked...., but it is a large single burner, with a large tank, and a bit heavy. It burns and simmers well. Up to 1953 it had the "spider web" grate. Consider adding one to your collection. The two lever 400's are nice, and better than the single lever, in my opinion. Paul
Hi, Paul @ulysses : No 500, at least not yet! It seems I see two versions: the really nice ones I can't (or is it won't?) afford, and ones in my price range which often look like they've been soaked in salt water for a decade or two. Never say "never", though: who can say what might pop up tomorrow? My interest right now is another stove to go in one of the SIGG Tourist kits set up for the Colemans that's followed me home. As far as I know, any of the 400 family, including 442s and Peak 1 variants of that group will fit, and the simmering capabilities of the two lever models seems worth a bit of searching. While my 442 will simmer ok if there's no breeze, even with the windscreen, it's happier running closer to full throttle. Thanks to all for the info on the levers/generators. I guess as long as there are two levers, I'll be ok. Rick C
@Rickybob there will be a schrader valve in there. It is below the red lever but I can't find the pictures from when I rebuilt mine however there is an excellent tutorial over on CCF where a brown 400 is stripped cleaned and rebuilt but it might take a while to read through. Unlike CCS, CCF used to allow images from photobucket and a lot of their threads were ruined when the picture hosts changed their policies. Regards John
